People Before Profits.

Most of us have come to the realization that every level of government is listening to someone other than citizens. If we hope to change that, we have to start at the level of government closest to the people and occasionally remind them who they work for.

Citizen Constitutional powers were placed in the Montana Constitution for the occasions we need to remind government who it truly serves. Through this, we will ultimately build a more responsive and efficient government, while also empowering our elected officials to resist corporate influence on all issues.

The people of Butte led the nation in reining in that corporate power last century, and we have the opportunity to inspire citizens everywhere once again. Together, we can make those all-important words mean something again: "We the People."

Vision.

We exist to give a voice to the people of Butte on issues where government is not hearing us loud and clear, while failing to consider our wallets, water, and way of life.

We are not opposed to development, but handshake promises from out-of-state corporations—and a government failing to provide consistent information and real protections—is a major problem.

If and when these promises become concrete protections, developers should have no problem convincing a majority of Butte citizens, instead of relying on lobbyists to influence elected officials in our courthouse.

Mission.

Community Driven.

We are people-driven and will remain free of the immense power of corporate money in politics that is dividing our families, our homes, and our community.

Core Values

Our Wealth is Our People.

We are the "Richest Hill on Earth," not because of what's below the ground or because of corporate logos. We are rich because of the people who call Butte home, and we will remind the government of that fact whenever it starts to forget.

Responsible Growth.

We support responsible development and growth when the interests of the people of Butte are protected as the top consideration.

Constitutional Power.

We are using the explicit power of citizens enumerated in the Montana Constitution to ensure our voice is heard loud and clear. This begins directly with using our power of initiative to hold government in check.

Primary Goals

Citizen Empowerment.

Our local government has developed a habit of failing to listen to the people of Butte. We intend to empower people to motivate our elected officials to change and build a government that works for all of us.

Community Decisions.

Empowering people starts with making sure major decisions about our wallets, water, and way of life are made by all of us. We want to ensure these crucial choices aren't left up to just a few easily influenced elected officials

Your Questions, Answered

  • New data centers proposed in the Butte area are going to require a massive amount of electricity. To handle that sudden rush, NorthWestern Energy is already asking the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to pass millions of dollars in infrastructure costs onto Butte residents. Even though these big tech facilities are driving the surge in demand, it’s local families that will face the aggressive rate hikes on their monthly bills.

  • Automated data centers place a heavy physical strain on local communities. A single facility can consume up to five million gallons of drinking-grade water every day to keep servers cool, risking nearby residential and agricultural water wells running dry. With Butte’s history of water pollution, and with Silver Lake’s water being a limited resource, it is extremely important we make sure that our water is being used with respect.

  • Data centers operate constantly, creating a years-long noise nuisance that can reach 90 decibels—comparable to lawnmower right outside your window for 24 hours a day.

  • While families face rising utility costs, data centers enjoy property tax rates of just 0.9%, or even zero due to corporate exemptions. This means these massive tech facilities contribute very little to our local Butte-Silver Bow tax base to help fund roads, schools, or services.

  • Data center developers consistently underdeliver on promised job growth. Industry data reveals these automated facilities create the lowest number of long-term jobs per square foot of any commercial development. In one case, a provider received massive tax breaks after promising 1,000 jobs, yet hired only 26 people.

  • NorthWestern Energy has hidden 14 different negotiations with data centers, with three of those deals locked behind a "Protective Order" granted by the Montana PSC. This keeps Butte residents in the dark about how much strain is being put on our local grid. This lack of transparency is a documented financial risk: recent litigation elsewhere revealed plans that would have shifted $325 million in discounted power costs straight onto regular citizens.