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The Blog at MSPC
Examining Idaho spending on higher ed & student population trends
Higher education is getting more expensive, and both taxpayers and students being saddled with the cost.
May 17, 20231 min read
Charter schools have a future in Montana
It appears Montana will soon join 45 other states in permitting public charter schools.
May 2, 20231 min read
Foreign policy, education and elections - our conversation with U.S. Senator Jim Risch
Idaho Senator Jim Risch joined us at our inaugural Spring Dinner in Coeur d'Alene last week.
May 1, 20231 min read
Ed choice breakthrough in Montana - ESA's for special needs children
The Montana Senate today signed off on a bill to provide Education Savings Accounts for special needs children. The vote was 26-24.
Apr 26, 20231 min read
Education choice opponents use same old arguments to fight Montana special needs bill
The Montana Senate is now considering a bill that would offer special needs children access to ESA worth roughly$6,816.
Apr 19, 20232 min read
Idaho's K-12 state allocation is up 106% in past decade
Ten years ago, Idaho was spending $1.3 billion. Over the past decade, K-12 state spending has ballooned 106.2%.
Apr 10, 20232 min read
Education savings accounts for special needs children moving in Montana
The Montana House has approved a bill that would offer special needs children access to Education Savings Accounts worth roughly $6,816....
Apr 10, 20231 min read
Idaho needs a major reset on education choice conversation
The 2023 Idaho legislative session is ready to adjourn with barely any movement on advancing education choice options for families. While...
Apr 3, 20233 min read
Financial literacy requirements coming to Idaho high schools
It just makes sense... or is it cents? Idaho's legislature has passed - and Governor Brad Little has signed - House Bill 92, which...
Mar 23, 20231 min read
Advisory vote on "funding private schools" won't happen
Today, the Idaho House shot down a proposal to place a misleading and controversial advisory question on the 2024 general election...
Mar 21, 20232 min read
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
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
Idaho House Education committee again blocks more education choice
If additional education choice is going to come to the Gem State, it won't be originating in the Idaho House Education Committee. Today,...
Mar 14, 20233 min read
Try, try again on expanding education choice in Idaho
Education choice is on the agenda again as the Idaho legislature comes down the home stretch. This week, two bills will be heard in...
Mar 13, 20232 min read
Here’s what’s in the new Idaho education choice bill
The Idaho state Senate is now considering a new education choice bill – SB 1144 – that seeks to expand the state’s already-successful...
Mar 7, 20232 min read
No one is proposing school “vouchers”
In the sometimes-heated debate over bringing more education choice options to the region, Republicans, Democrats, and some in the media...
Mar 6, 20232 min read
Second Idaho ESA proposal doesn't even get hearing
It's hard to make sense of the strategy in advancing additional education choice options in the Idaho legislature - if there even is one....
Mar 2, 20233 min read
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