The Blog at MSPC

Montana has become one of America's economic success stories, but a new study released today by the Mountain States Policy Center argues the Treasure State risks falling behind unless it continues reforming its tax code.

Launched by Mountain States Policy Center following the passage of Idaho's historic education freedom legislation, Idaho Kids Win was designed to ensure families understood and could access the new opportunities available to their children.

The study, Tax increase ballot measures: How to increase voter participation, authored by Policy Fellow Sam Cardwell, finds that local tax increases are frequently decided during special elections that attract significantly fewer voters than primary or general elections.

Authored by Senior Policy Analyst Madilynne Clark, the study finds that decades of underbuilding, restrictive regulations, permitting delays, and limited housing choices have contributed to a housing shortage estimated at 3 to 4 million homes nationwide. In Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming alone, the shortage exceeds 335,000 homes.

Over the course of six rounds and more than 150 questions, students competed on topics ranging from the Constitution and the structure of government to key moments in American history.

Governor Kempthorne’s career in public life spanned decades and reflected a deep and abiding commitment to the people of the American West. From his leadership as Mayor of Boise, to his service as a United States Senator, Governor of Idaho, and U.S. Secretary of the Interior, he approached every role with humility, conviction, and a steady sense of purpose.

The Elevation Award is MSPC’s highest honor, awarded to individuals whose work has elevated public policy, strengthened communities, and inspired principled leadership across the region and nation.

The dinner is part of an MSPC flagship fundraising series which also includes the organization’s Fall Dinner and Montana Liberty Dinner. Collectively, these events are among the largest free-market policy gatherings in the nation, regularly drawing more than 1,400 citizens, business leaders, and policymakers each year.

The people of Washington must now consider a question once familiar to Americans: what recourse remains when government refuses to listen?

A new policy analysis released today by the Mountain States Policy Center raises questions about Idaho’s licensing requirements for journeyman electricians, finding that the state requires additional classroom hours that are not required in several other states with which Idaho maintains license reciprocity.

In a comprehensive opinion, the Court denied the petition for a writ of prohibition, dismissed the case in full, rejected every major constitutional theory advanced by the petitioners, and awarded attorney fees to the State. The result is about as close to a clean sweep as constitutional litigation gets.

The study evaluates four potential models—county-based, regional, proportional statewide, and legislative-district-based approaches—and assesses their legal viability, administrative complexity, and potential impact on campaign incentives.

Open to high school teams from Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington, the We the Students Civics Bowl will bring together students from across the region for a fast-paced, academic team competition featuring tournament-style bracket play and celebrity judges and moderators from law, media, and public life.

This research piece is one of the most extensive reviews to date of short-term rental regulation, synthesizing academic research, economic data, and real-world case studies from major cities and resort communities.

The inaugural poll, conducted January 2–9, 2026 among 800 registered voters in Washington, shows voters focused on kitchen-table issues—particularly the economy, taxes, and state spending—while also expressing strong interest in education reforms and greater transparency in public schools.

As Idaho lawmakers convene for the 2026 legislative session, a new statewide poll shows voters are generally optimistic about the state’s direction but want policymakers to focus on transparency, tax relief, and regulatory reform rather than expanding government.

Mountain States Policy Center's (MSPC) Board of Directors has unanimously approved the election of Tiffany Smiley to its Board of Directors,

One of America’s most respected constitutional scholars, his addition represents a major advance for MSPC and significantly expands the organization’s legal and constitutional research capacity.

MSPC was named one of five national winners of The Heritage Foundation’s Innovation Prize, recognizing outstanding projects that strengthen civic education and advance America’s founding principles.

Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC), the leading free-market think tank serving the Mountain West, is pleased to announce the hiring of Meg Goudy as Director of the Bill & Milly Kay Baldwin Center for Education.