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The Blog at MSPC
Ed choice advisory vote is a mistake & won’t provide complete picture
The legislature exists to make the best policies for sometimes complex issues while representing the will of the people. This is why...
Mar 18, 20233 min read
A small victory for families - Idaho Senate passes expansion of Empowering Parents program
The Idaho Senate today passed SB 1161, an expansion of the state’s Empowering Parents program. The vote was 19-15-1. It now heads to the...
Mar 16, 20232 min read
Montana advances increase in tax credit scholarships
The Montana House is advancing legislation that would more than double the amount of donations that could be accepted for both the...
Mar 16, 20231 min read
Property tax relief & reform moves forward
In Montana, it's a done deal, signed by Governor Greg Gianforte. In Idaho, it's almost there. The surging cost of property taxes...
Mar 14, 20232 min read
Idaho Senate committee passes expansion of Empowering Parents program
Some progress is being made to expand education choice options in Idaho. The Idaho Senate Education committee today passed SB 1161, an...
Mar 14, 20232 min read
Advisory vote on education choice is simplistic & unwise - here's a better idea
The Idaho House Education Committee is considering a proposal to place an advisory question before voters next fall (2024) regarding...
Mar 14, 20232 min read
Montana boasts largest tax cut in state history
When it comes to having a competitive tax environment, Montana is stepping-up its game. Governor Greg Gianforte has signed a flurry of...
Mar 14, 20231 min read
Property tax headache – what’s the plan?
One of the number one tax complaints throughout the state is the increasing cost to afford the property tax on a home. A surge in the...
Mar 9, 20232 min read
Income tax rates going down in Montana
Montana is joining the ever-growing list of states cutting its state income tax rate. The state legislature has given final approval to...
Mar 2, 20231 min read
New predictions on Idaho ESA program require major scrutiny
It produced some eye-opening numbers that got the attention of media including the Idaho Statesman and KTVB. But a new blog from the...
Feb 22, 20234 min read
The urgency to do more to lower state income tax rates
Last fall, the Idaho Legislature lowered the state income tax to a flat rate of 5.8%. This legislative session, Montana is considering...
Feb 21, 20232 min read
Idaho property tax vulnerable to housing market changes
Idaho residents may be coveting Utah’s property tax laws that account for market value increases. Utah exempts 45% of the market value...
Feb 20, 20232 min read
Idaho property values see highest increase in the region
The quest for affordability sometimes comes with unexpected costs. Over the last five years, as Idaho became one of the most demanded...
Feb 20, 20232 min read
Taxpayers to get stuck with another local baseball stadium?
It appears taxpayers in Washington state and the Spokane area are about to get stuck with a bill to renovate Spokane’s Avista Stadium....
Feb 19, 20232 min read
Six Idaho property tax relief bills awaiting hearing
Idaho legislators rushed to submit possible relief for the growing property tax pressure by February 13th. The 36th day of Idaho’s...
Feb 15, 20232 min read
Idaho Senate committee passes Education Savings Accounts
Today, the Idaho Senate Education committee passed SB 1038 - a bill that would create universal Education Savings Accounts (ESA's). The...
Feb 15, 20232 min read
Legislative session checklist: policies introduced, policies waiting
Legislative sessions in Idaho, Montana and Washington are more than a month old, and we are getting a rough idea of what could be in play...
Feb 12, 20236 min read
Idaho launches new, local transparency website
One of the most important tasks for government is to be transparent. Some governments are better than others at accomplishing that goal....
Feb 9, 20231 min read
When school districts over-collect for bond payments
If you take out a mortgage, you typically know what your payment is going to be each month, and from year to year. But if you approve a...
Feb 7, 20231 min read
Idaho property tax relief is waiting on a solution
Idaho residents are experiencing a painful consequence of rising real estate values. Not only is it more difficult to purchase a home...
Feb 2, 20233 min read
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