State Legislature 2024: HD55-Kim Gillan (D) - Billings Chamber of Commerce

What are your three most important policy priorities? What do you hope the impact of implementing these policies will be?

Property taxation for homeowners and small business;
Workforce challenges, i.e. housing, recruitment & retention, health care and childcare
Public education

In a recent survey of our members, an overwhelming portion of respondents (96%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “Reducing the cost of doing business in Montana generally benefits all Montanans.” What do you hope the Legislature will do to reduce the cost of doing business in Montana?

I believe that small businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy and we must focus on their ability to recruit and retain workers; provide health insurance for them (ie. Keep Medicaid Expansion) and provide infrastructure to support (broadband) particularly in rural areas. I am open to other legislative initiatives, and carried a few when I served 1997 to 2012

In our recent survey, public safety was identified as the number one policy issue for our members. During the 2023 Session, important bills to update the antiquated Youth Court Act and revise theft laws both narrowly failed. We expect those and other safety bills to come up during the 2025 Session. What legislative changes would you suggest to address safety issues in Billings and around the state?

I believe that funding/training of police (including the highway patrol) are some of the fundamentals of public safety; we also need to take another look at the Youth Court Act. I think dealing with some of the state’s pervasive mental health issues is also important, particularly those related to substance abuse. As with all of these issues, I am open to discussion and have no preconceived or ideological biases. I initiated and directed a $2 million Workforce/Education program in the MWP for several years, and know that recidivism can be reduced through job training/post incarceration initiatives. The Downtown Billings community and many businesses were very, very helpful and engaged.

Last session, the Montana Legislature passed numerous bipartisan housing bills, reforming onerous regulations that restrict housing supply and appropriating an historic amount of funding for housing. Considering how much was accomplished, it was dubbed the “Montana Miracle.” However, the work is not done, and more recommendations are coming forward from the Governor’s Housing Task Force. Which recommendations to add housing supply and make housing more affordable will you consider supporting?

I am serving on the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation Workforce Housing task force. I think land acquisition is one of the problems and possibly would like to see some funding directed toward this aspect (possible seed money, low interest/revolving loan funds, other). I also know that infrastructure costs are high and know there are some funding sources (BOI) but the magnitude of the problem may require more….than tax credits—especially in rural areas. The size of rural projects does not offer developers the economy of scale as with larger projects and needs some targeted resources

Over the last two sessions, the Montana Legislature took significant steps to reduce the business equipment tax, relieving 502 Yellowstone County businesses from the burden of paying this tax. Would you be supportive of further reductions, allowing even more businesses to keep more of their hard-earned dollars?

Honestly, at this point I would have to see the economics of the proposals, in terms of impact on revenue and replacement. I carried a small business equipment tax exemption (targeted) my first session in 1997.

Reauthorizing Medicaid Expansion will be a major topic of debate in the upcoming session. Originally passed in 2015, the program provides significant benefits to Yellowstone County, creating over 1,500 jobs and providing healthcare coverage to approximately 10% of our local workforce. Are you supportive of reauthorization? With changes? Not at all?

I am wholeheartedly in support of Medicaid Expansion.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is consistently a topic at the Legislature, with supporters arguing it is one of the only economic development tools available to local communities in Montana, while some opponents contend it should be eliminated. The Billings Chamber has long been a strong supporter but acknowledges there could be room for improvement. What are your thoughts on TIF?

During my years serving on the MT Senate Tax committee, I was very supportive of TIFs and will continue to do so when elected. As a former professional in economic development, I know first hand they can be a power tool.

Considering the concern over recent property tax increases, the Governor established a Property Tax Task Force to offer recommendations for dealing with increasing property taxes. Which of the 12 recommendations, or other solutions, would you support to address property tax concerns?

First, we need to go back to the Nov 2022 recommendation to reduce the rate as recommended by the MTDOR! This approach has been used in the past and approved on a bipartisan basis. I still wonder how this was ignored during the 2023 session. With this as a starting point, I have some legitimate concerns about some of the new proposals, because they make the 2023 increases (due to escalation of housing/commercial prices) permanent. This was not necessary. The Homestead exemption has some promise. This is very critical for rural areas, and to help with workforce housing. We should include rent property tax relief as possible.

When I served in the legislature, I was recognized for my willingness to put politics aside and try to find common sense solutions. As a problem solver in my professional life and as a former legislator, I have 16 years of experience and believe that my experience could be helpful in many areas