Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
SIDNEY, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte tonight traveled to Sidney to sit down with leaders and members of the community facing the announced closure of the Sidney Sugars processing plant. "Facing this closure, many folks in Richland County are wondering what the future holds for them, but together, they share a resolve to grow stronger," Gov. Gianforte said. "Our united, resilient Montana spirit was on full display tonight in Sidney, and we're committed to doing all we can to help folks get bac...
Helena, MT – Governor Greg Gianforte has announced his administration has filed its briefing in the appeal of a judge’s decision denying the state’s petition for stay after the Biden Administration approved the American Prairie Reserve’s request to graze bison on Bureau of Land Management land in northeast Montana. In briefing, entitled a Statement of Reasons (statement) and submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Board of Land Appeals, the Gianforte administration again requested a stay of the decision pending appeal, highlight...
Helena, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the launch of the inaugural Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest, open to Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10-17. “Hunting is a proud tradition in Montana that will be carried on by the next generation,” Gov. Gianforte said. “To celebrate our hunting heritage, I invite Montana’s youth and apprentice hunters who harvest an animal this year to be a part of the first-ever Youth Hunting Story Contest.” “We’ll read about their adventures, and recognize ten young hunters as the contest...
Helena, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte last week appealed the Biden administration’s approval of the American Prairie Reserve’s (APR) bison grazing proposal for 63,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in northeast Montana. The federal decision comes despite significant opposition from impacted communities and elected officials in Montana. In an appeal to the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI), the governor outlined reasons the BLM’s decision must be reversed and the permits set aside. First and most importantly, the governor argue...
Sidney, MT - Visiting Sheridan, Roosevelt, and Richland counties, Governor Greg Gianforte met with apprentices, employees, and business owners helping drive Montana's economic growth and strengthen their communities. "From Polaris to Plentywood, and Ekalaka to Eureka, hardworking Montanans are driving our state's strong economy," Gov. Gianforte said. "Not only are the businesses I visited today supporting Montanans with good-paying jobs, but they're also part of the fabric of their tight-knit...
Helena, MT - Along with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Governor Greg Gianforte has announced a record-setting oil and gas lease sale on state trust lands, netting $1,187,194 from the first quarter of 2022. “Ramping up American-made energy in Montana is one of many ways to reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Additionally, proceeds from these oil and gas lease sales will benefit our schools, ensuring our kids have access to the best education possible.” Approved by the Sta...
Helena, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the appointment of Christy Clark as the Montana Department of Agriculture director. “Montana producers work hard to feed the world, and now they have a partner and established advocate in Christy Clark as the director of the Montana Department of Ag,” Gov. Gianforte said. “A fifth-generation rancher, Christy understands the challenges and opportunities our producers face, and shares my commitment to strengthening and supporting our state’s number one industry.” Since May 2021, Clark began ser...
Helena, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte has provided guidance to Montana employers and employees impacted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule mandating vaccines for employers with 100 or more employees nationwide. “Montana law is unequivocal: employers are prohibited from discriminating based on vaccination status,” Gov. Gianforte wrote in guidance to Montanans. “While employers may encourage employees to vaccinate, they may not tie or modify any terms of employment based on vaccination status.” On Nov. 5, 2021, O...
Helena, MT - Together with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Governor Greg Gianforte, announced that the state distributed $2.7 million in federal funding to public and private schools this fall to help them remain open during the ongoing pandemic. “We prioritized getting this funding out the door as quickly as possible to ensure staff and students were safe at schools this fall,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Since we first began distributing funding for rapid testing in the late summer, DPHHS has distributed $2.7 milli...
Helena, MT - Nov. 16 - Together with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Governor Greg Gianforte announced that $27 million in federal funding is available to help Montanans with heating bills this winter and to weatherize more homes. “With inflation at a high not seen in a generation and home heating prices continuing to increase, Montanans shouldn’t have to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table,” Governor Gianforte said. “Winter months can be challenging, and these programs are mea...
Helena, MT - Nov. 16 - Governor Greg Gianforte issued the following statement regarding COVID-19 vaccination mandates by employers in Montana: “Despite President Biden’s efforts to mandate vaccinations for employers and their employees, Montana law remains the law of the land, and no employer in our state should use President Biden’s OSHA rule, now halted by a federal court, as a basis for imposing illegal vaccination requirements on employees.” Codified under Montana’s Human Rights Act, House Bill 702 prohibits discrimination based on an ind...
Helena, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte has announced efforts to improve Montana drought and water supply planning. This planning effort was discussed during the Governor’s Drought and Water Supply Committee meeting. Approved in 1995, the existing Montana Drought Management Plan is slated to be updated with support from a new federal grant. “With every region of Montana facing severe to extreme drought conditions, this is the time to plan for the future and increase our preparedness statewide,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Drought is having an impact on...
Helena, MT - Governor Greg Gianforte has announced that the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has issued an emergency rule to promote the role of parents as the ultimate decision makers on matters pertaining to the health of their children, including on the issue of wearing masks in schools. “Montana students deserve to be back in their classroom in as normal and safe an environment as possible. Montana parents deserve to know their voices are heard in schools when health-related mandates for their children are bein...
Helena - Governor Greg Gianforte has issued an executive order declaring a statewide drought emergency in Montana. “Every region of the state faces severe to extreme drought conditions, and the situation is getting worse. These alarming drought conditions are devastating our ag producers, challenging our tourism industry, and could bring a severe wildfire season,” Gianforte said. “This emergency order makes available all necessary state government resources to mitigate the impacts of this drought and protect Montanans.” Executive Order 11-2021...
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today issued an executive order declaring a statewide drought emergency in Montana. “Every region of the state faces severe to extreme drought conditions, and the situation is getting worse. These alarming drought conditions are devastating our ag producers, challenging our tourism industry, and could bring a severe wildfire season,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This emergency order makes available all necessary state government resources to mitigate the impacts of this drought and protect Montanans.” Executive...
HELENA, Mont. – With every region of Montana facing severe to extreme drought conditions, Governor Greg Gianforte today called on U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to identify all counties in Montana as primary natural disaster areas. “As we continue to see record-breaking temperatures from Libby to Glendive, it is imperative that the U.S. Department of Agriculture aid Montana communities in accessing critical resources, such as the Livestock Forage Program, Emergency Conservation Program, and Emergency Livestock Assistance Pro...
Helena - Governor Greg Gianforte issued an executive order declaring a disaster in five eastern Montana counties: Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Richland, and Roosevelt. “Recent severe thunderstorms downed power poles and lines in eastern Montana, leaving too many residents without power. I appreciate the robust efforts the region’s electric coops made to restore power to affected communities. Today’s disaster declaration is a first step to help residents and electric coops in the area recover,” Gov. Gianforte said. “The State of Montana is reques...
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today issued an executive order declaring a disaster in five Eastern Montana counties: Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Richland, and Roosevelt. “Recent severe thunderstorms downed power poles and lines in Eastern Montana, leaving too many residents without power. I appreciate the robust efforts the region’s electric coops made to restore power to affected communities. Today’s disaster declaration is a first step to help residents and electric coops in the area recover,” Gov. Gianforte said. “The State of Mo...
Helena - Governor Greg Gianforte has issued a directive to reduce barriers to vaccine administration in pharmacies across Montana. “As we expand vaccine eligibility to all Montanans on April 1, we’re focused on reducing barriers Montanans face to get the vaccine and increasing access to it,” Governor Gianforte said. “To that end, the directive I issued will make it easier for pharmacies to efficiently administer doses to more Montanans.” The directive authorizes pharmacists to use any health care provider, who is licensed by Montana or anothe...
BOZEMAN, Mont. – After exhibiting mild symptoms on Sunday and out of an abundance of caution, Governor Greg Gianforte today was tested for COVID-19 and received a positive result. The first lady, who has exhibited no symptoms, has been tested and is awaiting her results. Following his doctor's instructions and public health guidance, the governor is isolating for 10 days. The governor has notified all individuals with whom he may have had close contact. All of the governor's in-person events have been canceled until further notice, and the g...
Helena - Governor Greg Gianforte issued an executive order that temporarily suspends hours of service regulations for certain carriers to facilitate and expedite the delivery of fertilizer to Montana’s farmers. Agriculture producers regularly face a compressed spring planting schedule due to late snowfalls and wet conditions which increase the demand for anhydrous ammonia and fertilizer across the state. Waiving hours of service requirements ensures that fertilizer haulers can meet the needs of the industry by delivering greater volumes in a s...
Helena – At a news conference, Governor Greg Gianforte announced that COVID-19 vaccines will be available to all Montanans beginning April 1, 2021. “A few months ago, projections estimated Montanans 16 and older would be eligible for the vaccine as late as mid-July. Today, I’m pleased to announce that we’re moving up that timeline. All Montanans 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 1,” Gianforte said. “I look forward to getting the vaccine when my name is called, and I encourage all Montanans to consider doing the s...
HELENA, Mont. – At a news conference this afternoon, Governor Greg Gianforte announced that COVID-19 vaccines will be available to all Montanans beginning April 1, 2021. "A few months ago, projections estimated Montanans 16 and older would be eligible for the vaccine as late as mid-July. Today, I'm pleased to announce that we're moving up that timeline. All Montanans 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 1st," Gianforte said. "I look forward to getting the vaccine w...
Helena - Governor Greg Gianforte has announced the state will expand its efforts to protect the most vulnerable Montanans by entering Phase 1B+ of the state’s vaccine distribution plan on March 8. In Phase 1B+, COVID-19 vaccines will be available to Montanans 60 years of age and older and Montanans 16 to 59 years of age with additional qualifying medical conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, and liver disease. “With this expansion, we are prioritizing the population groups that account for nearly 90% of Montana’s total deaths and more than...
(Updated March 5, 2021) Governor Gianforte has expanded the availability of COVID-19 vaccine to people ages 60 and older, and 18-59 with underlying health conditions. The Richland County Health Department continues to take names for Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccines. The Department offers the Moderna two-dose vaccine. Phase 1B includes community members who are aged 60 years and older, as well as individuals 18-59 who have high-risk medical conditions who may have an elevated risk of COVID-19 complications. This may include but is not limited to:...
