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Chris Cargill
Nov 30, 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...
Chris Cargill
Nov 27, 20223 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...
Madilynne Clark
Nov 23, 20222 min read
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, 20223 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20221 min read
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, 20221 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20221 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20221 min read
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, 20223 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20222 min read
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, 20221 min read
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, 20222 min read
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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