Big Sky Times

As closures and restrictions continue in Montana due to the coronavirus pandemic, the next few weeks will determine if the stay-at-home order is lifted and whether the legislature meets at the capitol.

Gov. Steve Bullock, who initially issued the order through April 10, extended stay-at-home and school closures through April 24, KRTV reported.

Montana had a total of 377 COVID-19 cases and six deaths as of April 11, according to KRTV. There have been 46 patients hospitalized with 21 cases still active.

"The Governor has implemented a shelter-in-place order and has closed 'non-essential' businesses until late April. I think that the Legislature should recommend that the order not be extended," said former Sen. Ed Walker via email.

The state is facing many pandemic-related challenges.

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry reported a surge in unemployment claims and requests for payments. Prior to the pandemic, the department saw an average of 557 claims per week. Between March 15 and April 3, the weekly average of claims and reactivated claims rose to 17,640. For the week ending April 9, the department received over 41,000 requests for payments in the first two days.

Even so, Montana is not being hit as hard as other states.

"It appears that the effects of the virus have been minor in Montana," said Walker, indicating that he and current legislators do not feel a special session is warranted at this time.

The pandemic has disrupted business-as-usual at the capitol, but there are meetings scheduled via teleconference and video conference calls. The Legislative Council has a scheduled video conference call on April 16. The agenda includes legal updates, the coronavirus pandemic and a financial update. It will also address remote legislative meetings and a return to regular Legislative Council business, according to the Montana State Legislative website.

Other committees will meet by teleconferences, including the LFC Education Subcommittee, the Water Policy Interim Committee and the MUS 2-Year Commission.

Another meeting of the Legislative Audit Committee, which was supposed to take place April 27-28, was postponed and a new date will be determined, according to the Montana government website.

Despite the challenges lawmakers are facing with the pandemic, the state of Montana indicated on its site the government continues to function and is open for business.

Vital decisions will be made in upcoming weeks on how to push Montana forward.

"The Republican legislature should play a pivotal role in counterbalancing a liberal Democrat governor. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case in years," said Walker. "While Republicans hold majorities in both legislative chambers, the Democrat minority, along with progressive republicans help Gov. Bullock push a leftwing, big-government agenda through the legislature."