Flint Outlines Tax Relief Plan, Exposes Forstag’s Record of Lobbying for a Sales Tax and Higher Property Taxes
Missoula, MT – At a press conference in Missoula, Republican nominee for Congress Aaron Flint outlined his plan to lower taxes and exposed Portland lobbyist Sam Forstag’s record of lobbying for higher property taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes in Montana while pocketing tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to do it.
“Portland Lobbyist Sam Forstag is a typical socialist, wanting more of somebody else’s money. Sam Forstag lobbied to make Montanans pay higher property taxes, more income taxes, and create a sales tax while lining his pockets with your tax dollars,” said Flint. “Montanans are working hard and still struggling to pay their bills. They deserve to keep more of what they earn. But Sam Forstag thinks the government should take more of your money. My plan is to cut taxes for everyone, especially working families, seniors, and veterans and stop taxpayer dollars from funding lobbyists.”
While lobbying for the City of Missoula during the 2023 legislative session, Forstag lobbied in support of SB 551, which would have allowed Montana’s largest cities to implement a sales tax. He also lobbied in support of SB 548, which would have eliminated limits on local property tax increases.
Forstag argued the government should be able to keep levies and taxes after they expire – and that voters shouldn’t have a say.
He also opposed limits on local property-tax increases and an opposed constitutional amendment to limit increases in property values and taxes.
Forstag was handsomely paid for this lobbying work too. He raked in tens of thousands of dollars paid by the Montana taxpayer lobbying for the cities of Missoula and Bozeman and a bevy of other left-wing organizations. Now, his federal agenda threatens tax relief for Montana workers and seniors.
As a Democrat-Socialist candidate for Congress, Forstag has also publicly “criticized the Republican-led tax cuts in” H.R. 1, which delivered no tax on tips and overtime and tax relief for seniors on Social Security. Forstag has vowed to repeal the legislation if elected.
Aaron Flint’s plan would:
- Defund taxpayer-funded lobbying by banning local governments from receiving federal grants if they hire lobbyists with taxpayer dollars.
- Make permanent no tax on tips and overtime, and tax relief for seniors on Social Security. (currently expire in 2028)
- Eliminate taxes on military pensions.
- Eliminate the death tax on family farms and ranches.
- Establish a federal gas tax holiday until the war with Iran is conclusively over and energy trade is flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz at baseline January 2026 levels.