The ink is dry on another historic cattle ranch in the Upper Missouri River Breaks consumed by the non-profit organization American Prairie Reserve (APR). With a deal to acquire the 73 Ranch, another piece of Montana’s history and leading industry has been gobbled up by the billionaires that fund APR, at the expense of Montana taxpayers.
Non-profits claiming to be conservationists rob taxpayers in a couple of different ways. Donations to APR to purchase ranch property come with lucrative tax deductions. With their privileged tax status, every dollar APR receives leaves our government coffers with less than they otherwise would have.
APR operates as a charity and pays no income tax. After the land is purchased with the tax-exempt funds, all income generated by APR is tax exempt at both the state and federal levels.
There’s a reason non-profit conservation organizations have exploded in this state in the last decade. It’s a very, very profitable scheme. And most taxpayers would be surprised to learn that they’re subsidizing it.
Read the full article by Chuck Denowh, Executive Director of United Property Owners of Montana (UPOM) by clicking here.
