Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Forced To Reimburse Taxpayers After He’s Caught Using State Plane For Campaign Events

After he was caught using the state plane for campaign and political fundraising events, Montana’s Democrat Governor Steve Bullock is now reimbursing taxpayers for some of the costs associated for his campaign activities after outlets criticized the governor for taking advantage of taxpayer resources, also known as “Plane-Gate.” This is the latest instance that proves who Bullock really is: a politician who says one thing, but does another. Would Bullock have refunded some of these costs if he wasn’t caught and criticized?

“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 press release sent Friday afternoon. The money he’ll pay the state will go to cover 21 trips dating back to February 2014.  Republicans have criticized Bullock’s use of the plane, including a Feb. 10 trip to Billings where he made peanut butter sandwiches for the homeless and then attended a campaign fundraiser. He also did a TV interview that day. Similar business trips capped by campaign fundraisers also took place in Bozeman and Missoula. State law generally prohibits use of public resources for campaign purposes.” (Holly Michels, “Bullock Will Refund State For Campaign Related Use Of State Plane,” Billings Gazette, 3/19/2016)

Bullock is only refunding part of the costs – well below what he actually owes. The state plane costs $500 an hour to operate, but Bullock is only paying $2,671.84 for 21 events, which comes out to only $127.23 for each trip. Make no mistake, this is an attempt by Bullock to reimburse the smallest amount possible in an attempt to make the story disappear. Bullock should step up and refund the taxpayers the full amount they deserve.

“The money he’ll pay the state will go to cover 21 trips dating back to February 2014. The state plane costs $500 an hour to operate, according to a Bullock spokeswoman. That works out to Bullock paying back an average of $127.23 per trip.” (Holly Michels, “Bullock Will Refund State For Campaign Related Use Of State Plane,” Billings Gazette, 3/19/2016)

BACKGROUND: 

Bullock Using The Montana State Plane For Campaign Events Was Not Accidental. “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.” (Editorial, “Plane-Gate May Mean More Rules Necessary,” Billings Gazette, 3/16/2016)

Blocking Information Requests On His Use Of The State Plane, Bullock Takes Advantage Of Taxpayer Resources. “The Gazette began asking for the governor’s travel itinerary and emails related to this trip more than a month ago. We’d point out that a simple calendar request should not take this long.  We’re not certain what is so cumbersome about releasing Bullock’s schedules or his email. It only gives the appearance that Bullock has something to hide, or that it looks exactly like he’s taking advantage of a taxpayer resource. It’s funny that this issue really has nothing to do with a plane and everything to do with openness, transparency and accountability. Few would argue that the governor of the fourth largest geographic state needs plane travel. It’s a matter of using state property and funds correctly.” (Editorial, “Plane-Gate May Mean More Rules Necessary,” Billings Gazette, 3/16/2016)

Bullock Criticized For Piggybacking Campaign Stops Onto Official Business Flights. “Montana Gov. Steve Bullock is being criticized for piggybacking campaign events onto government business trips in his state airplane. At issue are a handful of campaign fundraisers branded as ‘Women for Bullock’ events that capped business flights to Montana communities during the past month. 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. State law generally prohibits use of public resources for political purposes.” (Tom Lutey, “Bullock Criticized For Piggybacking Campaign Stops Onto Official Business Flights,” Billings Gazette, 3/11/2016)

Bullock’s Use Of State Plane Displays Duplicity. “On Feb. 16, Gov. Steve Bullock flew to Missoula from Helena to conduct ‘state’ business, which also happened to ‘conveniently’ coincide with a campaign event, using the state’s turboprop airplane, at a cost of not less than $1,000/hour. A 115-mile drive, it’s probably an 80-mile flight; not the type of flight for which this plane is designed. More offensive is that he’s flying to a destination that includes a campaign event, using state equipment/taxpayer funds to do so. This has been an ongoing practice of this governor (the same modus operandi recently used for campaign events in Billings and Bozeman). Despite funding his campaign with untold amounts of “dark money” (perhaps millions) from his stint as chair of the DGA, he persists in thumbing his nose at taxpayers from Montana by using state property on campaign trips.” (Brad Tschida, “Column: Bullock’s Use Of State Plan Displays Duplicity,” Missoulian, 3/10/2016)

Bullock Suffers From A Lack Of Credibility, Trust And Transparency. “Bullock’s handling of both Walsh and McLean were mistakes. To us, it boils down to trust. How can we trust the Bullock administration to appoint good leaders, and how can we have faith that the answers given aren’t just spin? We have to trust our governor, and this most recent episode should leave Montanans yearning to rebuild credibility, trust and transparency.” (Editorial, “What’s Really Going On In Montana Governor’s Office?” Billings Gazzette, 12/16/2015)