Backers of gay marriage ban make pitch

HELENA – If Montanans don’t approve a constitutional amendment banning gay marriages, supporters say schools will be required to teach children that homosexuality is normal and churches will be pressured to perform same-sex weddings.

Rejecting Constitutional Initiative 96 in November would be tantamount to society saying children do not need a mother and a father and that “one gender or the other is unnecessary,” the measure’s backers said in arguments submitted for the Voter Information Pamphlet.

Opponents of CI-96 countered it will not strengthen traditional marriage in Montana and will damage society by targeting gays and lesbians.

“What CI-96 does do is diminish the freedom to be let alone that Montanans have historically treasured,” critics wrote. “CI-96 would alter the constitution to set up one vulnerable minority group for alienation, discrimination and harassment.”

The arguments were given to the secretary of state’s office for inclusion in a pamphlet that will be sent to voters in the fall. The publication, called the VIP, provides information about the seven measures that will appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

The arguments were prepared by committees appointed by state officials or sponsors of the measures.

Advocates of the gay marriage amendment warned that the “time-honored, vital institution of marriage is being threatened” by the willingness of judges to allow same-sex marriages. Passing CI-96 will ensure that doesn’t happen in Montana, they said.

Those on the other side said the measure doesn’t help conventional marriages because it does nothing to remedy cultural problems such as divorce, teen parenting and overworked parents.

Proponents of Constitutional Amendment 42, which would extend legislative term limits from eight to 12 years, said it would restore more experience to the Legislature without abolishing limits altogether.

The measure recognizes most Montanans still want restrictions and prohibits a return of “career legislators,” while ensuring the involvement of experienced lawmakers who can “conduct the business of the Legislature in an orderly, efficient manner,” they said.

Critics said CA-42, which was proposed by the Legislature, dilutes the benefits of the existing limits.

“Term limits guarantee new and innovative thinking as longtime incumbents are moved out and replaced by people who are influenced more by their neighbors than by the power brokers and lobbyists who wine and dine them,” they wrote.

Initiative 147, which would repeal a 6-year-old ban on cyanide use in new mines, is needed to help revive mining and Montana’s economy, backers said in their written arguments for the VIP.

“Restructuring that ban will send a signal that Montanans will not be held hostage to a bad law, and that we expect responsible environmentalists and responsible industrialists to work together for the benefit of all,” they said.

Opponents said I-147 will add new restrictions on mining operations already required by the state for such projects.

They also said the real motive behind the measure is to allow a Colorado company to resume plans for building an open-pit gold mine near Lincoln, a project halted when the ban was passed in 1998.

Supporters of I-149, which would more than double taxes on tobacco products, said it would reduce youth smoking while providing money for important public health programs. Critics branded the measure a harmful tax increase that will finance larger government and spark a black market in cigarette sales.

I-148, which would legalize marijuana use for certain medical condition, is described by backers as providing a vital tool for the chronically ill. Opponents said federal laws still make marijuana possession and use a crime even if the initiative passes.