Governor Greg Gianforte continued his 56-county tour of Montana this week with stops Glacier, Pondera, and Teton counties.
The tour began in in Cut Bank, where Gianforte visited with the owners of Sunshine Stables to hear about their horseback riding and boarding business and tour the stables.
Kalen and Jake McKelvey own and operate Sunshine Stables, with plans to expand their facility. It's a horse boarding facility that has a long history of horse racing, breeding, and recreation.
The governor also met with members of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council in Browning and got to visit the newly-dedicated Chief Earl Old Person Memorial Highway. During the 2023 legislative session, the governor signed into law Senate Bill 120, sponsored by Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, to establish the memorial highway.
Webber stated, "It's a pleasure having the governor and his people here. They get to see what the reservation is like and including us in the state. That shows he's inclusive to all of the people in the state, including the Native Americans and Native Montanans."
Gianforte expressed his support by saying, "We had a great visit with some of the tribal council members. I want to thank Senator Webber for her leadership in getting this highway named after Chief Old Person."
Next, the governor traveled to Pondera County highlighting a new law to provide tax relief to Montanans. Sponsored by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, House Bill 587 revises school finance laws to drive down property taxes.
Jones stated, "What this bill does is provide permanent property tax relief for anybody in Montana that is paying school taxes. For these rural communities, it ensures that students in these communities have equality of opportunity. They have the chance to be able to have the same education whether they are in Conrad, Billings, Shelby, or Great Falls. These communities who could not afford these options, it takes part of the 95 mills that the state collects and returns them in a matter that helps the students, while buying down the local permissive mills the taxpayers will pay."
Gianforte explained why this is a major accomplishment.
"Property taxes are too high. That's why House Bill 587 is so important. It's permanent property tax relief. I'm so proud of the work the legislatures did, particularly Representative Jones. The had the historic tax relief this session. Over a billion dollars going back. Much of it in direct immediate rebates, but it's just as important to provide permanent relief by lowering rates. House Bill 587 is going to permanently lower property taxes."
After the signing ceremony, the governor visited with the Pondera County Sheriff, Conrad Police Chief, as well as Conrad police officers.
He went on to Teton County, where he signed two bills in Choteau carried by Sen. Bruce Gillespie, R-Ethridge, and Rep. Ross Fitzgerald, R-Power. Sen. Gillespie’s Senate Bill 295 revises laws to accommodate a potential grizzly bear delisting. Rep. Fitzgerald’s House Bill 59 extends the sunset date for livestock loss board and predatory control funding.
He ended the day in Power touring Farm Power Malt, a multi-generational barley operation with a newly built distillery.
When asked about the tour, Gianforte stated, "The best thing about Montana is Montanans. When I have a chance to sit down and share a piece of pizza, have a beer or a cup of coffee, we get can hear what's on their mind and hear about their hopes and dreams. They want the same thing. They want to be able to raise their kids and grandkids here in the state. They want good paying jobs and they want safe communities. And those themes repeat themselves over and over again. But when I get specifics, I can take those back to Helena on their behalf."
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