Hello! Here are the topics for today’s column:

• No Montana Sales Tax
• City of Helena Proclamation
• The Life of a Showgirl
• One More Thing

NO MONTANA SALES TAX:

Lee Newspapers is reporting that Montana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd O’Hair advocated for a Montana sales tax during the Bureau of Business and Economic Research’s 2025 midyear economic update in Billings this week.

O’Hair told the conference that he is suggesting the implementation of a statewide sales tax to offset the decrease in Montana’s revenue from natural resources. Implementing a sales tax, said O’Hair, would create a more sustainable tax structure for Montana’s evolving economy.

It was also reported that Montana State Senator Greg Hertz, R-Polson, agrees, saying, “Montana’s economy has changed from a natural resource-based economy to a more service and sales sector economy which is more inducive to a sales tax going forward.”

Montanans should pay attention to who is advocating for a sales tax. The Montana Chamber of Commerce may claim to be non-partisan, but it leans to the right, and Hertz is a Republican. 

It is important to ask candidates at all levels where they stand on a statewide sales tax. 

I can’t see Montanans supporting a sales tax – even if there’s a “promise” to do away with other taxes. Remember the lottery? Have your taxes increased since the lottery began? Of course they have.  

We are tired of being nickel-and-dimed to death. 

CITY OF HELENA PROCLAMATION:

The City of Helena issued a proclamation to show support for immigrants and refugees.  According to the Helena Independent Record, the Proclamation specifically stands in support of Hands on Global and the Helena Area Refugee Resettlement Team, which helps vetted refugees adjust to American life in the Queen City, alongside celebrating Helena’s immigrants at large.

You can read the Proclamation HERE.

I bet that you won’t see Great Falls proclaiming support for immigrants and refugees anytime soon. 

THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL:

In case you missed it, “The Life of a Showgirl” is the title of the new album from Taylor Swift. It will be Swift’s 12th studio album. 

The Associated Press (AP) reported that Swift announced the album on her website shortly after a countdown timer expired at 12:12 a.m. Tuesday. No release date was announced, but her site said vinyl editions of the album would ship before Oct. 13.

Is this a great country or what? 

ONE MORE THING: 

Not to brag, but I was alive when you could SLAM the phone down to hang up on someone. It was spectacular! 

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