New Court Ruling Keeps Dark Money Debate Alive

Montana Political News: Major Story Out of Helena

With how much information is flying around these days, it’s pretty easy to miss a big story, and one just came out of Helena that could have some serious impact, not just here in Montana, but across the country.

By now, you’ve probably heard of Citizens United v. FEC, the landmark ruling that essentially said money counts as free speech. Ever since that decision, people on both sides of the aisle have pushed back on the rise of so-called “dark money” in politics.

What Is "The Montana Plan"?

Here in Montana, a plan was put together to try and limit corporate donations in elections. Not surprisingly, that didn’t go unchallenged.

A coalition of business and industry groups consisting of the Montana Mining Association, the Montana Chamber of Commerce, Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Petroleum Association, Montana Trucking Association, Montana Contractors Association, Treasure State Resource Association and Billings and Kalispell’s respective chambers of commerce, argued the proposal was unconstitutional and shouldn’t even make it to a vote.

But now, the Montana Supreme Court, along with Attorney General Austin Knudsen, has said organizers behind the Transparent Election Initiative can keep collecting signatures to get I-194, also known as Ballot Issue 10, on the November ballot. The court basically said it’s too early to decide whether it’s constitutional, and that decision can come after voters weigh in.

Bipartisan Concerns Over Dark Money

What’s interesting is this really isn’t a left versus right issue. Polling shows 74% of Republicans and 84% of Democrats agree that large donations from wealthy individuals and corporations can lead to corruption, or at least the appearance of it.

And honestly, that mindset isn’t new in Montana. Going all the way back to the days of the Copper Kings, this state has had a long memory when it comes to keeping big money in check. In fact, Montana banned corporate spending in elections as far back as 1912.

So while this fight is far from over, it’s another chapter in a debate that’s been part of Montana’s history for more than a century.

Source: Daily Montanan