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The Blog at MSPC



Happy parents, unequal opportunities
Parents in Idaho and Montana are among the most satisfied in the country with their children’s schools. In Montana, 51% of parents say they are very satisfied with their child’s school, well above the national average of 47%. Idaho parents report similar confidence, with 48% saying they are very satisfied.
35 minutes ago3 min read


A state constitutional convention could restore the constitution that Montanans ratified
The best way to defend the constitution is not to dig in one’s heels to protect an inaccurate and distorted version. The best way is to call a convention to, first, clean up drafting mistakes that tend to discredit the document, and, second, to correct judicial distortions of it.
11 hours ago3 min read


Due Date Now: The needed push for maternity price transparency
For many families, childbirth is the single largest medical expense they will incur. Yet in most cases, parents enter the hospital with little idea what they will ultimately be charged.
1 day ago4 min read


Phones down, pencils up: How our region addresses phone use in schools
Growing up in the era of pagers and pay phones, I survived cell phone-free until college. As a mom to a teenage boy, I tried to stave off phone use as long as possible. Debates on appropriate screen time, talks about cyberbullying, and warnings about predators have become the norm. For most students, cell phones are an integral part of everyday life, and thus, their use in school has become a contentious issue. Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are each addressing cell
2 days ago3 min read


Tech companies lead the way with new nuclear contracts
This new nuclear expansion by Meta and other tech companies sends a message to every major company with large energy needs. The nuclear landscape is different from what it has been in the past.
5 days ago3 min read


The Idaho income tax legislation that proposes a $20 U-Turn
The proposal would raise Idaho’s income tax rate from 5.3% to 5.325% and repeal the Parental Choice Tax Credit — just months after families began applying for it.
5 days ago3 min read


Governor Gianforte featured at MSPC Helena event
We were honored to have Montana Governor Greg Gianforte attend and address the crowd at our policy event in Helena on February 24. Governor Gianforte discussed his plans for the upcoming 2027 Legislative Session, noting that moving the Treasure State to a flat income tax and providing families with more education choice opportunities were among his top priorities.
6 days ago3 min read


Why are so many governments serving as the collection agency for unions?
Government payroll systems are funded by taxpayers to administer public education — not to facilitate political fundraising.
Feb 233 min read


Idaho Supreme Court victory for educational choice bodes well for Wyoming scholarship supporters
As one Idaho justice noted during oral arguments, lawmakers are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time when it comes to education policy.
Feb 233 min read


Governor Little makes a big commitment to expand educational opportunities for families
By opting into the federal scholarship tax credit program, Idaho continues to reinforce its commitment to education freedom and parental choice, ensuring families have greater access to resources that help tailor education to each child’s unique needs.
Feb 202 min read


U.S. Supreme Court upholds the exclusive taxing power of Congress
Whether tariff tax increases are good or bad economic policy, the fact remains that tax increases should be introduced, debated, and voted on by Congress. Major economic policies of any kind should not be imposed by one person unilaterally. This decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upholds and affirms that important check and balance of our republic.
Feb 202 min read


Why Montanans need a convention to update their constitution
The only way the people of Montana can systematically update their constitution is to commission a state convention to propose a new one.
Feb 193 min read


Idaho's ed choice parents are helping save the state budget - they deserve our thanks
Much has been said about Idaho’s new $5,000 education tax credit and the $50 million price tag attached to it. Critics have framed it as a costly new entitlement at a time when the state faces budget pressures. But there’s a critical fact missing from much of the debate: When a student leaves the public school system and uses the tax credit instead, the state saves money. Here’s why. Idaho spends roughly $9,000 per student, per year, of state funds on public education. Under
Feb 183 min read


Nearly 11,000 Idaho students are now signed up for state's parental choice tax credit
To put that in perspective: if the students currently represented in applications formed a single public school district, it would rank as the 6th largest district in Idaho. And the application window doesn’t close until March 15.
Feb 181 min read


Public sector workers’ rights would be strengthened under new Wyoming bill
While workers in Wyoming have the ability to opt out of union membership, requiring them to proactively send dues instead of having them automatically deducted from paychecks ensures that they want to belong without doubt.
Feb 183 min read


Ready to celebrate America 250? Sign up for "We the Students" Civics Bowl
Civic education doesn’t belong to one type of school or region. It belongs to everyone. Our hope is that teams will come from across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Eastern Washington, so students can meet peers from different communities, compete respectfully, and go home with a deeper appreciation for how our system works.
Feb 183 min read


The rule of law takes a hit in Washington state with unconstitutional income tax vote
Lawmakers willfully defying a ruling they don’t like in hopes that different judges will change a century of legal precedents, against the backdrop of voters consistently rejecting income tax constitutional amendments, is a recipe for constitutional chaos.
Feb 174 min read


Let the cameras roll: Idaho's important step toward improved transparency
Government belongs to the people. The people don’t need permission to watch it work.
Feb 163 min read


The Fast Track Permits Act could make housing more affordable and attainable in Wyoming
The Fast Track Permits Act is a great start to making housing more affordable and attainable in Wyoming. And in coming years, legislators should continue to find ways to allow more people across the income spectrum to enjoy home ownership and build generational wealth.
Feb 162 min read


Washington legislation would target parked cars to pay for light rail cost overruns
The phrase “render unto Caesar” comes into play here, but politicians should understand that they are to represent the people of Washington state, who have said time and time again that car tabs are just too damn high.
Feb 134 min read
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