Montana Republican Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte Monday said he will release new coronavirus guidance and fill out his cabinet after he takes office next week.
Gianforte said during a Monday press conference that he will review health and economic recovery recommendations from his COVID-19 task force this week and share them after he’s sworn in Jan. 4.
Gianforte has said he prefers personal responsibility to statewide health mandates now in place under outgoing Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock.
"Freedom with no responsibility is not an outcome that we want," the governor-elect said. "And I feel as Montanans, I trust them to take care of their own health and that of the ones around them."
Gianforte said Montana isn’t yet out of the woods with the virus, despite declining active cases and a vaccine rollout.
Gianforte also said during the conference that more than half of the 12 positions on his cabinet have been accepted, and he expects to fill the remaining spots after taking office. The governor-elect said deputy directors can run agencies during the interim period.
Gianforte said the public will be invited to view a Facebook livestream of his swearing in ceremony Jan. 4, which will be held at the Capitol with a small group of family.
