Homeschool Parents: It’s time to support Education Savings Accounts
If there is one thing homeschool families have in common, it’s the desire to be left alone about their education choices. Parents go to...
top of page
Free
Markets
First.
THE BLOG
Chris Cargill
- Feb 27
- 2 min
Free markets, education and short-sightedness
During the lengthy debate over Idaho Senate Bill 1038 on the Idaho Senate floor on Monday, Senator Carrie Semmelroth used an unusual...
Madilynne Clark
- Feb 27
- 2 min
Net farm income in the Mountain States decreasing from record highs
Farm input costs are on the rise, land is less available and less affordable, and the added stress has brought little in the way of...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 27
- 2 min
First Idaho ESA bill this session fails Senate vote... but stay tuned
"It's a journey," Idaho Senator Dave Lent said, before voting against Senate Bill 1038 - the first bill of the session to create...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 27
- 2 min
Idaho Senate puts initiative changes to voters
A constitutional amendment that would change the way the citizens of Idaho gather signatures for an initiative is one step closer to...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 27
- 1 min
An Education Savings Account is not a "voucher"
As Idaho, Wyoming, Washington and Montana all consider bills to create Education Savings Accounts (ESA) for children and their families,...
Madilynne Clark
- Feb 26
- 3 min
Can a $15,000 study help protect Ag from future pandemics?
Idaho agriculture, along with the rest of the country, endured many negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Other than health care,...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 23
- 1 min
The much-needed "Parental Bill of Rights"
Parents should be the ultimate authority when it comes to the education of their child. Too often, politicians look the other way while...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 22
- 4 min
New predictions on Idaho ESA program require major scrutiny
It produced some eye-opening numbers that got the attention of media including the Idaho Statesman and KTVB. But a new blog from the...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 21
- 2 min
The urgency to do more to lower state income tax rates
Last fall, the Idaho Legislature lowered the state income tax to a flat rate of 5.8%. This legislative session, Montana is considering...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 21
- 2 min
Supreme Court should rule in favor of protecting freedom of expression online
Today the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Gonzalez v. Google, a case that could critically undermine free...
Madilynne Clark
- Feb 20
- 2 min
Idaho property tax vulnerable to housing market changes
Idaho residents may be coveting Utah’s property tax laws that account for market value increases. Utah exempts 45% of the market value...
Madilynne Clark
- Feb 20
- 2 min
Idaho property values see highest increase in the region
The quest for affordability sometimes comes with unexpected costs. Over the last five years, as Idaho became one of the most demanded...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 19
- 2 min
Taxpayers to get stuck with another local baseball stadium?
It appears taxpayers in Washington state and the Spokane area are about to get stuck with a bill to renovate Spokane’s Avista Stadium....
Chris Cargill
- Feb 18
- 2 min
Executive power is important, but so is legislative oversight
One of the most disappointing parts of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was the prolonged use of emergency powers by...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 17
- 2 min
It's past-time to bring charter schools to Montana
The Treasure State is one of the only states left that does not permit charter schools - but that might be about to change. A slew of...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 17
- 2 min
Who speaks for the kids?
When the Idaho Senate education committee heard an education choice bill this week, dozens of people signed up to testify – I was one of...
Madilynne Clark
- Feb 15
- 2 min
Six Idaho property tax relief bills awaiting hearing
Idaho legislators rushed to submit possible relief for the growing property tax pressure by February 13th. The 36th day of Idaho’s...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 15
- 2 min
Idaho Senate committee passes Education Savings Accounts
Today, the Idaho Senate Education committee passed SB 1038 - a bill that would create universal Education Savings Accounts (ESA's). The...
Chris Cargill
- Feb 13
- 1 min
The "only helps the rich" argument against ed choice just doesn't fly
As Idaho, Washington, Wyoming and Montana now consider Education Savings Accounts to help families improve educational outcomes, one...
bottom of page