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...
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THE BLOG
Chris Cargill
- Nov 27, 2022
- 3 min
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...
Madilynne Clark
- Nov 23, 2022
- 2 min
Western state farmers help grow the Thanksgiving feast
From Washington’s cranberries to Utah’s turkeys, the only Thanksgiving dish the five Western states can’t grow is sweet potatoes (though...
Madilynne Clark
- Nov 22, 2022
- 3 min
Thanksgiving gatherings cost 20 percent more in 2022
Be grateful - for the first time in three years, families are gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving in person. However, the cost of the...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 21, 2022
- 2 min
Court cases on education freedom could be felt here, soon
Education freedom for parents could be one of the top issues of the upcoming legislative session, not only in Idaho but across the...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 18, 2022
- 1 min
The race to lower state income tax rates
September seems like a long time ago. That’s when Idaho lawmakers approved a dramatic change in the state’s income tax – flattening the...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 15, 2022
- 1 min
NEW STUDY: Examining the federal government’s control of Idaho’s public lands
Federal land is defined as land that is owned by the United States federal government. The Property Clause in Article 4 Section 3 of the...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 12, 2022
- 2 min
Gov. Gianforte: Lower Montana's state income tax
Montana may be about to join the collection of states - including its neighbor - seeking to lower its income tax to remain competitive....
Chris Cargill
- Nov 12, 2022
- 1 min
Checking in on the mountain snowpack
We have seen dire warnings from many activists and some politicians across the region regarding climate change and the future of our...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 10, 2022
- 2 min
Voters have amended Idaho’s constitution – now what?
It wasn’t overwhelming approval, but voters in the Gem State gave a thumbs up to a constitutional amendment that would allow the...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 9, 2022
- 1 min
Of squeakers and blowouts
Nationally speaking, Tuesday’s election results might not have been what everyone was expecting or predicting. It may take days or weeks...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 9, 2022
- 3 min
What's next for public schools following Tuesday's election?
The results from Tuesday’s election continue to ripple through state legislatures and school boards across the nation. Exit polling shows...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 5, 2022
- 2 min
No, vote by mail elections do not increase voter turnout
Citizens across the Mountain States and the nation are busy casting ballots for the 2022 general election. Some have already voted by...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 4, 2022
- 2 min
TV typo provides lesson on core functions of government
Everyone makes mistakes, and if you’ve ever used a computer or smartphone, you know typos are a commonplace occurrence. But an oops on a...
Madilynne Clark
- Nov 4, 2022
- 2 min
Examining local voter turnout in mid-term elections
Voter apathy runs rampant in many mid-term elections and lower voter turnout is the result. Lower profile races, indifference towards...
Chris Cargill
- Nov 3, 2022
- 1 min
Credit agencies chime-in on spending, tax policies
We’re getting used to seeing Idaho and other Mountain States rank highly in government spending restraint, savings and accountability....
Madilynne Clark
- Nov 1, 2022
- 2 min
Idaho's rural teacher shortage can be solved by attracting local talent
Small towns are known for news traveling fast and one frequent topic of conversation is the local school. Rural communities rally around...
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