Pub. 1 2021 Issue 2

10 A LOOK AT EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1-2021 LT. GOVERNOR KRISTEN JURAS “We heard loud and clear that Montana’s regulatory schemes burden them. Too many unnecessary burdensome regulations cost them time and money. It’s past time to cut back this thicket of red tape, and it’s one of my top priorities.” Governor Greg Gianforte Executive Order No. 1-2021 creates an advisory council to review the time and resources our citizens, farmers, ranchers and business owners are spending understanding and complying with the rules and regulations set forth in the Administrative Rules of Montana. In short, this executive order is looking at doing away with the burdens of excessive red tape. A 2019 CNBC online article ranking put Montana in 33rd place nationally when it came to excessive red tape. The article applauded the quality of life but criticized its “sluggish, low-tech economy.” Three out of 10 categories received a D- (access to capital, technology and innovation, and the workforce), three received a D+ (cost of living, the economy and education), two received a C+ (business friendliness and infrastructure), one (quality of life) was graded B, and one (cost of doing business) was graded A-. Montana’s citizens seem to have agreed that the state had problems when it came to ease of moving commerce along. Governor Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.) was elected as Montana’s 25th governor Nov. 3, 2020, after a campaign that focused on improving Montana’s economy.