by Guest Writer | Oct 20, 2024 | Elections
WTF406 is presenting both sides of the CI-126/CI-127 ballot initiatives to help our readers make a decision this election.
This year’s election is fast approaching. The air waves are full of ads from candidates, drowning out news about the initiatives that are on our ballot. Voters will receive a voter information pamphlet before the election, and I encourage you to read the pros and cons of these initiatives. Two of the constitutional initiatives would drastically change our election process: CI 126 and CI 127.
CI 126 changes Montana’s long-established primary election by creating a jungle primary. Instead of the voter choosing which primary ballot they want, there will be one ballot with candidates from all eligible parties including Independents. The Top 4 vote getters will move on to the general election. The initiative leaves it up to the Legislature and governor to decide the process for how candidates get on the primary ballot. The initiative also leaves it up to the Legislature and governor to decide how to break a tie.
CI 127 changes Montana’s long-established general election rules by requiring the winning candidate to get the majority of votes. If no candidate gets the majority of the votes, the Legislature and governor will decide a process for choosing the winner.
I would be less concerned if these undefined processes weren’t left to representatives often concerned with party politics to iron out. Voters should know what we’re really getting.
In addition to the confusing processes, both initiatives deserve a clearly defined, transparent process. They are concerning for several other reasons and won’t adequately address today’s political divisiveness, which is the intended goal.
Already over the last couple of Legislative Sessions, several bills that changed our election process were passed. However, most of these bills were challenged on the basis that they were not allowed by our Constitution, and the Supreme Court agreed, by overturning the bills. It is alarming to think that, if these initiatives pass, a Legislature that tried to create unconstitutional election processes would design the outcome of our election process.
These initiatives also create several other problems. If 126 passes and 127 doesn’t we could have an election where only 26% of the voters select our leader. It also provides lots of opportunities for shenanigans. The GOP party has been notorious for getting someone to file as a Green party candidate to steal votes from the Democrat candidate. If 126 passes they will recruit 1 or 2 of their own to run as a Democrat to steal votes from the legitimate Democrat candidate. Yes, I know the Democratic could do the same thing. If 127 passes, how will we decide the winner if one candidate doesn’t get more than 50% of the vote? We don’t know because the legislature and governor get to decide. Will it be rank choice, or will it be an expensive, time-consuming runoff election or will the legislature/governor decide the winner? Either way will most likely have less voters choose the winner than the current system. Runoff elections generally have lower turnouts so less voters could decide the winner. After election day who really wants to have more days of campaign ads, calls and fundraising besides the loser. Please vote no on 126 and 127.
Some have tried to suggest that this new election process would alleviate the divisiveness we are experiencing in politics today. This process doesn’t get to the root of the problem. A major cause of this divisiveness is the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine by President Reagan. The Fairness Doctrine required news outlets to report both sides of an issue truthfully. Soon after it was repealed, Fox Entertainment changed its name to FOX News and began misleading listeners with sensationalized, one-sided false narratives. Many other networks started “news” programs to compete for airtime, and the term “fake news” became part of our lives. About the same time, Texas Congressman Tom Delay started a nationwide movement to gerrymander districts. He eventually went to jail, but we still suffer the consequences today.
Following the Delay playbook, the 1990 redistricting committee in Montana redrew our legislative districts. The result created numerous “safe” districts for both Democrats and Republicans. These safe districts almost guarantee that one party (or the other) wins that district. Today, we still have several safe districts for both parties. This has allowed extreme candidates from each party to win an election. Once elected, they don’t have to govern because they know they will be reelected by their party in their “safe” district. In the last few elections, the Tea Party has successfully primaried moderate Republicans. The Tea Party’s antigovernment philosophy has created havoc and gridlock. The moderate Republicans have viewed the jungle primary and majority vote as a solution to this problem.
The solution to divisiveness would be better if it focused at the root of the problems. Bring back the Fairness Doctrine requiring the “news” to report both sides of an issue truthfully. Eliminate the gerrymandered districts by recreating swing districts that will require candidates to appeal to all voters and not just their party.
-Walter Schweitzer
by Ken Toole | Oct 18, 2024 | Elections
The decision by Cascade County to pay Rina Moore $52,500 shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. It isn’t because of the “nuisance value” of making her political belief discrimination complaint go away. It’s because anyone with any experience in employment law could see the county was going to lose this lawsuit and the liability was going to be much, much bigger as time went on.
Here is What the County’s Lawyer Said
Consider this statement by the outside counsel, Jordan Crosby, hired by the county. She explained the process of the State Human Rights Bureau’s (HRB) investigation. The HRB investigator can issue a “reasonable cause” finding that indicates the investigator believes discrimination occurred.
“But there were a lot of concerns related to some of the things that happened during that hiring, and they continued to keep coming back to those. and from my experience, which my background is, I defend these cases all across the State of Montana. When you’re getting those kind of comments from the investigator during the process. It is likely you’re going to be getting a cause finding. and, as we know, with the cause finding that sends us down the route of a lengthy public hearing process through the Hearings office and why that is important is there can be significant damages awarded.”
She went on to explain,
“But there were some facts that I think definitely caused me concern that we would get a reasonable cause finding.”
She concluded,
“In the grand scheme of this case. It is actually, I think, very relatively minimal of what the county would ultimately pay.”
To see the video of the entire meeting follow the below link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/xU0sslgc5HBug36-NZ3PaY71YeqxQNqHo1pGOG__2GPQ8VF8Ur7jEi9bSOLKlpeqnma_gZg8vF1PtLwS.bfyDUC6CADnzuFrB?canPlayFromShare=true&from=share_recording_detail&continueMode=true&componentName=rec-play&originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2FJBrauA95qYNX55Nuo8eGcKcT1MguoYI-MH4FP6TlTgbG25bG_LWZejO3y1UuOVoz.QUNAspf-xCtz9BJa
Anyone With Any Sense Knows
I worked as an investigator for the State Human Rights Commission in the 1980s. During that time I investigated hundreds of discrimination complaints. I then worked for the Montana Office of Public Instruction as the Personnel Director. I was responsible for administering and overseeing hiring processes, similar to the “structured” hiring process which was used by Cascade County in hiring the new administrator in the elections department, Terry Thompson.
I watched the interview process for the selection of the elections administrator on the internet. I also reviewed the scoring system used by the county and the individual scores by each of the county commissioners. By any measure, Rina Moore, with16 years applicable experience and relevant education and training, was the most qualified applicant. Instead the job was given to Terry Thompson who has no direct experience, education or training. The whole system was obviously subverted by Rae Grulkowski’s manipulation of the scoring system Check out our previous post on the hiring process. https://wtf406.com/2024/03/grulkowski-plays-dirty-did-we-really-expect-anything-else/
It shouldn’t have surprised anyone when Rina Moore filed a discrimination complaint against the county, after the way she was treated in the hiring process. It also shouldn’t surprise anyone when an experienced outside counsel urged the county to settle the case.
Secretary of State is Up Next
Rina Moore also filed a discrimination complaint against Montana Secretary of State, Christi Jacobsen. The complaint alleges that Jacobsen discriminated against her by sending a letter to the county commission urging them not to hire her. The smart money says Jacobsen will be writing a check to Moore as well. Stay tuned.
by Ken Toole | Sep 27, 2024 | Elections
Well, the long sad saga of Rae Grulkowski just keeps getting more and more bizarre.
Conspiracy On The High Plains
Grulkowski first appeared on the public’s radar when the New York Times published a long story (some might call it an expose) about the falsehoods she circulated opposing the Big Sky National Heritage Area designation in October of 2021. She was thoroughly exposed as a purveyor of phony conspiracy theories. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/24/us/politics/montana-misinformation-national-heritage.html
Grulkowski And Merchant Take Over County Offices
In 2022, she appeared as a candidate for the Cascade County Commission. Relying heavily on the same bag of tricks she used opposing the Heritage Area, she defeated incumbent Democrat Don Ryan for the District 3 county commission seat. Very quickly she established herself as difficult to work with. She also pursued her personal agenda for elections with her comrade in arms, Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant. Grulkowski and Merchant immediately began making hard right conspiracy theories the basis of changes in the elections office, filling numerous vacant positions with their pals from the “election denier conspiracy” ranks. The county human resource office never addressed the hiring of elected officials’ political cronies
Election Protection Committee Forms
Seeing the emerging mess in the elections office, a group of Great Falls citizens formed the Election Protection Committee to monitor the elections office and to demand professional administration of elections. Throughout the fall of 2023, the Election Protection Committee exposed problems in Merchant’s office. They advocated removing election duties from Merchant’s supervision and placing them under the county commission. https://wtf406.com/?s=Election+Protection+Committee/
Grulkowski Removed As Commission Chair
After several lawsuits and a district court ordering an outside monitor to supervise the library mill levy election, County Commissioners Briggs and Larson had enough. They drafted a resolution removing the election functions from Merchant’s office. After a six hour public hearing held on December 12th, 2023,the commission voted two to one to move the election functions to the commission’s office. Included in that resolution was a specific provision which prohibited a commissioner who was on the ballot in the next election (Grulkowski) from participating in supervision of the election office. They also removed Grulkowski from the chair position she held since her election. https://theelectricgf.com/2023/12/12/county-commission-votes-to-strip-election-duties-from-clerk-and-recorders-office/
Grulkowski Continues Screwing Up The Elections Office
The commission advertised for an election administrator. The applicant pool included former clerk and recorder, Rina Moore. Despite the fact that she had 16 years experience successfully administering elections in Cascade County, they offered the position to Terry Thompson, who had no experience or training in administering elections. Thompson had worked for the local realtors association and had assisted Grulkowski in opposing the Big Sky National Heritage Area. Grulkowski fully participated in the hiring decision despite wording of the resolution prohibiting her from managing functions of the election office. Briggs and Larson rated Moore as their top choice. Grulkowski rated her fourth and gave her a low enough score to remove her from the top position. Formal legal action is now pending over the county’s decision to offer the position to Thompson.
https://wtf406.com/2024/03/grulkowski-plays-dirty-did-we-really-expect-anything-else/
Grulkowski Loses The Republican Primary. Now Running As A Write-in
As the next primary election approached, Grulkowski filed in the Republican primary to retain the county commission seat she now holds. Local businessman, Eric Hinebauch, filed against her. Hinebauch ran as a centrist Republican and Grulkowski made her conspiracy based ideas the center of her campaign. In the election held on June 4th, Hinebauch roundly defeated Grulkowski by more than 1500 votes. Instead of calling and congratulating her opponent, Grulkowski announced her intention to run a write-in campaign. She made her announcement at the local Pachyderm Club, the home of the far-right faction of the local Republican party.
Grulkowski Continues Playing Dirty Pool In Her Write-in Campaign
True to form, Grulkowski is fabricating facts in her write-in campaign. Perhaps the most glaring is claiming that she is the only candidate “Endorsed by the Great Falls Election Protection Committee,” which worked hard to expose her and her actions relating to the county election office. (See copy of the flier above) Grulkowski also has a video circulating on Rumble (a right-wing media platform) which lifts liberally from a Tik Tok produced by Jasmine Taylor, which urged Democrats to cross over and vote in the Republican primary against Grulkowski. Without explanation, Grulkowski claims that 11% percent of the voters in her Republican Primary race were Democrats.https://rumble.com/v5fhb8t-democrat-plot-to-subvert-elections-discovered-in-cascade-county-montana.html
But wait. . . .there’s more. On September 25th, the county commission held a meeting to address a concern raised by the current election administrator, Terry Thompson, that write-in candidates who used name stickers for their supporters to place on their ballots to assure proper spelling, would clog vote counting machines. Grulkowski participated in the discussion, specifically arguing that ballots with stickers would be counted by hand. While her position is reasonable, she did not disclose her self interest at any point in the discussion.
A Snow Ball’s Chance In Hell
Grulkowski’s chance of actually winning her write-in campaign? About the same as a snowball’s chance in hell. It will be interesting to see where she goes next. Our bet is she will get a job in Sandra Merchant’s office. Stay tuned.
by Guest Writer | Sep 14, 2024 | Elections
In November 2023, Republican U.S.Senate candidate Tim Sheehy made disparaging and racist comments about Native Americans. His statements are not only offensive but perpetuate a harmful stereotype that I have encountered throughout my life. Native Americans comprise 6.6% of Montanans, likely higher due to significant undercounting. Now, we have a Senate candidate adding to the discrimination by making such hurtful comments about this minority group.
As an enrolled member of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy, I find Sheehy’s remarks inaccurate and deeply hurtful. They reflect a long history of racial stereotypes that justify ongoing discrimination and neglect. His comments ignore the historical context of colonization and forced assimilation that have led to the current struggles faced by many Native Americans. There is no acknowledgment of the generational trauma that these systemic issues have created.
Does Mr. Sheehy believe that substance use problems are unique to Native Americans? Does he recognize that these issues are linked to systemic inequalities that contribute to health disparities? His statements suggest a troubling lack of understanding of these fundamental issues. Substance use problems are not confined by race or ethnicity; they are public health concerns that affect people universally. Mr. Sheehy’s comments reflect a profound ignorance of the systemic factors exacerbating these problems.
Instead of disparagingly labeling Native Americans as “drunk Indians at 8:00 am,” Mr. Sheehy should find out what many of us are doing at that time. He can find me training for the New York City Marathon or working.
Mr. Sheehy must take responsibility for his words. Public figures must recognize the impact of their statements and understand that their words have real power. I urge Mr. Sheehy to educate himself about historical trauma and Native cultures. Such knowledge would enrich his perspective and contribute to a more respectful and informed discourse.
-Barbara Bessette
by Helena Lovick | Sep 2, 2024 | Elections
Great Falls, Montana
The news is spreading that the City of Great Falls has proposed removal of 7 mills over a 5 year term of city funding from the Great Falls Public Library, resulting in a 27% reduction in the library’s operating budget (approx. $842,800/year). Consequently, the voter approved, newly implemented expanded hours and services will be dramatically reduced.
People are understandably starting to get pissed at this plan to undermine the will of the voters when we just voted to fund our library more. After the Electric posted this accurate news story on the situation (here), our mayor Cory Reeves tried to jump out and derail the growing criticism. Here is the misleading post he put on his Facebook page on September 1st.
How dumb do you think we are Cory?
While the city is considering “to end the city subsidy of 7 mills and redirect those funds back to public safety”…”this does NOT mean we are considering removing or reducing the mills that voters recently passed”. OH FUCKING REALLY? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME WITH THIS BULLSHIT? That is effectively taking away funds that the voters just allocated to the library and you fucking know it Cory.
Oh, oh it’s totally separate money and we’re going to take that money from the library but not touch the money for the library the voters just put in place. So fucking what if you don’t take the mills we *just* voted for. If you’re taking library funding from somewhere else, you are still taking library funding when the voters just voted to fund the library more! That’s some mealy-mouthed, misleading dog shit.
How did we get here?
In June 2023, Great Falls voted to pass a library levy to help fund expanded services at our public library. The library levy added about $1.2 million to the library budget and increased the annual tax on $200,000 home by approximately $40.50 (news story here). In November 2023, fewer than 40% of Great Falls voters supported a hefty public safety levy request, which would have raised property taxes on a $200,000 home by $280.11 a year, and increased funding for the city’s fire, law enforcement and municipal court system by $13.7 million annually.
And our City Commission has been freaking out ever since.
Does our City Commission “fully support” our library?
We wrote about the City Commission’s shitty work to install a book banner on the library board back in October 2023. Despite the vast majority of community members speaking against the appointment of Noelle Johnson, the commission proceeded to appoint her anyway. And then, despite another majority of community members requesting the commission appoint a member who actually likes public libraries and wishes them to succeed, the Great Falls City Commission appointed her for an even longer term in June 2024. All this after Noelle Johnson’s presence on the board was characterized as “a disruptive force that complicates board work.” (As reported in the Great Falls Tribune here). So much for the will of the voters.
But what about public safety?
Yes, public safety is very important. We all want our city to have the resources to balance safety and our freedoms.
But the voters rejected the City’s request for so much money for public safety. Maybe if the City repackaged it in smaller bites it would be successful. But this is about our library. Voters voted to help our library. Public safety and our public library funding are two separate issues and the voters spoke on how they want them handled for now. The Great Falls City Commission needs to stop undermining our library and look at other solutions to uphold the will of the voters.
Let your voice be heard!
If you want to do something about the situation, you can contact our City Commission. Let them know as voting city residents. How would you like the commission to approach the dilemma of city funding, while still honoring the will of the people?
