Taxpayer Pledge
| I, ____________, pledge to the taxpayers of the _____ district of the State of Montana and to all the people of this state, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes. __________________________
Signed | | | __________________________
Date | __________________________
Witness | | | __________________________
Witness | | Download the Pledge Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Pledge Pledge Signers As of Monday, November 10, eleven newly elected state legislators plus 16 incumbents have signed the pledge promising no net increase in taxes. Once a legislator signs the pledge, it is binding for the duration of time served in that office. If the legislator decides to run for another public office, then he or she would be required to sign again. If he or she decides to not seek re-election, the pledge is binding for the remainder of the term. Since the housing and banking collapse, the pledge has taken on increased importance. Although the state Legislative Fiscal Division earlier projected a $1 billion general-fund budget surplus few view that amount seriously because the projection was determined prior to the global and national meltdown. A sluggish national economy will burden Montana, impact its revenue and put more pressure on legislators to raise taxes to continue funding the rate of government growth.
Below are complete lists of newly elected legislators and incumbent pledge signers: | Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers | | | New Legislators | | 16 Incumbents | | | Senate | | Senate | | 1 | Greg Hinkle (S-7) | 1 | Sen. Joe Balyeat (S-34)** | | 2 | Bruce Tutvedt (S-3) | 2 | Sen. Aubyn Curtiss (S-1)* | | | | 3 | Sen. Verdell Jackson (S-5)* | | | House | 4 | Sen. Rick Laible (S-44)* | | 1 | Gerald Bennett (H-1) | 5 | Sen. Dave Lewis (S-42)* | | 2 | Joel Boniek (H-61) | 6 | Sen. Dan McGee (S-29)* | | 3 | Brian Hoven (H-24) | | | | 4 | Mike Miller (H-84) | | House | | 5 | Mike More (H-70) | 1 | Rep. Bill Beck (H-6)*** | | 6 | Lee Randall (H-39) | 2 | Rep. Mark Blasdel (H-10) | | 7 | Gordon Vance (H-67) | 3 | Rep. Ed Butcher (H-29) | | 8 | Bob Wagner (H-71) | 4 | Rep. Ray Hawk (H 90) | | 9 | Ted Washburn (H-69) | 5 | Rep. Dave Kasten (H 30) | | | | 6 | Rep. Krayton Kerns (H 58) | | | | 7 | Rep. Bob Lake (H 88) | | | | 8 | Rep. Scott Mendenhall (H 77) | | | | 9 | Rep. Penny Morgan (H 57) | | | | 10 | Rep. Scott Sales (H 68) | | | | | | | | | | 6 Retiring Legislators | | | | 1 | Rep. Rick Jore (H 12) | | | | 2 | Sen. Jerry O'Neil (S-3) | | | | 3 | Rep. Roger Koopman (H 70) | | | | 4 | Rep. Diane Rice (H 71) | | | | 5 | Rep. John Sinrud (H 67)** | | | | 6 | Rep. Jack M. Wells (H 69) | | | | | | | | | * | Not up for re-election | | | | ** | Taxpayer Protection Caucus Chairman | | | | *** | Incumbent first time pledge signer |
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The Taxpayer Protection Pledge is not intended to support any candidate for office. Montanans for Tax Reform is not urging people to vote for or against candidates based on whether they have signed the pledge.
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