Another election is quickly approaching and that means it’s time to start gathering up all the information you need to cast a well-informed vote. Not only will you be casting votes for numerous elected officials (local, state, and federal) there will also be four issues for you to vote on. And we want you to be prepared when ballots hit mailboxes in October. So, read on for more information about the referendums and initiatives you’ll be voting on this year.
But first, if you don’t know whether you’re registered to vote, just go to https://app.mt.gov/voterinfo. According to recent Billings Chamber surveys, a very large percentage of our membership votes. In the last municipal election 93% reported having cast their ballots, with the few who didn’t vote mostly missing the mailing date. Among our NextGEN Young Professionals group, 84% responded that they had voted in the most recent election. Considering Montana’s voter turnout in 2016 was at 74%, our chamber member voting numbers are pretty good.
Legislative Referendums
The first two additional items on your ballot are legislative referendums. These are proposals that have been placed on the ballot by the Montana Legislature. During the 2017 Session, the legislature passed two referendums, LR-128 and LR-129, sending approval power to the electorate—you, the voter.
LR-128
The first referendum on your ballot is the 6-mill Montana University System levy. The 6-mill levy:
- Has been reauthorized every ten years by Montana voters since it was first established in 1948.
- The 6-mill levy is not a new tax, but rather the continuation of a tax that has been supported by Montanans for over 60 years.
- The 6-mills go directly to fund Montana universities and colleges and can only be used to support academic programs, not dormitories, stadiums, or other building construction.
The Billings Chamber of Commerce supports the Higher Education levy because of the benefits higher education brings to our business community. Graduates of MSU Billings begin careers with Billings employers. In fact, over 140 businesses in Yellowstone County employ MSU Billings grads. And the economic benefit MSU Billings generates is substantial, at about $86 million. You can read the Billings Chamber’s letter of support here.
Below is the text you will see on your ballot, and the hyperlink will take you to the full text of the bill.
AN ACT REFERRED BY THE LEGISLATURE
AN ACT SUBMITTING A 6-MILL LEVY FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE MONTANA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM TO THE ELECTORATE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND A TERMINATION DATE.
The 2017 Montana legislature has submitted this proposal for a vote. LR-128 asks Montana voters to continue the existing 6-mill levy to support Montana’s public colleges and universities. Without voter approval, the current 6-mill levy to support Montana’s public colleges and universities will expire in January 2019. If passed, this proposal will be effective on January 1, 2019 and terminate January 1, 2029.
According to revenue estimates, the projected annual revenue from the 6-mill levy is $20,890,000 for fiscal year 2020 and is estimated to grow to $23,620,000 by fiscal year 2023.
[] YES on Legislative Referendum LR-128
[] NO on Legislative Referendum LR-128
LR-129
After narrowly passing the House by a 51-49 vote, the second referendum to make it on your ballot would authorize only specific persons to collect voters’ ballots. Titled the Montana Ballot Interference Prevention Act, the act specifies who is authorized to collect voters’ ballots, and limits the collection to a total of six ballots. The intent of the referendum is to ensure voters’ ballots aren’t collected by fraudulent or partisan actors who might dispose of peoples’ ballots improperly. While it is already illegal to do so, the referendum would provide an additional degree of verification to ensure that ballots are only submitted by people familiar with the voters whose ballots they carry. Fortunately there is very little evidence to suggest Montanans’ ballots are being hijacked during elections.
The Billings Chamber has not taken a position on LR-129.
Below is the text you will see on your ballot, and the hyperlink will take you to the full text of the bill.
AN ACT REFERRED BY THE LEGISLATURE
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MONTANA BALLOT INTERFERENCE PREVENTION ACT; PROHIBITING THE COLLECTION OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL’S BALLOT; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS; REQUIRING CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT BALLOTS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION WHEN DELIVERING THE BALLOT TO A POLLING PLACE OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE; PROVIDING PENALTIES AND DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING THAT THE PROPOSED ACT BE SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF MONTANA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
The 2017 Legislature has submitted this proposal for a vote. LR-129 prohibits a person from collecting another voter’s ballot, with certain exceptions. The prohibition would not apply to an election official, postal worker, caregiver, family member, household member, or an acquaintance. Any such individuals that are caregivers, family members, household members or acquaintances would be required to sign a registry at the polling place or the election administrator’s office when delivering the ballot and are required to provide the following information: the individual’s name, address, and phone number; the voter’s name and address; and the individual’s relationship to the voter. An individual who violates any provision within LR-129 could be fined $500 for each ballot unlawfully collected.
[] YES on Legislative Referendum LR-129
[] NO on Legislative Referendum LR-129
Ballot Initiatives
A citizen-proposed ballot initiative can get onto the ballot (only during a federal general election) as long as it meets a number of requirements. Every ballot initiative must make it through a review from Legislative Services, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State. Once the initiative is approved for signature gathering, the sponsor and supporters must gather signatures from Montana voters. In order to qualify for the ballot, the sponsor must submit to the Secretary of State signatures from 5% of the total Montana electorate, including 5% within 34 different legislative house districts. The two initiatives below have cleared all the hurdles necessary to make it onto your ballot.
I-185
One of the initiatives you will get to vote on this November raises tobacco taxes, and includes e-cigarettes. The increased revenue from tax collections is designated for Montana’s Medicaid program, vets’ services, smoking prevention, and seniors with disabilities. Increasing the price of a product reduces the quantity purchased, which brings up two considerations: (1) fewer smokers means a healthier, more productive workforce, earning more money for themselves and our Montana businesses; and (2) by reducing the number of smokers, the revenue generated from a tax increase can be volatile, prone to reductions due to smoking cessation. So, while there are a number of positive aspects to this initiative, it is important to remember the increased revenues may not remain stable over long periods of time.
While there are some downsides–increasing taxes and volatile revenues–the positives far outweigh the negatives. Because the revenue generated is dedicated to valuable programs and the end state is a healthier, more productive workforce, benefitting our businesses and taxpayers, the Billings Chamber supports I-185.
Below is the text you will see on your ballot, and the hyperlink will take you to the full text of the bill.
A LAW PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION
I-185 raises taxes on all tobacco products, amends the definition to include e-cigarettes and vaping products, and dedicates funds. Taxes are increased by $2.00 per pack of cigarettes for a total tax of $3.70 per pack. Taxes on moist snuff increase to the greater of 83% of wholesale or $3.70 per 1.2 ounces. The tax rate increases by 33% of the wholesale price for all other tobacco products including new taxes on e-cigarettes and vaping products. I-185 eliminates the sunset date for expanded Medicaid services for certain low-income adults, which otherwise ends June 30, 2019. I-185 dedicates a percentage of these increased tax revenues for: certain health-related programs, including some of the costs for Montana’s current Medicaid program; veterans’ services; smoking prevention and cessation programs; and long-term care services for seniors and people with disabilities.
New revenue from increases in tobacco taxes will generate $74.3 million per year by 2023. Revenues may decline as fewer people use tobacco. The State must pay a percentage of the cost of the extended Medicaid services, which increases from 6.77% in 2019 to a cap of 10% by 2021.
[] YES ON INITIATIVE I-185
[] NO ON INITIATIVE I-185
I-186
After getting a re-write to exclude existing mines, I-186 aims to ensure new hardrock mine permits are denied unless there is clear and convincing evidence polluted water will not require perpetual treatment. While there is good precedent for the proposed additional requirement, previous failures and negative environmental consequences have led to the regulatory safeguards of today. Advances in administration, science, and technology ensure that we do not make the same mistakes of the past. And absent passage of I-186, Montana will continue to preserve its balance between jobs and the environment. However, passage of the initiative could chill, if not completely freeze, investor interest in hardrock mining in our state.
Because of the negative impact on Montana jobs, strict federal and state environmental standards already in place, and technological enhancements in mining operations, the Billings Chamber opposes I-186.
Below is the text you will see on your ballot, and the hyperlink will take you to the full text of the bill.
A LAW PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION
I-186 requires the Department of Environmental Quality to deny a permit for any new hardrock mines in Montana unless the reclamation plan provides clear and convincing evidence that the mine will not require perpetual treatment of water polluted by acid mine drainage or other contaminants. The terms “perpetual treatment,” “perpetual leaching,” and “contaminants” within I-186 are not fully defined and would require further definition from the Montana Legislature or through Department of Environmental Quality rulemaking.
I-186 will cost $115,360 in its first fiscal year, increasing to $118,767 by fiscal year 2021. These costs are associated with more staff for environmental review for mining permit applications and anticipated litigation.
[] YES ON INITIATIVE I-186
[] NO ON INITIATIVE I-186
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