Why Montana Governor Gianforte refuses to debate candidate Busse

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – During a recent visit to the KGVO studio, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse complained that incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte refused to debate him.

On Wednesday’s “Talk Back” show, Gianforte explained why.

Gianforte stopped by to answer questions from KGVO listeners and responded to a listener who asked him directly about a debate with Busse. Gianforte said he wanted a debate.

Gianforte explains why he won’t debate Ryan Busse

“I hope I get the opportunity to participate in a debate because I think it’s the right thing for the people of Montana to hear the issues directly from the candidates,” Gianforte began. “But to have a debate, you need a serious candidate on the other side, and unfortunately, this man was dishonest with the people of Montana. He was not serious.”

Gianforte has explicitly explained why not.

“In particular, he has not released his tax returns,” he said. “I have released 17 years of my personal tax returns, and all the gubernatorial candidates have done that. Brian Schweitzer has done it, Steve Bullock has done it, Mike Cooney has done it. So the question is, what is he hiding from the people of Montana? I believe in transparency and honesty. That’s why I released 17 years of my personal tax returns.”

Gianforte was proud of the state’s low unemployment rate

Gianforte also touted his success in addressing the state’s low unemployment rate.

“You have to have a plan,” he said. “That’s why when I first ran for office, I wrote the Montana Comeback Plan, which was really a business plan for the state to cut taxes and reduce regulation, and it worked. We now have 37 consecutive months of unemployment at 3.4 percent or less, well below the national average. More people are working in Montana than ever before. We have companies moving here because of the business climate, and that helps create jobs.”

READ MORE: Key goals outlined by the governor to reduce Montana property taxes

Gianforte also discussed the property tax problem facing lawmakers

Gianforte also addressed the issue of property taxes and reminded listeners of the actual purpose of property taxes.

“People know this, but 100 percent of property taxes go to fund local government,” he said. “None of that benefits the state, so some of the other policies are focused on containing spending at the local level so that property taxes don’t have to keep going up. Over the last 21 years, inflation has averaged 2.4 percent a year and local spending growth has averaged 6 percent a year. If you want to control property taxes, you have to control local spending.”

Listen to Gianforte’s full interview below: