2024 MT Governor's race: on Environment

Tanner Smith: Scored 14% on Montana Conservation Voters scorecard

MCV will make climate action an unavoidable issue for voters, candidates and elected officials at all levels of government. MCV will work to replace anti-conservation elected leaders with pro-conservation elected leaders.

2023 House Scorecard for Rep. Tanner Smith: 14%

Tanner Smith: Hall of Shame on Montana Conservation Voters scorecard

MCV will make climate action an unavoidable issue for voters, candidates and elected officials at all levels of government. MCV will work to replace anti-conservation elected leaders with pro-conservation elected leaders.

2023 Scorecard for Gov. Gianforte: "Hall of Shame". Gov. Gianforte vetoed SB 442 ["Allow for marijuana tax revenue to be used for county road maintenance"]. Why did the Governor choose to ignore the thousands of everyday Montanans who testified, called, wrote, or rallied in support of this bill? Why did he reject a bipartisan solution, with broad support in the legislature and in communities across Montana? By dismissing the hard work and earnest opinions of so many Montanans, he showed that he has no shame.

Tanner Smith: Preserve water rights to safeguard for future

According to the press release, Smith plans to campaign on combating crime; lowering taxes; advocating for "sustainable and diverse energy sources to drive Montana's economy while protecting the environment -- such as the preservation of water rights to safeguard this vital resource for future generations"; "providing quality education"; and "defending the rights and freedoms cherished by Montanans."

Tanner Smith: Steward with care but without federal overreach

Tanner Smith for Governor on Facebook:
• September 7: As your Governor, I will give the Citizens of Montana assurance they will be always protected from Federal Government Over-reach and policies - We will NOT be victims!
• September 2: As residents of this beautiful state, we are entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and protecting its natural resources for future generations. Montana's breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and clean waters are not only an essential part of our identity but also an invaluable heritage that we must steward with care. It is upon us to strive for sustainable practices, fostering a culture that ensures we leave Montana better than we found it. Each small effort we make collectively adds up to substantial change, inspiring a brighter and greener future for our children and grandchildren. Allow me to lead that charge once again, as your next Governor

Greg Gianforte: $50 million EPA grant for resilience of forests & waterways

Environment: Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?
• Ryan Busse (D): Tighten. Would rebuild the MT Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Opposes "transfer[ing] management of federal public lands to states."
• Greg Gianforte (R): Mixed. Secured funds that led to $50 million from the EPA "to improve the resilience of our forests, agriculture industry, and waterways." Opposed a federal effort to prohibit new coal leases in Montana until 2038.

Ryan Busse: Opposes state management of federal public lands

Environment: Loosen or tighten environmental regulations?
• Ryan Busse (D): Tighten. Would rebuild the MT Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Opposes "any effort to limit access" to public lands or "transfer management of federal public lands to states."
• Greg Gianforte (R): Mixed. Secured $50 million from the EPA "to improve the resilience of our forests, agriculture industry, and waterways." Opposed a federal effort to prohibit new coal leases.

Ryan Busse: I want to facilitate what's next, not hold on to what was