Page 26 - Flathead Beacon // 8.24.16

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK 28 AMERICAN RURAL 28 DRAWING BOARD 29 Viewpoints
LETTERS
A Call for Property Tax Reform
As we campaign across our local dis- tricts we are fortunate to have had the opportunity to speak with hundreds of citizens about their concerns regarding our community. One of the most fre- quently raised complaints that we hear about is property taxes. Another com- mon theme is the desire to preserve the character and culture of this valley that we call home. There is an important con- nection between these two issues.
Property taxes, particularly in White- sh, have risen so rapidly for some folks that they have had to leave their homes. Many of the people most a ected are those on xed incomes. They have spent their lives contributing to our commu- nity and becoming a part of its fabric only to be forced out.
This is a terrible predicament for those who nd themselves in this position, but also a terrible cultural cost to our com- munities. We lose something precious with the migration of these long term residents. We lose their ongoing contri- butions, their historical knowledge and we lose relationships built over a life- time. In rewriting our property tax laws, we should do so in a way that supports those who have put down roots and not create nancial barriers for the folks who want to stay.
Recently, we met with a group of homeowners who have been negatively impacted by their appraisal and subse- quent property tax. We learned that the appraisal process is ripe with inconsis- tencies resulting in property taxes that vary among similar properties. We’ve heard stories of homes compared to one another for tax purposes that simply aren’t comparable. We’ve also learned that the appeals process can be a demean- ing a air, leaving the homeowner open to criticism and intimidation from panels of “experts” at the state level.
We believe that a narrow approach should be taken to address those indi- vidual property owners living in their homes as full time residents experienc- ing reappraisals resulting in hardships. An example of such an approach was the property tax cap bill SB184 from 2000, which lasted only to 2002 when it was rescinded. This cap established a rela- tionship between improvements made on the property (your home) and the value of the property resulting in lower prop- erty appraisals. (In this law the property could not exceed 75 percent the value of the structures or improvements).
A similar approach would be helpful to eligible homeowners without caus- ing statewide havoc. There are multiple remedies that will allow for the integ- rity of the system while addressing
the regressive portions of the tax. We should consider the following: Expan- sion of EPTAP to former levels of eli- gibility (a tax assistance program that allowed participation for incomes up to $75,000), a circuit breaker system that provides rebates based on a relation- ship between property tax and income, a Minnesota statute that provides annual rebates based upon a spike in appraisals. Montana must be equipped with multiple tools to help those who are victimized by a high appraisal.
We will work to educate other legis- lators of the bene ts of a fair property tax and appraisal system and seek solu- tions. We also anticipate strong pres- sure to reduce the income and business equipment tax. We understand that rev- enues are down as we enter the legisla- tive session and corresponding needs in social services and education persist, thus reform will be challenging. How- ever, such reforms are long overdue. The homeowners at the table have been ght- ing this for decades. Past White sh leg- islators from both parties have worked valiantly on their behalf. We plan to do the same.
Dave Fern, candidate House District 5, White sh Melissa Hartman, candidate Senate District 3, White sh
Keys to Good Regulation
Early in my rst term on the Public Service Commission, I was struck by how di erent the role of commissioner was from that of a state legislator – a hat I had previously worn. Legislators, as law- makers, are advocates for speci c public policy. Their ideologies are obvious, and they get elected on that basis.
Commissioners, on the other hand, don’t make law. They interpret and apply law, giving it form, shape and maximum public purpose, consistent with its origi- nal intent. Our role, in fact, is very similar to that of a federal or state judge. We apply the law to serve the public interest, while at the same time, respecting the rights of each party that comes before us. If we are doing our jobs right, we will often have individual interests unhappy with us, but we will have served the greater pub- lic good, which to me, means vigorously defending the often over-burdened Mon- tana energy consumer.
The challenge, of course, is when com- missioners know, empirically or intu- itively, that existing public law is not serving the greater public good. Laws that drive up costs and burden consum- ers with unnecessarily high energy bills. Laws that subsidize some and penalize others, burdening taxpayers in a hundred hidden ways. Laws that block entrepre- neurs from providing lower prices and consumer choice, by protecting existing
operators from competition. Laws that kill jobs and cripple economies, to advance dubious ideological agendas.
Faced with this dilemma, testing one’s conscience and sense of duty, the best approach is to recognize the dual respon- sibilities every commissioner carries: one as arbiter and regulator, the other as occasional spokesman on matters of pub- lic policy.
Because of the PSC’s unique vantage point from which to judge the e cacy of energy and utility law, commissioner insight can greatly contribute to future policy formation. Like judges when away from their courtrooms, commissioners too have appropriate opportunities to express their views and make thoughtful recommendations. Yet while this advi- sory role is important – and often called upon by the state Legislature – it makes up less than 5 percent of a commission- er’s job description.
The regulator role is our overrid- ing responsibility, and an incredibly important and far-reaching one. Here, with the able assistance of an amazing PSC sta , we exercise direct regulatory jurisdiction – including rate approval and design – over all private, investor-owned electric, gas and water utilities. The PSC also exerts varying degrees of regulatory authority in passenger service, garbage hauling, telecommunications and intra- state railroads.
As regulator, I function as the impar- tial and equitable judge, and at the same time, as the relentless pursuer of facts and truth. In this regard, I have developed a bit of a reputation on the commission as one who asks particularly tough and pen- etrating questions of the regulated utility monopolies. I see this as my job, and my 36-year business background has helped in knowing precisely what to ask. With every question, discovering what is best for consumers and the future of our state is foremost in my mind.
To this fact- nding role I apply a stan- dard of fairness and freedom. I never go into a session with my mind made up, but pay close attention to all arguments, including those of fellow commission- ers, sta and the general public, and then carefully deliberate – not legislate – on the weighty matters before us. The freedom standard leads me to encourage the greatest degree of consumer-friendly competition, market e ciency, risk-shar- ing incentive and utility accountability as the law allows. The fairness standard demands that in all PSC decisions, I play by a consistent set of rules and princi- ples that treat every party with the same degree of fairness and respect. Partisan agendas have no place in a regulator’s toolbox.
Roger Koopman Public service commissioner
TOP10 STORIES
ON FLATHEADBEACON.COM Tax Implications Surround
Closure of Weyerhaeuser Mills
Montana Supreme Court Steps in to Redistribute ‘Heavy Caseload’ in Flathead
Glacier Park, 1916
Two Grizzly Bears Captured in White sh
Scientists Release First Assessment of Westslope Cutthroat in Glacier National Park
Thompson Falls Fire Grows As Temperatures Rise Across the Region
Gianforte Says Indian Reservations Hinder Free Markets
No Decision Yet on Anti- Marijuana Initiative
Anti-marijuana Group Presses to Add Initiative to Ballot
Young and Hungry Grizzlies Poised for Playo Contention
LETTERS
Tell us what you think. To submit a letter, please e-mail your submission to editor@ atheadbeacon.com. Please keep your letter to 300 words or less. The Flathead Beacon reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity and to prevent libel. Letters must include the writer’s rst and last name, phone number and address for veri cation purposes. Only the name and hometown of the writer will be printed. To mail a letter, please send to 17 Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Fax letters to (406) 257-9231.
26
AUGUST 24, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM