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Dems Blast Gianforte's Budget Proposals At Capitol Rally

Sen. Dick Barrett speaking at today's Democratic rally at the Capitol. From left to right: Rep Mary Ann Dunwell, Sen. Christine Kaufmann, Sen Dick Barrett, Sen John Sesso, Sen. Jill Cohenour.
Corin Cates-Carney
Sen. Dick Barrett speaking at today's Democratic rally at the Capitol. From left to right: Rep Mary Ann Dunwell, Sen. Christine Kaufmann, Sen Dick Barrett, Sen John Sesso, Sen. Jill Cohenour.

Montana Democrats gathered in the Capitol Friday trying to poke holes in the Republican campaign that’s challenging their party’s control of the state’s highest elected office.

The Democrats praised Montana’s current economic and budget status under Governor Steve Bullockwhile taking swings at Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte.

Missoula Democratic Senator Dick Barrett says the issue of responsible government spending should be a serious conversation.

"But, what we are getting from Gianforte is not serious responsible thinking about the budget. We are getting political sound bites."

Barrett says Gianfote has come up with a proposal that would make a shambles of the state’s budget.

Gianforte has said he wants to remove the state’s tax on business equipment, lower income taxes and increase spending on infrastructure.

Aaron Flint from the Gianforte campaign called today’s press conference by the Democrats a tasteless attack on Good Friday.

"Not only does Greg Gianforte believe that we should balance the budget, it’s required by law."

Democrats at the event questioned if Gianforte was aware of that law based on his policy proposals.

Both Gianforte’s campaign and the Democrats said Montana’s dip in tax revenue is something to be concerned about. That has been attributed to the recent decline in the oil industry.

Copyright 2020 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Corin Cates-Carney is the Flathead Valley reporter for MTPR.