b'2020 Scholarship Foundation MONTANA Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association ReportMT It has certainly been an interesting four months since the last Greetings from Montana! issue was published. It is remarkable to sit back and look at what has transpired with the global COVID-19 pandemic. As the shock is wearing off, we are left wondering what the coming months will bring. The impact of the pandemic and the economic shut down response has yet to be seen. Montana spent the month of April under a Shelter in Place order from our gov-ernor with only essential businesses allowed to stay open. Without question, the petroleum marketers and convenience stores are essential and were able to help provide stability during this trying time. Montana is currently in Phase 1 of the reopening plan and we are all hopefulBrad Longcake Montana Message we will continue to gradually get back to normal.MPMCSAIn response to the Governors orders, our June Convention and Trade Show has been post- Executive Directorponed. The safety of our members and vendors is of the utmost importance. With limitations on the size of gatherings, non-essential travel, and the 14-day mandatory quarantine for travelers from outside of Montana it was decided to wait until later in the summer. The new dates are September 2nd and 3rd at Fairmont Hot Springs and Resort. I expect it will be that much more enjoyable after all of this is behind us. MPMCSA has been active in opposition to a local option fuel tax facing Missoula County voters on the June ballot. Our association is dedicated to using all of our available resources to prevent such a measure from hurting our members. The competitive disadvantage a local option tax creates for affected stores, especially those near the borders, is the foundation of our argument. The June primary races are being conducted as mail-in ballot only, without any in person voting. We have had good participation from members in the area and from across the state in the fight. We have signs across town and are using a variety of communication plat-forms to reach as many voters as possible.The legislative audit of the Petro Fund we requested during the last legislative session is moving forward. The auditors have started to reach out to the parties involved. Over the next several months they will be conducting interviews to gather and collect information. MPMCSA will be involved throughout the process to coordinate with members as needed.We were recently able to host a tele-townhall meeting with Representative Gianforte. He is currently serving as Montanas lone delegate to the House of Representatives but will not seek reelection. He is instead in a three-way primary race for the Republican nomination to be the next governor. We had over 20 members participate in the call to discuss several issues that are pertinent to the MPMCSA. After the June primaries, we will reach out again to the candidates on the November ticket to aide the membership in making an informed decision. Hopefully, along with warmth and sunshine summer will bring reprieve from the coronavirus and progress towards returning to normal. We send our most sincere wishes for health and well being for all of you and for all those across this great country. Brad LongcakeSExecutive DirectorWPMA News / Summer 202037'