Bullock Warns of Potential To Go Backwards

This Election Critical for Public Employees

Steve Bullock, Montana’s Attorney General and candidate for Governor, was MPEA’s keynote speaker at this year’s Annual Meeting.

Speaking outside at Friday’s dinner gathering, Bullock started by warning:

• There is the potential for us to go backwards.
• They want to revise public employee rights and that amounts to eliminating collective bargaining.
• They want to take our pension system and gut it.

He then emphasized that “it is up to us to make a difference. This is an election about what kind of place we want for ourselves and our children.” Bullock said he and his wife have three children 10,8 and 5 years-of-age.

“I’ve got no branding iron, but I will have a veto pen to oppose what they want to do to our state,” Bullock said.

He then advised that public employees take the time to talk with friends and family about the importance of this election.

“They will pour money into Montana elections. We can only out work them. Make sure you volunteer some. Get some bumper stickers and give some money,” Bullock suggested.

“No one has more riding on this election than those of us who work as public employees,” Bullock reminded.

Bullock  attended public schools in Helena and graduated from Helena High School in 1984. He received his undergraduate degree from Claremont McKenna College and his law degree with honors from Columbia University Law School in New York.

On June 29, law enforcement leaders from across the state announced their support for Bullock and his running mate John Walsh, who served in the Montana National Guard for over three decades, leading the organization since September 2008. He resigned as Adjutant General to run with Bullock.

The law enforcement leaders cited Bullock’s record on stopping DUI offenders, protecting children, combating prescription drug abuse and stopping sex offenders as their reasons for supporting Bullock.

Supreme Court Clerk Endorsed by MPEA

MPEA members attending this year’s Annual Meeting endorsed the candidacy of Ed Smith for Clerk of the Supreme Court, following his discussion with members about his position and what he sees on the horizon.

Smith was first elected to his position in 1988. The position is statutory and not effected by term limits. “We have been able, because of our staff, to modernize the systems used by the Supreme Court.

Our principal goal remains to provide the best service we can to the courts and to the public.

“My job, as your Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court, is to protect your access to the Court and to ensure your right to view all public information filed in this office.

“My office is committed to assisting appeals; providing information on Montana attorneys; guaranteeing openness with official filings and public documents; and delivering efficient service in a timely, fair and friendly manner.”

There are few politicians running in this election cycle with Smith’s knowledge of state government and the legislative process.

Smith graduate from the U of M in 1976 with a degree in History, but as a 16-year-old from Helena High he began working in the Montana Senate; this work in the Senate and the House continued through 1987.  While Smith was a U of M freshman he was chosen to be the reading clerk for the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention. He attributes his belief in the value of open government and his lifelong interest in public policy to his experiences in development of our state constitution.

Between 1979 and the end of 1982, Smith worked in Washington D.C. During that time House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill appointed him Chief  Bill Clerk of the United States House of  Representatives.

Smith is a fourth generation Montanan whose great grandfather, John Clancy, came to Butte in 1876 to work in the mines. Smith, through the years has been supportive of those issues important to labor.

Lindeen: Millions Will Pour Into Montana, Need Your Help To Be Re-elected

MPEA has endorsed Monica Lindeen for her second term as State Auditor. She is the state’s insurance commissioner and discussed her work with members as this year’s Annual Meeting.

“In these tough economic times, Montana families and small businesses need to know they have an aggressive advocate in their corner when they have problems with their investments or insurance,” said Lindeen. “I’ve been that advocate for the last three years, returning more than $196 million to Montanans who fell victim to securities fraud and forcing insurance companies to pay more than $12 million in claims owed to Montanans.”

The Montana State Auditor, aslo known as the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, is a statewide elected offical who enforces state and federal insurance and securities law. Since her election in 2008, Lindeen has successfully prosecuted dozens of cases of securities fraud, including the largest Ponzi scheme in state history in 2011. MPEA members endorsed Lindeen in 2008.

Lindeen served four terms in Montana’s legislature representing rural Yellowstone, Treasure, and Rosebud counties before being elected Montana State Auditor. In 1995, Lindeen founded a small business that grew to become one of Montana’s largest local Internet service providers.

“I use my background as a small business owner every day as State Auditor. I’m always looking for ways to streamline the way we do business or working with entrepreneurs across the state to find affordable insurance and raise investment capital to create jobs,” Lindeen said.

Lindeen highlighted her top priorities for the next four years, including state-based efforts to make health insurance more transparent and affordable, strengthening consumer protections in the securities industry, continuing responsible development of Montana’s natural resources through the state land board, and preserving Montana’s right to regulate insurance and securities.

There is going to be millions pouring into Montana, Lindeen explained. “I’m going to need your help to be re-elected. Public employees are incredible people and we need to stick together to deal with what’s coming our way.”

AG Candidate Bucy Discusses Impact of Unions on Her Life

Attorney General candidate Pam Bucy discussed the importance of November’s elections while outlining her public employee history, the impact of unions on her personal life and her thoughts on the “war on workers” at this June’s Annual Meeting at Fairmont Hot Springs.

Bucy explained that she was from a large Townsend family where her dad worked as a miner. “There was no health insurance for our family of seven or decent wages until my dad joined the Operating Engineers union. This made a significant difference in our lives.”

“I find myself greatly offended by this ‘war on workers’ and I believe it is being waged by the ‘hedge-funders’ and ‘Wall-Streeters’ responsible for the economic calamities the country has suffered,” Bucy said.

The AG candidate currently works in the Department of Labor and Industry. During the last legislative session Bucy worked with labor, business and legislators in the revamping of the state’s workers compensation system. Before moving to Labor, Bucy spent seven years as an assistant attorney general under AG and current Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath. She also worked as a criminal prosecutor with the Lewis and Clark County Attorney’s office. Bucy has also spent time in the private practice of law.

Bucy told MPEA members she was committed to supporting public employees and will work to secure the resources necessary for them to do their work. “There is an on-going need to continue to elevate the value of public employees.”

She concluded her remarks by saying “Tester, Bullock and I need your help. I need you to get excited and energized about this election. It’s important to all of us and to our Children. Bucy and her husband, Mark Piskolich, have three children and live in Helena.

MPEA members attending the Annual Meeting endorsed Bucy for Montana’s next Attorney General.