MFU and MFBF Applauds Defeat of CI-121

Following months of opposition, ballot initiatives CI-121 and I-191 both failed to receive the required number of signatures by the June 17, 2022, deadline for the November ballot.

CI-121 sought to amend the Montana Constitution to cap residential property taxes in Montana. This constitutional initiative would have shifted the tax burden to Montana’s farmers, ranchers and small businesses while penalizing new homeowners, young families and seniors.

I-191 would have subjected over 100 miles of the Gallatin and Madison rivers and their tributaries to strict regulations only found in national parks and wilderness areas. I-191 would have restricted ranchers from watering livestock, farmers from irrigating, limit fishing access and halt water conservation projects.

“Farm Bureau members are thrilled to learn that CI-121 and I-191 did not make the ballot,” said Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) Executive Vice President John Youngberg. “We recognize that both dealt with issues that are important, but the solutions provided in both initiatives were impractical. These are issues that need to be dealt with thorough debate and decision making, not knee-jerk reactions through the initiative process.”

To contend these initiatives, the Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) joined the Know the Consequences: No on CI-121 and Stop I-191 collations, which was comprised of 16 members, which also included Montana Farmers Union (MFU). Both coalitions were made up of diverse businesses and organizations representing tens of thousands of Montana families, Main Street businesses, farmers and ranchers.

“Working together with such a broad and diverse coalition ultimately led to CI-121’s defeat,” MFU President Walter Schweitzer said, adding he enjoyed working with a coalition that united such broad factions from around the state. “I’m proud of Montana voters,” Schweitzer said. “They had a look at CI-121, they thought about the negative consequences, and they said no.”