HELENA â A bill working its way through the Montana Legislature could result in hundreds of positions within state government being reclassified from career positions to political appointments, meaning staffers would likely turn over as administrations change. The billâs sponsor, House Speaker Pro Tempore Casey Knudsen, R-Malta, has argued that having more politically appointed staffers in the state workforce would make it easier for elected officials to shift the direction of state agencies by giving them and governor-appointed agency directors more opportunity to appoint like-minded aides. âWhen a new administration is elected, itâs because the people expect some change. And when all you get is one appointed official to be able to do that, itâs very difficult,â Knudsen said at a Feb. 24 hearing.