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A lawsuit fighting ed choice could unleash tax chaos in Idaho
If the courts adopt the unions’ radical theory, Idaho’s tax code could be turned upside down, creating chaos for families, uncertainty for schools, and higher costs for everyone. That’s not justice—it’s activism at its worst.

Chris Cargill
Sep 302 min read


Cast your vote now for the 2025 Sawtooth Leadership Academy scholarships!
Mountain States Policy Center is proud to announce the four finalists for the 2025 Sawtooth Leadership Academy scholarships.

MSPC Newsroom
Sep 293 min read


Washington’s digital ad tax is unwise, discriminatory and illegal
Idaho’s top real estate agents are not cashing commissions in Boise—they’re writing tax laws in Olympia. Washington legislators keep...

Amber Gunn
Sep 294 min read


Choice and common schools: The Constitution allows us to do both
Public schools and education choice are not enemies. They are complementary tools that serve the same purpose: ensuring every child has access to a quality education that fits their needs.

Chris Cargill
Sep 242 min read


Washington state budget is now negative by $421 million
Proving yet again that you can’t tax your way to economic prosperity, Washington state's 25-27 budget is now negative by $421 million ....

Jason Mercier
Sep 232 min read


Next steps for ensuring a safe online experience for our children
Earlier this year, Mountain States Policy Center published details on the tools available for parents to keep their children safe on the...

Sebastian Griffin
Sep 233 min read


Idaho activists sue taxpayers and target children: Six takeaways
There is no mention of improving outcomes for Idaho children.
Instead, petitioners spend nearly nine pages of the legal filing arguing they have standing and another nine pages begging the court to require taxpayers reimburse their attorney fees.

Chris Cargill
Sep 185 min read


Federal government shutdown brinkmanship has got to go
The phrase ‘government shutdown’ is younger than most members of Congress. Fifty years ago, government shutdowns didn’t exist. But now,...

Amber Gunn
Sep 183 min read


Moscow school district uses taxpayer money... to sue taxpayers
Moscow’s school board isn’t standing up for students. Instead, it's standing in the way of parents, punishing taxpayers, and trying to take choices away from Idaho families who need them most.

Chris Cargill
Sep 173 min read


Montana is on the correct track for Medicaid reform
The Treasure State is taking important steps to help control the exploding costs of Medicaid while providing critical care to the...

Dr. Roger Stark
Sep 152 min read


How AI can help take regulatory reforms to the next level
Across our region, policymakers have been taking action that significantly moves the economic needle: cutting waste and trimming red...

Sebastian Griffin
Sep 123 min read


Cost for Seattle’s Sound Transit rail program balloons to $185 billion - $55,000 per person within the tax district
Sound Transit, the agency in charge of Seattle’s rail program , recently announced a shocking, $35 billion  cost overrun on the ST3...

Bob Pishue
Sep 102 min read


‘Workforce housing’ fees make homes more expensive for everyone
The most expensive county in Wyoming to build a house thinks everyone should pay more to build a house. Does that make sense? In Teton...

Marta Mossburg
Sep 83 min read


Public lands need protection and future flexibility
Protecting public lands has become the rallying call this year for groups and individuals across the political spectrum. In June, when...

Madilynne Clark
Sep 44 min read


New federal school choice law is a historic breakthrough for children
Note: This is a joint op-ed with Peter Murphy ( Invest in Education Coalition ). The old saying that states are the “laboratories of...

Jason Mercier
Sep 23 min read


From Jerome to your town: Time for every meeting on camera
Think about that: a school board, funded by taxpayers, making decisions that affect families, students, and teachers—telling the press and the public to put their cameras away.

Chris Cargill
Sep 12 min read
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