The Blog at MSPC

Gregoire is not a conservative activist. She is not anti-government. She is one of the architects of modern Democratic leadership in Washington state. Which is exactly why her recent remarks to the Association of Washington Business were so striking.

Education choice in Wyoming and throughout the United States has the potential to usher in an era of learning focused on student success, tailored to their individual needs. This decision is a great start towards that goal.

Idaho took a significant step this year toward strengthening civics education and preparing the next generation for informed citizenship.

Public trust erodes when voters believe democratic decisions are only respected when they align with elite opinion.

It is right that Wyoming legislators chose to make it easier for many of those who power Wyoming’s economy in construction, transportation, health care and other fields to more easily earn a well-paid living with a safety net without having to give up the flexibility of contract work.

We currently know that roughly half of participating families fall below the program’s priority threshold of 300% of the federal poverty level. What we do not know is the median income of all participating families. But critics routinely leap from “we don’t yet know” to “wealthy families are exploiting the system.”

As America prepares for its 250th birthday, it’s important to remember why we celebrate.

It is Gov. Ferguson’s decision whether Washington families will benefit, or if the money will instead flow to students in participating states.

Early data obtained by MSPC shows that nearly half of participating families are lower-income or working class. That matters. And it tells u

In states where every dollar and opportunity matters, such as Wyoming and Montana, improving transparency could be just as important as expanding access, ensuring that students who attend college truly benefit from it.

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.

The hits keep coming for Washington state’s poor fiscal management. The latest comes in the form of the recent credit ratings. At the same time, Idaho and Montana continue to receive high praise on credit reports for their fiscally conservative budget practices.

A temporary gas tax suspension is not a radical proposal. It’s a pragmatic one. It acknowledges that while we argue about the future of energy, people still have to live in the present.

Taxpayers want to get off this endless express train to their hard-earned money.

The real issue isn’t that Idaho spends too little—it’s whether we’re getting results for what we spend. And right now, the data suggests something important: We can do better without simply spending more.

Mountain States Policy Center recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to discuss his thoughts on spending discipline, health care reforms, improving education outcomes, higher education affordability, regulatory reforms, the national budget outlook, and civility.

Montana could continue to improve its economic outlook by building on its impressive income tax reforms by moving to a flat income tax rate.

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.

Our republic needs to continue to support the importance and power of the states, and the Electoral College is a prime pillar of that ideal.

To be clear, not every community will attract a grocery store overnight, even with fewer barriers. There are places where the economics are genuinely difficult. But that makes it all the more important not to sabotage the projects that are viable.