- [Jackie] Happening now on "The Rundown".

- We have work to do for the people of Montana.

- [Jackie] Montana's 67th legislative session starts Monday, January 4th, bucking pleas from local health officials by meeting without asks.

- Personal responsibility.

That's what we're empowering.

- [Jackie] And beginning the administration of Montana's first Republican governor in 16 years.

- I think we're all ready to shut the books on 2020 and move forward.

I just wanna say, I think Montana's best days are ahead of us.

- I'm Jackie Coffin, and "The Rundown" starts now.

"The Rundown" is made possible by the Greater Montana Foundation, encouraging communication on issues, trends, and values of importance to Montanans.

Thank you for joining me for the first installment of "The Rundown: Capital Report".

For the duration of Montana 67th legislative session, I'll be in Helena tracking the ins and outs of new bills as they're being made, following the session, and getting to the root of what it all means to everyday Montanans.

So, what should we expect out of the next legislative session?

Let's take a look at the set up.

By the Montana constitution, the legislature meets in odd number years, starting in the beginning of January and running for no more than 90 working days.

The only thing it has to do is pass a budget, but we know they do more than that, and the legislative session is a time when elected representatives draft new state laws that eventually land on the governor's desk for a pen stroke of approval or a veto, which, if you're former democratic governor Brian Schweitzer, was done with a branding iron.

(crowd cheering and laughing) For the last five sessions, stretching back to 2011, Republicans held the majority of both the state house and the state senate, and they will once again in the 2021 session.

On November 18th, both parties held their caucuses in Helena where they get together to elect party leadership.

What stood out was how different the scene was between the different parties, with Democrats wearing masks and social distancing, and Republicans not.

The prevailing discussion around the 2021 session is how to hold what is normally a huge gathering of Montanans in the time of COVID-19.

Should the legislature be meeting in person this January?

The debate had been stirring for months, but came in front of the Legislative Rules Committee in December.

True to its name, the Rules Committee sets the rules, processes, and procedures for the upcoming session.

It's made up of members from both parties, but currently has more Republicans than Democrats.

Democrats said no to a traditional in-person session, and requested to meet remotely for safety during the pandemic.

- I think this is just ultimately a matter of common sense and human decency.

It's in the best interests of all of our hardworking people in Montana that are trying to cope with the pandemic and doing everything they can to comply with the direction of our public health professionals.

It's in respect to our businesses who are doing the same, and it's also out of respect for all those who are gonna participate in the legislative process, and their families, and it's finely considerate of our hosts, the city of Helena, that we follow the direction that they've asked us to follow to maintain safeguards and not infect the city.

- [Jackie] Republicans said yes to a traditional in-person session, and fought for it to be done without masks.

- Personal responsibility.

That's what we're empowering.

If you wanna participate in person, come on down to Helena.

If you wanna wear a mask when you do that, you bet.

Put a mask on.

If you want a six foot separation, we provided that.

If you wanna be in a room that's different than the room the committee's in, we're providing that.

If you wanna participate from wherever you are and you're gonna call in, heck, we're probably even gonna provide that!

This is about personal choice and freedom.

I've got a copy of the governor's executive order on the masks, and there's nine reasons why you don't need to wear the mask, and none of that's been discussed today.

I've been in Helena now almost two weeks.

Been to a bunch of restaurants, and everybody there is telling me to wear a mask because they don't want the dictator that is your health officer to shut their restaurants down.

- [Jackie] During the Joint Rules Committee meeting, the public weighed, in urging legislators to hold a remote session and or require masks to be worn for any in-person gatherings.

Public health authorities, nurses, teachers, business owners, and more, all took their turns in the public comment period asking legislators to exercise caution.

- [Stacy] Good morning, Chairman Smith, members of the Joint Committee.

My name, for the record, is Stacy Anderson.

I'm the policy director for the Montana Primary Care Association.

We represent the Montana's community health centers and four of Montana's urban Indian centers, and we provide primary healthcare over 118,000 Montanans, and we've been partners across the state for COVID-19 testing, and we are in the planning stages for the rollout of the vaccine, statewide.

As you are well aware, the 67th convening of the Montana legislature is set to begin January 4th, and we urge you, as leaders of the state, to hold the 2021 session virtually until such a time that the majority of legislators, legislative staff, and visitors to the building are vaccinated.

Given the current estimated timeline for the vaccine availability, it is conceivable that a modest delay for an in-person session will give the healthcare community time to administer those vaccines to you.

As organizations that work every day to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and we've witnessed the devastating impact of this illness, including deaths of our patients and family members, we believe an in-person session is a risk that the leaders of our state should not take at this time.

- [Jackie] The decision made?

The legislature will meet in person in January with remote options.

Masks will not be required.

For the incoming Gianforte administration, responding to COVID-19 will be the top priority.

- Well, the number one issue facing Montana right now is this COVID crisis, so first thing I did when elected was to form a COVID task force that was much broader than just public health officials.

It includes small business owners, teachers, parent organizations, tribal governments, local government, and they've been working diligently to put their recommendations together, and I think the principles here is, we've gotta keep the most vulnerable safe, but we gotta go on with our lives.

I'm encouraged that we now have a vaccine here in the state.

This provides a light at the end of the tunnel.

I just got a briefing, 80% of the vaccines we've received in Montana have been administered, so it's already starting to protect people, and I'm just excited about the potential we have.

- [Jackie] A big change Montanans could see is the removal of the mask mandate.

So, will you be removing masks mandates and social distancing mandates?

- Well, I believe that there are precautions that need to be maintained.

I also believe, and I've been very clear about this, I'm gonna rely more on personal responsibility because I trust Montanans with their health and the health of the ones around them, but again, with freedom comes responsibility.

I'm encouraged that the number of new infections has dropped precipitously.

We've seen it cut by two thirds just in the last month, in terms of new infections.

I hope that trend continues, and with a vaccine, we're gonna be able to help more people become immune to the virus, and that's our path to getting back to normal.

- [Jackie] Currently, by order of Governor Steve Bullock, Montanans in all 56 counties are required to wear masks in all public places, including stores, businesses, schools, and more.

37 States currently have mask requirements across the entire state.

12 states have some or limited requirements.

South Dakota is the only state without any mask mandates, North and South Dakota have the highest rates of COVID-19 cases per capita in the country.

Health officials in Montana are concerned about the removal of a mask mandate.

Governor elect Gianforte has alluded to removing Montana's mask mandate and any restrictions, such as operating capacity at restaurants and other public gathering places.

Does this concern you as a health officer?

- [Health Official] Yeah, I mean, first of all, I would congratulate Governor-Elect Gianforte.

As we have a new governor take office, I think it's important that we all respect his responsibility and his authority to govern and address the pandemic.

And at the local level, we intend to respect him and his work, and we'll do everything we can to work with the new administration.

Likewise, I fully expect the governor, the new governor will recognize and respect the duty of local boards of health that they have under state law to prevent the spread of communicable disease and make decisions at the local level, including through emergency rule.

The governor has the authority to modify statewide directives, but emergency rules passed by local boards of health, such as the ones we have in Gallatin County, will still remain in effect.

And so, in Gallatin, that means people will still be required to wear face coverings in most indoor public spaces, that means the restrictions that we have on business operations that are intended to reduce the transmission of the disease will still remain in place.

The face covering rule is in effect until at least January 20th.

With the new variant of the virus, with the return of Montana State University, I anticipate recommending the board to extend that rule for an additional period of time.

That face covering rule is a pretty landmark way for us to reduce transmission, especially when we're seeing, potentially, a more transmissible form of the virus.

Now, I hope the governor retains the current directive on face coverings, especially with that new more contagious virus circulating in the US.

That new strain, combined with less mask wearing, could be a dangerous mix for Montanans.

The business restrictions, We're gonna watch the epidemiology.

Those restrictions on business operations are through February 5th or early February, we take very seriously not to keep those employees for one day longer than we need to, so we're gonna be really looking at the epidemiology of that and having the board make decisions based on what the epidemiology.

We've got some stuff coming at us, though, that could change things pretty dramatically.

We've got that new variant strain, we've gotta watch how that affects us, and we've got thousands of MSU students coming back into town, and we're not yet into the height of ski season, so that is gonna create some issues, too, so we're gonna be watching the epidemiology.

I would say that the, you know, in state law, local boards of health have a significant duty to take measures.

That duty and that authority rests at the local level in the state of Montana, so we're gonna respect and work with the governor, and I'm sure he'll respect and work with us.

- I asked governor-elect Greg Gianforte if he is set in stone about his plans to remove Montana's mask mandate, and if he would consider changing it if COVID-19 cases surge.

- It a hypothetical.

I think that, at any point along the way, we've gotta use the available facts and the available science to make the right decision.

This is why I formed this task force, and they've been working diligently.

I look forward to getting their recommendations, and we'll take actions based on that, and as things develop, we'll use that to make better decisions.

- Along with talking about COVID-19 plans with Governor-Elect Greg Gianforte, I also talked with him about his transition from Montana's lone congressional representative in Washington, DC, to governor-elect of Montana.

I also talked with his wife, Susan, about the family's transition from their home in Bozeman to the governor's mansion in Helena.

- We plan on moving into the residence there, and, so I'll be on the job ready to work with the legislators, both Republican and Democrat.

One of the first things I did after the election was to call virtually all of the legislators.

I did call all the freshmen and I called all the Democrats, and I had some great conversations.

And I think, as Montanans, we share much more in common than separates us.

There are things like the fact that we're 50th in the nation in what we pay our teachers.

We have the second highest number of children in foster care per capita of any state in the country, and we have low wages, as we've talked about, 'cause we just don't have enough good paying jobs.

These are things we ought to be able to agree on, and I look forward to finding common ground with my colleagues in the legislature, both Democrats and Republicans.

- I'm excited to serve with Greg.

I'm excited to see his work as governor and to be right there with him.

We're hoping to really build a lotta relationships.

That's always been a priority wherever we are, and whatever we're doing is to just have a home of hospitality, so I'm looking forward to moving to the governor's house and just getting set up there and getting ready to go!

You know, it's a new job, being first lady, and, again, I'm really excited about that, but I think I'll figure it out as I go and see how I can best help Greg and help Montana.

- [Jackie] With Republican control in the state house, Senate, and governor's office, Montanans could see some sweeping changes through new laws made over the course of the next four months.

I'd covered the race for governor for Montana PBS, and tracked the race between Republican Greg Gianforte and Democrat Mike Cooney, both competing for the seat being vacated by Democrat Steve Bullock, who's terming out after eight years in the governor's office.

- [Greg] Our Montana Comeback Plan.

- [Jackie] On the campaign trail, Gianforte and his pick for Lieutenant Governor, Kristen Juras, a Great Falls-based lawyer, touted his Montana Comeback Plan, which Gianforte released in July, and says lays out all his policy plans and positions.

- Our Montana Comeback Plan will get Montanans back to work in good paying jobs and our Montana Comeback Plan charts a course to change the way we do business in Helena.

- [Jackie] On November 4th, Gianforte won the race for governor with 54% of the vote to Mike Cooney's 42%.

In his transition to governor-elect, Gianforte has stuck to his Montana Comeback Plan as he repeated to journalists in two transition time press conferences.

Some takeaways from Gianforte's comeback plan include economic development, expanding manufacturing, reforming the tax code in deregulation, natural resource development, bringing new leadership to the DEQ and DNRC, and streamlining permitting for natural resource development.

Gianforte does support natural resource extraction on public lands.

Growing the technology sector, which is where Gianforte built his career before politics, cutting taxes, especially property taxes.

Gianforte has pledged not to repeal Medicaid expansion, but would like to make some changes to it.

In a press conference a week before his swearing in, Gianforte reiterated his focus on the pandemic, but also updated reporters on his plans for taking office.

- It goes without saying that the circumstances surrounding the inauguration are unique.

Not only are we in the middle of a public health crisis, but we're also in the middle of an economic crisis.

Kristen and I know that we need to make smart decisions to keep people safe and wise decisions about how we spend taxpayers' dollars.

As such, we're inviting all Montanans to be part of a virtual swearing in, which will be live streamed on Facebook.

Kristen and I will take our Oath of Office in the state capitol, surrounded by a small group of family.

We encourage folks to be part of that ceremony over the internet, and we look forward to sharing that experience with all Montanans.

Rather than invest taxpayer dollars in inauguration-related festivities, we're gonna get straight to work for Montanans.

Both Kristen and I and our phenomenal team look forward to hitting the ground running on January 4th.

- [Jackie] As a new administration begins, so too do others end.

After eight years, Governor Steve Bullock is terming out, as his attorney general, Tim Fox.

Secretary of State Corey Stapleton will also be leaving office.

All three lost bids for different offices in the 2020 elections.

As part of appointments, Bullock, Fox, and Stapleton all sit on the state land board, and during the final land board meeting on December 18th, some took it as a chance to say goodbye.

- I wanna really thank director Tubbs and all of the people at DNRC.

What a tremendous group of public servants you are, and I know you're gonna continue to go on and do great work, and that makes me feel good, even though I might be leaving.

- I think that this is part of state government, though, that really does.

While the actions are grounded in today are always looking for what the next generation's opportunities and challenges might be.

(dynamic orchestral music) - The 67th Montana legislative session begins Monday at noon in Helena.

I'll be bringing you weekly reports of what's going on and what it means for everyday Montanans.

"The Rundown: Capitol Report" will air Sundays, right here, on Montana PBS.

And I really wanna hear from you!

Do you have a comment, a question, a beef?

Please email me at Jackie@MontanaPBS.org.

You can also follow me on Twitter @Jackie_Coffin.

Thank you for joining me here on "The Rundown".

I'll see you next time in Helena.

"The Rundown" is made possible by the Greater Montana Foundation, encouraging communication on issues, trends, and values of importance to Montanans.