Billings Gazette Slams Gov. Steve Bullock’s "Plane-Gate" For Lack of Transparency & Accountability

The Billings Gazette is out with a scathing editorial today slamming Democrat Governor Steve Bullock for “plane-gate” – his use of the state plane at taxpayer expense to attend campaign events across Montana. This is just the latest example of Bullock saying one thing, and doing another. In addition to misleading voters on the resignation of his Lieutenant Governor, his continued hypocrisy on national fundraising, and now Plane-Gate – Bullock’s campaign for re-election is heavy with scandal.

“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)

Despite being asked for them over a month ago, Bullock has also failed to turn over requests about these trips to the press. What is Bullock hiding? The editorial also notes that Bullock’s “Plane-Gate” raises more questions of openness, transparency and accountability in Bullock’s administration:

“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)

BACKGROUND: 

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)