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The Blog at MSPC
Messy Idaho Medicaid expansion will stay - for now
It's been five years now since Idaho voters approved a ballot measure adopting Medicaid expansion. As we've previously written, the...
Feb 1, 20232 min read
Where should you retire?
A new WalletHub survey has once-again rated the Mountain States has one of the best places to retire. Wyoming ranked 4th, Idaho ranked...
Jan 30, 20231 min read
Tax reduction measures advance in Helena
Governor Greg Gianforte gave his state of the state address Wednesday night, just hours after the Montana state Senate endorsed his...
Jan 25, 20231 min read
The Path - Responsible transportation policy in the Mountain States
Transportation systems are the backbone of a strong local economy, allowing people and goods to move efficiently and effectively. At its...
Jan 19, 20231 min read
Preview: Key recommendations for transportation in our region
Transportation systems are the backbone of a strong local economy, allowing people and goods to move efficiently and effectively. At its...
Jan 18, 20232 min read
Hearing Tuesday in Montana to discuss cut in state income tax
Montana legislators on Tuesday will hold a hearing in the Senate Taxation Committee to discuss whether to cut the state income tax. The...
Jan 16, 20231 min read
Montana aims to expand education choice via tax credit scholarships for students
Montana Senator John Fuller has introduced a new bill that would expand the amount of money available for student tax credit...
Jan 12, 20231 min read
Will K-12 spending increases lead to better outcomes?
Idaho Governor Brad Little announced Monday a plan to increase K-12 spending in Idaho in several areas. From the Governor's release: · ...
Jan 10, 20232 min read
Governor Little focuses on education, taxes in state of the state address in Boise
Governor Brad Little welcomed members of the Idaho State Legislature today with his state of the state address, pressing a theme of...
Jan 9, 20231 min read
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 21, 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
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