Greg Gianforte Announces Support For Policies That Could Undermine Nearly 100,000 Montana Jobs

Over the last few weeks, GOP gubernatorial nominee Greg Gianforte has highlighted his support for policies that could undermine nearly 100,000 Montana jobs — the last thing Montanans need as we are facing the economic fallout from COVID-19.

1. Gianforte supports ending the extended COVID-19 unemployment benefit. Not only would that hurt struggling, unemployed Montanans, it could also cost an additional 7,867 jobs.
2. He also wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act and with it, Montana’s popular Medicaid expansion program. This could cost Montana up to 7,500 jobs and $385 million in personal income. Gianforte’s opposition to the ACA could also have disastrous effects on rural communities. Since the Bullock-Cooney administration expanded Medicaid, zero rural hospitals have closed in Montana.
3. Gianforte’s biggest job-killing policy is his infamous opposition to public lands access. 71,000 Montana jobs rely on Montana’s outdoor industry. Just last week, Gianforte said he was “pleased” by the appointment of William Perry Pendley to lead the Bureau of Land Management, despite Pendley’s support “for selling off almost all public lands.” 

Meanwhile, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney released his “Keep Montana Working” plan today, sharing his vision to lead Montana through the coronavirus crisis and keep Montana’s economy on track from day one.

“Greg Gianforte spent his life enriching himself and now wants to make it harder for working families to make an honest living,” said DGA National Press Secretary Jerusalem Demsas. “Gianforte’s record doesn’t stack up against the nearly 100,000 jobs he’d put at risk as Governor. While Greg enriched himself off a business that outsourced American jobs, Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney brought together Democrats and Republicans to protect Montana’s economy and way of life. The choice is clear.”