Steve Bullock in Past and present Governor candidates from Montana

On Tax Reform: Don't benefit the wealthy at the expense of middle class

"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."

On Health Care: Worked with 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.

On Civil Rights: Address persistent wage gap between men and women

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."

On Families & Children: Unemployment 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..

On Government Reform: Primary allows spending $667K instead of returning it

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.

On Immigration: Safety first; review protocols for Syrian refugees

On Civil Rights: First MT governor to officiate same-sex wedding

On Civil Rights: Protect the right to marry any person you love

"This ruling protects the right of all Montanans to marry the person they love, and moves our state and nation closer to the promise of freedom, dignity, and equality that they were founded upon. All people, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the opportunity to make a good life for themselves and their families."

On Abortion: Keep Title X funding for reproductive health services

"The reproductive health of low-income women is too important to become a partisan football, which is why--unlike Congress--Montana has removed these decisions from political fights. The move to zero out Title X funding is dangerous and puts the health and safety of Montana women at risk. It's this type of partisan gamesmanship that has Montanans so frustrated with Washington DC."

As governor, Bullock has worked to expand access to reproductive health services for Montanans. He signed into law a measure that makes Title X funding a statutory appropriation, meaning it will not be subject to partisan fights in the legislature. Title X funding provides individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive services, including contraception, mammograms, and other cancer screenings.

On Civil Rights: Close the wage gap for women

On Environment: Tackle the threat of invasive species

"Montanans cherish our outdoor recreation and spaces, and those spaces play a crucial role in our state's vibrant economy. It is imperative that we do everything we can to protect Montana from the threat of invasive species that disrupt our land, water, and native species," Bullock said. "None of us want another knapweed spreading across Montana."

The MISC will be tasked with identifying priorities for prevention and control of invasive species in Montana; and recommending and taking measures that will encourage prevention, early detection and control of harmful invasive species in Montana; Source: 2014 Montana Governor's office press release governor.mt.gov Dec 4, 2014

On Civil Rights: Still work to be done to ensure gender pay equity

Governor Steve Bullock released the following statement regarding the 100th Anniversary of Women's suffrage in Montana:

"As the state that elected Jeannette Rankin, the very first woman ever elected to Congress, Montana has a rich history of supporting women's suffrage. On this the 100th Anniversary of women's suffrage in Montana, Montanans should be proud of our past and continue to work to ensure all Montanans have access to a defining right of our democracy--a right so many fought for -- the right to participate in choosing our leaders.

While a woman's right to vote is here to stay, there is still work to be done to ensure full equality--including gender pay equity--in Montana."

Source: 2014 Montana Governor's office press release governor.mt.gov Nov 3, 2014

On Crime: Arrest and prosecute sex predators and scam artists

As Attorney General, Steve works hard every day to make our state better for the next generation of Montanans. Since taking office, Steve has:
• Put more cops on the street--and on the computers-- preventing, investigating, arresting and prosecuting sex predators and those that abuse children.
• Cracked down on scam artists who prey on small businesses and Montana consumers.
Source: Montana Governor campaign 2012 website, www.stevebullock.com Nov 6, 2012

On Drugs: Confront the invisible epidemic of prescription drug abuse

Since taking office as Attorney General, Steve has:
• Worked with law enforcement, doctors, pharmacists and educators to directly confront the invisible epidemic of prescription drug abuse--a contributing factor in the deaths of over 300 Montanans every year.
• Implemented monumental changes to the way we deal with repeat DUI offenders who cause carnage on our highways, burden our corrections system and cost taxpayers millions.
Source: Montana Governor campaign 2012 website, www.stevebullock.com Nov 6, 2012

On Energy & Oil: Develop our resources for American energy independence

Steve believes Montana can:
• create good paying jobs in research, technology, development and manufacturing and attract businesses to invest here,
• lead the country in educational innovation, opportunity and achievement--and be a place where students are able to graduate from college without debt,
• be a place that maintains its rural identity,
• responsibly develop our resources and lead the way to American energy independence and a clean energy future.
Source: Montana Governor campaign 2012 website, www.stevebullock.com Nov 6, 2012

On Gun Control: Forever preserve access to public land for hunting & fishing

As Attorney General, Steve works hard every day to make our state better for the next generation of Montanans. Since taking office, Steve has worked with Governor Schweitzer and state legislators to forever preserve access to public lands and streams for hunting, fishing and hiking. Source: Montana Governor campaign 2012 website, www.stevebullock.com Nov 6, 2012

On Principles & Values: I teach my kids the same Montana values I was taught

Born in Missoula and raised in Helena, Steve Bullock believes that the leaders we elect and the decisions we make today will define the Montana that we live in now, and the Montana we pass on to our kids and grandkids.

Steve and his wife Lisa are raising their three kids in the same community they grew up in and teaching them the same values they were taught: to work hard, play by the rules and get the kind of education and job that will allow them to raise their families here, too.

Source: Montana Governor campaign 2012 website, www.stevebullock.com Nov 6, 2012

The above quotations are from Winners and Losers Gubernatorial candidates from Montana. Click here for other excerpts from Winners and Losers Gubernatorial candidates from Montana. Click here for other excerpts by Steve Bullock. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.

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Page last updated: Aug 12, 2018