Montana Senate and House Democrats say they are focusing on lowering the cost of living and child care, providing property tax relief, addressing mental health and more in the 2023 legislative session, which began Monday.

Party leaders presented their caucus' policy priorities in a Jan. 2 press conference coinciding with the start of the session. Democrats argue their policies will bring down health care costs, guarantee reproductive freedom, strengthen public education, ensure workers’ rights, protect the outdoors, address the missing and murdered indigenous peoples crisis and hold the government accountable.

“The truth is Montanans today are facing several crises, and they are counting on the Legislature to take its responsibility to them seriously,” said Senate Minority Leaders Pat Flowers, D-Bozeman, said in a statement. “With this plan, Montana Democrats show that we’re pursuing real, concrete solutions for everyone who calls this state home.”

According to Senate Minority Whip Shannon O’Brien, D-Missoula, Montana’s legislators must figure out what everyone’s “fair share” is when it comes to taxes. O’Brien highlighted three bills in that vein that Democrats are promoting: LC141, which would prevent property taxes from rising above an affordable percentage of a resident’s income; LC1352, which includes a one-time property tax rebate; and LC3219, which will increase the state earned income tax credit.

“We are at real risk of sliding into a place where only the most well-off folks have the freedom to make a good life here. That’s unacceptable to us,” House Minority Leader Kim Abbot, D-Helena, said in a press release. “The Montana Democratic platform ensures that working Montanans, not just millionaires and the well-connected, get a fair shake.”

Regarding child care, Democrats are prioritizing three bills that they say will lower out of pocket costs, invest in child care accessibility and provide a tax credit for early childhood workers.

As for mental health, Democrats are focusing on bills that establish a mental health care trust fund, expand the industry’s workforce and improve adolescent access to mental health care.

There are six bills that the Democrats are prioritizing around reproductive health care, including legislation that codifies abortion access, establishes a menstrual equity act and provides for a civil penalty for interference with abortion access.

Democrats also are looking to extend the missing indigenous persons task force, revise the quality educator loan assistance program, increase opportunities for resident hunters and protect data privacy online, among other initiatives.

Democrats are criticizing their Republican colleagues’ initiatives and Gov. Greg Gianforte’s proposed budget as benefiting primarily wealthy residents. Republicans have responded by pointing to the makeup of the statehouse.

Speaker of the House Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, noted that voters elected a supermajority of Republicans for a reason – to give money back to the taxpayers who paid it.

“There are a lot of good ideas amongst all 68 of us,” Regier said, referring to Republicans’ plans for the legislative session.

According to Kyle Schmauch, spokesperson for the Senate GOP, Republicans this session will be focused on providing financial relief to Montanans who are suffering from the effects of inflation, the high cost of living and other issues.

“Returning budget surplus money to taxpayers, cutting taxes again, and working on reforms to make housing more affordable and attainable are top priorities,” Schmauch said.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or at 758-4459.