Jergeson appointed to transportation commission

Former state Sen. Greg Jergeson, D-Chinook, has been selected by Gov. Steve Bullock to serve on the Montana Transportation Commission, a press release from the governor’s office said Friday.

Jergeson was listed on the release as one of eight appointments made by the governor to four commissions and one of three made to the Transportation Commission.

Jergeson could not be reached for comment before print deadline this morning.

The release said Jergeson will represent District 3 on the Commission.

Coal Black Cattle and Consulting Service Barb Skelton, a Democrat from Billings, and retired Madison County Commissioner Dave Schultz, an independent from Sheridan, will represent Districts 1 and 2 respectively, the release says.

Members of the five person quasi-judicial commission are chosen by the governor to serve a four-year term on the commission, the Montana Department of Transportation website says.  

The commission is tasked with prioritizing construction and maintenance projects, approving the use of federal highway funds, awarding monthly contracts; and  designating special speed zones, highways by system and access control or facilities, the website says.

Jergeson served as a member of the Montana Senate 1975-1982 and 1987-2002. He served eight years on the Montana Public Service Commission, six as chair.

He won a special election to the state Senate in 2014, representing a district that stretched from Havre east to Harlem, before he was defeated by then state Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, after the district was reapportioned.

Jergeson was appointed by Bullock in 2015 to serve a three year term on the Montana Agriculture Development Council.