Legislator Challenges Montana Lawmakers to Stand Against CI-97

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2006

CONTACT: Marissa Kozel, Not in Montana Coalition, 406-465-0283
Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, 406-945-1805

Havre - Democratic State Legislator Jonathan Windy Boy publicly challenged Montana Legislators to take a firm position on Constitutional Initiative 97, at a CI-97 forum in Havre Wednesday.

Rep. Windy Boy also announced his decision to join the Not in Montana Coalition in the fight against CI-97.

"This is a hot political issue and it's only fair for voters to see where their potential leadership stands on the issue," Rep. Windy Boy said. "The courts have decided the people behind CI-97 used fraud and deceptive practices to gather signatures. If they lied to get it on the ballot, imagine what's in the initiative itself."

Rep. Windy Boy talked about the dangers of CI-97, saying it would cut basic services vital to Montana's Indian population.

"The tribes depend on federal money, matched by state money to help support basic services," Rep. Windy Boy said. "If we don't have the state match, the federal funding will be sent back to the federal government. That would take a huge toll on programs like Meals on Wheels, Low Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP), Tribal TANF and Medicaid."

The Havre forum was the first in a series of state wide, informational forums, sponsored by The Not in Montana Coalition, AARP Montana and the League of Women Voters.

Not in Montana is a non-partisan, broad based coalition, including hundreds of Montana individuals and more than 50 Montana organizations.

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Not in Montana: Citizens Against CI-97, 1232 E. 6th Ave., Helena, Montana 59601, 406.443.3374, David Smith, Treas.