top of page
The Blog at MSPC
Yes, Montana could use some tax relief
Governor Greg Gianforte today called on the Montana State Legislature to approve his plan to provide property and income tax relief. The...
Jan 5, 20231 min read
Using triggers to lower personal income tax rates in Idaho, Montana
Over the past few years, Idaho lawmakers have twice lowered the state’s income tax rate. The latest legislative action passed last...
Jan 5, 20231 min read
Our role during the legislative sessions
The 2023 legislative session is already underway in Montana. In Idaho and Washington, lawmakers gavel into session on Monday. Wyoming...
Jan 4, 20231 min read
U-haul data shows Americans voting with their feet
If you didn't believe the census numbers released just a few weeks ago, the latest U-haul migration data is here to add to the case. The...
Jan 3, 20232 min read
Voting with their feet - Americans fleeing high tax, big government states
Call it a confirmation of what most of us already knew - the population of the mountain states is surging. The U.S. Census Bureau has...
Dec 24, 20221 min read
Can you hear the cell phone taxes now?
Cell phone taxes and fees are soaking up more family budgets. But the amount you pay depends on where you live. The newest Tax Foundation...
Dec 20, 20221 min read
10 policy ideas for upcoming legislative sessions across the region
Nearly 500 lawmakers across Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, and Montana begin meeting in January for their state’s regular legislative...
Dec 20, 20221 min read
Two questions for those who say K-12 public education just needs more money
The release of our Idaho Poll this week has, rightly, received a lot of attention. Digging through the numbers, just about anyone can...
Dec 15, 20223 min read
The results of MSPC's 2022 Idaho Poll
Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC), in cooperation with the Boise-based GS Strategy Group, is proud to announce the results of our 2022...
Dec 14, 20221 min read
How do our states rank on economic freedom?
The Fraser Institute’s latest report on economic freedom contains few surprises. The Canadian-based think tank ranks states and provinces...
Dec 7, 20221 min read
What to do about Idaho's troubling Medicaid expansion
The damaging consequences of a bad policy can develop quickly. It has been four years now since voters in Idaho passed Medicaid expansion...
Dec 6, 20222 min read
Reviewing state budgets and spending ahead of upcoming legislative sessions
Legislators in Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming are preparing to head back to their respective capitals this January to begin...
Nov 30, 20222 min read
The race to lower state income tax rates
September seems like a long time ago. That’s when Idaho lawmakers approved a dramatic change in the state’s income tax – flattening the...
Nov 18, 20221 min read
Gov. Gianforte: Lower Montana's state income tax
Montana may be about to join the collection of states - including its neighbor - seeking to lower its income tax to remain competitive....
Nov 12, 20222 min read
Of squeakers and blowouts
Nationally speaking, Tuesday’s election results might not have been what everyone was expecting or predicting. It may take days or weeks...
Nov 9, 20222 min read
TV typo provides lesson on core functions of government
Everyone makes mistakes, and if you’ve ever used a computer or smartphone, you know typos are a commonplace occurrence. But an oops on a...
Nov 4, 20222 min read
Credit agencies chime-in on spending, tax policies
We’re getting used to seeing Idaho and other Mountain States rank highly in government spending restraint, savings and accountability....
Nov 3, 20221 min read
Improving transparency in public schools
Increasing spending on K-12 public schools hasn’t improved outcomes, nor has it increased faith in the system that, in most states, makes...
Oct 31, 20221 min read
Check out our new animation on gas tax transparency
Last month, we released a study calling for tax transparency at the gas pump. We've also appeared in the CDA Press, Idaho Statesman and...
Oct 26, 20221 min read
Why Idaho’s income tax could be lowered even more
A flat rate is good. A lower flat rate would be better. Idaho state lawmakers and Governor Brad Little have, twice now, lowered Idaho’s...
Oct 22, 20222 min read
bottom of page