Gianforte Calls Out Bullock For Skipping Coal Meeting

Statement

Bozeman businessman and tech entrepreneur Greg Gianforte offered strong criticism of Governor Steve Bullock for not showing up to testify on a federal bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines that would help protect Montana coal jobs. The governor's office did not even send a representative.

GIANFORTE: The Obama Administration's War on Coal is having a devastating impact on an important Montana industry. We're seeing layoffs across coal country, the Colstrip Power Plant is in dire straits, and thousands of livelihoods are threatened. Now, we are seeing a sharp decline in state revenues. Yet, Governor Bullock can't be bothered to send a representative to testify on behalf of Montana. We need a governor who will stand up and fight for the interests of Montana.

The Zinke and Daines bill would set up a panel of non-federal stakeholders that would review federal mineral leasing policies and serve as a hedge of protection against the Obama Administration's recent moratorium on new federal coal leases.

Montana is already feeling the impacts of the War on Coal. Overall production is down by one-third this year. With the downturn comes less revenue from coal royalties and taxes. Montana's rainy day fund is now projected to drop below $200 million. The Billings Gazette noted earlier this month the impact that lack of coal revenue was already having on public school libraries.

Gianforte is the founder of RightNow Technologies. He started the company out of his house in Bozeman, and created over 500 jobs in Montana. The average Montana salary at RightNow was nearly $90,000 a year. Oracle purchased RightNow in 2012, and continues to expand the company's footprint in Montana.

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