The Blog at MSPC

The Western states stand at a pivotal moment. While Washington has established itself as a tech powerhouse, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana offer untapped potential with their lower costs of living, abundant renewable energy resources, and high quality of life that increasingly attracts talented workers seeking alternatives to coastal tech hubs.

The EO allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers to obtain the same or better prices on drugs that other nations have.

In failing to respect this constitutional framework, the administrative state must be reminded of its subjugated status to the executive branch and end the regime of governance-by-regulator.

One glaring omission from the state legislature’s recently released final list of topics it will consider before the next session is hospital price transparency.

The original rule from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) would have placed onerous burdens on trucking companies to “phase out” internal combustion engines in favor of electric vehicles – introducing higher costs and uncertainty into the supply chain.

The state of Idaho and the Trump Administration have taken another step towards advancing nuclear energy research.

Idaho’s housing policy is getting a much-needed renovation, and some of the first demo days occurred during the session. With the approval of Senate Bill 1164 requiring a 10-day notice of completed applications, the Idaho legislature made it clear it is focused on removing unwanted obstacles to increasing the housing supply. The legislature is also working on a building plan to increase the housing supply with the Senate’s Concurrent Resolution 103, which formed a committee f

The current Public Records Act does require the government to respond promptly showing receipt of the request and to release requested records no later than 30 days after sending the receipt unless good cause exists to extend the time frame.

Among the reopened leasing programs is Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon were present for the signing of these energy orders.

In moments of crisis or uncertainty, free societies are tempted to hand their problems to a "strong man"—someone who promises swift, decisive action when the slow machinery of constitutional delegation feels too unwieldy.

The 2025 Legislative Session is officially over in Montana. Lawmakers in the Treasure State focused on several priorities during their time in Helena, including record income tax relief, reducing business costs with unemployment insurance reform, and clarifying environmental laws in response to court rulings.

School district budgets are a maze of numbers and jargon that most citizens cannot understand. Even some lawmakers have difficulty concluding if a school district is spending money properly.

While an attempt was also made again to tax drivers by the mile to divert money, lawmakers “[waved] the white flag” on the issue this legislative session. This mileage tax will likely resurface again. The transportation tax bill currently sits on Governor Ferguson's desk for signature.

It's an admirable effort, but not one that will make a difference. In fact, it could do more harm than good.

If there was a theme for the 2025 Legislative Sessions in our region, it was major tax changes. On the negative side of the ledger are the “historic” tax increases rammed through in Washington state. On the positive side are the “record” tax cuts enacted in Idaho and Montana. Consider these regional headlines from the past month:

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling, brought clarity to many of the terms used in the Clean Water Act, but the EPA still needed to engage stakeholders in order to clarify interpretations for agency staff. A preliminary amended rule in September 2023 reflected the decision of the court but it circumvented much needed public commentary.

Citizens, lawmakers and the media must understand and expect any new program to face legal challenges, especially when it is perceived to threaten special interest groups including unions.

Montana is proving itself once again to be an entrepreneur-friendly state by being named the best state in the country for business startups.

One of the most future-facing features of this budget allocation is the provision for fire detection cameras powered by Artificial Intelligence, a neat complement to the state’s existing approach of harnessing technology to fight wildfires.

Concluding the measure was "administrative" in nature, rather than a policy matter, justices claimed it couldn't be brought to voters. The state Supreme Court was the only court to rule that way, with other courts upholding the measure calling it a "classic vagrancy ordinance."