Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte and running mate Kristen Juras have unveiled what they tout as a “comeback plan” for the Treasure State, which they said focuses on promoting business, bring “good-paying jobs” and changing leadership in state agencies in order to move projects forward.
“We need to get our economy going again and we need to get Montana open for business,” Gianforte told supporters during a stop Friday in Helena. He had been in Great Falls earlier in the day.
Gianforte said he set up a website in October, montanabusinessplan.com, to draft a business plan for the state and said he asked Montanans to submit ideas.
He and Juras held rallies in 12 Montana cities over four days to discuss the plan. Other stops included Havre, Lewistown, Billings, Butte, Hamilton, Kalispell, Libby, Missoula, Polson and Thompson Falls.
Gianforte, who now serves as Montana’s lone member in the U.S. House of Representatives, said the coronavirus pandemic has left a lot of people struggling, leaving them out of work and closing some small businesses forever.
But he said even before the crisis, Montana has not lived up to its full potential, noting Montana’s low wages are amongst the lowest in the country and prompted people to leave the state in search of better jobs elsewhere.
“I’ve spent my life creating jobs, solving problems and serving others,” Gianforte, founder of RightNow Technologies, said. Oracle bought the Bozeman-based software company, which had 500 employees, in 2012 for $1.8 billion.
Gianforte said Montanans are united in the idea of the state not living up to its potential, bringing the American dream within reach of more residents and to preserve the Montana way of life.
He said the plan also charts a course as to how business is done from the state Capitol in Helena, with new leadership in state agencies, cutting taxes, reviewing current regulations, more focus on customer services and holding the line on new state spending.
Gianforte and Juras are facing Democrat Mike Cooney and running mate Rep. Casey Schreiner of Great Falls in the Nov. 3 election.
Democrats have labeled Gianforte as an outsider who moved to the state nearly 20 years ago and said he is out of touch with Montana values.
On Tuesday, Cooney, now serving as lieutenant governor, unveiled a public land plan called “Protect the Last Best Place.”
He said Gianforte supports transferring management of federal land, sued the state of Montana to block access to a stream nearby his home and opposes buying new land for state parks or fishing access sites. A recent Public Policy Polling poll showed Gianforte ahead of Cooney 46%-42%.
A Gianforte spokesman earlier dismissed Cooney's claims, calling him a "career politician."
"Greg has a proud record of standing up for our public lands," he said, noting he has secured a wild and scenic designation for the East Rosebud near Red Lodge to protecting the Paradise Valley.
Gianforte’s plan also focuses on increasing access to affordable health care, lower prescription drug prices, protecting people with pre-existing conditions and preserving rural access to care.
The plan also fights against federal overreach.
A 16-page brochure highlighting his plan his plan calls for looking for ways to add value to agricultural commodities to promote the Montana brand. And he said he would increase emphasis on trades education and apprenticeships to bring more skilled workers to the state.
Gianforte said he would continue to promote Montana’s high-tech sector, which he said is Montana’s fastest-growing industry.
He said Montana can “responsibly develop our abundant Montana resources and simultaneously protect our environment. They aren’t mutually exclusive.”
Gianforte said he would bring new leadership to the Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Natural Resources and streamline the permitting process.
His plan calls for changes to the state’s tax code, which he describes as “anti-jobs” and “anti-competitive.”
He said he will work with the Legislature for changes. He also said he would review and repeal “unnecessary regulations.”
Gianforte said he would order a regulatory review of every state agency and eliminate “unnecessary regulations.”
He also said he would encourage entrepreneurship, recruit new businesses, improvement infrastructure, including increasing access to broadband, and work with tribal governments to create more and better opportunities.
In terms of tourism, which has taken a hit due to COVID-19, Gianforte said he help the travel, tourism and hospitality industries recover through “effective promotion.”
Juras, an attorney and Great Falls resident, introduced Gianforte to crowd at Friday’s appearance in Helena.
“I am excited,” Juras told supporters. “Is anybody else excited about a change in the governor’s office?”
She said Gianforte, an entrepreneur, would bring new and innovative ideas to the governor’s office. She said the plan would tap into the potential of existing businesses.
“At this critical time we need a leader with business experience who knows what it takes to create good-paying jobs, who has done it himself,” she said, adding he would also protect the Montana way of life.
“We need to get our economy firing on all cylinders again,” Juras said.
Businessman Conrad Evarts said he has not been able to send out an invoice since March 17, about the same time the coronavirus arrived in Montana.
“I’m in very dire straits, financially,” he said, asking what was the death rate in Montana due to COVID-19 and if it justified any kind of business shutdown.
Gianforte said he would not second-guess decisions made up to this point, (“That’s unfortunate,” Evarts said) but said the steps that have been taken have created an economic pandemic.
“If I was your governor, we would be focused on keeping the most vulnerable safe, we would be relying on personal responsibility, not government mandates,” he said.
Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock cannot seek another four years due to term limits. Also in the race are Green Party candidate Robert Barb and Joshua Thomas and Libertarian Lyman Bishop and John Nesper.
Reporter Phil Drake is our eye on the state capitol. For tips, suggestions or comment, he can be reached at 406-231-9021 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com.
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Gianforte, Juras unveil 'comeback' plan for Montana - Great Falls Tribune
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