Episode 90: Walkabout The State Feature: Navigating Missoula's Homelessness Crisis and Montana's Tips Tax Debate.
In this show, we unpack two critical issues: Missoula’s struggle with homelessness and the contentious debate over taxing tips in Montana. This episode is informative for anyone interested in understanding these complex issues and for those interested in understanding how local government can create taxpayer black holes with well-intentioned initiatives that have no chance of being successful, and for those who scratch their head at inconsistent approaches to policy by key MTGOP members.
Missoula’s Escalating Homelessness Crisis
We begin with a deep dive into Missoula's unsuccessful efforts to combat homelessness. Despite extensive funding and initiatives aimed at providing solutions—like the creation of a coordinated entry system and safe outdoor spaces;—homelessness has unfortunately increased. The city's response, which involved expending millions of dollars in taxpayer funds and reshaping terminologies from homeless to unhoused, has sparked significant debate about the effectiveness and direction of such policies. Actionable Steps: Stay Informed: Follow city council meetings and read up on local initiatives to stay informed about new policies. Voice Your Opinions: Engage in public comment sessions, write to your city representatives, and express your concerns or support for homelessness policies. Support Local NGOs: Consider volunteering or donating to organizations that are effectively addressing homelessness in Missoula. Organizations specially designed to combat homelessness and provide shelter have existed in Missoula for years. If you have a heart for those suffering homelessness, donate your time dollars where you know they will be well-managed and spent. The Inefficiency of Government Solutions Missoula's attempts highlight a broader issue of governmental inefficacy in addressing complex social problems. The city’s approach has been more reactive than proactive, often shifting blame to external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than adapting their strategies to meet ongoing challenges effectively. Actionable Steps: Demand Accountability: Encourage transparency and accountability from local government by participating in community forums and elections. Promote Innovative Solutions: Advocate for the adoption of innovative, evidence-based solutions that have worked elsewhere. Let your legislators know that defunding local mental health resources in 2017 caused a cascade of problems, one of which is increased homelessness. How we treat our most vulnerable is a reflection of our character as a state and the gutting of mental health in Montana reverberates consequentially to all of us. Conflicting Taxation Policies on Tips Shifting to state-level concerns, we discuss the conflicting taxation policies affecting Montana's tip-based workers. With federal proposals to eliminate taxes on tips by GOP Senator Steve Daines, and contrasting state measures by GOP Senator Greg Hertz to enforce them, Montana's workers find themselves caught in a policy tug-of-war. Actionable Steps: Understand the Impact: Learn how these taxation policies impact service workers and the broader economy. Engage with Legislators: Reach out to your state and federal legislators to express your views on the taxation of tips. Participation in public hearings and legislative sessions allows your voice to be heard. A Call for Policy Consistency: To foster a more consistent approach to governance, both in terms of homelessness and taxation, it’s essential for policymakers to align their actions with stated principles and the actual needs of Montanans. Actionable Steps: Advocate for Consistency: Lobby for policy consistency that supports small businesses and reduces unnecessary government intervention. Support Policy Reforms: Back reforms that offer fair treatment across different sectors, particularly in how tips and wages are taxed. Wrap-Up By understanding these issues and engaging in informed advocacy, Montanans can drive change in public policy that aligns with our shared values of fairness, consistency, less taxes, efficiency, and community support. How to Engage Further: Join Our Community: Subscribe to the Montana Values Podcast for more in-depth discussions at: montanavalues.podbean.com Support Our Efforts: Consider becoming a supporter to help us continue bringing these important conversations to light. Locate the Sponsor Page on our website and click the donate button. Thank you for joining us today on the Montana Values Podcast. We value your participation in our community’s discourse and look forward to making a positive impact together. What's your favorite Montana Value? How do you live it? Write to us at: [email protected] We’re excited to hear how you live out your Montana Values! Comments are closed.
|