Broadwater County Democrats Host Annual Meeting
Author: Nancy Marks, MT43 News reporter
Broadwater County Democrats Host Annual Meeting
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Two legislators who usually sit on opposite sides of the aisle sat together Wednesday night at the Broadwater Democrats Convention to give their take on the recent bills passed by the 2025 Legislature that affect Broadwater County.
In a gesture of conciliation, Democrat Mary Caferro D. District 81 and Republican Jane Gillette R. District 39, talked at length about working together on issues in the legislature that bore fruit for Medicaid recipients, but not for property taxpayers in Broadwater County. They praised the passage of the Medicaid bill, which would continue to cover those who suffer from mental health issues, who have low-paying jobs and need steady childcare.
Gillette pointed out the property tax bill, which passed, “doesn’t work out well” for the agricultural community. She commented, “I hope I’m wrong, but I fear farmers and ranchers will feel the pinch of higher taxes.”
Caferro echoed Gillette’s concern. The newly passed bill will force homeowners to apply for the rebate. If they didn’t apply for the rebate in 2023, they will not qualify for the rebate this time. Farmers and ranchers will see a 25 percent increase in the taxes on their homes, even though it is situated on ranch property. Homeowners in town will see a 24 percent property tax increase beginning in 2026.
Gillette did comment on the issue of exempt water wells. Broadwater County has been the epicenter of the controversy of whether subdivisions could be developed based on single well water and septic tank systems. Last year, the court ruled in favor of a lawsuit brought by Broadwater County ranchers against the Horse Creek Hills proposed subdivision on the east side of Canyon Ferry Lake. She said the bill to okay the use of exempt wells did not pass in the legislature. She recognizes the tension between land development and ranching communities, but found herself in between: “I try to keep my head down and do good work.”
Central Committee Chairwoman Gayle Clifford included in her 2024 working report pointed out that a Montana Constitutional Convention would be before the voters in 2030. A Missoula group will be crossing the state to inform the public about the issues of changing Montana’s Constitution.
Re-elected officers of the Committee are Chairwoman Clifford, Secretary Kim Rickard Smeltzer and Treasurer Warren Smeltzer. They will act as precinct committee representatives as well.
The group enjoyed their dinner served at Post 42 American Legion. Door prizes were sponsored by Goose Bay Glass, Canyon Ferry Brewing and Highway 12 Market Place. Winners were Patty Stucky, Paul Clifford and Bonnie Olson.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: From left: Legislative House District 39 representative Jane Gillette, District 81 representative Mary Caferro, Broadwater Democratic Committee Chair Gayle Clifford, Secretary Kim Rickard Smeltzer and Treasurer Warren Smeltzer sit at the head table during the annual meeting held at the Legion.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
