Write a Letter to the Editor

We would like to help you take a public stand against I-160. Below are the directions and contact information that will help you write a letter to the editor in opposition of I-160.

Our online tool will provide you with a sample letter in support of I-160. We ask you to personalize and edit the letter, or write a completely new one to get your voice heard. Once you know what you want to say, find your local paper in the list below and click on the name of the paper. Clicking on the name will then expand the list to include directions specifically for the paper you chose.

Things to know for your letter

As we work to educate the rest of Montana about the dangers of I-160, it is importation that we highlight a number of key concepts:

  • Montana’s agriculture, ranching and forestry industries will suffer.
  • I-160 takes away a trusted and practiced wildlife management tool.
  • This initiative wastes tax payer money.
  • Initiative 160 is too broadly worded and would ban the trapping of common pests, like moles and gophers.

Tips for writing your letter:

  • Keep it short and on one topic. If you have more than one point you would like to make, write two letters and save one for a few weeks down the road.
  • Make it your own. We will provide a sample each week but try and put it in your own words, or develop it further to better your chances of getting published in the paper.
  • Stay within the word limit set by the newspaper. By staying within the guidelines your letter is more likely to be used.
  • Include your contact information. Newspapers need your full name, mailing address and phone number so that they can verify the letter is in fact coming from you. This information will not be printed.
  • When you email the letter, write the letter in the body of the email, don’t add any attachments as it is unlikely they will be opened and may prevent your letter from being read at all.

Sample Letter

Dear Editor:

Aren’t taxes high enough? I think so. During an age of increased taxes to fund government program after government program, we need to put our collective foot down and oppose Initiative 160. I-160 will waste taxpayer dollars by forcing public employees to conduct basic pest control on public lands, thus forcing the state to spend thousands of taxpayer dollars to conduct basic pest control.

As Montanans we are used to dealing with the pests and rodents that come with living in such a wildlife-rich part of the county. I feel we don’t need the government stepping in and controlling yet another part of our lives with unnecessary laws and costs.
If you are approached to sign a petition supporting Initiative 160, I hope you follow my lead and say NO to additional taxes and government impositions by not signing the petition.

Sincerely,

Montana Resident
Name
Address (used for verification purposes)
Phone Number (used for verification purposes)

Click for details on submitting to your local paper

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