Tomorrow is the deadline for Montana residents who qualify to apply for a property tax rebate.

The State Legislature passed the measure during its last session.

Jason Sleade, communications director with the Montana Department of Revenue, said people can qualify for as much as $675 in property tax rebates - if they lived in the state for at least seven months in 2023 and owned a residence for that long.

"Single family homes and apartments. Condominiums. Trailers, manufactured homes, mobile homes," said Sleade, "and that's also including up to one acre of surrounding land."

That amounts to about 215,000 Montana homes and 3,200 small businesses.

Critics have said the temporary rebate program isn't enough to offset the effects of a recent property tax increase, among the biggest in Montana's history.

Even though the deadline to file is not until October 1, the state has already issued more than $130 million in property tax rebates this year, which Sleade said boosts local economies.

"Last year, in 2023, we sent out a total of about $142 million," said Sleade. "That money's going right back into your local governments, and people are happy to get that money and do the things they want to do with that."

In addition to applying online, Sleade said Montana residents can also get help by visiting one of the revenue department's field offices around the state - which could be especially helpful for folks in rural areas.




get more stories like this via email

Polling shows that many young people of color in Generation Z are ambivalent about voting, but one group of activists is working to change that.

The Coalition for Justice and Equality Across Movements is sponsoring the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Liberation Tour at HBCUs across the South, to engage students in the political system.

The goal is to register Black college students to vote and have their voices heard.

Destiny Pearson is a program coordinator for the group, and with the National Minority AIDS Council. She said too many young people are disengaged from the political process.

"That's so concerning, because about 50% of Gen Z are people of color," said Pearson. "So we really want to make sure that we're engaging these young Black students, to understand the importance of this election, and to be more engaged in the political system."

The tour stops at Fisk College in Nashville on tomorrow to meet with students and help sign up those who still need to register to vote.

It has already visited Howard University and Clark Atlanta University - and plans future stops at Jackson State, North Carolina A&T, and Florida A&M.

A recent Gallup-Walton Family Foundation poll of voting-age Gen Z'ers in seven key swing states, found that more than half have very little faith in the government.

Harold Phillips is deputy director of programs for the National Minority AIDS Council, and said young people need to drive significant change through voting.

"They're going to inherit this world that many of us older folks have created and worked to build," said Phillips, "and so they do really need to feel empowered to use their voice to try to shape the future that is going to be theirs."

An NBC News poll shows that as of September 4, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris was leading Republican Donald Trump by a 50% to 32% margin among 18 to 29-year-olds in seven battleground states.

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.


get more stories like this via email

With just under 40 days before the November election, Wisconsin is again mired in controversy over the use of ballot drop boxes and a civic engagement group hopes it does not dovetail into what it described as voter suppression tactics.

Voting access advocates saw a victory over the summer when the Wisconsin Supreme Court reversed a near-total ban on drop boxes for absentee ballots. But this past weekend, the mayor of Wausau, a vocal opponent of the option, held a public event where he removed a drop box.

Sam Liebert, Wisconsin state director for the group All Voting is Local, feels it is an extension of the persistent -- and false -- claims about the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

"This is just another part of a larger puzzle of continued voter suppression and trying to have fewer people vote in the upcoming November election," Liebert contended.

The mayor has defended his actions, insisting he did nothing wrong. Opponents of drop boxes claim they could be tampered with and said prohibiting them could help ensure election integrity. But election policy analysts countered they are a proven and safe option.

All Voting is Local and other advocates have asked state authorities to look into the matter. The local district attorney is pursuing an investigation.

Even though the state's highest court made this voting tool legal again, local administrators still have the option to decide whether to place drop boxes around their communities. Liebert pointed out those in leadership positions and the public should know how beneficial drop boxes are in giving everyone a chance to vote.

"They help so many types of voters," Liebert emphasized. "Whether they're voters with disabilities, they're third-shift workers, they're single parents, all types of people benefit from having ballot drop boxes."

Earlier this month, a similar controversy arose over guidance from the Dodge County Sheriff's Office to local election clerks. With Wisconsin again viewed as a battleground state, Liebert added such examples serve as a reminder for all entities playing a role in carrying out elections to ensure a safe and accessible environment for voters.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


get more stories like this via email

In Ohio's 43rd House District race in Toledo, candidates are discussing a range of issues of interest to their constituents.

Incumbent Rep. Michele Grim, D-Toledo, has been vocal about the recent constitutional amendment on reproductive rights and said her platform addresses several critical areas, including economic development, health care, and public safety.

"Ohio enshrined reproductive rights into the Constitution last November," Grim noted. "But the work is not done because laws still limit women to obtain abortions in a timely manner."

While reproductive rights are part of the conversation, Grim said she is focused on improving health care access, supporting small businesses, and reducing gun violence. Recently, she announced $67 million in state funding for the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, aimed at tearing down almost 1,300 blighted structures across several counties, including Lucas. The funding is intended to support community revitalization efforts and attract investments.

Wendi Hendricks, Grim's Republican challenger, is centering her campaign on public safety and crime reduction. She acknowledged the recent constitutional decision on abortion rights reflects the will of Ohioans, and while she respects the outcome, she believes issues like safety and local economic growth are more pressing concerns for voters in District 43.

"The people in Ohio spoke and answered how they want that to move forward," Hendricks noted. "It's really a nonissue for this campaign. I stand with my constituents and right now they're screaming, 'Safety, safety, safety.'"

Hendricks' platform highlights the importance of working with law enforcement to address crime in Toledo, emphasizing her commitment to improving community safety.

Both candidates bring different areas of focus to the race, offering voters a choice between addressing local economic and safety issues while navigating broader statewide and national concerns.


get more stories like this via email