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Articles by Marta Bertoglio
2025 Legislature delivers on promises
That’s a wrap on the 2025 legislative session! I believe we delivered legislation that prioritizes Montanans and their way of life. We passed legislation that aims to lower property and income taxes for hardworking residents, protect access to healthcare while keeping our rural hospitals open, and invest in students and schools. Additionally, we established a balanced, conservative budget that funds essential services, reduces taxes, and saves for the future.
As Legislature winds down, a push for principled solutions
As we approach the final weeks of the legislative session and reflect on the Easter season, I find myself grateful for the opportunity to serve you, for the progress we have made, and for the values that guide our work here in Helena. We have sent hundreds of bills to the Senate, each one a reflection of the concerns that I hear from constituents back home.
Montana Pharmacy Protection Act Original
This legislative session, Rep. Marta Bertoglio introduced House Bill 740 to help Montana’s pharmacies stand up to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Decades ago, these industry giants started filling a legitimate need in the processing and negotiating of prescription drug insurance benefits. However, they quickly grew and consolidated into some of the largest corporations in the United States, and now just a few PBMs control virtually the entire drug benefits market.
Pursuing a balanced, responsible budget
Now that we’re back in Helena after the transmittal break, legislators are focused on finalizing Montana’s $12 billion budget. I am committed to passing a balanced and fiscally responsible budget that protects your finances while funding services that enhance your quality of life. I will support a budget that prioritizes schools, healthcare, roads, and first responders while also lowering property and income taxes for Montana families.
A bill to support local pharmacies and their customers
This legislative session, I introduced House Bill 740 to help Montana’s pharmacies stand up to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Decades ago, these industry giants started filling a legitimate need in the processing and negotiating of prescription drug insurance benefits. However, they quickly grew and consolidated into some of the largest corporations in the United States, and now just a few PBMs control virtually the entire drug benefits market.
At halfway point, progress on property taxes and more
We just passed the halfway point of our 90 days in Helena, and I am proud to report that we have made significant strides in tackling the big and small issues facing our state. With over 800 bills introduced in the House, we’ve sent just under 600 bills to our counterparts in the Senate. I made a commitment to support common sense solutions to the problems facing our state. Below are just a few of the many bills that have been presented by the House Majority that will tackle these issues.
Marta Bertoglio: Republican bills will ease burden of property taxes
Montana’s property taxes are out of control. That’s why our top priority this session is passing permanent property tax relief for Montanans. And we’re not alone: Gov. Gianforte signaled property tax reform is at the top of his to-do list this session in his recent State of the State address. While we all agree on the need for property tax reform, debate this session will be over how to offer Montanans real, permanent relief on their property tax bills.
Proposals to lower property taxes
Montana’s property taxes are out of control. That’s why our top priority this session is passing permanent property tax relief for Montanans. And we’re not alone: Gov. Gianforte signaled property tax reform is at the top of his to-do list this session in his recent State of the State address. While we all agree on the need for property tax reform, debate this session will be over how to offer Montanans real, permanent relief on their property tax bills.
Solution-oriented approaches to property-tax relief
Montana’s property taxes are out of control. That’s why our top priority this session is passing permanent property tax relief for Montanans. And we’re not alone. Gov. Greg Gianforte signaled property tax reform is at the top of his to-do list this session in his recent state of the state address. While we all agree on the need for property tax reform, debate this session will be over how to offer Montanans real, permanent relief on their property tax bills.
We’ve heard voters’ concerns. Now, it’s time to act on them
Montana has weighed in on the national, state and local elections. The most important election results reflect concerns raised by our residents right here in Montana. We look forward to supporting the Governor’s recent “Path to Security and Prosperity” by focusing on economic development and creating additional good-paying jobs, which will lead to improved family success and prosperity.
Why I support the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 442
Politics can be a messy business, and the timing of our supplemental tax bill with its paragraph blaming the Governor's office and Legislature during an election cycle along with the timing of the veto override of SB 442 concerns me. While I try to avoid the "politics" in politics, I feel compelled to address these issues.
A better path toward fixing property taxes
As we look forward to 2024, property taxes have taken on special urgency for many Montanans. Considering my vote against a special session of the Legislature this month that would have addressed property taxes, I would like to take a deep dive into our tax system to explain my thinking. The primary source of funding for Montana’s state government is income tax. The state receives approximately 70% of its General Fund revenue from income tax.
Breaking down the property tax crisis
When I opened my Department of Revenue (DOR) appraisal notice I, like many of you, was shocked by the increase in my property tax estimate. Even though I read on the first page, “THIS IS NOT YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL,” I was still concerned. I understand the angst and confusion regarding this process because property owners question the accuracy of the fair market value and, secondly, the possible increase in their property taxes. Please remember that property taxes are local.
One for the books: Taking stock of the 68th legislature
From start to the unexpected finish, the 68th Legislative session is one for the books to say the least. The sheer number of bills, the supermajority, the historic budget surplus, and the number of laws passed make it challenging to encapsulate into one article. Nonetheless, I will touch base on a few bills that I sponsored or carried, as well as others important to our state. HB 117: the Teacher Retirement System “Working Retiree” bill.
A somber mood in the Montana House
The 68th legislative session will end in one week. Montanans have much to look forward to as a result of our bipartisan work this session. However, much of our good work is overshadowed by the headlines of last week. As a native Montanan, receiving calls from Montanans near and far, I think the message as portrayed by media outlets has been misconstrued regarding Representative Zooey Zephyr. It is disheartening to think this is happening in our state.
Working toward a conservative state budget
It has been a very busy second half of the legislative session in the Montana House of Representatives beginning with a significant day at the State Capitol. As a result of the hard work of our legislature, Governor Gianforte signed a group of bills into law that give hard-working Montanans tax relief, paying down $200 million of Montana state debt and providing for a SAFER Roads and Bridges Fund.
Good news for Montana taxpayers
Friday, March 3 marked the halfway point of the 68th Legislative session. We heard hundreds of bills in committee and on the House floor. The last week was filled with long hours and high emotion as legislators fought for their legislative priorities. Here are a few takeaways from our session thus far: Key pieces of legislation have passed both chambers and will be sent to the Governor.
Bertoglio in support of marijuana tax reallocation
As the Legislature moves into the two weeks prior to the transmittal deadline, around 200 bills have been added to our schedules. It will be quite busy. Since my last update, I sponsored two pages from Montana City, Cecelia Chapman and Izak Longcake. They enjoyed seeing government in action, and I am encouraged to see our young people interested in learning our legislative process. In this update I will focus on House Bill 462, part of the Governor’s public safety budget.
Report from Helena: a record-setting session
It is hard to believe is has been one month since I was sworn in as the House District 75 Representative. I continue to feel honored to serve my constituents. The 2023 legislature is in full swing, and records are being set on the Montana House Floor. For the first time in Montana history, legislators are faced with the decision of how to disperse a nearly two-billion-dollar surplus. To accomplish this, a six-bill package will move forward to break down the disbursements into different categories.
Report from Helena: A productive start
HELENA- Week two of the legislative session has concluded and there are eighty working days left before the 2023 legislative session ends. The Montana House of Representatives has been off to a productive start. I serve on the State Administration, Education, and Local Government committees. This past week I presented two bills on behalf of the Teacher Retirement Board. The first was to clarify and update language in the law.
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