Montana LR-118 (2008)

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1 Support
- 1.1 Arguments in favor of LR-118
2 Opposition
- 2.1 Arguments against LR-118
3 A Taxpayer's Perspective from the National Taxpayers Union
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

LR-118 is a proposed bond issue that would continue the designation of $6 million dollars to the Montana university system. It will appear on the ballot in Montana in November 2008.

Support

Supporters include:

State Senator Bob Hawks
State Representative Margarett Campbell
Former Montana Secretary of State and 2004 gubernatorial candidate Bob Brown
Montana Chamber of Commerce
Montana State AFL-CIO
Montana Farmers Union
Montana Farm Bureau

Arguments in favor of LR-118

The initiative does not represent a tax increase, just a continuation of a tax that has been active since 1948.
The 6 Mill Levy is "a tiny fraction" of a home owner's taxes, but it accounts for "about 9%" of the total state support for higher education.
The levy pays for educational programs for nearly 42,000 students.
The 6 Mill Levy is "an important Montana tradition," having been around since 1920 and having been approved by voters every decade since.

Opposition

Opponents include:

House Speaker Scott Sales
Montana State Senator Joe Balyeat

Arguments against LR-118

It is unfair for Montanans to be forced to pay for other people's educations.
The Montana university system spends too much, adding to the state's debt.
Some Montanans might object to funding a university system that "attempted suppression of a Christian group while funding 'Sex-a-Palooza'" and enacted policies which disarm students.
If the levy were defeated, it might inspire a new "'bottom-up' funding approach" which could grant students consumer power and lead to "healthy competition" between universities.

A Taxpayer's Perspective from the National Taxpayers Union

Legislative Referendum No. 118 asks Montana’s voters to continue a special 6-mill levy on all real estate and personal property, with the funds going to support the university system. If voters reauthorize this existing law, the current 6-mill levy will stay in effect between January 2009 and January 2019.^[1]