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2026 Legislative Sessions: What lawmakers should and shouldn't do
We have dozens of policy recommendations for lawmakers to consider. These reforms can be acted on even with the challenging budget situations across the states. Here are a couple of our top recommendations for Idaho, Washington and Wyoming lawmakers

Jason Mercier
3 days ago2 min read


Pulling up the ladder: How short-term rental bans hurt families and punish success
History is rarely kind to policies that treat property rights as expendable. Housing affordability will not be achieved by suffocating peaceful uses of private property, but by expanding supply and allowing markets to respond to demand.

Amber Gunn
3 days ago3 min read


When “Good News” Becomes Bad Policy: The Hidden Costs of Washington’s Minimum Wage Hike
Good headlines don’t make good policy — especially when the real effects rip through the labor market and everyday life.

Chris Cargill
Jan 23 min read


46 states have a private workers’ compensation system: Wyoming should join them
Did you know that Wyoming is only one of four states in the U.S. with a completely government-run workers’ compensation insurance system? Wa

Marta Mossburg
Dec 15, 20252 min read


Fast food jobs at risk with high minimum wages
Across the country, raising the minimum wage continues to be a topic of conversation. Some claim that raising the minimum wage to $20 would

Sam Cardwell
Dec 9, 20253 min read


Idaho’s “C.O.W.” problem is great for economic growth
During his recent speech at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho (ATI) conference, Governor Little noted how “C.O.W.s” are one of the state’s current challenges, but also an opportunity.

Jason Mercier
Dec 4, 20252 min read


Our region leads on tax competitiveness, with one glaring exception
The Tax Foundation's State Competitiveness Index reveals which states are taxpayer-friendly for both individuals and businesses. States are ranked based on income, sales, excise, property, capital gains, corporate, payroll, estate, and VAT consumption taxes.

Sam Cardwell
Nov 25, 20253 min read


Empowering Idaho’s self-employed workforce with portable benefits
Across Idaho, more than 160,000 people earn income—whether as a primary or supplemental source—through self-employment, contract work, or small business ownership. They include truckers, delivery drivers, freelance creatives, childcare providers, and self-employed farmers and tradespeople who remain central to Idaho’s economy.

Jason Mercier
Nov 10, 20253 min read


Occupational license reform will help the trades in Idaho
Licensure raises the price of entry into the trades’ labor market, artificially limiting the number of people who can enter it. Given the ever-important need for skilled laborers in the trades, this is a big concern. The research shows that Idaho has the ability to lower its licensure requirements without significant harm, and therefore should do so.

Luke Hill
Nov 7, 20253 min read


Oh, the absurdity: Government-run grocery stores are laughable
When politicians start promising cheaper milk and lettuce, it’s time to check your wallet—and your common sense.

Chris Cargill
Nov 1, 20252 min read


Washington state agencies discredit their own plastic bag ban study
Washington state’s ban on thin plastic grocery bags is increasing the amount of plastic used by shoppers and overall environmental harm, contrary to the intent of the law.

Todd Myers
Oct 7, 20254 min read


‘Workforce housing’ fees make homes more expensive for everyone
In Teton County’s twisted logic, forcing residents to pay higher building fees to support “workforce housing” is the solution to its chronic housing shortage for lower-income residents. The fees apply even if those building include plans for rental units that would ease the problem.

Marta Mossburg
Sep 8, 20253 min read


Taking politics out of banking
For criminals utilizing the banking system, this is a great tool to cut off financial access and aid law enforcement. But for law-abiding citizens debanking can victimize them for their political beliefs.

Madilynne Clark
Aug 27, 20253 min read


Grocery store closures are exactly what some politicians asked for
Grocery competition doesn’t just come from the store down the street anymore—it comes from Amazon dropping food on your doorstep, Walmart offering rock-bottom prices, and Costco selling everything in bulk. Albertsons and Kroger needed each other to stand a chance.

Chris Cargill
Aug 22, 20252 min read


Governor Little: “Idaho will further improve government efficiency and reduce government spending”
Changes are coming to Idaho’s current budget with Governor Little acting swiftly to focus on government efficiencies in response to changing revenue projections.

Jason Mercier
Aug 15, 20253 min read


Which state was ranked the most economically free?
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) recently released its 2025 Freedom Index Rankings for states. SEL is a global leader in power system protection, automation and control solutions.

Sam Cardwell
Aug 11, 20253 min read


New federal tax change will make our region less competitive unless state lawmakers act
In most respects, Idaho and Montana have been enthusiastic in their pursuit of tax competitiveness. But if there’s one area of tax policy on which they are worse than their peers, it’s in their incorporation of GILTI—the federal tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income—into their own state tax codes. Not even California or Illinois does that.

Jared Walczak
Jul 21, 20255 min read


A policy tale of two cities... and many more
The clear message is Americans are voting with their feet.

Chris Cargill
Jun 11, 20252 min read


Bureaucratic restraint improves economic opportunity
Ever-expanding bureaucracy has become the accepted norm of the United States government. The administrative state’s expansive...

Madilynne Clark
May 15, 20253 min read


Success! Idaho-backed legal effort stops California electric truck mandates
Idaho was among 17 states that successfully sought a repeal of California’s harmful electric truck mandates, called the “Advanced Clean...

Bob Pishue
May 13, 20252 min read
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