Montana U.S. Senate candidate claims primary home tax break in California

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Sat Nov 18, 2017, 03:47 PM - Edit history (1)

Nice work by the @bozchron! He’s a MT senate candidate, but his “primary residence” is in San Diego.

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U.S. Sen. candidate @TroyDowningMT is receiving a tax break on a CA property he owns with his wife, an exemption for homeowners if it's their primary residence. http://bit.ly/2zL2BYM #mtnews #mtpol

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His campaign chair is Lola Zinke wife of Sec of Interior Zinke. Lola has been flying with her husband but not paying for it. Zinke did not keep records or remember when Lola was with him.

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SAN Diego man... was asked by Trump Jr to run for office in MT

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What an incredible evening w/@DonaldJTrumpJr & @EricTrump! They look great in Troy Downing for U.S. Senate hats! #mtsen #mtpol

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Montana U.S. Senate candidate claims primary home tax break in California

By Freddy Monares Chronicle Staff Writer Nov 17, 2017

U.S. Senate candidate Troy Downing of Big Sky is receiving a tax break on property he jointly owns with his wife, Heather, in California, an exemption that is for homeowners if the home is their primary residence.

The Chronicle obtained a copy of Downing’s property tax bill for a Sleeping Indian Road residence he owns in Fallbrook, California, about 60 miles north of San Diego. ... The San Diego County assessor’s office confirmed that he had been receiving the homeowner’s tax exemption since 2005. The most recent property tax bill for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2018, showed Downing received the exemption.

Downing’s residency recently came under scrutiny after he received several citations from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for allegedly obtaining Montana resident hunting licenses unlawfully. Downing’s campaign, though, has adamantly claimed that Big Sky is his primary residence.

San Diego County Division Chief for Assessment Services Jeff Olson said Downing acquired the Fallbrook property in 2005 and has had the exemption since then. The application for the tax exemption is a self-declaration that is signed under penalty of perjury, he said. .... Downing is currently facing seven misdemeanors for unlawful purchase of or apply for resident license by nonresident. He was cited an eighth time for transferring a hunting license to another person and a ninth time for assisting an unqualified applicant in obtaining a hunting license.
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Freddy Monares can be reached at 406-582-2630, or by email at [e-mail].
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Freddy Monares covers politics and county government for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.