Happy Wednesday, Beacon readers! Mariah Thomas here, still feeling like I’m playing a game of catchup after a trip back to see my family in Helena over Memorial Day weekend. Thank goodness for a short week, am I right?

To be clear though, just because it’s a short week, doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of news items.

Primary elections are in less than a week, and I got a reminder in my inbox yesterday from the Secretary of State’s office that if you are voting absentee, the recommended cutoff for putting that ballot back in the mail to be returned was yesterday. Instead, if you’re voting absentee, it’s now recommended that you return your ballot in person. In the Flathead, you can drop it at the county elections office, located at 290 B Main St. in Kalispell.

PLUS, in case you didn’t know, we’re nearly to the end of the school year, which means students will soon be breaking for the summer. Along with it comes several changes for local districts, which are finalizing hiring and staffing decisions around the valley.

We’ll have new superintendents taking the helm come July 1 in the Whitefish School District and at Cayuse Prairie School. Kalispell Public Schools also announced this morning they finalized a new hire for Russell Elementary’s new principal, with Marti Paugh, a 10-year teaching veteran who has spent four years at Kalispell Middle School, primed to take the helm starting in July.

Whew!

Today, though, I’m following up with some previous reporting about I-194, which is currently in the throes of gathering signatures to wind up on the November ballot. Otherwise known as “The Montana Plan,” the proposal would limit business entities in the state from contributing to political parties, candidates and state ballot issues, in an effort to overturn the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision.

The initiative has gained momentum with several political heavyweights inside the state — and outside it — endorsing the plan as a way to get big money out of politics. Supporters include former Republican Gov. Marc Racicot, former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock, former U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, Sam Forstag and Russell Cleveland, each candidates for the state’s western congressional seat, and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited Butte earlier this month to stump for the plan.

But the plan has had its detractors too. In March, a group of corporations and interest groups attempted to sue the state’s attorney general and secretary of state, in an effort to get the initiative declared legally insufficient and stop it from proceeding to the ballot. They took concern with the “significant First Amendment chill” the ballot issue would cause “to both entities and individuals.” That lawsuit was declined by the state’s Supreme Court, which allowed the initiative to move forward with its efforts.

Still, some of those groups are defending their stance. The Montana Chamber of Commerce, joined by both Kalispell’s and Billings’ chambers, last week published an op-ed explaining their position against the initiative, which they wrote “does not remove big money from our politics.”

“Under I-194, a single well-funded outsider could bankroll a campaign to devastate a Montana agricultural practice, a logging operation, or a ranching family, while the Montana businesses under attack would be legally silenced,” the Chamber’s op-ed stated. “That is not campaign finance reform. That is a one-sided disarmament of Montana’s own voices.”

The op-ed also argued there was a difference “between a corporation secretly buying a legislator and a chamber of commerce publicly advocating for its members.” It encouraged people to do their research before signing the petition to qualify The Montana Plan to appear on November’s ballot.

In an FAQ section on the Transparent Election Initiative’s website — the group backing The Montana Plan — it states small business owners would still be able to speak up and participate in politics personally. Another answered question outlines that corporations could still engage with the government in several ways under the initiative’s guidelines, and that the plan “addresses only whether the corporate form is empowered to be used for political spending in elections or ballot measures.”

To make it onto the ballot, The Montana Plan must collect 30,000 signatures by June 19.

And… that’s what I’ve got for you today. Onto the rest of the Daily Roundup.

Join the Humane Society of Northwest Montana for a heartwarming day of fun, community, and compassion at the annual Summer Shindig & Fundraiser, “Paws in Paradise,” happening Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 100 Adopt A Pet Way in Kalispell. This free, family friendly event invites the entire Flathead Valley to come together in support of animals in need.

The Shindig is more than just a celebration — it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of activities, including a silent auction, raffle basket drawings, and the final day to enter the exciting 50/50 raffle. Live music from local favorite Stevendebi will set the tone from noon to 3 p.m., creating a festive atmosphere for all ages.

Families will love the kid-friendly area featuring a bouncy house and games, while pet lovers can participate in fun contests designed for both people and their four-legged companions. Local vendors will be on-site showcasing unique goods, and delicious offerings from food trucks—including BBQ and refreshing treats—will keep everyone energized throughout the day.

Every moment spent at the Summer Shindig helps support the Humane Society’s mission to care for, protect, and find loving homes for shelter animals. Bring your friends, bring your well-behaved dogs, and experience a joyful day dedicated to a great cause. Together, we can give more animals the second chance they deserve.