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Education has eight voting members appointed by the governor, including one student member, and two non-voting members who represent the North Dakota University System’s faculty and staff. The board oversees the system’s 11 public colleges and universities.

Governor Gianforte: “Let’s Keep Moving Forward on Montanans’ Priorities”

Governor urges continued progress on Budget for Montana Families, pro-housing reforms

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today urged continued progress on his Budget for Montana Families and commonsense, pro-housing reforms to make housing more affordable and attainable for Montanans.

“Together, let’s keep moving forward on Montanans’ priorities. Let’s continue opening the doors of greater opportunity so more folks can prosper,” Gov. Gianforte said in a press conference at the State Capitol. “Ultimately, Montanans sent us to Helena to address their priorities, help them thrive, and make it easier for them to achieve the

American dream. Let’s get it done.”

Last summer Gov. Gianforte stood up a diverse, bipartisan Housing Task Force to provide recommendations to make housing more affordable and attainable for Montanans. During the press conference, Gov. Gianforte highlighted one of the task force’s recommendations he adopted into his Budget for Montana Families, the Home Ownership Means Economic Security (HOMES) Program.

Carried by Rep. Mike Hopkins, R-Missoula, in HB 825, the HOMES program invests $200 million to expand water and sewer infrastructure and ultimately increase the supply of affordable workforce housing.

“Let’s get the HOMES Program across the finish line so we can increase the supply of housing – and get more Montanans into an affordable home of their own,” Gov. Gianforte continued.

Gov. Gianforte also praised several other pro-housing reforms before the legislature, including SB 382 carried by Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, SB 258 introduced by Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, SB 245 sponsored by Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Bill- ings, and SB 323 carried by Sen. Jeremy Trebas, R-Great Falls.

The governor also called for continued action on various elements of his Budget for Montana Families in the press conference.

“Montanans are counting on us to be good stewards of their hard-earned dollars, and our Budget for Montana Families delivers,” Gov. Gianforte said. “After returning $1 billion to taxpayers, we’re using our surplus like any Montana family would – paying off our debt, repairing what needs fixing, and saving for a rainy day.”

To repair critical state infrastructure, the governor pointed to his proposed $300 million, generational investment in the state’s behavioral health care system and state hospital, in HB 872, and $200 million investment to repair and expand capacity at the state prison, in HB 5.

The governor also emphasized the importance of more than doubling the state’s rainy day fund, in HB 424, and establishing the Local Disaster Resiliency Fund, in HB 269.

“These investments are critical to the health and safety of Montana families and communities through(Story Continues on Page 12