#MTGov Daily Rundown: Questions Raised Over Bullock Admin's Awarding of State Tourism Marketing Contract

Many across Montana were surprised by last week's news that the Bullock Administration's Department of Commerce was awarding it's $7 million tourism marketing contract to a firm in Wisconsin, Hoffman York. Several Montana companies were competing for the contract. The contract was previously held by Bozeman-based Mercury CSC, leading to new questions about the evaluation process.

"The department awarded the contract to Milwaukee agency Hoffman York at the beginning of August using a point system it says is objective to evaluate bidders. But several agencies involved in and familiar with the bidding argue that the process is far from scientific and that the state demonstrated strange behavior bordering on favoritism. "-Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 8/22/2016


Interestingly, Jennifer Pelej, bureau chief for the tourism office's marketing department, disclosed a month into the process that she has a cousin who works as an executive for Hoffman York. Pelej also used to work for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

 "More than a month into the selection process, Pelej also disclosed that her cousin, Jaime Hutchings, works for Hoffman as a VP account supervisor." -Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 8/21/2016

 Pelej is also a former employee of the anti-coal National Wildlife Federation.


For some reason, the rules were changed at the last minute, and scores changed dramatically. Critics of the contract award have also noticed that, somehow, an out-of-state company scored much higher on "understanding the Montana brand than the Montana based companies.

"Questions arose early on when officials unexpectedly extended the deadline for the agencies to submit their first response — a 100-plus page document that applicants had weeks to prepare — five hours before it was due. When asked by an applicant about the reason for the extension, Procurement Unit Supervisor Tia Snyder wrote that the state wanted “to give all Offeror’s (sic) a chance to better prepare their response to this solicitation.” -Bozeman Daily Chronicle 8/21/2016

"The decision to award the contract came down to agency presentations, which included several categories such as 'Understanding of the Montana brand' and 'Highly credentialed and qualified staff.” Brickhouse, the points leader after the first two rounds of evaluation, received failing scores in all seven categories, while Hoffman received the highest score of 'superior' in all seven." -Bozeman Daily Chronicle 8/21/2016

“'For me, the thing that is a bit dismaying is thinking how long it’s taken for me and my staff to ‘get Montana,' said David Thompson, founder of Brickhouse Creative in Bozeman. 'It really is a special thing, and I get worried when someone else not from here is in charge of it. That’s the part that makes me scratch my head a little bit.'" -Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 8/21/2016


The Great Falls Tribune editorial board has joined a growing chorus questioning the contract award.
"We think Montanans should be able to feel confident that this new contract was awarded solely on the basis of merit, but the subjective ranking system doesn’t instill that confidence, especially with a relative working at the contract winner. Professional services are not subject to competitive bidding laws in Montana, but that doesn’t mean state government should give away the dairy farm as if it’s a bowl of cottage cheese." -Great Falls Tribune, 8/26/2016


This isn't the first time that Bullock Administration officials have been questioned about possible conflicts of interest in the awarding of state contracts. Earlier this year, news broke that a Bullock Administration official had direct ties to a Butte based non-profit from which the state leased a facility in Galen to house some of the patients from the closing Montana Developmental Center in Boulder.

“There was no competitive bidding process to award the Galen lease. In fact, officials said Wednesday they didn’t even look at potential alternatives to the $1.2 million annual agreement.
That's how the state’s newest landlord became Community Counseling and Correctional Services -- a Butte-based nonprofit that employs Brandie Villa, a top company accountant and the wife of Governor’s Office Budget Director Dan Villa.

The move has left some wondering how a building owned by Brandie Villa’s bosses -- one that might have sat vacant and heavy on CCCS’ books, in the absence of a state-backed lease -- suddenly became Montana’s first and only choice to house a mental health facility.” -Helena Independent Record, 4/8/2016

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock Refuses to Address Declining Revenues

Governor Steve Bullock continues argue that Montana's finances are in great shape, while ignoring the very real economic headwinds that the state is facing. State. Sen. Fred Thomas has been leading the charge pointing out that the state faces declining revenues and that Bullock is not keeping his promise of maintaining a $300 million ending fund balance or "rainy day fund."

"When Gov. Steve Bullock took office he inherited a general fund balance of $537 million. Now he has spent it down to an expected $100 million and the next legislative session faces a deficit where revenues will not exceed expenses!" -State Sen. Fred Thomas, Great Falls Tribune, 8/26/2016

"Yet, as he’s running for re-election, Gov. Bullock continues to try and paint a rosy picture of Montana’s economy and fiscal situation. He is still saying that Montana “has a $300 million rainy day fund.” With all due respect to the governor, we had a $300 million ending fund balance, but he spent it.

The governor’s handling of state finances may have now put the state in deficit position." -State Sen. Fred Thomas, Great Falls Tribune, 8/26/2016

Here are the facts:

• At the end of FY13 (when Bullock took office), the state had a $537 million surplus - Missoulian, 9/26/2013
• For FY16, actual revenue came in $141.5 million UNDER projections. Even more disturbingly, the state took in 78.3 million LESS than it did in FY15. (LFD)
• At the beginning of FY16, the state's beginning fund balance was $455 million. At one point, the ending fund balance was projected to be $276 million. Then it was revised downward to $166 million. Now it's been revised downward again to around $150 million and could go as low as $100 million. Governor Bullock has squandered more than three-quarters of the rainy day fund. (LFD)
• Under Bullock, state general fund spending has increased more than 25% under Bullock, a total of more than $800 million. (HB 2)
• Montana has now experienced two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. -Billings Gazette, 7/29/2016

The most recent legislative memo on revenues continues to paint a bleak picture of where state finances are headed.

"The ending fund balance for fiscal year 2016 was $255 million, or $99 million less than anticipated, according to an Aug. 25 memo prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Division, adding that figure was expected to dip down to $153 million by fiscal year 2017.

“Actual revenues in FY 2016 were $142 million less than anticipated in (House Joint Resolution 2, the state budget bill),” Amy Carlson, legislative fiscal analyst, states in her memo to Legislative Council members. “Actual expenditures were $41 million lower than anticipated and prior year adjustments netted a positive impact to ending fund balance of $2 million.” -Great Falls Tribune 8/29/2016

The situation has steadily gotten worse. Older projections said the fund would fall as low as $160 million by the end of the biennium despite being projected to be over $300 million.

“Montana’s general fund is nearly 4 percent behind projections, with oil and gas tax receipts down by more than half. The slowdown amounts to more than $67 million the government had counted on. What’s more, fluctuating prices at gas pumps are translating to budgetary uncertainty.” -Associated Press, 5/10/2016

Montana is already starting to feel the effects with funding for school libraries taking a notable hit.

“But as revenue directed to Montana libraries from the state’s coal severance tax loses steam, public and school libraries will lose access to EBSCO, a collection of databases. Billings’ high school librarians strongly oppose the move.

In January, the Montana State Library found out it would be losing $46,000 in expected tax revenue for the current 2015-17 budget. In mid-May, another $166,000 was cut.” -Helena Independent Record, 6/5/2016

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock turns down Western, Eastern Montana, and Great Falls Debates

While Greg Gianforte has been working with multiple news agencies to have a healthy number of debates with many different geographic areas represented, Governor Bullock has recently declined debates in Kalispell, Great Falls, and Glasgow. The Great Falls Tribune has taken notice of Bullock's unwillingness to face Montana voters.

"Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s campaign has yet to agree to debate GOP challenger Greg Gianforte in Great Falls this fall.

The Tribune and the Montana Farmers Union teamed up to offer both sides a chance to debate in Great Falls; the Gianforte camp agreed right away, but Bullock’s people have yet to do so. We urge the Bullock campaign to agree to a gubernatorial debate in Great Falls. We’ll find a place to put it. Plus, it’s not wise to ignore a huge chunk of Montana during an election year." -Great Falls Tribune, 8/26/2016


And Bullock is ignoring a wide swath of the state, as he has declined debates now in Western, Central, and Eastern Montana (while the governor has agreed to a debate in Great Falls, it will be a TV studio debate hosted by MTN).

"Eastern Montana saw infrastructure funding rejected under this governor, and the Flathead Valley has seen the loss of timber jobs under the failed leadership of this governor. It’s no wonder a career politician like Steve Bullock is too afraid to face the voters. I’m a Montana job creator. The governor may be too afraid to debate, but I’ll keep hitting the road and listening to Montanans.” -Greg Gianforte

"The Gianforte campaign was told earlier this week that Bullock refused to participate in an Eastern Montana debate sponsored, in part, by The Glasgow Courier. A similar debate already scheduled for this Monday features both candidates for the US House of Representatives. On Thursday, the Gianforte campaign was informed that Bullock is also rejecting a debate in the Flathead Valley sponsored by The Daily Inter Lake and NBC Montana." -Greg for Montana, 8/25/2016


The Daily Inter Lake Editorial Board called the fact that there will not be a debate in Northwest Montana "a shame," then noted that the Gianforte Campaign had immediately agreed to the debate.

"We will leave it up to our readers to decide how many debates should be held for the state’s highest office. Four may well be enough, but we do wish that the candidates had ventured to Kalispell or Columbia Falls for one of them.

Regional issues such as the shutdown of the Weyerhaeuser mills in Columbia Falls, forest policy, refugee resettlement and high unemployment might well have given a debate here a different tone than one held in Bozeman or Helena." -Daily Inter Lake, 8/25/2016

Bullock stalling on debate scheduling is not new. In July, members of the press reported major difficulties in dealing with the governor's campaign.

"Yellowstone Public Radio News Director Jackie Yamanaka confirmed Flint’s statement that Bullock campaign staff had been difficult to reach about scheduling a debate. After talking with Campaign Manager Eric Hyers by phone, she sent a formal invitation by email in June, but did not hear back despite repeated attempts to reach him. Weeks later, she said Montana Democrats Spokesman Jason Pitt called Billings Gazette Editor Darrell Ehrlick to ask whether a debate would happen, apparently unaware of the earlier communications with Hyers." -Missoulian, 7/22/2016

Bullock was also called out back in July by the Great Falls Tribune for stalling in scheduling debates.

"On the gubernatorial side, we have yet to receive a substantive response from incumbent Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, Gianforte’s main opponent. On the congressional side, the GOP’s Zinke has yet to say yes to an Electric City debate. The general election is Nov. 8.

Montana residents deserve to hear debates among candidates for top state and federal offices, and the Tribune and Farmers Union are working to organize those two debates in Great Falls. Debates are great, but stalling is galling. Let’s get moving." -Great Falls Tribune 7/8/2016


ICYMI: "COLUMN: Who’s scarier? Republicans or refugees?" -Frank Miele, Daily Inter Lake, 8/28/2016 

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock Flies to Colstrip, Goes to Nearby Campaign Event. Did He Meet with Community Members?

Flight records for the state plane show that Governor Bullock flew to Colstrip yesterday, while his campaign announced that he was holding a campaign lunch in nearby Lame Deer. Once again, Bullock is using the state plane for campaigning...

See Bullock campaign announcement of an event in Lame Deer

Did Bullock stop in Colstrip and meet with community members? The last time Bullock went to Colstrip, things didn't go well.

"'Part of our problem is that we have lost sight of the value and we haven’t done what we should do to communicate the value of what we are to the rest of the state,' [Colstrip Mayor John] Williams said. 'Colstrip is out of sight out of mind, setting out here.'

The mayor called on Bullock to carry the message of the importance of Colstrip to the rest of the state. Williams' comments drew applause from a crowd of roughly 40 spectators." -Billings Gazette, 5/31/2016

"Terry Taylor, who owns a hardware store in Colstrip, said Bullock’s team, particularly the Department of Environmental Quality, had done more harm than good. He faulted the state for accepting $86 million from now-bankrupt Arch Coal for a lease on nearby Otter Creek coal, but then not granting the company a permit before a sour coal economy devastated it.

'We feel like you’re a very handsome, smooth, intelligent man, but we don’t feel like you’re getting excited about what’s going on,' Taylor said. 'We feel like the Department of Environmental Quality is letting everything happen to us and not fighting for us. The state of Montana took $80 million from Arch Coal. Can you imagine that Arch Coal would be broke if they had that money? This kind of stuff goes on time and time and time again and we’re really frustrated.'” -Billings Gazette, 5/31/2016

The article notes that "Taylor's comments drew the largest applause of the meeting."

Bullock also continues to use the state plane to attend campaign functions, which Greg Gianforte has pledged to stop when he's governor. In fact, on Wednesday, Gianforte held a press conference in Helena announcing his intentions to sell the plane once he's governor.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte on Wednesday called on Gov. Steve Bullock to sell his state airplane, rekindling a long-simmering debate on the Democrat’s airplane use and saying he would use the proceeds from the sale for school computers and infrastructure if elected Nov. 8.

'Governor, you abused it now you lose it,' Gianforte said during a news conference in front of the state Capitol in which he produced a blowup of a classified ad selling the plane." -Great Falls Tribune, 8/24/2016

Reporters reached out to the Governor's Office and were told he was "unavailable" because he was flying to Deer Lodge, a distance of less than 60 miles.

"Bullock flew on Wednesday to Deer Lodge, about 50 miles from Helena, and was not immediately available for comment. Abel said he was discussing resource conservation in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin and visiting the Montana State Prison." -Associated Press, 8/24/2016

This morning Greg joined Chet Layman on KBZK in Bozeman to comment more on the plane issue.

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Gianforte Calls on Bullock to Stop Abusing State Plane Privileges, Bullock Flies to Deer Lodge

Yesterday, Greg Gianforte called on Governor Steve Bullock to sell the state plane due to the governor's use of the plane for campaigning and to fly to a Paul McCartney concert in Missoula. Ironically, at the very same time Greg Gianforte was defending the interests of Montana taxpayers, Governor Bullock was abusing the state plane.

"Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte on Wednesday called on Gov. Steve Bullock to sell his state airplane, rekindling a long-simmering debate on the Democrat’s airplane use and saying he would use the proceeds from the sale for school computers and infrastructure if elected Nov. 8.

'Governor, you abused it now you lose it,' Gianforte said during a news conference in front of the state Capitol in which he produced a blowup of a classified ad selling the plane." -Great Falls Tribune, 8/24/2016


Reporters reached out to the Governor's Office and were told he was "unavailable" because he was flying to Deer Lodge, a distance of less than 60 miles.

"Bullock flew on Wednesday to Deer Lodge, about 50 miles from Helena, and was not immediately available for comment. Abel said he was discussing resource conservation in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin and visiting the Montana State Prison." -Associated Press, 8/24/2016


Gianforte emphasized that the governor needs to reprioritized spending, in light of the state's difficult fiscal situation.

"Gianforte said the plane is symbolic of what he called the Bullock administration's misplaced priorities as the state faces revenue declines amid a downturn in the oil and coal industries. He acknowledged that the governor does need to fly to be able to serve a vast state that stretches 800 miles from Libby to Ekalaka, but said "there are other state aircraft and there are also commercial providers available." -Associated Press, 8/24/2016


TV Coverage from KTVH:

Governor Bullock has continues to use the taxpayer funded state plane to fly to and from campaign events, his latest campaign finance report has shown.

"Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s use of a state plane for campaigning continues, according to election finance reports in which his campaign paid the state $1,155 for airfare.

Campaign finance reports filed Monday by the Bullock Campaign with the Commissioner of Political Practices, didn’t go into detail about the expenses covered. 

But an invoice from the Office of the Governor included nine flights, for which the state requested Bullock’s campaign pay for pilot salaries and benefits associated with waiting for Bullock, a Democrat, to return from non-government events, such as fundraising. The invoice listed 15½ hours of pilot time, and the dates in which the hours were incurred." -Billings Gazette, 8/2/2016 

The governor's office REFUSED to disclose the details of the flights, such as where the plane was flown, or the official events or campaign events during those uses of the plane.

"The governor’s office didn’t disclose what, if any, official purpose the flight had, or where the government airplane was flown, or the campaign events for which the pilot’s shift was extended." -Billings Gazette, 8/2/2016

Governor Bullock was caught earlier this year abusing his state plane privileges again, as it emerged 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

Bullock's payment of $1,155 also raises questions about how the governor is calculating repayments, as legislators have stated that the cost of operating the plane is $1,650 for a single hour. Republican Party Chairman Jeff Essmann notes that the governor's controversial use of the plane to attend a rock concert in Missoula would alone cost more than $15,000.

"Chairman Jeff Essmann of the Montana Republican Party called on Governor Bullock today to fully reimburse taxpayers for using the State plane to attend the Paul McCartney concert at a cost of $15,255.00:

“While Bullock lived the high-life attending cocktail parties and enjoying the Paul McCartney concert, Montana taxpayers were stuck paying his tab,” said Chairman Jeff Essmann. “Now, it is illegal for Bullock to selectively choose which campaign flights to pay back, and it is illegal for Bullock to not pay the true value of his campaign travels. He’s abusing his power and his behavior runs contrary to the Montana values we expect to see in our elected officials.” -Montana GOP, 8/3/2016

 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.

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Unlike Bullock, West Virginia Dem Has Courage to Denounce Hillary Clinton Over Her Anti-Coal Agenda

Montana and West Virginia are both coal producing states that continue to suffer substantially from the Obama Administration's War on Coal. In West Virginia, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice did the right thing and stood up for his state's interests and denounced Hillary Clinton over her radical anti-coal agenda.

"West Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice said “I cannot be a supporter of Hillary Clinton” during an appearance Monday on the state’s MetroNews radio network. Justice, a billionaire whose business interests include coal mining and West Virginia’s famed Greenbrier Resort, said he will not support the former secretary of state over her proposed energy policy." -Politico, 8/22/2016

Justice simply stated that Clinton's position on coal is "completely wrong."

“'The reason I can’t be is her position on coal is diametrically, completely wrong in many, many different ways,' Justice said." -Politico, 8/22/2016

Hillary Clinton promises a radical anti-coal agenda for Montana and the United States.

“…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, Montana's Governor Bullock has endorsed Hillary Clinton and will not stand up for Montana's coal industry.

• In June, 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.
  
• 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.
• 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 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

Back in West Virginia, Jim Justice notes that he doesn't have to be a rubber stamp for Hillary Clinton.

“'Just because we have a specific person that’s running for the highest office in the land doesn’t mean that I’m going to just rubber-stamp it. I don’t rubber-stamp anybody,' Justice added."-Politico, 8/22/2016

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock Now Trying to "Play Both Sides" on the Syrian Refugee Issue

After being called out by Greg Gianforte for not opposing the resettlement of unvetted Syrian refugees in Montana, Governor Bullock is now trying to walk both sides of the fence. On one hand, he criticizes those opposed to refugee resettlement as fear mongers and makes the excuse that he is powerless to stop refugee resettlement, but then echoes the same concerns as Gianforte.

"[Bullock Spokesman Jason] Pitt said Gianforte is misleading voters with 'fear'” -Great Falls Tribune, 8/22/2016

"Bullock has noted that governors have little authority to influence the resettlement process, which is overseen by the federal government." AP, 8/22/2016

Then the Bullock camp expresses the VERY SAME concerns as opponents about unvetted Syrian refugees.

"'As governor and as a father, the safety and security of Montana families, especially our kids, is always priority No. 1 for Steve Bullock,' said Jason Pitt. 'It remains ever important to maintain a thorough vetting process to ensure Montana’s safety and security while honoring our responsibility to keep all families and kids safe.'” -Great Falls Tribune, 8/22/2016

While other governors are standing up to the Obama Administration 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 in June, Bullock attempted 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.” 

Multiple intelligence officials have admitted that the Syrian 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

In June, 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

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Bullock Called Out for Dark Money and Coal Hypocrisy

Governor Steve Bullock loves to claim that he is against so-called "dark money" in Montana's elections and that he supports Montana's coal industry. State Sen. Doug Kary took to the opinion page of the Great Falls Tribune over the weekend to put those claims to rest once and for all.

"Dark money has taken on such a high level of prominence in Montana elections under Gov. Steve Bullock’s administration. No governor in Montana history has played a larger role in raising dark money, and now it looks like he’s also going to take the number one spot in benefiting from dark money in his re-election as well." -State Sen. Doug Kary, Great Falls Tribune 8/21/2016

Sen. Kary points out that the environmental extremist group Montana Conservation Voters is reportedly planning to spend $500,000 campaigning against the pro-coal and pro-Colstrip candidate Greg Gianforte, and on behalf of the governor.

"MCV is funded almost entirely from large, progressive, “social justice” foundations from outside Montana in places like California and Washington, D.C.

Those groups funnel large amounts of cash to MCV in order to influence our politics and state policy. This year, a primary policy motive behind a lot of that money is to eliminate Montana’s coal industry." -State Sen. Doug Kary, Great Falls Tribune 8/21/2016


Kary says that those same groups are also helping to fund the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC). MEIC is one of the group's that sued to shut down Colstrip Units 1 and 2. MEIC gets a large amount of money from the dark money Brainerd Foundation.

"For instance, one of those national groups is the Brainerd Foundation, based in Seattle. Brainerd is one of MEIC’s biggest funders, giving them $287,000 over the last five years. Brainerd is also one of MCV’s largest funders, giving them $213,000 in the last five years. Brainerd takes credit for funding the litigation to shut down Colstrip, listing it as their biggest success of this year.\

As a dark-money group, it’s impossible to know where Brainerd’s funding actually comes from. But at the very least, it’s important for Montanans to know the extent to which this dark money is influencing our politics, our state policy, and now our economy." -State Sen. Doug Kary, Great Falls Tribune 8/21/2016


Bullock is also taking campaign donations directly from the leaders of MEIC, the Sierra Club of Montana (MEIC's partner in the litigation against Colstrip), and Montana Conservation Voters.

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

From MEIC:

Greg Lind (Missoula) - $1,300 to Steve Bullock 2016, $1260 in 2012
Bob Ream (Helena) -$300 to Steve Bullock in 2016, $1260 in 2012Jennifer Swearingen (Bozeman) - $200 to SB in 2016, $650 in 2012John Rundquist Treasurer (Helena) - $250 Steve Bullock 2012
Alexis Bonogofsky (Billings) -$350 Steve Bullock (2012)

From the Sierra Club's Montana Executive Committee:

Teresa Brock - $100 to SB in 2016
Mike Scott (staff) - $400 to SB in 2016
Bob Clark - $100 to SB in 2016, $25 in 2012

From Montana Conservation Voters:

Robin Saha - Vice Chairperson - $50 in 2016, $25 in 2012

Elizabeth Ametsbichler - Treasurer - $100 in 2016,  $50 in 2012

Dave Chadwick - Director Helena - $50 in 2016

Katie Craig Scherfig - Gallatin-Park Chapter Representative - $35 in 2012

Brenda Lindlief Hall - PAC Board Rep. $225 in 2016, $235 in 2012

Beth Madden - Alternate Gallatin-Park Chapter Representative - $15 in 2016

Clayton Elliott - $50 in 2016, $75 in 2012

Ross Prosperi - $50 in 2012

Neal Ullman - $100 in 2012

Jeanne Marie Souvigney -$200 in 2012

#MTGov Daily Rundown: 4-Year Anniversary of Coal Protests Highlights Bullock's Vote Against Montana Jobs

This week marks the 4 year anniversary of anti-coal protests at the state capitol against the State Land Board's decision to lease the Otter Creek coal tracts to Arch Coal. The environmental extremists protesters supported efforts by then Attorney General Steve Bullock and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau who opposed the lease.

"The weeklong coal protest that wraps up today at the Capitol doesn’t seem to be having much impact on the state officials in charge of leasing the state’s resources for development. The protesters generally oppose coal development, but specifically want the Land Board to reject development of the massive Otter Creek coal tracts despised by environmentalists, who argue its use will irrevocably harm the environment.” -Missoulian, 8/19/2012

Bullock and Juneau were the only two land board members to oppose the lease.  

"Four current Land Board members - including two who opposed the lease deal with Arch - are running for election. The list is topped by Attorney General Steve Bullock, who is running to replace Schweitzer as governor. The Democrat voted no on the current lease deal with Arch, arguing it was not lucrative enough for the state." -Missoulian, 8/19/2012

“Attorney General Steve Bullock and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau voted against the lease.” -Billings Gazette, 3/18/2010

Despite the fact that the state took $86 million from Arch Coal for the lease, Bullock ultimately got his wish as a permit was never issued once he became governor, and Arch abandoned the project after entering bankruptcy.

"Arch Coal announced Thursday it was suspending its efforts to secure a mining permit for the Otter Creek mine in southeast Montana.

In a press release, the St. Louis-based company said it was abandoning efforts to mine the area "due to capital constraints, near-term weakness in coal markets and an extended and uncertain permitting outlook." -MTN News, 3/10/2016


The Otter Creek Coal Mine promised to be a major economic boon to Southeast Montana, creating 4,400 good paying jobs, and increase state tax revenue by $91 million a year. Stats from the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

• 2,648 jobs would be created during the peak year of the construction phase as the mine facilities and the railroad are built, with most new jobs created in eastern Montana; 
• The impacts on income received by Montana households would be similarly substantial, with  $103.5 million of new personal income and $87.7 million in after-tax income occuring during the peak construction year statewide. 
• In eastern Montana, total household earnings would increase more than 8 percent;  As a result of the continuing operations of the mine, 1,740 new permanent, yearround jobs would be created in the Montana economy, increasing household income by $125.4 million per year;  Job increases would occur across a wide spectrum of industries, and, largely due to rail operations, in most regions of the state; 
• Overall state population would be almost 2,850 higher and school-aged population more than 560 higher due to the operations of the mine. 
• Mine operations would increase state and local tax revenue by more than $91 million per year due to both coal-specific taxes as well as growth in the overall base for Montana’s other taxes.  

#MTGov Daily Rundown: Throwback Thursday: Bullock Receives Rough Reception in Colstrip

Greg Gianforte is in Colstrip yet again today. Since announcing he was considering a run for governor last fall, Gianforte has been to Colstrip several times to meet with community members and discuss the importance of saving the Colstrip Power Plant and mine. Meanwhile, when Governor Bullock finally decided to do a quick fly in, and fly out check the box meeting, he received an earful from residents.

"'Part of our problem is that we have lost sight of the value and we haven’t done what we should do to communicate the value of what we are to the rest of the state,' [Colstrip Mayor John] Williams said. 'Colstrip is out of sight out of mind, setting out here.'

The mayor called on Bullock to carry the message of the importance of Colstrip to the rest of the state. Williams' comments drew applause from a crowd of roughly 40 spectators." -Billings Gazette, 5/31/2016

"Terry Taylor, who owns a hardware store in Colstrip, said Bullock’s team, particularly the Department of Environmental Quality, had done more harm than good. He faulted the state for accepting $86 million from now-bankrupt Arch Coal for a lease on nearby Otter Creek coal, but then not granting the company a permit before a sour coal economy devastated it.

'We feel like you’re a very handsome, smooth, intelligent man, but we don’t feel like you’re getting excited about what’s going on,' Taylor said. 'We feel like the Department of Environmental Quality is letting everything happen to us and not fighting for us. The state of Montana took $80 million from Arch Coal. Can you imagine that Arch Coal would be broke if they had that money? This kind of stuff goes on time and time and time again and we’re really frustrated.'” -Billings Gazette, 5/31/2016

The article notes that "Taylor's comments drew the largest applause of the meeting."

Steve Bullock has already been criticized for raising nearly $5 million in dark money from anti-coal and anti-Keystone Pipeline activists. Now, another anti-coal special interest group- Montana Conservation Voters- is spending big bucks to back Bullock. The MCV is reportedly planning to spend $500,000 campaigning against the pro-coal and pro-Colstrip candidate Greg Gianforte.

As evidence of their anti-coal views, the MCV is even opposing a Northern Cheyenne tribal member, labor union leader, and Colstrip worker named Jason Small simply because he is opposed to Obama's Clean Power Plan.

In fact, 5 of the Board Members on the MEIC – the group responsible for shutting down Colstrip Units 1 & 2 – wrote checks to the Bullock campaign.

"But Republicans accused Bullock of being a coal phony, pointing out the five members of the MEIC board of directors are contributors to the governor’s re-election campaign. "–Billings Gazette, 07/14/2016

Meanwhile, the community of Colstrip is not giving up the fight yet, and neither is Greg Gianforte.

“We’re hearing career politicians like the current governor throwing in the towel on Colstrip as if it were already gone. Let me speak clearly to the working families all across this state: the fight isn’t over yet. And with change in November- we will fight to save Colstrip.” -Greg Gianforte