b'2021 Presidents Day Issue State Report MONTANA Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association ReportMT is off to a goodWe are working closely with the governors Happy 2021 from the MPMCSA!We hope that this year start for you and yours. We hit the groundoffice as we move forward with a newrunning, happily leaving 2020 behind. appointment to the Petrol Board. It is our Novembers election was Republican-hope that the new appointee is in place by dominated for our national and statewideour first meeting in February. We are alsoMontana Message elections. Both the Congressional House anticipating the results of the legislative auditBrad Longcake seat and Senate seat stayed red after a will be available some time in February. WeMPMCSA Executive Directorhotly contested and very close race for thehave been working on this audit for almost Senate. Senator Daines was able to maintain2 years and we are looking forward to the his position after the race set new records findings. There are currently no bills to try to for campaign spending.remove money again from the PTRCB and For the first time in sixteen years the stategive it directly to DEQ. This is an important has a Republican governor and Republicanissue and we are closely monitoring it.majority in both the House and the Senate.We are moving forward with plans for our The biannual meeting of our state legisla- annual convention and trade show in June at ture kicked off on January 4 th . It has beenFairmont Hot Springs. COVID-19 derailed interesting navigating unchartered territorymost plans last year, but we are hopeful that trying to convene amid a pandemic. Mostthe situation is improved by the summer and of the Republican legislators have chosenthat we are able to come together for fun and to attend in person while most Democratsfellowship. We are scheduled June 1st & 2nd are choosing remote participation. After aand cannot wait to see everyone!year of Zoom meetings, they have success- We will certainly miss being in Las Vegas in fully implemented this hybrid format but itFebruary for the WPMA Convention. 2020 certainly presents challenges.has given us new insight into the Roaring On just his second day in office Governor1920s. After World War I and the Spanish flu Gianforte appealed to the legislature topeople were ready to get out and live life to quickly move forward with legislation aimedthe fullest. Hopefully we will also come out at liability protection. As a part of a largerof these dark times with renewed zest for life strategy for repealing the current statewideand appreciation of what is truly important. mask mandate implemented by his predeces-sor, Governor Gianforte first wants to ensure businesses are protected. It looks as though the bill will pass both the House and SenateBrad Longcake in the next few weeks. The association isExecutive Director/Government Affairs closely monitoring a number of bills thatMPMCSAwill affect our members across the spectrum of our industry including alcohol, tobacco, vape, tax, and local governments.SLook to the 2021 WPMA News Fall Issue for highlights!US President #10 John TylerI f we find ourselves increasing beyond example in num-bers, in strength, in wealth, in knowledge, in everything which promotes human and social happiness, let us ever remember our dependence for all these on the protection and merciful dispensations of Divine Providence . (51)Source: John Tylers First Annual Message, December 7, 1841. PT: 1841-1845WPMA News / Spring 202119'