English-Only Bill Wins Montana Vote Opponents Say Measure Sends Hostile Message To Immigrants

A bill declaring English the official language of government in Montana won preliminary support of the House by a wide margin on Saturday.

Representatives voted 67-33 for the bill sponsored by Rep. Dick Simpkins, R-Great Falls.

He said the bill is intended to make sure Montana is not eventually obligated to print ballots and other state documents in more than just English. Opponents said it sends a hostile message to immigrants and people who want to preserve or revive ancestral languages and cultures.

Simpkins said that critics of his bill distorted its intent in the weeks since it was introduced, and that he received letters calling him a racist.

“You will not find anything in this bill that says English is the only language in Montana,” Simpkins said.

He said the bill addresses only the use of language in conducting state business.

He said 19 states have English-asofficial-language legislation, and one such law was challenged successfully in court. He said the Montana bill has been written to avoid the kinds of issues raised in that appeal.

“What is the pressing need for this, eh?” said Rep. Jim Elliott, D-Trout Creek. He asked Simpkins if he foresees waves of immigrants coming and failing to learn English.

Simpkins said he wants to provide for communication in the state and preempt “tragedies” that have occurred in California because of language isolation.