I-194 makes us stronger

by Jake Keller, Kalispell

Protecting the Flathead requires transparency. I-194 makes us stronger.

I’ve seen this community come together when facing unique political challenges. I-194 will make our politics more transparent and responsive to us.

Coming together strengthens us all. As a Glacier grad of 2021, I noticed our community’s diligent effort to keep us safe and learning in person during covid. I remember community members dropping party labels and supporting each other during a youth mental health crisis. 

Rich, out-of-state investors find the Flathead’s exceptional beauty nothing more than another portfolio asset that delivers shareholder value. We do not need consensus to recognize that the same multinational corporation that spilt 35 million gallons of waste water into the Gallatin River seeks to reshape Lakeside for the ultra-wealthy. Whether it’s my young friends who struggle to afford housing or my Grandma who needs maintained roads to bowl in Whitefish, we all see how politics responsive to the donor class degrades our beloved home. Life in the Flathead Valley worsens when special interests turn our living environment into shareholder assets. I’ve seen this community unify before, and again the time is ripe.

Unity becomes easier with transparency, which is why I am proud to work on I-194, which prohibits both in and out-of-state “artificial persons” such as corporations, trade unions, and non-profits from influencing the outcomes of Montana elections. Put simply, every donation will have a transparent, real person’s name attached.

The richest in the world profit from manufacturing divisions, and oftentimes, anonymously. No more. Montanans who live, work and pay taxes here will be the voice that defines our community.

Vote Yes on I-194 by November 3rd to send a clear message: we can disagree passionately, but when unified, we can protect what makes this place special.