Bullock Releases 10 Years of Tax Returns
From 2005 to 2014, the governor and his wife reported $1.6 million in income
By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN, Associated Press
HELENA — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has released 11 years of federal tax records, including his most recent filing, a move his re-election campaign hopes will draw a distinction between him and wealthy Republican opponent Greg Gianforte.
From 2005 to 2015, the governor and his wife reported more than $1.7 million in income, including $147,311 for 2015. The governor’s salary is currently set at $111,571 a year.
By releasing his records, Bullock hopes to generate more scrutiny of Gianforte’s personal fortune.
The records released by Bullock and his wife Lisa show they filed jointly and paid nearly $244,000 in federal income taxes over the past 11 years.
Bullock’s campaign said the governor donated more than $73,000 to charities over the 11-year period. The campaign did not release Schedule A of his returns, which details itemized deductions.
In January, Gianforte released 10 years of federal tax records that showed income of $220.5 million. He had reported donating more than $56 million to charities, although his campaign has said the actual amount was twice that much.
Gianforte has yet to make public his income tax return for 2015.
Bullock campaign spokesman Jason Pitt has sought to depict Gianforte as a millionaire who is out of touch with most people in Montana, where the median household income is about $53,500 annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Bullock’s campaign has sought to spotlight Gianforte’s charitable giving, particularly the millions of dollars given to groups that advocate socially and politically conservative views.
Gianforte’s campaign declined a request for an interview. In an email, campaign spokesman Ron Catlett said people are “free to give to the causes that are near and dear to our hearts.”