COVID-19 main focus of Gianforte's 1st press conference since election
MISSOULA, Mont. — At his first press conference since his election, Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte gave an update Friday on his transition exactly one month before he will be sworn in.
Gianforte said his focus when he takes office next month will be on keeping the most vulnerable safe while opening the state's economy.
Gianforte did not make any specific policy announcements but said that addressing the COVID-19 pandemic will be his administration's top priority, acknowledging that the current data is not good.
Montana added 1,254 new confirmed cases Friday, with 727 deaths so far.
“I trust Montanans to do what's right,” Gianforte said. “I choose to wear a mask. And I encourage others to do the same.”
Gianforte did not outright say whether he would keep current COVID-19 mandates in place. He asked for Montanans to give their feedback on what's working and what's not at his transition website. He said he's encouraged by the progress of vaccines, but it's not going to happen instantaneously.
“We're going to have a first shipment of vaccines, I expect, here in December, but won't be generally available until later in the spring,” Gianforte said. “That gives us some light at the end of the tunnel, but we’ve got to look out for ourselves, our loved ones and those around us in the meantime until we can get that tool in place.”
Gianforte said his overall objective on the vaccine front won’t differ much from the current administration, making the most vulnerable and frontline health care workers the first priority for distribution.
Gianforte said incoming budget director Kurt Alme has already started the process of a comprehensive review of the budget. He said he’s not going to eliminate Medicaid expansion, but he thinks some reforms make sense to minimize fraud and waste.
On the possibility of holding the legislative session remotely, Gianforte said it’s a decision the legislature has to make.
“My opinion is that we need to do the people's business, and we need to make sure that legislators, staff and others, members of the public coming in are safe in the process,” the governor-elect said. “Those are the two key principles. We're going to follow those policies in the governor's office, as well. For my part, I personally am choosing to wear a mask. I'm encouraging others to do that. I just think it shows respect to others around us. This is a very serious health situation. And we need to be conscious of the impacts of large gatherings, but we need to get the people's business done in the meeting safely.”
When asked if he considers Joe Biden to be the next president of the United States, Gianforte said there's still litigation pending that needs to come to a conclusion. He added this his focus is on Montana.
NBC Montana asked if lawmaker Kerry White is still on the governor-elect’s transition advisory team for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks after White shared controversial posts on social media in which he referred to vice president-elect Kamala Harris as a “hoe.”
“Let me just say his comments were completely inappropriate. My understanding is he apologized for them,” Gianforte said. “But this selection process is not about any one individual, it's about casting a very broad net to get the most qualified people for each position, and we're doing exactly that.”
Another reporter asked if Montanans can expect changes to stream access laws in Montana, to which Gianforte replied with a simple, “No.”
Gianforte said he wants to foster a strong working relationship with the press and that he aims to be accessible, transparent and accountable.
He also urged Montanans to shop local this holiday season.
