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Dear Chamber Leader,
My name is Chris Burke, and I’m the owner and operator of Morning Glory Coffee & Tea, Inc., a family-owned specialty coffee roaster based in West Yellowstone since 2005. I’ve spent much of the last twenty years working in and serving Montana communities — as a small business owner, a former West Yellowstone Town Council member, a Yellowstone guide and park ranger, and as 2017-18 Montana Ambassador of the Year. Through all of those roles, I’ve seen the same truth again and again: when small businesses are strong, our communities are strong.
I’m writing because your chamber is likely going to hear a lot about The Montana Plan in the coming months, and I suspect not all of it will be accurate — especially from organizations that often speak more for large corporate interests than for Montana’s Main Street businesses.
That’s why I wanted to reach out directly, as a fellow local business owner, to share why I support The Montana Plan and why I believe it deserves serious consideration from chambers across our state.
At its core, The Montana Plan is about leveling the playing field for small businesses. Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, corporate and dark money have flooded our political system, making it harder for the voices of local employers, independent business owners, and everyday Montanans to be heard. Too often, that means policies are shaped by those with the deepest pockets rather than by the people and businesses that actually keep our towns running.
Most small businesses do not have paid lobbyists or corporate PACs. We don’t have national organizations spending heavily on our behalf. What we do have is a direct stake in whether our downtowns thrive, whether our communities stay vibrant, and whether the rules affecting our businesses are shaped by the people who actually live and work here.
I see The Montana Plan as a practical small-business issue, not just a political reform issue. The Montana Plan would help reduce the ability of large corporations to use massive political spending to tilt the rules in their favor, giving locally owned businesses and communities a fairer chance to be heard. When policy reflects community needs rather than outside corporate influence, small businesses are better able to compete on what should matter most — quality, service, relationships, and trust — and our local economies are stronger as a result.
One thing I especially want to emphasize is what The Montana Plan does not do. It does not silence individual Montanans or prevent business owners from participating in civic life. As business owners and citizens, we can still donate to candidates, volunteer on campaigns, speak out on issues, and support the causes we believe in — just like anyone else.
I know your members will have questions, and they should. This is an important proposal, and it deserves thoughtful discussion grounded in facts rather than talking points.
That’s why the Transparent Election Initiative (TEI) would be glad to engage directly with your chamber in whatever format would be most helpful. TEI would welcome the opportunity to:
- present to your board or membership;
- join a chamber luncheon, forum, or community discussion;
- answer questions directly about how the plan works;
- walk through what it does and does not do for small businesses;
- respond to concerns your members may hear from statewide or national groups; and
- provide FAQs, handouts, and additional resources you can share with your membership.
In short, TEI wants to be a resource. We are not asking anyone to take this on faith. We are ready to show up, explain the plan clearly, and have an honest conversation with business leaders around the state.
As someone who has built a family business in Montana and worked closely with both residents and visitors for many years, I believe strongly that our policies should reflect the needs of our communities — not just the interests of whoever can spend the most money. Small businesses deserve a fair shot. Our chambers deserve the full picture. And Montana deserves a political system where Main Street still has a voice.
Thank you for all you do to support local businesses in your communities. I hope you’ll take time to review the attached FAQs and supporting materials, and I hope you’ll consider inviting TEI to speak with your chamber or your members directly.
Sincerely,
Chris Burke
Owner/Operator
Morning Glory Coffee & Tea, Inc.
West Yellowstone, Montana
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