Month: September 2024

by Travis Mateer

An NBC Montana article caught my attention because the article is about Tax Increment Financing and I know a thing or two about this supposedly complicated tax mechanism. In fact, I made a WHOLE DOCUMENTARY about this complicated tax mechanism because it’s actually NOT that complicated. A special taxing district is created and any increase within that district goes to Ellen Buchanan at the Missoula Redevelopment Agency instead of the General Fund. This is one BIG factor behind annual tax increases.

Let’s see how NBC Montana explains Tax Increment Financing to its audience (emphasis mine):

Gov. Greg Gianforte’s property tax task force recommends reviewing tax increment financing laws. The complicated financing tool, which could be a topic of debate for next year’s legislature, is used in both the city of Missoula and the county.

Areas using this tool in the city are known as urban renewal districts.

“An urban renewal district is a specified boundary in which we can invest in public improvements, sidewalks, streets, utilities and parks and housing,” Annie Gorski, the deputy director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, said.

There are six tax increment financing districts in city limits. Urban renewal districts can be initiated by citizens, Missoula City Council or the Missoula Redevelopment Agency.

The property tax base remains the same in these areas, excluding growth. This means for the life of the TIF designation, the property tax revenue from new development in the area goes right back into the district, being reinvested. This is meant to encourage further development.

Hilarious! Our stupid Governor and his stupid task force are making a stupid recommendation for our stupid legislative morons to pretend to give a shit about this tax mechanism when LAST SESSION they couldn’t be bothered to give a shit because there were other more pressing matters to deal with, like finding a way to block Zooey Zephyr from sitting on a bench.

When you continue reading the NBC Montana article you get a little peek into the predictably stupid results that will come from the COUNTY duplicating the insanity of the CITY with their Targeted Economic Development District, or TEDD. Despite this peek, the stupid WILL CONTINUE whether locals want it to or not.

Because what are you going to do about it, Missoula? (emphasis mine):

The downside of TIF in the county is the potential effect on other taxing jurisdictions, Hagemeier said. Specifically, where school and fire districts intersect with TEDs.

“The amount of revenue that they’re going to collect is basically paused for that life of that district, so they’re experiencing growth, right?” Hagemeier said. “But they’re not getting the revenue from that growth.”The downside of TIF in the county is the potential effect on other taxing jurisdictions, Hagemeier said. Specifically, where school and fire districts intersect with TEDs.

“The amount of revenue that they’re going to collect is basically paused for that life of that district, so they’re experiencing growth, right?” Hagemeier said. “But they’re not getting the revenue from that growth.”

Yes, this is the crux of the issue: diverting tax revenue with TIF or TEDD starves the General Fund and forces our firemen to become panhandlers. If you’re ok with that, Missoula, then just keep doing what you’ve been doing about this issue: NOTHING.

From Missoula to Helena, with Republicans and Democrats, the future I’ve been warning about is quickly coming to pass. And what do I get for my local truth telling? Political retaliation that is so brazen and duplicitous that I can’t even describe to readers what latest developments I’m dealing with for fear of what the consequences will be.

If people knew what has happening, maybe they would care more about doing something to stop it, but I’m beginning to understand that the ignorance in this town is a choice, so why should I keep trying so hard to alleviate people from their chosen ignorance?

After every post I write I ask readers for money like a panhandling fireman, but donations barely trickle in, and I can’t even afford my fucking truck payment this month without borrowing money and selling off antique trinkets.

You are getting what you deserve, Missoula, and frankly I’m getting REAL tired of doing MORE than my part to try and stop this insanity.

If you’d like to help out one of the only people in this entire town willing to stand up to these fucking assholes, then donate to Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF), or don’t and wait for the madness to come knocking on your door, because it will.

Thanks for reading.

by Travis Mateer

For anyone who finds themselves emotionally invested in the outcome of America’s upcoming national elections I have a question for you: why?

I spent this week shit-talking Montana Republicans because their opposition to Montana Democrats is merely performative. At the end of the day it’s all about MONEY, and if there’s money to be made, don’t believe for a second that Republicans won’t sell out this country for a buck just like Democrats have been doing these last 4 years by pretending that Biden isn’t DEEPLY compromised.

So go ahead, Montana Republicans, vote for Tim Sheehy if you don’t care that this China shit-talker is ALSO making money off his Chinese investments.

His business investments range from the mildly amusing — between $1,000 and $15,000 in Roblox Corp., developer of the kid-oriented video game of the same name — to the potentially politically problematic, especially in the context of both major parties’ hawkishness toward China and Sheehy’s own mixed record on climate change.

He has invested, for example, between $250,000 and $500,000 in the Pzena Emerging Markets Value Fund, a mutual fund that includes sizable investments in Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce and technology company. He also previously held a small amount of stock in Tencent, another large Chinese corporation. A recent Sheehy campaign ad begins with a grainy video of Chinese President Xi Jinping riding in a parade while Sheehy narrates, “China is building a fierce military.” (Anti-Chinasentiment is not unique to Republicans or to Sheehy. Tester, for instance, has been a leading proponent of restricting the ownership of land in the United States by China and other so-called foreign adversaries).

Sheehy also holds between $50,000 and $100,000 in Cloverly, a self-described “sustainability as a service” company with software that allows companies to measure and offset their carbon output. In July, critics dinged Sheehy after ABC News reported that Bridger Aerospace had removed language from its website touting itself as “fighting on the front lines of climate change.” Republicans both in Montana and nationally are crusading against environmental, social and governance (or ESG), an investment strategy that ostensibly prioritizes protecting the climate and other not-strictly-profit-based incentives.

People who care about this election seem sad that Kamala Harris is positioned to sink Tester’s reelection bid, creating a political abortion for her political agenda. Since I’m not voting, the only thing making me sad right now is that Chatty won’t make me an image of a black female politician pointing a coat hanger at the state of Montana.

Isn’t this upsetting? Why does Hollywood get to have all the fun with violent content?

If you think voting matters and polls are accurate, here’s some hand-wringing about why Kamala is a big drag for Big Sandy’s most famous farmer, Jon Tester:

Tester is a centrist Democrat who has already won three terms in the Senate in a heavily Republican state, a feat he accomplished by combining a folksy working-class background, moderate political views and a willingness to reach across the aisle — hallmarks of Biden’s own Senate career.

Tester positions himself as a bipartisan populist who supports the Second Amendment and veterans’ issues, said Christopher Muste, a political scientist at the University of Montana.

Harris, on the other hand, was this century’s second-most liberal U.S. Senator after Elizabeth Warren, according to the UCLA Voteview project. Her views on green energy and social issues don’t play well in a heavily agricultural state with a significant coal industry.

And then there’s the fact that she’s from California. Large numbers of Californians began moving to Montana during the pandemic, prompting a significant backlash as natives blamed the newcomers for skyrocketing home prices, congestion and a loss of access to public lands. “Don’t California my Montana” bumper stickers began popping up all over the state.

Across Montana, “there’s a resentment of Californians,” Johnson said.

Kiersten Iwai agreed.

And here’s a Montana Democrat seeing shady shit regarding money and saying NO THANK YOU! Maybe Jesse Mullen really does want some RADICAL TRANSPARENCY!

If you appreciate my local disdain for BOTH major political parties, please consider donating to Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF). Any little bit helps.

Thanks for reading!

by Travis Mateer

The adorable Montana “free” press–the news non-profit platforming Jim Messina this weekend–is reporting that Gianforte has lots of money, and he uses it to exert influence. Good job, guys! This is AMAZING reporting (emphasis mine):

Montana’s governor, Republican Greg Gianforte, is among the state’s highest-profile political figures. He’s also a major philanthropic force.

Nonprofit tax records indicate that his family foundation gave $57 million to charities and social issue nonprofits between 2017, the year Gianforte was first elected to public office as a Montana congressman, and 2022, the most recent year for which detailed data is publicly available.

Over that time period, the foundation’s reported assets ranged from about $163 million to $232 million. According to a Montana Nonprofit Association directory from 2022, its holdings put the Gianforte foundation among the largest philanthropic organizations registered in the state.

Here’s more from the Montana “Free” Press about the potential LOCAL impact of Gianforte’s philanthropic giving (emphasis mine):

Consistent recipients within the period analyzed by MTFP include Child Bridge, a faith-based nonprofit based in Big Fork that helps recruit Christian foster and adoptive families and has received annual gifts ranging from $300,000 to $450,000. The Montana Family Institute, a 501(c)(3) arm of the Montana Family Foundation, a Christian policy and advocacy group, received $1.7 million overall from the Gianforte foundation. According to the institute’s publicly available IRS filings, that giving accounted for nearly half of its total revenues from 2017 to 2022. The Rafiki Foundation, a Florida-based organization focused on international missionary work, received just under $2.2 million over the six-year period in annual installments ranging from $250,000 to $573,000.

Gianforte foundation grants have flowed to about 470 distinct recipients over his time in public office, including organizations located in 47 of Montana’s 56 counties. While not always among the foundation’s highest-dollar recipients, many of those local groups play notable roles in their communities by providing homeless shelters, food banks, addiction recovery services and arts and culture investments. (Montana Free Press, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has not received donations from the foundation; a list of MTFP donors is available here.)

Yes, groups like THE LIFEGUARD GROUP definitely play “notable” roles in communities like Missoula by PRETENDING to provide services, like assistance for victims of human trafficking in the case of Gianforte’s favorite Missoula non-profit.

Here’s a screenshot from MFP’s searchable database:

For more substantive context on the LifeGuard Group, click this link and you can see DOZENS of articles I’ve written over the years about this joke of a non-profit. Integrity and honor? Yeah, right.

If you would like to help me wipe the smiles off this incompetence and corruption, please consider donating to Travis Impact Fund (TIF). Any little bit helps.

Thanks for reading!

by Travis Mateer

Who knew the organization running Missoula’s pre-release center on Mullan Road, MISSOULA CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, was a non-profit? Did I?

No, I did not know that MCS is a non-profit until reading up to write this post, and that’s because the Sue Wilkins chameleon act is VERY well done and VERY deceptive. Just look at the sign my handsome mug is next to (not mugshot, which you can see here). Do you see how much the concrete sign for Missoula Correctional Services looks like the concrete sign for the Detention Center (jail), which you can see in the background of the picture? This is clearly by design, but why?

We’ll get to that, but first, let’s take a look at some of MCS’s notable media appearances, like the challenge of providing air conditioning for their indentured slaves clients, which was reported on in July by KPAX. From the link (emphasis mine):

MTN has received reports the Missoula Pre-Release Center has been without air conditioning for more than a year and in this heat wave, it’s been a challenge to keep residents and staff comfortable.

We reached out to the Montana Correctional Services and talked to Executive Director Sue Wilkins who says they are being creative by renting commercial fans and swamp coolers for the building.

Later in the article, the creative Sue Wilkins and her non-profit is described as such, which caused my eyebrows to start elevating (emphasis mine):

Missoula Correctional Service is a non-profit agency that contracts with the State and the County to provide community correction programs in Missoula.

Wilkins says the new cooling system should be put in by the end of this year if all goes according to plan.

Yes, according to plan. Like the plan in 2022 to shake down Missoula County for more tax money? That plan? (emphasis mine):

Missoula Correctional Services wants to re-up its contract with Missoula County, but they are also looking for more tax money.

We dug into their budget and found the nonprofit had over $500,000 in revenue after expenses.

Missoula Correctional Services maintains contracts with Missoula County to provide misdemeanor probation, pretrial services and community service programs.

They recently asked for a budget increase across all three contracts totaling close to $24,000.

“The primary need was for staff wages,” executive director Sue Wilkins said.

Hmmm, more staff? I wonder, what kind of duties do these staff people do for their clients? Do they help them get on Medicaid to ensure they don’t have bills that go to collections? I would guess that might be part of successfully reintegrating a “returning citizen” into Missoula’s challenging housing market, right?

The aesthetics of this facility are made to appear like Missoula County Detention Center, which was built on this land in 1999. The early morning sun might be shining on the bricks of this facility, and the bricks of the jail right next door, but I don’t think the sunlight of transparency reaches all that far INSIDE Missoula’s pre-release center.

In the spirit of bringing sunlight to MANY dark places around this town, I’ll wrap up this post with a little context about Sue Wilkins hubby, Jon.

You see, I remember Jon Wilkins when he was on City Council, so I know he’s a Veteran who would probably consider himself conservative, considering that his involvement in politics came from his NIMBY stance against “alley houses”. Yes the irony of what I suspect is NOT happening at his wife’s “non-profit” is not lost on me.

“I learned nothing gets done in a hurry,” Wilkins said. “The best intentions have controversy. I’ve learned to be more patient, and I’m not a very patient person. And I’m learning to compromise, which I don’t always think is good.”

Last week, he agonized over one deal in particular, the cause that led him to seek office in the first place. Wilkins, who lives in the Lewis and Clark neighborhood, didn’t like the “alley houses” that were going up, and he vowed to protect Ward 4 from them.

The zoning rewrite, adopted last Monday, allows those so-called granny suites in multifamily zones by right, something Wilkins doesn’t support. But he voted in favor of the rewrite because it doesn’t permit them in other districts.

“I did get them banned from single-family neighborhoods, and I think that was an accomplishment,” Wilkins said.

I hope to write another post about Missoula Correctional Services soon that more explicitly links the urban camping Doc Moore is freaking out about to the supposed mission of this “non-profit”, so stay tuned. And PLEASE consider donating to Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF). I kick ass, and you should pay me for it!

Thanks for reading!

by Travis Mateer

This second installment of MONTANA REPUBLICANS SUCK week features the short-sighted “fix” to deal with inmate overcrowding across the state, which was made suddenly worse by Missoula County REFUSING the shitty deal to house inmates at a lower cost than the actual cost of housing inmates.

When this refusal happened after the contract expired on July 1st, the scramble to send MORE inmates to Arizona happened without informing people who should have been informed. Here’s the Missoulian reporting on this pathetic legislative bandaid that just got MORE expensive because Montana Republicans are THAT stupid.

The unannounced decision to move more Montana inmates to a private prison in Arizona was needed after the loss of an in-state facility, Montana’s Department of Corrections director said Tuesday.

Last week, Montana completed a weekslong transfer of 120 more inmates to Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. The state last year signed a contract with the prison’s operator, CoreCivic, but in June began the process of doubling that contract, which also reset the term of the agreement to run through 2026. 

As the Montana State News Bureau reported last week, even state lawmakers monitoring DOC’s prison population situation were unaware the current contract for beds in Arizona’s facility had grown to 240. 

Maybe if Montana Republicans hadn’t been so obsessed with Zooey Zephyr and fighting their stupid fucking culture war, they could have done some REAL work last legislative session dealing with REAL problems instead of letting Missoula County easily monkey-wrench their bandaid fix to offload inmates to another state. Here’s more from the article:

“The problem was our contract with (Missoula Assessment and Sanction Center) in Missoula was done in July 1st and we were unable to come up with an agreement with Missoula County,” Gootkin told the committee. “Therefore I had 144 beds that I had to take care of immediately, so I made that decision. … My apologies for not communicating that to the legislators. That’s on me. But I made that command decision that we had to get people moved to lessen the impact.”

No, Brian, the problem is Montana Republicans are retarded, just like Montana Democrats, and because of this retardation, stupidity reigns supreme. Paying the ACTUAL cost of inmates YEARS ago would have been better than the ensuing scramble and MILLIONS more that now has to be spent because Montana Republicans can’t do their fucking jobs.

Gootkin said the new contract, up from about $8 million to $16 million, was within the department’s budget. Additionally, he wanted to spare county sheriffs and local jails from deepening the backlog of state inmates: despite the additional beds in Arizona, 474 people in state custody still take up space in county facilities. Of that, 178 are waiting for bed space to open at one of Montana’s prisons. 

“Those are some of the highest numbers we’ve ever seen,” Gootkin told lawmakers.

This stupidity is dangerous, especially as the empty cowboy hat running the AG office, Austin Knudsen, thinks he’s going to get tough on drug and sex trafficking. Here’s some bullshit from the AG website touting this empty cowboy hat’s toughening of the consequences for trafficking. Try not to laugh when you read this crap:

Since Attorney General Knudsen began sounding the alarm in 2021, reported human trafficking cases have more than doubled. In 2023, Department of Justice agents tracked 147 human trafficking cases in Montana, an increase of 39 percent from 106 cases in 2022 and more than double the 68 cases in 2021. In 2015, there were just seven reported cases statewide.

During the 2023 legislative session, Attorney General Knudsen’s office helped write and pass House Bill 112, which was developed from discussions at previous symposiums. The new law increases the penalties for sex traffickers and patrons of sex trafficking. It also provides prosecutors with more tools to prosecute sex traffickers and expands the definition of human trafficking and has helped intensify the crackdown on the sexual abuse of children and all victims.

The legislation is already helping law enforcement crack down on sex trafficking. For example, last year, officials in Bozeman conducted a sting operation and arrested 18 individuals who were charged with 18 counts of patronizing a prostitute, five counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of patronizing a victim of sex trafficking for a child victim.

Arresting would-be traffickers is just ONE part of having a functioning criminal justice system. After arresting them, you have to ALSO have a place to put them. I hope baby Austin grows up and gets his fellow Republicans to be less retarded, because the safety of Montanans is at stake here.

If you appreciate my local reporting, please consider donating to Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF). Any little bit helps.

Thanks for reading!