Washington, D.C. – The Club for Growth Foundation has released its 2023 Montana state economic scorecard, providing citizens of the Big Sky State with an in-depth analysis of how each representative in Helena values policies pertaining to free-markets and economic growth.
The mission of the Club for Growth Foundation is to educate the public on the virtues of economic freedom and limited government. By issuing the results of its state level economic scorecard to a broad audience, the Club for Growth Foundation creates a more in-tune population in Montana and across the country.
The Foundation conducted a thorough examination of each legislator’s record on votes related to policies that either promote or undermine economic growth and calculated an Economic Growth Score on a scale of 0 to 100. A score of 100 indicates the highest support for economic freedom. This year, the Club for Growth Foundation evaluated over 5,300 floor votes and, in the end, included 19 Montana House votes and 19 Montana Senate votes. These votes included opposition to policies such as a 12.6% spending increase for the state’s biennium budget, as well as support for legislation that would reduce the capital gains tax from 30% to 3% and 4.1% depending on filing status and a prohibition on taxpayer funded ESG investments.
Club for Growth Foundation plans to release similar scorecards for state legislatures across the country.
Key Takeaways from 2023 Montana Economic Scorecard:
Montana Senate:
- Senate Members: 50
- Republicans: 34
- Democrats: 16
- Vacancies: 0
- Average Republican Score: 74% (Down from 85% in 2021)
- Average Democrat Score: 17% (Up from 8% in 2021)
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Steve Hinebauch (SD-18) and Sen. Theresa Manzella (SD-44): 100%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Shane Morigeau (SD-48): 23%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Wendy McKamey (SD-12): 46%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Edie McClafferty (SD-38): 12%
Montana House:
- House Members: 100
- Republicans: 68
- Democrats: 32
- Vacancies: 0
- Average Republican Score: 73% (Down from 83% in 2021)
- Average Democrat Score: 10% (Up from 6% in 2021)
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Bob Phalen (HD-36): 100%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Dave Fern (HD-05) and Rep. Jim Hamilton (HD-61): 22%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Courtenay Sprunger (HD-07): 52%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Multiple Representatives with 0%
Click here to view the full 2023 Montana State Economic Scorecard from Club for Growth Foundation.
This scorecard is based on selected votes of importance to the Foundation and does not include the complete voting record of any legislator. There are inherent limitations in judging the overall qualifications of any legislator.