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The Blog at MSPC



The two sentence bill, and the call for school budget transparency
Idaho's state House has approved perhaps the simplest bill introduced this legislative session. The measure - House Bill 416, introduced by
Mar 21, 20252 min read


Idaho’s grocery tax is a real turkey, but state income tax is the pig
Focusing exclusively on repealing the grocery tax takes our eye off a much bigger and even more important prize – reforming and lowering the
Nov 26, 20243 min read


Rebates are better than repeal for Idaho’s controversial grocery tax
Taxing food is controversial. Idaho offers a yearly rebate of $100-$120 to residents – a number that appears smaller as inflation roars.
Jul 25, 20242 min read


The legal cases that prove education choice is constitutional
Fearing expensive legal battles, policymakers who may be on the fence often err on the side of caution and vote against measures to expand c
Jul 19, 20245 min read


Where has the education money gone?
One of the most popular charts available today tells a story: huge increases in administrative staffing, small increases in teachers and stu
Jul 16, 20241 min read


Delays and dollars: Ranked Choice Voting's stunning Idaho cost
Idaho's Secretary of State Phil McGrane has sent legislators a detailed memo on the implementation of such a drastic change in Idaho electio
Jul 15, 20244 min read


A lesson in government intervention - for better or worse?
In reality, no stores will close, no employees will be laid off, and Kroger and Albertsons are doing exactly what the government has told th
Jul 12, 20242 min read


MSPC's work nominated for major national award
MSPC is one of just three finalists for the State Policy Network's Bob Williams Award for Outstanding Policy Achievement - the Biggest Win f
Jul 2, 20242 min read


97,000 signatures... but still major question marks
Supporters of an Idaho ballot measure that would open primaries and adopt ranked choice voting likely delivered enough signatures to the sta
Jul 2, 20243 min read


Congress could expand education choice options too
Thirty-three states now have some type of school choice law on the books to empower families with limited to middle-class incomes to access
Jun 24, 20243 min read


The launch of the first Mountain States Policy Manual
The Policy Manual is a 200-page guide filled with facts, figures, research and more than 80 recommendations that will be an invaluable tool
Jun 20, 20242 min read


School districts, budget cuts, and expectations of funding
Declining school enrollment and budget constraints require policymakers to fundamentally rethink their approach to education - and that can
Jun 19, 20242 min read


Surprising population data highlights need for policy trifecta
Policies matter and they have real consequence. Perhaps the starkest example of this is the ability of a citizen to vote with their feet.
May 24, 20241 min read


Data shows private schools improve civic education, political tolerance
A well-rounded education is about more than just test scores. Schooling has a critical role to play in nurturing an informed, tolerant and d
May 17, 20242 min read


We need a right-to-work constitutional amendment - here's why
Imagine going to work and being forced to pay a fee from every paycheck for a service you don’t want. Frustration would be a mild...
May 16, 20245 min read


Training and inspiring the next generation of free market leaders
At the end of the program, MSPC's Board of Directors will select at least one participant to receive a $5,000 scholarship.
Dec 26, 20231 min read


When it comes to ballot measures, a two-for-one deal isn’t so good
Idaho voters could soon decide whether to overhaul the state’s primary process and adopt ranked choice voting. But even if the measure...
Oct 26, 20232 min read


The troubling education data - and the overwhelming support for change
It's difficult to find much good news about the direction of K-12 public education.
Oct 19, 20232 min read


Here are the states that charge the most gas tax
Americans are feeling a pain at the pump. But who is to blame for the higher prices? Government taxes and fees can make up a significant...
Aug 15, 20232 min read


Which state will be the next to axe its income tax?
Take a glance at tax policy across the nation and you'll notice an unmistakable trend - states are lowering or doing away with their...
Jul 31, 20231 min read
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