Montana Debates Higher 2d Home Taxes

Montana, land of big skies and small taxes, is pondering property tax changes that will impact the state's growing number of second-home owners.

One proposal now before legislators: out-of-state homeowners would pay a 20 percent surcharge on their Montana property taxes to help pay for fire protection.

Also proposed: constitutional amendment to help 65-and-over primary residents. It would to freeze valuation for property taxes of the principal home owned by such a person.

Lawmakers from the Flathead Valley are behind the second move. They're looking to protect long-time homeowners there who have seen their home and land values skyrocket because out-of-state residents are building costly luxury homes in their area.

Is this part of a backlash against vacation homes? I'll keep you posted.