According to the New York Times, 300 individual billionaires spent more than $3 billion during the 2024 election cycle. Keep those figures in mind as you consider I-194 and its potential impact on Montana values.

The Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, and the Billings Chamber of Commerce have taken a clear and united stand against Initiative 194. We believe Montanans deserve a full and transparent explanation of why.

No doubt, I-194 would prohibit Montana businesses and nonprofits from participating in the political process. Under this initiative, family-owned businesses including farms, ranches, restaurants, and retail stores could not respond publicly to a ballot initiative targeting them. A Main Street restaurant could not support a local levy to improve public safety. A small business coalition could not push back against misleading claims that threaten their livelihoods and their employees’ jobs. These are not hypothetical concerns; they are the everyday realities of how Montana businesses engage in the civic life of our communities.

But make no mistake, I-194 does not remove big money from our politics.

While cleverly named “The Montana Plan,” I-194 should be called the “California Plan” since California is home to more than 200 individual billionaires and places no restrictions whatsoever on out-of-state wealthy individuals. Under I-194, a single well-funded outsider could bankroll a campaign to devastate a Montana agricultural practice, a logging operation, or a ranching family, while the Montana businesses under attack would be legally silenced. That is not campaign finance reform. That is a one-sided disarmament of Montana’s own voices.

The supporters of I-194 like to reference the Copper King’s influence that occurred at the beginning of the 20th century. And while this initiative would have prohibited the Anaconda Copper Company from supporting candidates, the actual individual Kings of copper–the millionaires that owned those companies–would have still been free to bankroll their preferred candidates, while the rest of Montana’s small business community sat in silence. They would have loved this proposal.

Montana has a proud history of fighting outside influence in our politics, from the battles against the Copper Kings to the Corrupt Practices Act of 1912. But that Act targeted corruption and covert control of government, not the right of businesses and community organizations to have an open voice in the state they call home. There is a meaningful difference between a corporation secretly buying a legislator and a chamber of commerce publicly advocating for its members.

We raised constitutional and legal questions about I-194’s scope before the Montana Supreme Court because those questions deserved an answer. We respect the Court’s ruling. And now we are doing exactly what any organization or individual is entitled to do: making our case openly, with our names attached, and letting Montanans decide.

That is what chambers of commerce do. We advocate for Montana’s businesses and workers—the coffee shops, hardware stores, family farms, and yes, the larger employers whose presence helps keep smaller businesses alive. We are Montanans representing Montana’s economic engine.

We agree that Montanans deserve a political system where their voices matter more than outside money. Silencing Montana businesses while leaving out-of-state billionaires free to spend without restriction does not achieve that goal. It simply changes who gets silenced.

We urge every Montanan to read I-194 carefully—all of it—and ask: Does this make our democracy stronger, or does it make some voices louder by making others disappear?

Montana Chamber of Commerce, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, and Billings Chamber of Commerce

For the last several years, it has become a tradition to kick off the Montana summer with an event that is not only free, but fun for all. Oh, and the best part? It’s right here in Bozeman!

The 5th Annual Family Promise Summer Kick-Off will take place at the Family Promise building on Saturday, June 13th from 1 pm until 4 pm.  The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

There will be lots of different activities including a dunk tank, inflatables for the kids, face painting, a photo booth, balloon animals, a DJ, games, crafts, and more. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of summer.

Did we mention there will be free food?

What can you expect?

For the 5th year in a row, there will be hot dogs and hamburgers/cheeseburgers, chips, and drinks. Oh, and don’t forget the sno cones! Plus, you can learn all about how Family Promise helps our community by serving those in need.

None of this would be possible without the help of our wonderful sponsors who make sure that this event is always a hit.

We want to thank the folks at Town and Country Foods, Harrington Pepsi, Tropical Sno, your local McDonald’s, and The Northern Rocky Mountain Group at Morgan Stanley. Their generosity is unmatched and we are grateful for their support in making sure this event happens each year.

Once again, it’s the Family Promise Summer Kick-Off and it happens on Saturday, June 13th from 1 pm until 4 pm. We’ll see you there!