Can Montana Afford an Oil and Gas Tax Holiday?

Aug 09, 2011

By MBPC Staff

Years ago, the legislature created a tax break for oil and gas companies that now costs the state tens of millions of dollars per year, and does not deliver on its promise of economic development. The dollars given to oil and gas companies as a tax holiday would be better spent maintaining public structures like education; public sewers and water systems; good roads and healthy communities that help Montana retain and grow jobs. In short, the oil and gas tax holiday is costing Montana valuable revenue for public services. It’s time to take a hard look at the usefulness of this corporate tax break.