The Blog at MSPC

July 1, 1776, witnessed one of the most consequential debates in American history. The topic was whether America should declare independence. The principal participants were the passionate John Adams of Massachusetts for the affirmative and the eloquent John Dickinson of Pennsylvania for the negative.

For Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming – the 2025 rankings reinforce the idea that fiscal conservatism is no longer simply a political slogan in the region, but a defining component of economic strategy and regional identity. It’s also a reminder for Washington of the important fiscal reforms needed.

The rule rescission brings common sense back to federal land management while also protecting the livelihoods of thousands who responsibly make a living on our shared inheritance.

Americans knew of the long struggle for liberty waged against the Crown by their British ancestors. Absolute submission to a government in which they had no representation was not a condition they were prepared to accept.

Multiple attempts at repealing Obamacare entirely have been unsuccessful. However, Americans would welcome common-sense reforms that would guarantee the program’s effectiveness and its financial future while reducing the growing tax burden on Americans.

Civic participation in the United States has been weakening for years, and rural states like Montana and Wyoming feel those effects more intensely.

Those states that prioritize fiscal discipline and a low regulatory and tax burden are doing well. The opposite is true if a state fails to keep its fiscal and regulatory house in order.

Good news for Idaho families! The Idaho Tax Commission has announced it will reopen the application window for the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit Program tomorrow, May 21, at 8 a.m. (MDT).

Franklin stood on the idea that no government could be truly representative if the taxing power (whether in exercise or forbearance) lay wholly elsewhere.

Valley Regional Transit (VRT) and Uber are gearing up to provide a proposal to the Nampa City Council on May 21 regarding the future of transit in the city. Ridership on transit in the Treasure Valley has continually dropped over the last decade.

Despite lawsuits, repeal efforts, and relentless political attacks, thousands of Idaho families still chose educational opportunity for their children.

Gregoire is not a conservative activist. She is not anti-government. She is one of the architects of modern Democratic leadership in Washington state. Which is exactly why her recent remarks to the Association of Washington Business were so striking.

Education choice in Wyoming and throughout the United States has the potential to usher in an era of learning focused on student success, tailored to their individual needs. This decision is a great start towards that goal.

Idaho took a significant step this year toward strengthening civics education and preparing the next generation for informed citizenship.

Public trust erodes when voters believe democratic decisions are only respected when they align with elite opinion.

It is right that Wyoming legislators chose to make it easier for many of those who power Wyoming’s economy in construction, transportation, health care and other fields to more easily earn a well-paid living with a safety net without having to give up the flexibility of contract work.

We currently know that roughly half of participating families fall below the program’s priority threshold of 300% of the federal poverty level. What we do not know is the median income of all participating families. But critics routinely leap from “we don’t yet know” to “wealthy families are exploiting the system.”

As America prepares for its 250th birthday, it’s important to remember why we celebrate.

It is Gov. Ferguson’s decision whether Washington families will benefit, or if the money will instead flow to students in participating states.

Early data obtained by MSPC shows that nearly half of participating families are lower-income or working class. That matters. And it tells u