Republican Congressman Greg Gianforte, Montana’s lone U.S. Representative, stopped by Boulder City Hall Friday, May 3, for an hour-long, wide-ranging visit with local officials — part of a listening tour he said he undertakes of the state’s 56 counties every year.
His visit followed a stop in Townsend, and was the only one he made in Jefferson County.
Gianforte met with Jefferson County Sheriff Craig Doolittle, commissioners Bob Mullen and Cory Kirsch and Boulder Mayor Rusty Giulio. Boulder resident Dave Kirsch also joined in.
Their conversation centered on countywide matters including economic and community development and law enforcement — and how local needs might intersect with federal policies Gianforte has a hand in. He serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and subcommittees on Communications and Technology, Consumer Protection and Commerce, and Health.
“The hand we have right now is different than the one we held,” Gianforte told them, referring to the Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives. “We’ll continue to advocate for policies that are right for Montana, [but] bold initiatives in this Congress are probably not going to be possible.”
Despite that warning, Gianforte expressed optimism at progress being made in various corners that could positively affect Jefferson County, including international trade. Relating a trade trip to China he took part in earlier this year, he said he “was encouraged by the conversations” held between the bipartisan American group and the growing trade giant. The congressman described visits to two Chinese automobile factories, one belonging to Ford Motor Company, where they were told domestic auto sales we 20% off from the previous year — indicating how the Trump Administration’s “putting on the heat” has had the desired effect.
“[The Chinese] clearly want to get a deal done,” he said, noting that “these markets are critically important to our farmers and ranchers in Montana.”
Gianforte told those at the meeting to contact his office if they ever needed help. When the sheriff told him of his difficulty in applying for a U.S. Department of Homeland Security communications grant in 2011 “because they kept changing the way it was done,” Gianforte said that “a lot of times these grant applications get stuck.”
“When stuff gets stuck, reach out,” he said. “I’ll try to shake it loose.”
Sheriff Doolittle also told Gianforte about law enforcement’s problems in tackling meth and heroin, and how Jefferson County is “unique” in that its two interstates allow drugs to flow in from Washington, Las Vegas and Mexico.
The Mayor told Gianforte about ongoing improvements to broadband internet in Boulder, starting a discussion about the value of attracting residents to the City with the promise of remote work.
Gianforte shared a brochure he put together with the Montana Chamber of Commerce and mailed to 20,000 Montana State University graduates, encouraging them either to stay and work in Montana or return from wherever they may have moved to for jobs.
He invited the Mayor and the commissioners to “steal any ideas in here you want … if it’s helpful to you.”
“If the high school has an alumni list, mail it out to them,” Gianforte said. “If you can get three or four families to come back [every year], that’s quite a contribution to the economy.”
With broadband internet, Boulder could attract graphic designers, software developers, “any job you can do from a desk,” he said.
“[Broadband internet] could be turned into an offensive weapon for [Montana] from an economic perspective,” Gianforte said. “Our primary export for so long was grain, wheat, kids.”
In addition to fueling remote work, he said broadband internet can enhance learning for local students and enable advancements in health care such as telemedicine — the ability for health care professionals to provide select services remotely, a potential boon to rural communities like Boulder.
Gianforte said he was working with the chair of the health subcommittee on a bill “to remove friction to use telemedicine in rural communities.”
The jobs discussion led to Boulder’s shortage of housing — affordable or otherwise and including rentals — and how people have turned down jobs as a result.
Mayor Giulio said part of the problem is that Boulder is “lacking space to spread,” and that the City is developing subdivisions regulations so that it can better develop what space there is.
Parts of the discussion touched upon issues related to natural resources, which he said he “firmly” believes can be developed while also protecting the environment.
The congressman vouched for David Bernhardt, the recently appointed Secretary of the Interior — “he’s a westerner, he understands [western] issues” — and also said “the complexion of the [nation’s] courts is changing” to one that is less activist, following the confirmation of 100 judges he said showed promise of “just holding closer to the U.S. Constitution.”
As the meeting came to a close, Commissioner Kirsch broached what many inside and outside Montana are wondering.
“I heard rumblings you might look at the governor position,” he said.
“Um,” Gianforte said, and paused.
He previously ran in 2016 but lost to incumbent Democrat Steve Bullock, who is now serving his final term. Montana will elect a new governor next year.
“I’ve been collecting a lot of input and getting a lot of encouragement to do that,” he said carefully. “I’m seriously considering it and I’ve got to make a decision here pretty soon.”
“What are your thoughts on what would be a better fit for you, as far as getting things done and making the biggest difference?” said Kirsch.
“That’s the right lens,” the congressman said, relaxing. “In ten years I want to be able to look back and know I did the most good for the most people.”
“So yeah, I’m collecting input.”
