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The Blog at MSPC
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
A year-end message from our President
MSPC President Chris Cargill details the organization's success in 2022 and looks forward to the new year.
Dec 31, 20221 min read
Idaho could gain more electoral clout
It almost happened last time, and if the population estimates hold, it will most certainly happen next time. We're talking about the...
Dec 30, 20221 min read
Remote testimony is critical to the legislative process
For decades, those living long distances from a state capitol had to brave icy conditions, closed passes or expensive flights to...
Dec 29, 20221 min read
Ensuring a legislative role in emergency powers is important
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation experienced executive overreach at both the federal and state level. In Washington state,...
Dec 26, 20222 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
When activists accidentally say the quiet part out loud
In a recent column about K-12 education funding, I made a few simple requests of those who say we need to spend more: (1) tell us how...
Dec 23, 20222 min read
Does it pay to not work? In these states it might
A new study is proving that, depending on where you live, government benefits make it pay not to work. The federal government and most...
Dec 21, 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 20, 20221 min read
Snake River Dams get assist from Senator Risch
In an era of electrification and increased power demand, it makes no sense to remove a clean, renewable source. So far, sanity is...
Dec 20, 20222 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
Diesel unavoidable cost for western farmers
Harvest and fall groundwork are concluding for western farmers, and tractors and equipment are finally resting for the season – a much...
Dec 2, 20222 min read
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
Tired solutions won't help improve educational outcomes for kids
Our ideas to improve public schools are getting a lot of attention. Not only was my recent column printed in more than a dozen newspapers...
Nov 27, 20223 min read
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