Steve Bullock in 2016 MT Governor's race
On Energy & Oil:
Promotes wind and solar power and clean coal for Montana
Governor Bullock wants funding to expand wind and solar power projects and find cleaner ways to burn coal. "Montanans expect that we will protect our clean air and water, our lucrative outdoor heritage, our communities and our farmers and ranchers.
I am committed to sustainable and responsible development of all of our energy resources." Bullock says coal is an important part of Montana's future. But he also said the energy market is changing and there are concerns about climate change.
Source: Montana NPR on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2016
On Tax Reform:
Don't benefit the wealthy at the expense of middle class
Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte announced his "406 Tax Relief" plan, which he says will cut taxes and freeze government spending. Even before the Republican released his plan, the re-election campaign for
Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock said the proposal would benefit the wealthy at the expense of middle class families. The Bullock campaign released this statement:
"Greg Gianforte's self-serving tax plan is nothing more than a tax giveaway for millionaires like himself, at the expense of Montana's middle class families and our state's fiscal prudence. The fact is, under Steve's leadership,
Montana is ranked the most fiscally prudent state in the country, he's balanced the budget while maintaining a rainy day fund, and cut taxes for thousands of small and medium sized businesses."
Source: KFBB Fox News on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Apr 18, 2016
On Health Care:
Worked with legislature to expand Medicaid
In 2015, Steve brought Republicans and Democrats together again to provide affordable health care coverage for up to 70,000 working Montanans through Medicaid expansion, becoming the only governor in 2015 to work with a legislature to expand Medicaid.
OnTheIssues Note: "Medicaid expansion" is a major aspect of ObamaCare implementation at the state level. As of 2016, sixteen states rejected Medicaid expansion; of those, 15 have Republican governors.
Source: 2016 Montana gubernatorial campaign website SteveBullock.com
Mar 21, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Address persistent wage gap between men and women
Gov. Steve Bullock will convene another summit focused on a persistent wage gap between men and women that, he says, ranks Montana 39th in the nation in pay equity. Bullock visited with his Equal Pay for Equal Work Task Force that he formed shortly
after taking office three years ago. He urged the task force to continue the task of reducing the wage gap.With the economy a focal point of the governor's race, Bullock is attempting to position himself as an advocate of the working class.
Bullock wants to see wages rise--particularly among women who aren't being paid fairly. He said Montana women make about 67 cents for every dollar made by men. And he noted the slow pace in which women are catching up to men in salaries. "At
this rate, the gap won't close until the year 2080. That's unacceptable," he told the group. "I'd match our Montana work ethic up against any other state in the nation, and 39th in the country in pay equity is flat out not OK."
Source: The Missoulian on 2016 Montana Gubernatorial race
Mar 11, 2016
On Families & Children:
Unemployment benefits to victims of domestic violence
Last year, Bullock sent three proposals to the state legislature to help address wage inequities, but only one of those bills made into law. That law extended unemployment insurance benefits to victims of domestic violence.
The legislature, however, voted down legislation that would have allowed workers to discuss salaries without repercussions from their employer.
Bullock wants employers to take a hard look at what they pay employees, and to make sure that women are being paid the same as men for comparable
work. "When working women prosper, overall, families prosper," the governor said..
Source: The Missoulian on 2016 Montana Gubernatorial race
Mar 11, 2016
On Government Reform:
Primary allows spending $667K instead of returning it
Gov. Steve Bullock picked up a primary challenger for the June 7 elections, a former Democratic legislator who donated to the governor's re-election campaign before deciding to run against him.Bill McChesney's entry into the race allows Bullock to
spend $666,642 in campaign contributions he has in the bank earmarked for the primary. He has already spent nearly $136,000 in campaign funds meant for the primary election. State law requires candidates to return the money if they run unopposed.
"Steve welcomes others into the race and looks forward to earning the nomination and then a second term so he can continue to move Montana forward," Bullock's campaign manager said in a statement.
Bullock's campaign has been singularly focused
on defeating Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate and Bozeman tech entrepreneur, in November's general election. Gianforte does not have a primary opponent.
Source: The Missoulian on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Mar 11, 2016
On Immigration:
Safety first; review protocols for Syrian refugees
Montana will not allow any terrorist organization to intimidate us into abandoning our values. The safety of Montanans is my top priority. No Syrian refugees have been settled in the state and we have had no formal requests to do so. Montana
has a process in place for considering refugee settlement requests; we are reviewing those protocols to ensure that if a request comes, we take all appropriate steps to ensure that the safety of Montanans will not be jeopardized by their placement.
Source: KPAX-TV-8 on Syrian Refugees in 2016 Montana governor race
Nov 16, 2015
On Civil Rights:
First MT governor to officiate same-sex wedding
Gov. Steve Bullock recently became the first governor in Montana history to officiate a same-sex marriage. He performed it Sept. 12 for Mike Wessler, his deputy communications director, and Wade Zolynski.
About 100 people were in attendance. Wessler gave his boss kudos for a job well done. The state has recognized same-sex marriage since November.
Source: Great Falls Tribune on 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Oct 23, 2015
On Civil Rights:
Close the wage gap for women
Today is International Women's Day and I pledge to continue to fight for fair pay for all Montana workers--
because when Montana women and families succeed, we all succeed. Learn more about what we're doing to close the wage gap at equalpay.mt.gov.
Source: Facebook.com posting for 2016 Montana gubernatorial race
Mar 8, 2015
Page last updated: Nov 30, 2021