Greg Gianforte in 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
Urges legislature to pass restrictive abortion laws
We must protect the lives of our most vulnerable: unborn children. I firmly believe all life is precious and must be protected. I urge the legislature to send me the Montana Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act which protects unborn babies by
prohibiting abortion when they can feel pain. I also urge the legislature to send me the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act which requires doctors to perform life-saving care on a baby who's born as a result of a botched abortion.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Montana legislature
Jan 28, 2021
On Education:
More trade education scholarships; more teacher incentives
Our budget builds a stronger Montana workforce by prioritizing trades education. My budget establishes the Montana Trades Education Credit, or M-TEC. Our budget provides for as many as 1,000 scholarships per year by offering businesses a
50% credit for their employees to learn a trade. Together, employers and employees can decide on training that's best for the business and the employee.
We must do better for our starting teachers. That's why my budget provides $2.5 million in incentives to schools to improve starting teacher pay. I encourage the legislature to pass the TEACH Act, or Tomorrow's Educators are Coming Home Act, which
Representative Jones is sponsoring. By increasing their pay, let's make it easier for our starting teachers to choose to stay in Montana or come back home. Let's make their pay more competitive.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Montana legislature
Jan 28, 2021
On Government Reform:
Red Tape Relief Task Force to review all regulations
To make Montana more competitive, we also need to get a better handle on our regulatory scheme. It's time to cut back this thicket of red tape, and it's one of my top priorities.I signed an executive order to establish the Red Tape Relief Task Force.
I have charged the task force to complete a comprehensive, top-to-bottom review of regulations in every single state agency. They are to leave no stone unturned as they identify excessive, outdated, and unnecessary regulations.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Montana legislature
Jan 28, 2021
On Immigration:
Ban sanctuary cities in Montana to maintain rule of law
We must maintain the rule of law. Montana has the highest violent crime rate in the northwest. And we saw an 8% increase in violent crime last year, even as our nation saw a decline.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are a nation of laws. That's why I support Representative Holmlund's bill to ban sanctuary cities in Montana.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Montana legislature
Jan 28, 2021
On Tax Reform:
Lowering top tax rate will make Montana more competitive
Montana taxpayers with at least $18,500 of taxable income pay our top income tax rate. More than half of Montana taxpayers pay that top rate of 6.9%. Our high rate drives away too many businesses that may want to locate in Montana.
We must lower our top personal income tax rate, and that's what I've proposed in my budget. Not only will the majority of Montana income taxpayers see relief, but also Montana will become more competitive.
To reduce the burden on our small businesses, my budget calls for reforming the business equipment tax by exempting business equipment valued up to $200,000, boosting the exemption by 100%.
The BIG Jobs Act, or Business Investment Grows Jobs Act, eliminates the business equipment tax burden for 4,000 Montana small business owners.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Montana legislature
Jan 28, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022