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A taxpayer receipt would help provide a snapshot of government spending
Imagine if you were provided with a taxpayer receipt for your tax dollars showing how it relates to government spending.

Jason Mercier
Dec 4, 20233 min read


Tax votes of note from 2023 election
68% of Texas voters approved the wealth tax ban and 60% of Colorado voters told state officials not to mess with the required tax refunds.

Jason Mercier
Nov 8, 20231 min read


Bezos move provides a “Prime” warning on the impact of tax policy
The lesson for policymakers is that there’s more to tax policy, a truckload more.

Jason Mercier
Nov 3, 20232 min read


Use these policy treats to ward off scary tricksters
These policy treats will be more effective than full-sized candy bars (and cheaper too).

Jason Mercier
Oct 30, 20231 min read


Wyoming and Montana make the top five in Tax Foundation’s 2024 State Business Tax Climate Index
Taxes are one of the ways states compete with each other in our federalist system.

Jason Mercier
Oct 24, 20232 min read


Protect taxpayers by putting supermajority for tax increase requirements in state constitution
Sending voters a supermajority for tax increases constitutional amendment is a prudent thing for policymakers to do.

Jason Mercier
Oct 23, 20233 min read


MSPC joins national brief encouraging SCOTUS review of WA’s capital gains tax
A decision by SCOTUS on whether to accept the case is expected sometime this winter.

Jason Mercier
Oct 17, 20233 min read


Do you know who you are paying taxes to? A tax transparency website would help
We are hopeful that policymakers in the Mountain States will remove the mystery surrounding taxation by adopting a tax transparency website.

Jason Mercier
Oct 16, 20233 min read


U.S. Supreme Court considers tax case of the century
Is the U.S. Supreme Court posed to slam the door shut on efforts by some to impose wealth taxes across the country? We may soon find out.

Olivia Johnston
Oct 4, 20234 min read


Wyoming’s fiscal process – An interview with the State Budget Department
Here is my interview with Kevin Hibbard, Director of Wyoming’s State Budget Department, on the state’s fiscal process.

Jason Mercier
Oct 2, 20234 min read


MSPC meets with Montana Governor Gianforte
Senior MSPC staff and a few board members had the opportunity to meet with Montana Governor Greg Gianforte this week.

Jason Mercier
Sep 20, 20231 min read


Truth in Taxation improves property tax transparency
One way to help bring greater transparency to property tax increases is with a reform called Truth in Taxation.

Jason Mercier
Sep 19, 20233 min read


Bring greater transparency to property taxes with Truth in Taxation
Policymakers should focus their property tax reform efforts on improving transparency and voter engagement with Truth in Taxation.

Jason Mercier
Sep 11, 20232 min read


PILT debate - how much tax money is the public losing on public land?
More than 60% of land in Idaho is controlled by the federal government - meaning a loss of tax revenues for local government. How much...

Chris Cargill
Aug 29, 20232 min read


These issues have to be addressed before adopting any mileage tax
As gas prices surge, more drivers are looking at the electric vehicle market. Sometimes that makes economic sense, but depending on the...

Chris Cargill
Aug 18, 20232 min read


Here are the states that charge the most gas tax
Americans are feeling a pain at the pump. But who is to blame for the higher prices? Government taxes and fees can make up a significant...

Chris Cargill
Aug 15, 20232 min read


Montana’s fiscal process – An interview with the Office of Budget and Program Planning
Here is my interview with the Director for the Office of Budget and Program Planning (OBPP), on Montana’s fiscal process.

Jason Mercier
Aug 14, 20234 min read


Which state will be the next to axe its income tax?
Take a glance at tax policy across the nation and you'll notice an unmistakable trend - states are lowering or doing away with their...

Chris Cargill
Jul 31, 20231 min read


More property tax relief possible this year in Idaho
Now the focus will shift to local governments and if they allow taxpayers to receive the full amount of property tax relief.

Jason Mercier
Jul 20, 20233 min read


Idaho’s fiscal process – An interview with the Division of Financial Management
We are currently reviewing the fiscal process in the Mountain States to provide a resource comparing Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming

Jason Mercier
Jul 18, 20233 min read
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