#MTGOV DAILY RUNDOWN: A Ticket to Ride? Nope, Governor Bullock Would Rather Fly on the Taxpayer Dime

Governor Bullock has been caught abusing his state plane privileges again, as it emerged over the weekend that he flew in the state plane to Missoula for a Paul McCartney concert.

“After a row over inappropriate uses of the state airplane, Montana Governor Steve Bullock is now being asked if that plane was used for personal enjoyment.

Flight logs indicate that the state plane landed at Missoula International Airport at 4:03 P.M., just about an hour before the doors were open to the public at the Paul McCartney concert on August 5, 2014. The concert was possibly the highest profile music event in Montana’s history and many high-profile attendees were in the crowd, including Montana Governor Steve Bullock.”  -KGVO, 7/8/2016

KGVO notes that it is highly unlikely any state business could have been conducted on the trip.

“It is possible that there was official state business during this trip, but that also seems unlikely as the same plane was back in Helena before 7:23 A.M. the next morning, leaving little time for state functions. Additionally, several pictures were posted to social media showing the Governor at the concert, such as the one below.” -KGVO, 7/8/2016

Picture of Bullock at concert: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204600835927864&set=p.10204600835927864&type=3&theater

Earlier this year, Bullock was caught using the plane for campaign activities. He has also been criticized for using the plane for short trips from Helena to Butte or Great Falls where flying does not save much time, but still costs taxpayers more money. Maybe the governor gets carsick…

“Criticism of the flights surfaced on social media after it was mentioned in a Feb. 10 Associated Press report that Bullock, a Democrat, was unavailable for comment because he was in Billings making peanut butter sandwiches for the homeless and attending a campaign fundraiser. Bullock had flown to Billings for those events, plus a TV interview and a meeting with a union official. Similar business trips capped by campaign fundraisers also took place in Bozeman and Missoula.” -Billings Gazette, 3/11/2016

“Rep. Ryan Osmundson, chairman of the subcommittee, said his interest was piqued by Bullock’s use of the plane to fly from Helena to Butte. The two communities are 67 miles apart by car. The governor’s plane costs about $1,650 an hour to operate, Osmundson said.” Billings Gazette, 3/11/2016

The Billings Gazette took the governor to task for his abuse of a taxpayer resource.

‘It seems to us Bullock's trips across the state that seem to magically coincide with fund-raising events aren't just accidental. And, it makes sense from a time and resource perspective to pair those events. However, it raises the question: Should the taxpayers of Montana be on the hook to foot Bullock's expense as he tries to raise more money? Why should he get a free ride when his opponents don't get the same opportunity? And, just saying that Bullock is doing what others before him have done is a lousy excuse that we shouldn't tolerate. Because someone else did the wrong thing shouldn't excuse it forever into the future.” -Billings Gazette, 3/15/2016



In an admission of guilt, Bullock would repay the state a paltry $2,671.84 for use of the state plan for campaign related activities. This is a highly questionable number given Bullock’s multiple campaign events and the $1,650 an hour it takes to operate the state plane.


“HELENA – Gov. Steve Bullock will reimburse the state for travel using the state-owned plane that coincided with campaign events, going back to the start of his term.

Bullock will pay $2,671.84, according to a news release sent Friday afternoon.” -Missoulian, 7/19/2016