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The Blog at MSPC



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 13, 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


Could public-private partnerships help replace aging school buildings?
Idaho school districts are facing a big problem. A recent survey conducted by the state’s Office of Performance Evaluation found that...
Oct 17, 20224 min read


Govs. Little, Gianforte rank high in fiscal report card on governors
Governors are the chief executives of their states. Leadership, especially during troubled times, is sometimes difficult to find – but...
Oct 15, 20221 min read


The people deserve gas tax transparency at the pump
As gas prices continue to surge, who do we blame? The president’s policies are always a point of contention. So, too, are the profits of...
Oct 12, 20223 min read


Collective bargaining in government should never be secret
The citizens of the city of Spokane have reason to be upset. After nearly 80% of voters approved a city charter change demanding...
Oct 7, 20222 min read


Tax revenues just keep surging
It's as if COVID never happened. At least in some states. The latest estimates from Pew’s Fiscal 50 project show that, following the end...
Oct 2, 20221 min read


14,000 - and counting - sign up for Idaho's "Empowering Parents" grants
Governor Brad Little has announced that the Idaho “Empowering Parents” program has received more than 14,000 applications. This is a...
Sep 22, 20221 min read


Major League Baseball is not a core function of government
The city of Boise lost its Major League Baseball affiliation in 2020 after the MLB restructured minor league baseball and aimed to cut...
Sep 19, 20222 min read


Idaho's road network - Part 2
Like other states, Idaho’s transportation infrastructure is the backbone of the state’s economy. Much of Idaho’s $77.9 billion Gross...
Sep 8, 20223 min read


"Quality Education Act" yanked from ballot by sponsors
It turns out Idaho voters will no longer consider a measure that would increase K-12 public education funding in the Gem State while...
Sep 7, 20224 min read


Idaho's road network - Part 1
Like other states, Idaho’s transportation infrastructure is the backbone of the state’s economy. Much of Idaho’s $77.9 billion Gross...
Sep 2, 20221 min read


It’s official: Idaho joins the flat tax revolution
With the action taken at Thursday’s special session of the Idaho legislature, the Gem State has joined a growing list of states that have...
Sep 1, 20222 min read
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