Gianforte touts Montana economy, legislative priorities in State of the State address

HELENA — On Wednesday evening, Gov. Greg Gianforte mentioned Montana made progress in his first two years as governor, however there’s much more work to be accomplished.

The Republican delivered his second State of the State handle earlier than a joint session of the Montana Home and Senate.

Gianforte’s first handle, in 2021, got here in a a lot totally different circumstance: a couple of yr into the COVID-19 pandemic. It centered on a “Comeback Plan” for the state. Gianforte mentioned there’s been success in that agenda.

“Buddies, the state of our state is robust, and it’s a lot stronger than it was two years in the past,” he mentioned.

2023 State of the State Tackle

Gianforte talked a couple of aim of “unleashing the engine” of financial progress and enterprise improvement. He touted sturdy financial indicators for the state: excessive progress in comparison with different states, report numbers of latest companies and the addition of 31,000 jobs in two years. He mentioned his administration is striving to enhance the alternatives for individuals to achieve this state.

“For too lengthy, Montana hasn’t been residing as much as our full excellent potential,” he mentioned. “Our greatest exports have been beef, grain – and tragically, our children and grandkids.”

Gianforte additionally made appeals to lawmakers for what he desires to see occur this legislative session. He once more highlighted one among his high priorities: the “Pink Tape Reduction” initiative, with greater than 100 payments geared toward simplifying state laws. He referred to as the state’s regulatory insurance policies a “moist blanket” on companies.

“To our legislative companions, thanks for serving to extra Montanans prosper by eradicating pointless, burdensome laws,” he mentioned.

He talked about his plan for a billion {dollars} in tax aid. That features payments presently making their means by means of the Legislature that may decrease the highest revenue tax fee, increase the earned revenue tax credit score, present property tax rebates, exempt extra companies from the enterprise gear tax and set up tax credit for households with younger kids and adoptions.

Gianforte additionally referred to as on lawmakers to assist investing $200 million in water and sewer infrastructure and one other $100 million for roads and bridges. He mentioned infrastructure tasks like these can be key to addressing the demand for extra housing in Montana.

“Hardworking Montanans ought to be capable to stay within the communities the place they work, and grandparents ought to be capable to stay nearer to their children and grandkids,” he mentioned.

Gianforte additionally inspired lawmakers to cross a slate of payments encouraging innovation in schooling, and he renewed his name for investing $200 million into the Montana State Jail and hundreds of thousands extra into the state behavioral well being system, together with the Montana State Hospital.

Following Gianforte’s handle, Senate Minority Whip Sen. Shannon O’Brien, D-Missoula, delivered the Democratic response to the speech. She pointed to what she and her occasion imagine are flaws in Gianforte’s plan to deal with points like housing, schooling, and tax aid. Democrats have argued his proposals don’t go far sufficient to fulfill the size of what’s wanted.

“I might wish to share with you an image of what it is actually wish to be in Montana – and never the multimillionaires who come right here to purchase a fourth or fifth home, however these hardworking Montanan households who drive our state ahead and a few of our older neighbors. Truthfully, and no offense to him, the Governor is out of contact,” mentioned O’Brien. “The Governor failed to offer any actual options to the housing disaster. He despatched again $100 million of our federal monies that might have considerably eased the ache of the housing disaster. As an alternative, he presents a purple tape initiative, which fairly frankly does nothing for Montana households and nothing to deal with the housing scarcity.”