The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is wading deep into the political eddies surrounding two ballot initiatives, vouching for nonpartisan judicial elections while eschewing calls to limit spending in political campaigns.

Constitutional Initiative 132 would amend the state constitution to keep judicial elections nonpartisan while Initiative 194, otherwise known as the Montana Plan, prohibits corporations, nonprofits and other "artificial persons" from "contributing anything of value to candidate elections, supporting or opposing political parties, or supporting or opposing state or local ballot issues." 

Both initiatives have been lauded by supporters as opportunities to limit the amount of money that pours into key political races and limit the power of large and wealthy interest groups on matters of public policy. But the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is urging voters to consider the initiatives in two very different lights. 

The local business organization endorsed CI-132 on Sept. 24, with President and CEO Lorraine Clarno citing the measure as essential to ensuring a fair and impartial environment for local businesses. 

“Business owners depend on the consistent application of the law so they can operate in a predictable environment that helps them create jobs and keep costs down. We need to keep politics out of our courts so our businesses can continue to contribute to the economic prosperity and sustainability of our community," Clarno said in a Sept. 24 statement from Montanans for Nonpartisan Courts, the group behind the constitutional initiative. 

Clarno's comments arrived in email inboxes just one week after she bashed I-194 as a barrier to free speech at the chamber's monthly luncheon, which featured a forum for legislative candidates on both sides of the aisle. She argued that the debate could be considered "something of value" under I-194 and suggested the biannual tradition could come to an end if voters passed the initiative in November.  

"The frustration behind I-194 is real, and we share more of it than you might expect," the chamber wrote in a follow-up email to the September luncheon. "Nobody here believes that untraceable money in politics is healthy for Montana. Our disagreement is about the tool, not the goal. We think this blanket prohibition is the wrong approach, banning local businesses, partner organizations, and us from being able to do the work you want us to do."   

In the past, the chamber has wielded its influence to promote local bonds and levies — another activity Clarno believes could be prohibited if the initiative passes.   

In March, the chamber joined eight other commercial interest groups, including the Montana and Billings chambers of commerce, to ask the Montana Supreme Court to strike down the initiative before it could appear on November's ballot. The judges unanimously dismissed the challenge, arguing that voters have the right to weigh in on the issue. 

Registered voters can voice their opinion on both initiatives at the polls on Nov. 3. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 406-758-4433 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.