Increasing Whistle Blower Protections

Press Release

In recent weeks, it has become clear that Montana has problems properly protecting whistleblowers. For a state government to function properly and use its resources efficiently, citizens and state employees need to have confidence that laws will be enforced and those who break laws will be held accountable. Those who point out such wrongdoing should not have to fear retaliation.

Recent headlines have shown us that this is not happening under the current administration. Multiple former auditors from the Department of Health and Human Service, including the former Audit Bureau Chief, have come forward to claim that they were fired or demoted for doing their job and exposing wrongdoing that involved DPHHS employees giving political favors. Just this week, a former bureau chief from the Department of Commerce came forward saying she had been demoted and had her pay cut because she questioned agency decision. It has also been revealed that the Bullock Administration has paid out nearly $1 million to keep whistleblowers quiet.

THE SOLUTION: Clearly, we need to take steps to fix this issue. Much of solving this problem involves simply enforcing existing state law. However, we also need to make it easier for state employees to come forward to report wrongdoing. As governor, I'll take three main steps in order to protect whistle blowers and ensure that any wrongdoing is exposed:

We're going to enforce current whistle blower protection laws on the books (WDEA: Wrongful Discharge From Employment Act) in MT, which the current Governor clearly is not.

We're going to set up a Whistle blower protection hotline - where any state employee can call and offer their complaint, without fear of retaliation. The hotline service will report directly to the Office of Government Accountability, so that complaints are not lost in bureaucracy.

As part of the Office of Government Accountability, we're going to solicit input from the state employees on ways to create a culture of customer service in state government, including finding efficiencies - but above all, state employees, you have my word that you will not be retaliated against for shining light in dark places in state government.
Last month I proposed the creation of a new "Office of Government Accountability" within the executive office of the governor. The purpose of the new will work to eliminate regulations that are strangling business, help adopt a culture of customer service in state government and bring increased integrity to restore public trust to state government.

In order to accomplish these goals, we need to protect those who blow the whistle on waste, fraud, and abuse in state government. Clearly, the current administration has failed to provide accountable government. It's time for new leadership.

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