Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Greg Gianforte launches a month-long statewide tour Thursday focusing on what he calls over-regulation of small business. The Bozeman entrepreneur says he’ll host 60 roundtable meetings to talk to business owners and ranchers to, "round up regulations" and "put the worst ones out to pasture."
The tour starts in Roundup. Twenty five additional stops have been announced between Thursday and February 12. Stops include Billings, Glasgow and Glendive, as well as Two Dot, Ekalaka and Browning.
But Montana labor leaders are upset with Gianforte for cancelling a conversation with the AFL-CIO’s executive board.
Union Spokesman Bob Funk says the AFL-CIO has been working with Gianforte’s campaign to schedule a meeting since January fourth. Funk says the campaign last week agreed to a conference phone call to happen on Friday, but today "cancelled without explanation."
Gianforte Campaign Spokesman Aaron Flint says the date to talk, “wasn’t even pinned down” until last Friday.
“Scheduling events can always be a challenge,” Flint added. "We were hoping to get Greg on the phone with them, and look forward to future opportunities to talk with their members down the road."
The AFL-CIO says that so far, its executive board has met with Congressman Ryan Zinke and Attorney General Tim Fox, both Republicans. It’s also met with Democrats, including Superintendent of Public Schools Denise Juneau, Governor Steve Bullock, State Auditor and Secretary of State candidate Monica Lindeen, Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Melissa Romano, and State Auditor Jesse Laslovich.
