In The News 
Children’s Defense Fund Donates to Insurance Campaign
The Children's Defense Fund is helping push a proposed Montana health insurance ballot measure.
Big Bucks Seen in Anti-Gay Amendment Battle
Groups on both sides of an initiative that would amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage are trying to raise millions of dollars in coming months.
Big Guns Hired in Colorado Severance-Tax Fray
Well-known local political consultants will square off over a ballot initiative that would increase oil and gas tax revenue and create a huge college scholarship fund.
Opponents of Assisted Suicide Want Donor Names Kept Secret
Opponents of assisted suicide say they are afraid their contributors will be harassed or intimidated by supporters of the Initiative 1000 Death With Dignity campaign, so they want to keep secret the names of people who give them money. Human Life of Washington, a conservative group that opposes abortion and doctor-assisted suicide, is asking a federal judge to throw out parts of Washington's campaign finance laws.
Ballot Initiative Would Expand CHIP
To bring the Treasure State into line with the rest of the nation, State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner John Morrison is leading efforts to make more Montana kids eligible for a federal health-insurance program.
TABOR Reform May Go Straight to the Voters
Facing resistance in the Legislature, education advocates may be taking their case for a partial Taxpayer's Bill of Rights repeal directly to the voters.
Battle Brewing Over Colorado Severance Tax
It is a heavyweight fight that will pit the state's No. 1 politician against its No. 1 industry.
South Dakota to Revisit Restrictions on Abortion
A measure that would ban most abortions in South Dakota will be on the general election ballot Nov. 4, Kea Warne, state election supervisor, said Friday.
Bush Allies Put Pro-Voucher Plans on Ballot
Voters will get two different choices in November to enshrine vouchers in the state constitution. On Friday, the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission voted 19-6 to approve a constitutional amendment that would remove the state's ban on using taxpayer money to fund other K-12 education schools. Yesterday, the TBRC approved an amendment that would remove the constitutional ban on using taxpayer money for religious-based or church-run schools and institutions.
Abortion Notification Backers Not Giving Up
The $1.8 million donated by Holman and Sebastiani so far is likely to put a parental-notification initiative before voters for the third time in four years. Opponents predict another defeat for Holman, who has spent a considerable personal fortune on the three measures, about $4.6 million so far.
