Brain-research initiative seeks taxpayers help; critics say Montana lawmakers should decide

Supporters of Initiative 181 want voters to OK new taxes for researching brain diseases and disorders and mental illnesses. But critics say that's a decision better left to the Legislature.

Initiative 181 is backed by Montanans for Research and Cures. If passed, it would raise money to fund Montana research on such things as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, multiple sclerosis, autism, schizophrenia, depression, addiction disorders, diabetes and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.

To fund the research, the state would sell investors up to $20 million in general obligation...