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HELENA - Republican gubernatorial candidate Roy Brown promised as much as $100 million in annual property tax cuts and $65 million in business tax cuts if he is elected.

Brown, challenging Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer, said Tuesday he is still working on the details of his tax proposal.

The rough outline mirrored much of what the state senator sought in last year's legislative session when Republicans frequently sparred with Schweitzer over the issue. Democrats ended up pushing through a package that featured $400-per-homeowner rebates.

The Schweitzer campaign did not have immediate comment on Brown's tax plan.

Brown derided the rebate, saying it didn't go far enough, will increase the income tax load of recipients, and is not permanent. Two fellow Republicans used the event to sign over their rebate checks to the Brown campaign.

Brown's running mate, Steve Daines, also pushed a tax rebate last year with a series of radio advertisements - although he wanted a larger one. Brown said that Daines was doing what he could at the time, and now prefers permanent cuts

Brown said he wants "across the board" tax cuts.

"That is the mainstay of what my campaign is all about," Brown said, using the April 15 tax deadline to talk about his tax plans.

Brown said he is considering property tax cuts that would either decrease local property taxes or reduce the statewide levy. He estimated a total of $50 million to $100 million in cuts could decrease the average homeowner's bill by $100 to $200 per year.

He also wants to abolish the business equipment tax, which has been lowered in recent years amid much partisan wrangling. Brown estimated it would cost the state about $65 million to get rid of it altogether.

Brown said the tax cuts would spur business investment and personal spending, thus increasing overall state revenues.

The argument was a frequent one during the tax battle in the 2007 Legislature.

Democrats argued that cutting tax rates does little for the average homeowner, while giving millions to large corporations. They also said such tax cuts could imperil state programs like education if the economy falters and state revenues decline.

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