#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock and Hillary Spell Bad News for Montana's Coal Industry

Hillary Clinton, who promises a radical anti-coal, anti-gun agenda for Montana and the nation, is officially the Democratic nominee for president, with the full support of Montana Governor Steve Bullock. One thing is for sure: An administration in Washington DC run by Hillary Clinton teamed with an administration in Helena run by Steve Bullock spells bad news for Montana's coal industry.

Hillary Clinton’s anti-coal agenda:

“…we’re gonna put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business”-Hillary Clinton, on CNN, 3/13/2016

Clinton has said that the country has to move away from coal.

"We need to move away from coal. Everybody understands that. There's no doubt about it." -Hillary Clinton event with the League of Conservation Voters, 11/9/2015

Hillary Clinton has called the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan, which threatens thousands of Montana jobs, "the floor not the ceiling, and promised to go further." Even to the point of using illegal executive orders to bypass Congress.

"Clinton called the plan 'the floor, not the ceiling,' and said she would go further.
Her plan contemplates using executive orders if Congress tried to block her proposals." -Washington Post, 8/2/2015

Meanwhile Governor Bullock will not stand up for Montana's coal industry. Last month, his office did not even send a representative to a hearing on a bill sponsored by Rep. Zinke and Sen. Daines that seeks to protect Montana coal jobs.

“Gov. Steve Bullock did not send anyone to the hearing.

Zinke spokeswoman Heather Swift said their office was surprised the governor didn’t want to be involved, saying he has voiced support in the past and has been opposed to federal moratoriums.

‘As far as his motivation we’re completely clueless as to why they wouldn’t want to participate,’ she said.” -Great Falls Tribune 6/15/2016



This is after Bullock waited until the last minute (under pressure from Gianforte) to call on Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to veto a bill that paves the way for the shutdown of the Colstrip Power Plant AFTER first saying he wouldn’t demand a veto.

“Bullock isn’t likely to veto the bill.” -MTN News, 3/15/2016

FLIP-FLOP:

“Montana Gov. Steve Bullock last week asked Inslee to veto the bill over concerns about its effect on Montana.” -Seattle Times, 4/3/2016

Last year, Bullock refused to support Attorney General Tim Fox’s lawsuit against the Obama/EPA Clean Power Plan which threatens thousands of Montana jobs.

“A statement issued by Governor Steve Bullock didn’t say whether he thinks the lawsuit is a good idea.” -Montana Public Radio, 10/23/2015

Early in the year, after the U.S. Supreme Court put a stay on the Obama/EPA Clean Power Plan, Bullock simply suspended his Clean Power Plan Advisory Council.

"Montana Gov. Steve Bullock on Tuesday suspended the work of a panel appointed to address new federal carbon dioxide emissions rules after the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the key component of President Barack Obama’s climate change plan.” -Associated Press 2/9/2016

A big issue is for Bullock is that his campaign has taken a combined thousands of dollars from environmental activists with the Montana Environmental Information Center and the Sierra Club of Montana. Both groups sued to shut down Colstrip Units 1 and 2.

 "'The firm MEIC that actually pursued this lawsuit against Colstrip, their board members have written checks, five of them have written checks to Gov. Bullock’s campaign,' Gianforte said. 'He’s bought and paid for by special interests that shut down Montana jobs.'”

Campaign records show Gianforte’s allegation is true." -Billings Gazette, 7/13/2016

Governor Bullock is beholden to Hillary's agenda. With Hillary Clinton in Washington pushing a radically anti-coal agenda, and Governor Bullock unwilling to stand up for thousands of good paying Montana jobs in the coal industry, an already struggling major industry will face even tougher day. And, with fewer jobs, less tax revenue, and higher energy prices, all of Montana will suffer.

 ICYM - DNC Exclusive: The video Hillary Clinton and Steve Bullock don't want you to see.

DNC EXCLUSIVE: Here's the Video Steve Bullock and Hillary Clinton Don't Want You to See

As Hillary Clinton gets ready to take the stage at the DNC, we'll show you the video that Steve Bullock and Hillary Clinton don't want you to see. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

VIDEO:

In case you missed it, here's Thursday morning's #MTGov Daily Rundown:

 About the only thing he will show up for is rock concert, and only if the taxpayers are paying for it....

Despite being a Democratic superdelegate, Governor Steve Bullock is a no-show this week at the Democratic National Convention. While it's likely that his non-attendance is an attempt to downplay his endorsement of the radically anti-gun and anti-coal Hillary Clinton, it continues a pattern the governor not showing up to do his job.

"Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a superdelegate, is not attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Bullock campaign spokesman Jason Pitt says that Bullock wanted to stay in Montana and that his absence had nothing to do with Bullock not wanting to be associated with presidential nominee Hillary Clinton." -NBC Montana, 7/28/2016

During the 2015 legislative session, Bullock was no-show for critical budget negotiations during the final week of the session because he wanted to run the Boston Marathon.

"While the Montana legislature works to finalize a budget as the 2015 session enters its final week,  Montana Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock — who must sign off on the budget — is in Massachusetts today, running in the Boston Marathon." -Media Trackers, 4/20/2015

Bullock has also been a no-show in standing up for the people of Colstrip and fighting back against the Obama Administration's War on Coal.

"Bullock's staff declined multiple requests to interview the governor for this article. Given the coal industry's role in his conservative state -- a recent report by Headwaters Economics found the industry provided it with $186.5 million in direct tax revenues in 2014 -- political observers say Clean Power Plan implementation was a tricky task for the Democrat in an election year. -E & E Daily, 3/10/2016

Bullock was no-show in protecting Montana from the Obama/EPA Clean Power Plan

"A statement issued by Governor Steve Bullock didn’t say whether he thinks the lawsuit is a good idea.

'The rule has been challenged and the courts will sort that out,' Bullock said." -MTPR, 10/23/2015

He's been a no-show on infrastructure.

"In 2011, the Legislature failed to reach a consensus on how to help rural eastern Montana towns grapple with rapid growth related to the Bakken oil boom. Two years later, nearly all the state's legislators approved a proposal those communities considered imperfect but helpful that would offer $35 million in grants. It was vetoed by Gov. Bullock..." -Mass Transit Magazine, 7/2/2016

"SB 354, the bill introduced this week by Sen. Rick Ripley (R-Wolf Creek), to create an infrastructure program within the coal severance tax trust fund was vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock." -Montana Contractors Association, 5/15/2015

He's been a no-show on allowing unvetted Syrian refugees into Montana.

“We did ask him (Governor Bullock) about this when he was visiting here on Wednesday. He declined to comment.” -KBZK, 6/17/2016

Bullock has, however, shown up at rock concerts using the state plane at taxpayer expense.

"“The governor was in Missoula that day at the invitation of the University of Montana to come and attend the concert,” -Tim Crowe, Governor's Communications Director, 7/11/2016

And has shown up at dark money fundraisers raising $3 million in undisclosed cash.

"This weekend in Whitefish, Gov. Steve Bullock hosts a “retreat” for the Democratic Governors Association, where its members will gather – and corporate donors and others will pour cash into DGA coffers." -MTN News, 9/17/2015

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Governor No-Show

About the only thing he will show up for is a rock concert, and only if the taxpayers are paying for it....

Despite being a Democratic superdelegate, Governor Steve Bullock is a no-show this week at the Democratic National Convention. While it's likely that his non-attendance is an attempt to downplay his endorsement of the radically anti-gun and anti-coal Hillary Clinton, it continues a pattern the governor not showing up to do his job.

"Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a superdelegate, is not attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Bullock campaign spokesman Jason Pitt says that Bullock wanted to stay in Montana and that his absence had nothing to do with Bullock not wanting to be associated with presidential nominee Hillary Clinton." -NBC Montana, 7/28/2016


During the 2015 legislative session, Bullock was no-show for critical budget negotiations during the final week of the session because he wanted to run the Boston Marathon.

"While the Montana legislature works to finalize a budget as the 2015 session enters its final week,  Montana Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock — who must sign off on the budget — is in Massachusetts today, running in the Boston Marathon." -Media Trackers, 4/20/2015


Bullock has also been a no-show in standing up for the people of Colstrip and fighting back against the Obama Administration's War on Coal.

"Bullock's staff declined multiple requests to interview the governor for this article. Given the coal industry's role in his conservative state -- a recent report by Headwaters Economics found the industry provided it with $186.5 million in direct tax revenues in 2014 -- political observers say Clean Power Plan implementation was a tricky task for the Democrat in an election year. -E & E Daily, 3/10/2016

Bullock was no-show in protecting Montana from the Obama/EPA Clean Power Plan

"A statement issued by Governor Steve Bullock didn’t say whether he thinks the lawsuit is a good idea.

'The rule has been challenged and the courts will sort that out,' Bullock said." -MTPR, 10/23/2015


He's been a no-show on infrastructure.

"In 2011, the Legislature failed to reach a consensus on how to help rural eastern Montana towns grapple with rapid growth related to the Bakken oil boom. Two years later, nearly all the state's legislators approved a proposal those communities considered imperfect but helpful that would offer $35 million in grants. It was vetoed by Gov. Bullock..." -Mass Transit Magazine, 7/2/2016

"SB 354, the bill introduced this week by Sen. Rick Ripley (R-Wolf Creek), to create an infrastructure program within the coal severance tax trust fund was vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock." -Montana Contractors Association, 5/15/2015


He's been a no-show on allowing unvetted Syrian refugees into Montana.

“We did ask him (Governor Bullock) about this when he was visiting here on Wednesday. He declined to comment.” -KBZK, 6/17/2016


Bullock has, however, shown up at rock concerts using the state plane at taxpayer expense.

"“The governor was in Missoula that day at the invitation of the University of Montana to come and attend the concert,” -Tim Crowe, Governor's Communications Director, 7/11/2016

And has shown up at dark money fundraisers raising $3 million in undisclosed cash.

"This weekend in Whitefish, Gov. Steve Bullock hosts a “retreat” for the Democratic Governors Association, where its members will gather – and corporate donors and others will pour cash into DGA coffers." -MTN News, 9/17/2015

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock, Hillary and Unvetted Syrian Refugees

Amidst growing concerns about radical Islamic terrorism worldwide, Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton wants to bring in 60,000 unvetted Syrian refugees if elected. Governor Bullock is not going to try and stop her.

"'I have heard all this loose inflammatory talk about refugees,' she told the Colorado audience. 'I don't think that does us any good at all,' in defeating the Islamic State.

"We must be willing to continue to take refugees into our country," Clinton said. -Washington Post, 11/24/2016

"Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said Sunday that the United States should accept 65,000 refugees from Syria to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis created by the war there." -CBS News, 9/20/2016

This is despite the fact that multiple intelligence officials have admitted that the refugees cannot be properly vetted and have expressed concerns over ISIS using refugee flows to infiltrate countries, including the United States.

FBI Director James Comey admitted last year that we do not have the ability to vet all Syrian refugees. -CNS News, 10/21/2015

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper worried that ISIS fighters could infiltrate refugee groups. -Washington Post, 11/17/2015

Just last week, CIA Director John Brennan admitted his concern that ISIS could use refugee flows to get ISIS fighters into the country. -CBS News, 6/16/2016

Currently, the governors of 31 states have stated that their states will not accept unvetted Syrian refugees. -CNN, 10/15/2016

While other governors are standing up and saying no to unvetted Syrian refugees, Bullock has indicated he will take no action.   

“We did ask him (Governor Bullock) about this when he was visiting here on Wednesday. He declined to comment.” -KBZK, 6/17/2016

Last fall, in the wake of the terrorist attack by Radical Islamists in Paris, France, Bullock attempted to side-step the issue, but did say that Montana would not be closed to Syrian refugees.

“Montana does not plan to close its borders to refugees from Syria following last week’s attacks in Paris, Gov. Steve Bullock said Monday.” -Great Falls Tribune, 11/16/2016

At the Montana Broadcasters Association Debate last month, Bullock seemed to give two different answers on the Syrian refugee question, first saying he doesn’t have the power to stop refugee resettlement, but then stating he would do “everything” he could to stop unvetted refugees.  

Stated first: “First of all, fear shouldn’t define our values, and second of which, the Constitution doesn’t place the ability to determine and define exactly who all comes into our state borders.” 

But then he states: “I will, as governor, do everything I can to make sure unvetted refugees do not come to Montana.” 

Greg Gianforte has stated from day 1 that we need a full halt to President Obama’s Syrian refugee program until refugees can be properly vetted.

“We need a full halt to President Obama's Syrian refugee program. The safety and security of Montana and our neighboring citizens must come first.” -Greg Gianforte, 11/16/2016

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock, Hillary, and the DNC Struggle with Email

Apparently email is hard for Democratic politicians. Debbie Wasserman-Shutlz, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, announced her resignation yesterday after leaked emails revealed widespread corruption in the party. Here in Montana, our own Governor Steve Bullock is dealing with his own email issues.

"Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has used his private email account to communicate about a wide variety of official business from proposed legislation to his increasingly strained relationship with the former lieutenant governor, according to hundreds of pages of emails released Friday." -Great Falls Tribune, 5/6/2016

"The newly released records shed more light on the strained relationship between McLean, Bullock and his staff. McLean complains to Bullock about her treatment by his budget director, Dan Villa, whom she said told her 'either you are on the team or you are not.'

In May, the lieutenant governor wrote a letter to Bullock saying Chief of Staff Tracy Stone-Manning had confirmed that he was considering a different running mate for his 2016 re-election campaign. 'I guess I am learning ambition is a funny thing and realizing the full consequences of standing up for what you believe it right,' McLean wrote." -Great Falls Tribune, 5/6/2016

"Hundreds of pages of documents, which were released Friday, show the democratic governor used his private account for official communications regarding his proposed state budget... legislation... and even lighting the state capitol at night. bullock previously told the associated press that he uses private email to communicate about political or election issues, but that government affairs are sometimes in those communications." -KFBB, 5/6/2016


The emails from the governor's private account were released after emails from official state accounts showed an increasingly strained relationship between Bullock and then-Lt. Gov. Angela McLean.

"Gov. Steve Bullock and his administration had a strained relationship with Lt. Gov. Angela McLean and had considered replacing her on the 2016 ticket since early this year, according to internal emails and top Bullock staffers.

Emails obtained late this week by MTN News also showed that McLean had become largely isolated on the job by early October, when she was locked out of her official Twitter account, excluded from office meetings, and stripped of her initiatives." -MTN News, 12/11/2015


Reporter compares Bullock to Hillary:

Hillary Clinton has, of course, faced a tremendous amount of scrutiny for illegally using a private email server while Secretary of State. Despite, initial denials, it was found that Clinton sent and received classified information over an insecure server.

Clinton denies sending classified information:

"But on a day of political high drama in Washington, Mr. Comey rebuked Mrs. Clinton as being 'extremely careless' in using a private email address and server. He raised questions about her judgment, contradicted statements she has made about her email practices, said it was possible that hostile foreign governments had gained access to her account, and declared that a person still employed by the government — Mrs. Clinton left the State Department in 2013 — could have faced disciplinary action for doing what she did." -New York Times, 7/5/2016

"Of 30,000 emails Mrs. Clinton handed over to the State Department, 110 contained information that was classified at the time she sent or received them. Of those, Mr. Comey said, aa very small number' bore markings that identified them as classified. This finding is at odds with Mrs. Clinton’s repeated assertions that none of the emails were classified at the time she sent or received them." -New York Times, 7/5/2016


Just yesterday, Chair of the Democratic National Committee Debbie Wasserman-Schultz was forced to resign after leaked emails on the process leading up to the Democratic National Convention revealed widespread corruption in the party.

"Democratic National Committee documents recently released by WikiLeaks include spreadsheets and emails that appear to show party officials planning which donors and prominent fundraisers to provide with appointments to federal boards and commissions." -The Daily Caller, 7/24/2016

“'The disclosed DNC emails sure look like the potential Clinton Administration has intertwined the appointments to federal government boards and commissions with the political and fund raising operations of the Democratic Party, Boehm told The Daily Caller." -The Daily Caller, 7/24/2016

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Steve Bullock's Record on the 2nd Amendment Mirrors that of Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton is one of the most anti-2nd Amendment politicians to ever run for or hold public office. She has a long history of fighting against the right to keep and bear arms and the National Rife Association has consistently given her a "F" grade. While Governor Bullock claims to support the 2nd Amendment, his endorsement of Hillary Clinton should be enough to call that into question.

Hillary Clinton has refused to state that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right. -ABC, 6/5/2016

She has stated her support for an assault weapons ban, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and stated that lawful gun owners "hold a viewpoint that terrorizes the majority of people." -CNN, 6/18/2014)

She has praised large scale gun confiscation schemes that have occurred in nations such as Australia and the United Kingdom. -Huffington Post, 10/16/2015

She has called for Americans to be stripped of their 2nd Amendment rights without due process based on their name appearing on the highly mistake prone No Fly List.  -CNN, 12/5/2016

In addition to his endorsement of Hillary Clinton, Governor Bullock quietly amassed his own anti-2nd Amendment track record. During his tenure, the governor has vetoed multiple bills that would have enhanced the right of Montanans to keep and bear arms.

"The Senate also passed a measure to prohibit local law enforcement from assisting in the enforcement of future federal gun laws. Both bills passed on party-line votes.

They face another vote Thursday before heading to Governor Bullock, who vetoed similar legislation in the 2013 session." -MTN News, 3/11/2015

"Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock on Friday vetoed a pair of Republican-sponsored gun rights bills, including one that would allow almost any adult to carry a concealed weapon in Montana without a permit." -Missoulian, 3/27/2015


One of those bills would have pushed back against President Obama's unconstitutional executive overreach on guns. Bullock vetoed the bill. However, AFTER Obama actually issued an executive order on guns, Bullock criticized the decision.

"Bullock also vetoed HB203, which would prohibit any state or local officials in Montana from enforcing any future federal restrictions on gun or weapon magazine ownership." -Missoulian 3/27/2015

"But this discussion is too important for the President to circumvent Congress with the stroke of a pen.” -Billings Gazette, 1/5/2016

#MTGov Daily Rundown (Special Weekend Edition): Brian Schweitzer Blocked Public Access in 2010

Increasingly desperate to keep a minor boundary dispute between Greg Gianforte and Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in the news, Governor Steve Bullock's campaign rolled out former Governor Brian Schweitzer yesterday to attack Gianforte. What amounted to a sad political stunt is now backfiring on the governor's campaign as news reports from 2010 have surfaced showing that Governor Schweitzer actually blocked public access on his ranch near Mullan Pass.

"People no longer can freely recreate as they once did on 670 acres up Mullan Pass that’s now owned by Gov. Brian Schweitzer, but they can drive past the property on a U.S. Forest Service Road upgraded this year with about $330,000 in federal stimulus funds." -Billings Gazette, 10/30/2010

In order to keep the public off of 670 acres of the Hope Creek property (which had been previously open to public use), Schweitzer locked gates, put up a fence, and posted "no trespassing" signs.

"Shortly after purchasing the property in 2008, Schweitzer locked gates on roads that access his property, installed a new fence along a road that passes through his property and put up at least four signs that read: “No trespassing. Jim (the last name is blanked out) no longer owns this ranch. Please respect my privacy. No hunting, fishing, snowmobiling or 4 wheeling. Do not enter.” -Billings Gazette, 10/30/2010

Schweitzer's decision to close off public access came in the middle of his 2008 re-election campaign where he positioned himself as a champion of public access.

"The signs went up around the time Schweitzer was re-elected and pledged to continue to protect access to recreational lands and streams.

In the Nov. 5, 2008, Independent Record, Schweitzer said: 'As the governor, I’m not going to allow out-of-state interests to buy up lands and restrict access to public lands and streams.'" -Billings Gazette, 10/30/2010


Shockingly, some members of the public who expressed disappointment with losing access would not give their names out of fear of retribution.

"Most of those people, however, didn’t want their names to be used in a news story out of fear of retribution." -Billings Gazette, 10/30/2010


So, the facts: Greg Gianforte never shut down access...but Brian Schweitzer did. And Governor Bullocks administration is trying to shut down access at Hell Creek, and they recently shut down another access site near Great Falls.  Gianforte has said he will keep public lands public. Bullock is claiming in a new ad that Greg wants to sell public lands, but Bullock himself has actually voted to sell 10s of thousands of acres of public lands.

(ICYMI- #MTGov Daily Rundown: "Bullock Admin Working to End Public Access at Hell Creek")


This news comes as another Helena insider, Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, has been called out for lying about her opponents stance on public lands and public access. Interestingly, when her lie was exposed, Juneau refused to be interviewed. Many of the same groups helping Juneau tout this lie are also backing Governor Bullock's campaign.

"Democratic congressional candidate Denise Juneau has been called out for a false attack on her opponent U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke.

At issue is Juneau’s criticism of Zinke’s public lands record. In a June 15, website posting, Juneau said 'Congressman Zinke votes to sell off America’s public lands.' She followed up with a letter to editors of several Montana newspapers in which she said 'Zinke voted to allow the transfer of Montana’s public land.'

Zinke had done neither, according to a fact check by Ballotpedia, as well as a reading of the bill cited by Juneau." -Billings Gazette, 7/23/2016

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock Admin Working to End Public Access at Hell Creek

"But for many Montanans, the best way to access Fort Peck Lake is through the Hell Creek State Park and Marina at the south side of the lake. Unfortunately, the current administration under Gov. Steve Bullock is working to take that access away." -State Sen. John Brenden

Appointees of Governor Steve Bullock on the State Parks Board are working to close Hell Creek State Park on the South side of Fort Peck Lake. For many boaters, anglers, and recreators the state park serves as the primary access point to the lake on its south side.

"The state parks board threw down the gauntlet to state legislators, federal and private partners, as well as the users of Hell Creek State Park on Thursday: Either come to the table with proposals to help out with the park’s infrastructure funding requirements within the next four years or the state will walk away in 2021." -Billings Gazette, 12/16/2015

Users of the access, however, dispute the state's characterization that it cannot fund the state park.

"State parks is manufacturing a crisis,” said James Gustafson, a Helena resident and Hell Creek user since 1987.

Gustafson has been critical of the park’s management. He said the impending departure by state parks is a way to gather support for other funding sources at the expense of Hell Creek Marina’s future." -Billings Gazette, 4/24/2016


State Sen. John Brenden published an op-ed today taking the administration to task for failing to support Hell Creek.

"In fact, just last fall, Bullock’s appointees on the newly created parks board proposed walking away from Hell Creek State Park entirely. And you know what their excuse was? Money. That’s right, the political appointees in state government have no problem throwing nearly $8 million at taking a cattle ranch out of production, but then claim that they have to shut down Hell Creek State Park in eastern Montana because -- money?" -State Sen. John Brenden in the Helena IR, 7/22/2016


State officials have tried to argue that the Army Corps of Engineers could take over the site and preserve access. However, this is disputed by Army Corps officials who say they can't afford to manage the site.

"The Corps currently does not have funding to run Hell Creek,” Daggett wrote in the email that he copied to Habermann and The Gazette. “It is not a given that we would operate Hell Creek at its present service level. We may have to close it or reduce services significantly. It would all depend on funding, which is very difficult in our Rec Program.” -Billings Gazette, 12/16/2016


Greg Gianforte supports keeping Hell Creek State Park open and will work to do just that as governor.

"Hell Creek is one o the primary accesses on the south side of Fort Peck, and we need to be working to keep it open. We have a concessionaire there, we need to renew that." -Greg Gianforte on the Montana Outdoor Radio Show, 7/9/2016

Asked the same question about keeping Hell Creek open on the same episode of the Montana Outdoor Radio Show, Bullock refused to directly answer, and would not commit to keeping Hell Creek open.

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Why is Bullock Flip Flopping and Following on Tax Relief?

"The Business Equipment Tax is a wet blanket on business investment in Montana." -Greg Gianforte

A pattern has emerged in the Montana governors race where Greg Gianforte takes the lead on an issue and Governor Bullock follows. This has now occurred on the issues of high tech, forest management, and now the Business Equipment Tax.

 

Bullock laid out a plan this week that he claims will boost small businesses in Montana. Part of his proposal was further reducing the state's Business Equipment Tax.

"Bullock says one of his proposals will cut the taxes for new and expanding businesses. So what this can provide is a 75 percent reduction in the business equipment tax for the first five years. The saving achieved through that proposal if you’re an on-the-ground business will allow businesses to create more jobs, ultimately create higher wages, put more Montanans to work all across the state." -Montana Public Radio, 7/21/2016


Earlier this year, as part of his 406 Tax Plan, Greg Gianforte proposed eliminating the Business Equipment Tax altogether, calling it a "wet blanket on investment."

"The proposal, '406 Tax Relief,' was a three-tiered plan that would eliminate the business equipment tax in four years, have zero increase in overall state spending and lower income taxes for all, with a maximum tax rate of 6 percent, Gianforte said at a news conference at Mark’s Lumber in Clancy, which coincided with the April 18 income tax filing deadline."

'First, we know that Montanans have been overtaxed by hundreds of millions of dollars,' Gianforte said as several past and present Republican lawmakers stood nearby. “Second, we know that lower taxes will leave more money in Montanans’ pockets. And third, we know that lower taxes will attract and retain Montana employers.'” -Great Falls Tribune, 7/21/2016


At that point, Governor Bullock's surrogates slammed Gianforte over his plan to eliminate the tax claiming that it would cost the state millions of dollars a year and only benefit a handful of big, out-of-state businesses.

"Eliminating the Business Equipment Tax would largely benefit multi-million out-of-state corporations. Steve Bullock already eliminated the Business Equipment Tax for thousands of Montana small and medium sized businesses.

Gianforte's plan does nothing to help Montana's small businesses and according to the Department of Revenue "could trigger consequences in the budgets of not only the state, but for schools, fire districts, and cities across Montana." -Montana Democratic Party


During his nearly four years as governor, Bullock has also vetoed multiple bills designed to give Montanans tax relief, including 3 in the 2015 session alone.

"Three Republican tax relief bills have died at the pen of Montana's Democratic governor this year.

The state House and Senate GOP caucuses touted tax cuts as a high priority for the 2015 session, but every major tax initiative that was passed out of the Republican-controlled Legislature has been vetoed by Gov. Steve Bullock." -Associated Press, 5/7/2015

So what has changed? Why is Governor Bullock once again following Gianforte's lead on an issue?

Earlier this week, Bullock signed a "Good Neighbor Authority" Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service after Gianforte spent 3 weeks calling on the governor to do just that. Back in October, Gianforte called on Governor Bullock to release the full $5 million of hazardous fuel reduction funds to stimulate more timber projects. Bullock was also spurred to action by Gianforte on that issue, as well.

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Governor Bullock's Dark Money Hypocrisy

Governor Steve Bullock attempts to paint himself as a champion of transparent elections and an enemy of "big money" in politics. However, when it comes to his own campaign, Bullock does not practice what he preaches. In 2015, he chaired the Democratic Governors Association. The job of the chair is specifically to raise corporate cash.

As chair, Bullock raised more than $17 million in corporate donations. At least $3 million came from undisclosed sources.

"The DGA group is called America Works USA. Records and public statements by the DGA indicate the group collected $3 million of the $17 million raised by the DGA the first six months of this year – but DGA officials wouldn’t confirm that figure." -MTN News, 9/17/2016

Bullock hosted multiple corporate fundraisers in 2015, while at the same time decrying dark money during the 2015 legislative session.

"On Friday, Gov. Steve Bullock hosted a fundraising dinner for the Democratic Governors Association in Washington, D.C.

The exclusive event, which coincided with the National Governor’s Association annual winter meeting, comes a little more than two weeks after Bullock criticized unlimited corporate campaign contributions and undisclosed “dark money.” -Great Falls Tribune, 2/22/2016


Bullock's own elections efforts have benefitted greatly from DGA cash. In 2012, The DGA spent $3 million in support of Bullock through the Montana Jobs, Education, and Technology (JET) PAC. The DGA is already spending big money on Bullock's re-election bid.

"In 2012, the DGA raised more than $50 million, much of that coming from unions, drug makers, insurance companies, energy companies and other corporate sources. That year, the DGA gave over $2.8 million to Montana Jobs, Education and Technology PAC, a political action committee that worked to get Bullock elected." -Great Falls Tribune, 11/21/2014

Is the dark money Bullock raised being used in the Montana governors race by the DGA?

"[Brock] Lowrance said the money Bullock raises with the DGA will eventually be used in Montana to benefit Bullock’s reelection campaign.

'It’s hypocritical. Steve Bullock tells Montanans one thing, but then he does another when he thinks we aren’t watching,' Lowrance said." -Great Falls Tribune, 11/21/2014


Bullock's campaign has also drawn criticism for exploiting what has become known as the "Bullock loophole" which allows political party's to provide unlimited in kind contributions (potentially from corporate sources) to campaigns.

"Montana GOP spokesman Shane Scanlon blasted Bullock for engaging in 'deceptive practices to get his corporate and dark money into Montana.' He said the state GOP uses a field team of staffers to conduct get-out-the-vote efforts, but has not dispatched employees to work for a specific candidate during this election cycle or in 2014."  -Helena IR, 4/24/2016


Meanwhile Greg Gianforte has pledged to not accept special interest PAC money. That's a pledge that Bullock has not joined him in taking.

"That race has seen Republican newcomer Greg Gianforte swear off PAC funds of all stripes, including those that could be bundled by an outside group and legally passed along via the state GOP." -Helena IR, 4/24/2016

"'I refuse to accept any campaign contributions from special-interest PACs, state and federal,” read the first line of the pledge, released by Gianforte’s campaign just a day after the Bozeman businessman formally announcing that he would seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination and as he completed a two-day rally tour.

The incumbent governor’s campaign manager, Eric Hyers, did not say whether Bullock would sign the pledge..." -Billings Gazette, 1/21/2016

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock Still Can't Say Whether His GNA Agreement Will Result in More Timber to Montana Mills

Responding to pressure from Greg Gianforte, Governor Steve Bullock finally, after 2 years of inaction, signed a "Good Neighbor Agreement" with the U.S. Forest Service to allow for more state managed timber projects on federal lands. However, of the projects that the governor listed to be carried out under this authority, Bullock still couldn't say whether any had been finalized or would actually result in timber being cut.

"The administration released a list of 13 projects it said will be carried out under authority of the Farm Bill, totaling 62 million board feet of timber.

However, the administration couldn’t say Monday how many of those projects have been made final or resulted in trees actually being logged." -MTN News, 7/18/2017

More than 600 Montana timber jobs have been lost under Bullock. In addition to the hundreds of jobs lost last year, Weyerhaeuser announced the closure of two mills in Columbia Falls last month. Bullock's announcement came as too little too late for those workers, which is why Gianforte has been questioning Bullock as to why it took two years to get an agreement signed.

"Montana should be taking the lead in efforts to provide healthier forests and more timber for our mills. Instead, a lack of leadership in Helena has led to the lack of a Good Neighbor Agreement with the US Forest Service. The governor had tools in his tool box to help with timber jobs, and he’s failed to use them.” -Greg Gianforte, 6/28/2016

In response to the governor's announcement yesterday, Gianforte noted: "“It’s unfortunate the governor needs an opponent to actually get him to do his job.” -Daily Inter Lake, 7/18/2016

Governor Bullock has responded to the criticism by trying to argue that signing the agreement was more a formality and that he had already been working to get projects done. That was contradicted, however, by the U.S. Agriculture Undersecretary on hand yesterday for the signing.

"From a federal standpoint, it allows us to get the work done more quickly." -U.S. Agriculture Undersecretary Robert Bonnie, MTN News, 7/18/2016

Back in October, Gianforte also called on Governor Bullock to release the full $5 million of hazardous fuel reduction funds to stimulate more timber projects. Bullock has, so far, not released the full amount.

"If I were governor, I’d direct the DNRC to move forward, set clear timelines, get people to work, and wood fiber moving from forest to mill. Time is of the essence. Whatever we can do to help this important Montana industry needs to be done." -Greg Gianforte, KGVO, 10/14/2015

Bullock was also spurred to action by Gianforte by that call, as well. From NBC Montana 10/20/2015: