Lyn Bennett Delivering Results

Safe neighborhoods are the foundation of a strong Montana. As your State Representative, I am committed to providing our law enforcement with the tools they need and holding our judicial system accountable.

• Fully Funding Law Enforcement: I supported a balanced state budget that prioritized public safety and provided our first responders with the resources needed to keep the Flathead safe.
• Judicial Accountability: I believe judges should be accountable to the people, not special interests. I supported reforms to increase transparency in court deliberations and the move toward partisan judicial elections, so voters know exactly where candidates stand.
• Standing for the Rule of Law: I am a firm supporter of the Second Amendment and will always oppose "defund the police" rhetoric. My record is 100% in favor of protecting our families and our constitutional rights.

In the 2025 session, we delivered the most significant structural tax reforms in Montana history to protect our local families and small businesses from soaring valuations.

Historic Property Tax Relief

The old system was broken, treating local residents exactly like out-of-state investors. I fought to change that by passing the Homestead Property Tax Act (HB 542 & SB 231).

• The Homestead Advantage: We created a tiered-rate system that slashed the tax rate for primary residences to just 0.78%. This shifts the tax burden away from locals and onto out-of-state vacation homes and corporate holdings.
• Proven Savings: Verified MARA data shows average annual savings of $1,183 in Columbia Falls and $1,379 in Whitefish.
• Direct Rebates: We authorized the $400 property tax rebates to provide an immediate financial bridge for families while our long-term reforms took hold.

Lowering the Cost of Living & Doing Business

Tax reform must go beyond property. I worked to ensure Montana remains an affordable place to live, work, and grow a business.

• Income Tax Reduction: I voted to simplify tax brackets and lower the top marginal income tax rate. This stops "bracket creep" from eating your raises and ensures you keep more of your paycheck.
• Eliminating the Small Business Tax: I supported expanding the Business Equipment Tax (BET) exemption, effectively zeroing out this tax for nearly every local shop in the Flathead.
• Fiscal Discipline: I consistently voted against "blank check" spending. By controlling the growth of government, we prevent the "fiscal cliffs" that lead to future tax hikes.

Our nurses, teachers, and police officers should be able to afford to live in the communities they serve. I am fighting to make housing more attainable by lowering the tax burden on locals and reducing government red tape.

• The Homestead Advantage: By passing the Homestead Property Tax Act, we lowered the tax rate for primary residences. This ensures that those who live and work here aren't taxed out of their homes by out-of-state demand.
• Protecting Local Renters: I helped create a separate tax category for long-term rental properties. By ensuring local landlords aren't taxed at the same high rate as short-term vacation rentals, we help keep rents stable for our local workforce.
• Cutting Red Tape: I support common-sense regulatory reform to reduce the cost of new construction. We need to make it easier—not harder—for the next generation of Montanans to achieve the dream of homeownership.

I believe every child in the Flathead deserves a world-class education, and every taxpayer deserves to know their money is reaching the students and teachers in the classroom. My focus is on empowering teachers and students while driving administrative efficiency.

• Putting Teachers First: I championed HB 567, which allows school districts to voluntarily share "back-office" services like payroll, IT, and HR. By reducing administrative duplication, we unlock a 50% increase in Quality Educator Payments to help recruit and retain the best teachers for our schools.
• Fiscal Responsibility: I opposed "blank check" spending increases that outpaced inflation and population growth. This protected our local homeowners from unnecessary tax hikes while ensuring our schools remain adequately funded through data-driven formulas.
• Empowering Parents: I support school choice and parental rights, ensuring that families—not Helena bureaucrats—are the primary decision-makers in their children’s education.

I am honored to be 100% Rated by:

CPAC - 100% Rating