Four years ago, Gov. Greg Gianforte made a promise to Montanans: Create jobs and protect the Montana way of life. Not only has he kept these promises, but Montana is on a path to prosperity despite the economic challenges posed by President Bidenās policies.
In 2021, Gov. Gianforte introduced a fiscally conservative budget that funded essential services while controlling new expenditures. State spending grew below 1% in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, resulting in a record budget surplus of nearly $2.5 billion.
Unlike Democrats, Gov. Gianforte believes Montanans should keep more of what they earn. He returned over $1 billion to taxpayers through tax cuts and income tax rebates, providing relief for Montanans at every income level. He also used the surplus to repair infrastructure, address behavioral health care needs, and provided the largest property tax rebate in Montana history to address rising property taxes. Thanks to his fiscal discipline, Montana is now completely debt-free.
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The results speak for themselves: Under Gianforte, the unemployment rate has remained at historic lows and more Montanans are working than ever before.
Gov. Gianforte has addressed the affordability crisis created by Biden head-on. He’s delivering meaningful relief for Montanans while developing long-term policies to expand affordable housing options.
Gov. Gianforte has also been a strong defender of Montana’s values and is committed to protecting Montana’s way of life. He expanded access to more than 100,000 acres of public lands and protected gun rights by signing legislation supporting the Second Amendment, like constitutional carry. That’s why he is the only candidate running for governor endorsed by the NRA. His commitment to the Second Amendment has led to Montatana having the highest number of weapons and ammunition manufacturers per capita in the country.
Additionally, Gianforte has taken steps to protect Montana from the impact of Joe Biden’s southern border policies. Under Biden, drug cartels have pushed fentanyl into the state, resulting in numerous deaths. Thanks to his leadership, Montana has banned sanctuary cities and increased penalties for fentanyl trafficking. He also sent the Montana National Guard to assist Texas in securing the southern border. Ask yourself: Would a Democrat governor do that? I don’t think so.
The past four years of Gov. Gianforte’s leadership is just the start of a new bright future for Montana. It’s time to give him and Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras four more years to continue their successful governance.
Don āKā Kaltschmidt is chairman of the Montana Republican Party.
The past four years of record economic growth under Gov. Gianforte’s leadership make me optimistic about Montanaās future.
