Key takeaways from our investigation revealing how expensive properties use a system meant to help farmers and ranchers.

It took us a bit to get the backend data handling playing nicely with the new #mtleg website, our @montanafreepress.org digital guide to the Montana Legislature is now up and running.

Dive into this @nickbowlin.bsky.social @ericdietrich.bsky.social investigation about how Montana's ag tax ends up allowing some million-dollar home owners to pay less on their taxes than their next-door neighbors. (FYI @longreads.com ) www.hcn.org/articles/mon...

How much agricultural income do you need to qualify a Montana property for a hefty ag-status property tax discount? A mere $1,500. Critics say that makes it too easy for luxury real estate to qualify.

A legislative audit found the state revenue department is failing to add an estimated $300 million of new construction annually to tax rolls.

Hailed as a savior upon his arrival in Helena, Dr. Thomas C. Weiner became a favorite of patients and his hospital’s highest earner. As the myth surrounding the high-profile oncologist grew, so did the trail of patient harm and suspicious deaths. An MTFP co-publication with @propublica.org

We made a starter pack for journalists covering the Northern Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming). 🏔️ 📰 A great list for those who live in the Mountain West and want to keep up with the news + network. Please let us know who else belongs on this list and we'll add them!

MTFP’s interactive map shows this year’s election results at a neighborhood resolution.

Now on this piece of the interwebs --> bsky.app/profile/mont...

The newly reelected Republican governor says the state can reduce income and property taxes while investing in public safety and education.

Montana Department of Revenue staff told a legislative committee that next year’s reappraisal cycle could produce a partial repeat of last year’s jarring tax spike as the state’s surging real estate market continues to translate into higher residential taxes.

MTFP education reporter Alex Sakariassen and I have spent months trying to make sense of Montana’s dizzyingly complex school funding system. Here’s our crack at breaking down how things work with a visual explainer: