HELENA – A proposed state tax hike on thriving oil and gas operations, an increase backed by Gov. Brian Schweitzer, has hit a dead end.
Republicans controlling the Senate Taxation Committee tabled the proposal on Monday.
Senate Bill 258 would have raised taxes on oil once the price hit $80 a barrel. A tax increase on natural gas production was proposed, as well.
Proponents pitched the bill as partial repeal of a decade-old tax holiday granted for new oil and gas wells in Montana. Republican opponents rejected the plan as a scheme that would hamper development should energy prices rise.
Democrats wanted to earmark the new money for education.