Who is Howie Rich? Howard Rich is a New York City real-estate tycoon. In his spare time, he dabbles in the politics of states he does not live in. There is even a website (howierichexposed)describing his involvements in Montana and other states. Montana State Senator Joe Balyeat admitted September 21st that Rich was the principal financial backer behind Montana's extremist ballot measures - CI-97, CI-98 and I-154. What does Howie Rich have to do with Montana? Not much. He doesn’t live here, pay taxes here or educate his kids here. But he is bankrolling CI-97, CI-98 and I-154. Why does Howie Rich care about Montana laws? Howie Rich uses ballot initiatives to advance a radical, extremist political agenda. Montana is not alone. Rich is funding copycat initiatives and other extremist campaigns in Idaho, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Washington, California, Nevada and Oregon. How many Millions of $$$ will Howie Rich spend? . Howie Rich, and shadowy organizations he spearheads, are funneling more than $7 million into initiative campaigns across the West in 2006. Organizations with names like “America at its Best,” "Americans for Limited Government" and “Fund for Democracy” hide his true agenda. Howie Rich’s and his extremist organizations provided 90 percent of the money it took to get his initiatives on ballots in those states. How does Howie Rich do it? Howie Rich exploits our open government and love of freedom. He and his affiliate organization pay professional signature gatherers to hound local voters into signing his extremist petitions, and using fraud and deception they deliver signatures. Ninety-four percent of the money paid to signature gatherers came from out-of-state, some of whom used fraud, deception and questionable tactics to fill their quotas. Without that effort, CI-97, CI-98 and I-154 would never be on Montana’s ballot. What about Montanans In Action? A few Montana extremists, like Trevis Butcher - head of Montanans In Action, may agree with Howie Rich, but they are mainly front men for a campaign orchestrated and paid for by out-of-state moneymen like Howie Rich. It's about extremist political action, why else would Trevis and Montanans In Action, the supporters of CI-97, CI-98 and I-154 based in remote Winifred, Montana, also funnel $600,000 to a similar activist group in California. What about Montana laws for full disclosure of the source of campaign funds? Montanans are so flush with cash that they can send $600,000 to California? Did Howie Rich give all that money to Trevis Butcher with no direction and no strings attached? Why has Montanans in Action refused to disclose its financial backers and flaunted Montana's campaign finance laws?