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"Ludicrous" Washington income tax ruling will impact other states
The exodus from Washington state may just be getting started. Today, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld the state's new 7% income...

Chris Cargill
Mar 24, 20232 min read


Advisory vote on "funding private schools" won't happen
Today, the Idaho House shot down a proposal to place a misleading and controversial advisory question on the 2024 general election...

Chris Cargill
Mar 21, 20232 min read


Idaho's Medicaid budget runs into roadblocks
The Idaho House today voted down the state's $4,691,777,000 Medicaid budget. House Bill 334 failed in a 34-36 vote. The rejection is not...

Chris Cargill
Mar 20, 20232 min read


"15-20% savings" - Idaho property tax relief gets Senate approval
The Idaho Senate has followed the House and passed a major property tax cut bill. It may be short term relief, but questions remain about...

Chris Cargill
Mar 20, 20232 min read


Ed choice advisory vote is a mistake & won’t provide complete picture
The legislature exists to make the best policies for sometimes complex issues while representing the will of the people. This is why...

Chris Cargill
Mar 18, 20233 min read


A small victory for families - Idaho Senate passes expansion of Empowering Parents program
The Idaho Senate today passed SB 1161, an expansion of the state’s Empowering Parents program. The vote was 19-15-1. It now heads to the...

Chris Cargill
Mar 16, 20232 min read


Montana advances increase in tax credit scholarships
The Montana House is advancing legislation that would more than double the amount of donations that could be accepted for both the...

Chris Cargill
Mar 16, 20231 min read


Property tax relief & reform moves forward
In Montana, it's a done deal, signed by Governor Greg Gianforte. In Idaho, it's almost there. The surging cost of property taxes...

Chris Cargill
Mar 14, 20232 min read


Idaho Senate committee passes expansion of Empowering Parents program
Some progress is being made to expand education choice options in Idaho. The Idaho Senate Education committee today passed SB 1161, an...

Chris Cargill
Mar 14, 20232 min read


Advisory vote on education choice is simplistic & unwise - here's a better idea
The Idaho House Education Committee is considering a proposal to place an advisory question before voters next fall (2024) regarding...

Chris Cargill
Mar 14, 20232 min read


Montana boasts largest tax cut in state history
When it comes to having a competitive tax environment, Montana is stepping-up its game. Governor Greg Gianforte has signed a flurry of...

Chris Cargill
Mar 14, 20231 min read


Property tax headache – what’s the plan?
One of the number one tax complaints throughout the state is the increasing cost to afford the property tax on a home. A surge in the...

Chris Cargill
Mar 9, 20232 min read


Income tax rates going down in Montana
Montana is joining the ever-growing list of states cutting its state income tax rate. The state legislature has given final approval to...

Chris Cargill
Mar 2, 20231 min read


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 22, 20234 min read


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, 20232 min read


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, 20232 min read


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...

Madilynne Clark
Feb 20, 20232 min read


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 19, 20232 min read


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...

Madilynne Clark
Feb 15, 20232 min read


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 15, 20232 min read
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