<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Mountain States Policy Center]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mountain States Policy Center]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 15:54:16 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[A new era for civics education in Idaho]]></title><description><![CDATA[Idaho took a significant step this year toward strengthening civics education and preparing the next generation for informed citizenship. ]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/a-new-era-for-civics-education-in-idaho</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a05e9ba590248d168bc32fe</guid><category><![CDATA[Education]]></category><category><![CDATA[Governance]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 15:45:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1dfe7_c41b5ab14ac2467993a713a9c1326da1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Meg Goudy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When politicians sue their own voters]]></title><description><![CDATA[Public trust erodes when voters believe democratic decisions are only respected when they align with elite opinion.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/when-politicians-sue-the-citizens</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a035b93a4a34bdda06dabcf</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category><category><![CDATA[Montana]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wyoming]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 17:00:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_c7e85e6f47354e1f8b78da5a3cd4ef25~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Cargill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Portable benefits coming to Wyoming contract workers soon]]></title><description><![CDATA[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. ]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/portable-benefits-coming-to-wyoming-contract-workers-soon</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f50333b7104c93b99d83e4</guid><category><![CDATA[Business Climate]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wyoming]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 16:00:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_1bc065d7e2b148d6a5e808a3fcfe1772~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Marta Mossburg </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA["Mom, I hope we can afford my school" -Idaho’s school choice critics ignore the children being helped]]></title><description><![CDATA[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.”]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/mom-i-hope-we-can-afford-my-school-idaho-s-school-choice-critics-ignore-the-children-being-helpe</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fe37494f7ebdc9f6aad659</guid><category><![CDATA[Education]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 19:23:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_cffd71d49ded42849c5ea89fdf539f54~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Cargill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The American experiment: Separation of powers  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[As America prepares for its 250th birthday, it’s important to remember why we celebrate.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/the-american-experiment-separation-of-powers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f3af5d90b4365cb85dfb6c</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 16:00:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a52f4c_4de7acddf4c94d13b5a41a53565fee2b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_612,h_406,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sam Cardwell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Governor Ferguson can still put K-12 students and families first]]></title><description><![CDATA[It is Gov. Ferguson’s decision whether Washington families will benefit, or if the money will instead flow to students in participating states.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/gov-ferguson-can-put-k-12-students-and-families-first</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f3b9968ca39cf305c42dbf</guid><category><![CDATA[Education]]></category><category><![CDATA[Budget/Tax]]></category><category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 14:19:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_56285515b13c406aa6237ae5acc31a40~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Meg Goudy</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Who’s getting the Idaho parental choice tax credit - and why is the application window reopening?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Early data obtained by MSPC shows that nearly half of participating families are lower-income or working class. That matters. And it tells u]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/who-s-getting-the-idaho-parental-choice-tax-credit-and-why-is-the-application-window-reopening</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f8ecbbcd7f99791e37f2a8</guid><category><![CDATA[Education]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 19:16:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_16dafd0b982d4b07992a9946cd5b770b~mv2_d_5760_3840_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Cargill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Is college still worth the cost in the Mountain West? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[In states where every dollar and opportunity matters, such as Wyoming and Montana, improving transparency could be just as important as expanding access, ensuring that students who attend college truly benefit from it.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/is-college-still-worth-the-cost-in-the-mountain-west</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f4f3d590b4365cb860b96e</guid><category><![CDATA[Education]]></category><category><![CDATA[Montana]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wyoming]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 15:18:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03c5c59e7e2748159fa0d753985f1052.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Emily Strasburg</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Xavier Charter School team wins 2026 “We the Students” Civics Bowl]]></title><description><![CDATA[Over the course of six rounds and more than 150 questions, students competed on topics ranging from the Constitution and the structure of government to key moments in American history.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/xavier-charter-school-team-wins-2026-we-the-students-civics-bowl</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f65c927b1c42fb24f62425</guid><category><![CDATA[Newsroom]]></category><category><![CDATA[Education]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 20:24:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1dfe7_7003d47a9b304ebf8085ac6789217512~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MSPC Newsroom</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Washington's credit outlook turns negative, while Montana and Idaho receive high praise]]></title><description><![CDATA[The hits keep coming for Washington state’s poor fiscal management. The latest comes in the form of the recent credit ratings. At the same time, Idaho and Montana continue to receive high praise on credit reports for their fiscally conservative budget practices. ]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/washington-s-credit-outlook-turns-negative-while-montana-and-idaho-receive-high-praise</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f4dd258ca39cf305c69cc3</guid><category><![CDATA[Budget/Tax]]></category><category><![CDATA[Business Climate]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category><category><![CDATA[Montana]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 17:14:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_9c7c105eb4694bf682da40eae65be77b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jason Mercier</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[This is how much a 30-day gas tax holiday could save families]]></title><description><![CDATA[A temporary gas tax suspension is not a radical proposal. It’s a pragmatic one. It acknowledges that while we argue about the future of energy, people still have to live in the present.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/this-is-how-much-a-30-day-gas-tax-holiday-could-save-families</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f3e23e90b4365cb85e6f02</guid><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Budget/Tax]]></category><category><![CDATA[Montana]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wyoming]]></category><category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 13:26:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_181bb473227f4bf8b3f821d17f099398~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Cargill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[It’s time to save taxpayers from Sound Transit’s strategic misrepresentation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Taxpayers want to get off this endless express train to their hard-earned money.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/it-s-time-to-save-taxpayers-from-sound-transit-s-strategic-misrepresentation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ef9c8de72f74b1ddab487c</guid><category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category><category><![CDATA[Budget/Tax]]></category><category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:10:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a52f4c_c5ff5058062d41c89607224c76d1d17f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Bob Pishue</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[They say Idaho spends the least per student... does it really matter?]]></title><description><![CDATA[The real issue isn’t that Idaho spends too little—it’s whether we’re getting results for what we spend. And right now, the data suggests something important: We can do better without simply spending more.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/they-say-idaho-spends-the-least-per-student-does-it-really-matter</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f0fd1ee1a06255b504992b</guid><category><![CDATA[Education]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:55:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_9512d29c3c1a465ebd614095b1a79b21~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Cargill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A conversation with Governor Mitch Daniels]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mountain States Policy Center recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to discuss his thoughts on spending discipline, health care reforms, improving education outcomes, higher education affordability, regulatory reforms, the national budget outlook, and civility.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/a-conversation-with-governor-mitch-daniels</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69efd738d3f2ae6dd912165d</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:59:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a52f4c_e2221c240cd24b8c8967047e9b27560f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_940,h_532,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jason Mercier</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Montana should join the flat tax revolution ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Montana could continue to improve its economic outlook by building on its impressive income tax reforms by moving to a flat income tax rate.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/montana-should-join-the-flat-tax-revolution</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e912a225a9c96f142aacd5</guid><category><![CDATA[Budget/Tax]]></category><category><![CDATA[Business Climate]]></category><category><![CDATA[Montana]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:18:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_c78c67306d854bf79e1dbe83e5a465ad~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jason Mercier</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[MSPC mourns passing of former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne]]></title><description><![CDATA[Governor Kempthorne’s career in public life spanned decades and reflected a deep and abiding commitment to the people of the American West. From his leadership as Mayor of Boise, to his service as a United States Senator, Governor of Idaho, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior, he approached every role with humility, conviction, and a steady sense of purpose.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/mspc-mourns-passing-of-governor-dirk-kempthorne</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ed063d42384749035f6412</guid><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><category><![CDATA[Newsroom]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 18:25:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1dfe7_de4f2a7ca6cf4fe198458c1a6967e7fd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_514,h_379,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>MSPC Newsroom</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why the Electoral College remains vital for our Republic]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our republic needs to continue to support the importance and power of the states, and the Electoral College is a prime pillar of that ideal.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/why-the-electoral-college-remains-vital-for-our-republic</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6970d18781cbae04bd625152</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance]]></category><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wyoming]]></category><category><![CDATA[Montana]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:23:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_38bbd9f5a07047e0b2623d7d77f956ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Sam Cardwell</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[They block grocery stores—then build their own at four times the cost]]></title><description><![CDATA[To be clear, not every community will attract a grocery store overnight, even with fewer barriers. There are places where the economics are genuinely difficult. But that makes it all the more important not to sabotage the projects that are viable.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/they-block-grocery-stores-then-build-their-own-at-four-times-the-cost</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e825bee30ec41b7d09b102</guid><category><![CDATA[Business Climate]]></category><category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 01:38:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_7045755f6a6e7969326334~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Cargill</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Legislators should make transparency a top priority in 2027]]></title><description><![CDATA[Wyoming legislators should make strengthening the Public Records Act and other government transparency initiatives their center of attention in next year’s legislative session. This would build on the progress made this session for medical cost transparency.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/legislators-should-make-transparency-a-top-priority-in-2027</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69deac1a1847596b2f51b466</guid><category><![CDATA[Governance]]></category><category><![CDATA[Wyoming]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:12:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a52f4c_ec1931c7d00c40399a2a9684f8b62407~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Marta Mossburg </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fact Check: Idaho didn’t ban unions - it just stopped doing their paperwork]]></title><description><![CDATA[House Bill 516 does not ban unions. It does not prevent teachers from joining them. It does not end collective bargaining. Even critics admit as much. What it does is far simpler — it stops government from acting as the middleman for union operations.]]></description><link>https://www.mountainstatespolicy.org/post/fact-check-idaho-didn-t-ban-unions-it-just-stopped-doing-their-paperwork</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e268ba6df221f3f2cd1b52</guid><category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category><category><![CDATA[Governance]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:15:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_0e42269baaba4ed6a4b3418692a28917~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Chris Cargill</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>