Visiting sites with the governor

The governor’s office called last week and asked if I was interested in visiting a couple of locations in my Senate district. It is hard to tell the governor of Montana “no.” Plus, it seemed like a great opportunity to show off our district. This past Wednesday, I met with the governor and his staff at the Liberty County Medical facility. COVID-19 protocol was in place, as a staff person had just been confirmed positive with the virus. The governor asked questions about staffing challenges. The response from the CEO was a need for help in the kitchen, laundry, nursing, housekeeping, and CNAs. This is not a unique need to the Liberty County facility; I have seen ads in the paper and help wanted signs in every town in my district. The good news is that the governor has activated the National Guard to fill in some of the needed hospital positions until the staffing and COVID challenges can be resolved.

On Thursday, the group of us plus Rep. Kassmier toured Diamond D Bar Processing, a meat processing plant in Geraldine. Owners, David and Jade, gave us an informational walkthrough of their business of processing pigs, cows, sheep and wild game. It was very easy to see this is a hard-working couple. They had received a grant for equipment and the governor asked some questions about their purchases. David and Jade pointed out the shrink wrap packaging machine and explained that the equipment purchased saves a lot of time in the wrapping of the meat. Money had also been spent on coolers and other updates. While we were there, bacon was being boxed, and I’ll tell you it made my mouth water. I wish this couple the best and hope one day to work with them to have an animal processed.

Judy and I traveled to Butte on Saturday to watch our grandson play football for Montana Tech. The governor and just short of 20 legislators were on hand to witness the signing of Senate Bill 248. The short description of this bill is: “An Act Establishing Student-Athlete Rights And Protections; Ensuring That Student-Athlete Can Earn Compensation For The Use Of The Student-Athlete’s Name, Image, Or Likeness; And Providing A Delayed Effective Date.” The signing was during the game, between the first and second quarters, and with all of us on the field with the governor. The game went well, with Butte winning 21-17. Roll Diggs! As always, stay safe, especially as the winter weather starts.

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State Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, can ber emailed at [email protected].