Bullock Invites Applicants for Cabinet Jobs

Associated Press

Published 11/14/12

Court Stops Hill from Spending Illegal Cash

HELENA – This afternoon, the Montana First Judicial District ordered that Congressman Rick Hill cease spending any of the illegal, half-a-million contribution that he accepted and take down any ads that were purchased with those funds.

Kevin O’Brien, campaign manager and spokesman for Bullock-Walsh for Governor, released the following statement:

“This decision confirms what Montanans know – no one is above the law.  Steve Bullock has led the national fight to make sure that it’s people, not corporations and special-interests that decide our elections, and he’s been called ‘the biggest threat to Citizens United.’

Montana voters know that Steve is not afraid to stand up to the out-of-state special interests and ensure that our government works for farmers and ranchers, small business owners and middle-class families.

Congressman Hill now needs to do the right thing and give the illegal contribution back.”

To read the entire Preliminary Injunction motion, visit www.stevebullock.com/HillsIllegalContribution.

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Montana TV, Radio Stations Statewide Pull False, Defamatory Attack Ads From Hill Allies

HELENA – Television and radio stations across the state have refused to air ads produced by supporters of Congressman Rick Hill due to patently false content.  The ads, which attack Bullock and his family, were pulled after the Bullock-Walsh campaign documented the falsehoods contained in the commercials.

The content of the messages from the Republican Governors Association, which purchased over $800,000 of ads this week, violated the Federal Communications Act’s standards for decency.  Under the FCA, television and radio outlets have a duty to protect the public from false, misleading or deceptive advertising.

Ads from a shady group with ties to American Tradition Partnership, called “Jobs and Opportunities, Inc.,” have been pulled by radio stations across the state.

“Congressman Hill and his big-money buddies will say and do anything to win an election, including lie about Steve and his family,” said Kevin O’Brien, campaign manager for Bullock-Walsh.  “When you can’t win a race on your merits, record and character, you fall back on desperate attacks – but I have no doubt that voters will see right through them.”

The coordinated attack – which includes mail, television, radio and illegal “robo-calls” – accuses Bullock of sending contracts to his brother’s company.

Stations were presented with documented evidence from the Bullock-Walsh campaign of the falsehoods included in the advertisements:

·         Bullock’s brother, William Bullock, founded a firm that is helping to clean up the Clark Fork River and has grown from a small company working out of a basement in Butte to a Montana success story employing hundreds.

·         This company won a competitive contract with the Department of Environmental Quality – a state agency that reports to the Governor, not the Attorney General.

·         The contract Hill’s supporters are relying on for documentation was issued before Bullock was elected Attorney General.

·         Bullock’s brother sold his interest in the company in 2009.

The documents provided to the stations from Bullock’s campaign are available upon request.

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ILLEGAL CONTRIBUTION CASE: Hill Kicked out of Federal Court, Judge Says Congressman’s Arguments “Without Merit”

Bullock asks Montana judge for Temporary Restraining Order, Hearing

HELENA – Congressman Rick Hill’s attempt to avoid a Montana court’s inspection of his illegal $500,000 contribution ended today when the United States District Court immediately remanded the case back to state court.  Gubernatorial candidate Steve Bullock has asked the state court for a Temporary Restraining Order to prevent Hill from spending more of the illegal contributions.  Bullock also asked the District Court to force Hill to return the illegal funds.

On Friday, Hill tried to move the case to Federal Court, after Bullock sued him and signaled he would be seeking the restraining order.  On Monday, Hill spent another $99,945.00 of the illegal contribution.

Bullock’s motion for the Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and other related court filings are on Bullock’s website at www.stevebullock.com/HillsIllegalContribution.

“While Congressman Hill is attempting to put our elections up for sale, Steve’s fighting to protect their integrity,” said Kevin O’Brien, a spokesman for Bullock.  “We’re happy that this case is back in state court and we’re confident that Congressman Hill will have to do what he should have done all along – return this illegal contribution.”

The case, Bullock v. Hill, stems from the former Congressman’s acceptance of a half-a-million contribution from the Montana Republican Party.  On October 3rd, a federal district court ruled that Montana’s contribution limits were unconstitutional and suspended the enforcement of those limits by the Commissioner of Political Practices – but six days later the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated Montana’s law including the aggregate contribution limits.  The appeals court also reinstated the authority of the Commissioner to enforce the limits.

After the federal district court’s ruling, the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices “strongly recommended” that candidates and political parties abide by the contribution limits prescribed in statute while the litigation was pending.  They warned candidates that they would “enforce” the law if a stay was ordered.

Hill’s failure to return the excess contributions and his continued spending is a violation of Montana Code Annotated §13-37-216.

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Contact: Kate Downen (406) 224-5056 or Kevin O’Brien (406) 465-6969

Bullock Outraises Congressman Hill by Double in Legal Contributions
Bullock: I’m energized by our support, proud we’re running a law-abiding campaign

(Helena, MT) – Steve Bullock’s campaign for governor outraised Congressman Rick Hill by double in legal contributions for the 42-day reporting period, Bullock/Walsh for Montana announced today.

“I’m proud that I can say two things Congressman Hill can’t: All of our contributions are completely legal, and we have a strong fundraising base. In just 42 days, we raised over $320,000 from over 2,500 people– that’s three times as many contributors and double the funds as the Congressman’s campaign,” Bullock said. “I’m energized by the support we’ve received and proud we’re running a law-abiding campaign that Montanans can be proud of.”

Bullock raised a total of $321,461.02 from over 2,500 contributors this reporting period for an average of $7,653/day.

Hill received $163,830 in legal contributions this reporting period, from less than 900 donors for an average of $3,900/day, according to a “draft” report he sent to reporters.

Hill raised a total of $517,013 in illegal contributions, which included a $500,000 check from the Montana Republican Party and at least 40 other illegal contributions, according to the same “draft” report and earlier filings with the Commissioner of Political Practices office.

Here are Bullock’s toplines for the fundraising period, which started September 6^th and ended October 17^th.
Total raised for the reporting period: $321,461.02
Total spent this reporting period: $1,032,242.25
COH: $72,005.11
Total spent: $1,667,198.01
Total raised this cycle: $1,769,425.83 (includes in-kind)

Bullock Files Lawsuit to Force Hill to Return Illegal Contributions

Montana Law Clear: Any candidate who has taken or is in possession of more than contribution limit violates law

HELENA – Attorneys representing Montana gubernatorial candidate Steve Bullock filed a lawsuit (PDF) in Montana’s First Judicial District Court to stop Rick Hill from spending or continuing to spend illegal contributions he has taken and to force the Congressman to return the illegal donations.

Hill announced to reporters yesterday that he had taken an illegal $500,000 contribution from the Montana Republican Party.  The origins of that contribution are still unknown and unreported by Hill.  Besides the illegal contribution, in his first two years running for Governor, Hill raised $1.1 million.

At a press conference at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, John Walsh, Montana’s Former Adjutant General and Bullock’s running mate as Lieutenant Governor, recalled how American soldiers protected the integrity of Iraqi elections.

“As many of you know, I led the 1-163^rd Infantry Battalion in Iraq in 2004 and 2005,” Walsh said.  “Twice while we were over there, men and women from Montana – along with soldiers from all across America – were called upon to safeguard and secure Iraqi elections.  That’s why it’s disappointing that in the greatest democracy on Earth – and in a state that for 100 years has had some of the cleanest and fair elections – that we stand here today.

Under Montana Code Annotated 13-37-216, a candidate for Governor may take no more than $630 in aggregate from an individual and $22,600 in aggregate from a political party, per contested election.  On October 3^rd, a federal district court ruled that Montana’s contribution limits were unconstitutional and suspended the enforcement of those limits by the Commissioner of Political Practices – but six days later the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated Montana’s law including the aggregate contribution limits.  The appeals court also reinstated the authority of the Commissioner to enforce these limits.

“The law in Montana today – which is not in dispute – is that Montana’s contribution limits are in full force and effect.  Any candidate who has taken or is in possession of more than the aggregate limits is in violation of that law,” Walsh said.

After the federal district court’s ruling, the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices “strongly recommended” that candidates and political parties abide by the contribution limits prescribed in statute while the litigation was pending.  They warned candidates that they would “enforce” the law if a stay was ordered.

Walsh concluded, “This is just not right and this is a fundamental issue character – Congressman Hill will do and say anything to win this election.”

The complaint is available online.

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Contact: Kevin O’Brien, (406) 465-6969

BULLOCK RELEASES MONTANA OUTDOOR ACCESS PLAN 

Candidate for Governor Says Our Outdoor Heritage is “at the core of our economy”

(Great Falls, MT) – Attorney General Steve Bullock, the Democratic nominee for governor, released his outdoor access plan for Montana today, surrounded by hunters, fishermen and recreationists in Great Falls. Bullock’s plan is devoted to preserving access to public lands, rivers, and streams throughout the state while protecting private property.

Central to the plan’s mission is the economic impact of hunting, fishing and recreating on Montana’s economy. Outdoor recreation accounts for over $680 million in annual economic activity and is responsible for nearly 10,000 jobs.

“The lands that many of us hunt on are publicly owned, and our stream access laws are the envy of anglers around the globe,” Bullock said. Montanans know that access to our public lands, rivers, and streams is our right – and it has nothing to do with the size of our checking accounts. We also know that hunting and fishing is about more than brown trout and bull elk: our outdoor heritage is at the core of our economy.”

Bullock has a history of fighting for hunting, fishing and recreational access in Montana. He authored the landmark legal opinion that guaranteed access to streams and rivers, and worked with the land board, legislature, and through our judicial system to make sure private property rights were protected and public access wasn’t limited.

Bullock’s “Removing Padlocks and Creating Partnerships: Hunting and Fishing Access for All Montanans,”, includes four priorities:

·         End road disputes quickly by allocating professional resources from the Montana Department of Transportation

·         Fight attempts to privatize and commercialize public wildlife, and protect fair chase hunting

·         Preserve public access, expand opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts

·         Emphasize public-private partnerships by improving the Block Management Program (BMP)

In his plan, Bullock promises to veto any measure that would weaken public access laws, in addition to vetoing any attempt to privatize or commercialize Montana’s public wildlife.

As a Member of Congress, Bullock’s opponent, Representative Rick Hill, voted to sell Montana’s public lands.  At the time, a leader with the Montana Wildlife Federation said, ”Hill is selling public land and basically squandering the money.  Obviously, he doesn’t value public lands as much as we do.” [HR 3963, HR 4469 105th Congress]

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What Montanans Are Saying About Bullock’s “Removing Padlocks and Creating Partnerships: Hunting and Fishing Access for All Montanans”:

“The Bullock plan will make sure that Montanans can always use the lands that our families have hunted on for generations.” – Joe Perry, Great Falls Sportsman and board member of the Montana Sportsmen’s Association

“As Attorney General, Steve made sure that we’d always have access to public streams and rivers, and I know he’ll continue protecting the rights of Montana sportsmen as Governor.” – Gary Zadick, lifelong resident and fisherman

“Steve Bullock’s plan will help make sure that hunters and anglers can spend more time in the mountains chasing elk or in the streams chasing trout, instead of being forced into courtrooms to fight for the right to access lands used by generations of Montanans.” John Gibson, President of the Public Land/Water Access Association.

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Kevin O’Brien, Campaign Manager

TO: Interested Parties

DATE: October 11, 2012

In last night’s debate on Montana PBS and again today at events with Gov. Scott Walker, Congressman Rick Hill has gone out of his way to praise Walker’s Wisconsin, but has departed from reality and the facts to do so.  Likewise, Gov. Walker failed to fact check his remarks before landing in Kalispell to fundraise with Hill.

According to Lee Newspaper’s State Bureau, “Hill told a statewide television audience Wednesday night that Montana’s economy is in a rut, and that he’d help get it going by erasing a ‘hostile’ business climate.”  But the fact is that Big Sky Country’s economy is leading the nation – and in much stronger shape than the Badger State.

Below is a fact check on Congressman Hill and Governor Walker’s statements:

Hill says about Walker/Wisconsin:

“The truth is there’s more money going to schools [in Wisconsin] now.” [MT PBS Gubernatorial Debate, 10/10/2012]

• Under Walker, school districts have received $1.6 billion less than they would have under prior law – “the greatest cut to education since the Great Depression.” [WI Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 3/15/2011; WI Dept. of Public Instruction, 2/28/2011]

“The teachers are actually getting paid better than they were.” [MT PBS Gubernatorial Debate, 10/10/2012]

• Under Walker, the average teacher lost between $4,000 and $5,000 in take-home pay. [WI Legislative Fiscal Bureau, 3/15/2011]

Walker says when in Montana:

“States led by Republican Governors are better off.  Lower unemployment, they’re ranked better for business environment by Forbes.”

• Unemployment (September Releases):

MT       6.3% LINK

WI        7.5% LINK

• Forbes Rankings of “Best States for Businesses” (November 2011):

MT #23 LINK

WI #40 LINK

• Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index (released Monday):

MT #8 LINK

WI #43 LINK

Bullock seeks governor’s office vowing to create jobs, protect union rights

Lee State Bureau

Charles Johnson

Published 9/23/12

GREAT FALLS — After greeting some old friends, Democrat Steve Bullock gets right to the point with union groups about the importance of the 2012 governor’s race.

Bullock, Montana’s attorney general, spoke to some members of the Great Falls Education Association earlier this month. He quickly denounced the education ideas offered by his Republican opponent, Rick Hill. Bullock recycled a comment Hill made earlier this year to a weekly newspaper that Montana ranks “second to last in quality of teachers.”

What’s more, Bullock said, Hill favors charter schools and giving parents tax breaks to send their children to private schools. (Hill has called for giving tax breaks to people who donate to foundations that provide private-school scholarships to low-income students.) The Republican also wants to revamp teacher tenure.

“Rick Hill wants to defund, devalue and dismantle public education,” Bullock said. It’s a line he repeats often.

While defending Montana’s public schools, Bullock said they can be improved.

“We can innovate within the public school system,” he said. “We can move the ball overall without making a wholesale attack on our school system and teachers. We can’t do it if we take the dollars that ought to be going to public schools and we suck them out to private schools.”

Bullock’s comments draw loud applause from the teachers. Major unions, including the MEA-MFT, which represents teachers and school and government employees, have endorsed him.

One union leader tells the teachers, “If you’re in this room, your job depends on Governor Bullock.”

Education background

Bullock comes from a family steeped in education. Bullock’s late father, Mike, taught and administered vocational education programs. His mother, Penny Copps, served as a school board trustee in Helena. His stepfather, Jack Copps, was superintendent of schools in Billings and Helena.

Republicans have hammered Bullock repeatedly for refusing to join what they call “the bipartisan fight” after the “heavy hand of the federal government pushed Obamacare on us.” He refused to sign a friend-of-the court brief against the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Twenty-five Republican state attorney generals and one Democratic one who later switched parties signed the brief.

“Why join lawsuits where our participation doesn’t matter?” Bullock asked.

The case was going to the U.S. Supreme Court anyway, he said. This summer, a divided U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of the law, which Republicans vow to repeal if they win the presidency and control of Congress.

Read Full Article:

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/bullock-seeks-governor-s-office-vowing-to-create-jobs-protect/article_7656c3e3-9820-587c-accf-f2e282daf128.html