Recently, Montana was the first state to ban private companies from mandating Covid vaccines. This happened under Republican Governor Greg Gianforte’s watch.
Whether you support vaccine mandates or not, it was certainly a bold move by Gianforte to sign that into legislation. While we take the virus seriously, it’s important to allow free speech, and freedom of people to be against having to choose between their job and a personal medical decision in our view.
AP reported on Montana’s move:
Montana is the only state where private companies can not require their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Benefis Health Systems announced such a mandate earlier this year that had to be rescinded once Governor Gianforte signed a new law in may stating that’s not allowed.
In the video below though, Governor Noem of South Dakota claims she doesn’t have the authority to do what Montana just clearly did. Noem says she’s vaccinated and recommends people get the vaccine, but says she wants people to be able to still choose for themselves.
“South Dakota has not imposed any mandates. In fact, I was the only Governor in America who never ordered a single business or church to close. Frankly, I don’t think that businesses should be mandating that their employees be vaccinated either. And if they do, they should be making religious and other exemptions available to them. But I don’t have the authority as Governor to tell them what to do…” she continues in the clip below:
The Truth on where I stand… pic.twitter.com/ZB2gkqijlM
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) August 24, 2021
Back on July 31st, on her personal account this time, Noem claimed that people in her state do not need to worry about mandates because if they don’t get vaccinated they can just get another job according to her:
“Workers whose employers are mandating a vaccine for continued employment have the power to say no. Our robust economy and job market gives them the option to find a new employer that values personal choice and responsibility, and doesn’t force mandates on their employees.”
Workers whose employers are mandating a vaccine for continued employment have the power to say no. Our robust economy and job market gives them the option to find a new employer that values personal choice and responsibility, and doesn’t force mandates on their employees.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) July 31, 2021
Governor Gianforte does appear to be taking Covid seriously but wants to keep his state a right to choose state. He recently tweeted:
“The state of Montana will not impose mandates as part of the state’s COVID-19 response. Period. As I always have, I trust Montanans with their health and the health of their loved ones.”
The state of Montana will not impose mandates as part of the state’s COVID-19 response. Period.
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) August 25, 2021
As I always have, I trust Montanans with their health and the health of their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/Fhq7QDCSUD
Many Republican Governors are in a tight spot. Covid cases are indeed rising against. This puts pressure on the Governors to do what they can to slow cases from spreading.
Many people however are pulling their kids from school over mandates for masks, quitting their jobs, homeschooling, or making other life changes because they don’t want to be forced to do things they feel should be their choice. Montana’s move certainly won’t make other red states Governor’s jobs any easier now.
Many thought Kristi Noem was a rising star in the GOP. While no one wants to see Covid spread, the right wants more freedoms and the left wants less. People may see Noem as being weak, even though most other Governors are doing the same as her, because of her often contradictory tweets.
Noem also partially backtracked on a transgender ban in South Dakota after pressure from the NCAA. We reported that Tucker Carlson gave her heat over that as you can read here.
There is a push and pull in various red states. Some are calling for refugees to come to their states, some are quiet, and some may say no. Meanwhile, the Covid situation is tricky, and many are waiting to see what others do and follow in their footsteps. It’s hard to say if any others states follow Montana as of yet.
Recently, the Republican state of nearby (to Montana) Idaho’s Governor Brad Little supported Noem. As school districts face parents pulling kids over mask mandate battles and hospitals threaten to fire unvaccinated employees, Idaho’s Governor takes a hands-off approach. Little, who many GOP activists in the state think of as a “RINO”, recently tweeted:
“Governor Noem has it right! Couldn’t have said it better myself!”
Governor Noem has it right! Couldn't have said it better myself! https://t.co/69nEt7kOej
— Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) August 25, 2021
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