As states like Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington receive their BEAD funding and additional federal funds towards broadband expansion, creativity in implementation is ripe for the picking. The introduction of a "shot clock" law would be a promising step toward bridging the digital divide while advancing the region’s economic potential. This policy proposes a simple yet impactful mechanism: if local governments fail to act on telecommunications facility siting applications within a reas...| MSPC
Discussions about government use of artificial intelligence (AI) often begin with a simple question: "Is this tool going to help the taxpayer that is funding it, or is it just another fad?” Municipalities across the Treasure Valley in Idaho are already experimenting with AI in small, practical ways, whether it is admin efficiency, search tool utilization, or for Garden City “googly eyes” experiments. The main question we are all wondering is, can these AI tools save government employees...| MSPC
Calls to abolish the property tax are growing louder across the country as elected representatives respond to constituents' increasing concerns about rising property assessments and tax bills. Wyoming is one of the states currently having this debate. What happens there next could be a lesson for lawmakers in other states. In the last year, Wyoming legislators passed stopgap measures to lower residents’ bills in the short term. The lack of meaningful and long-term reform, plus increasing...| Mountain States Policy Center
Moody’s Ratings, one of the major global credit review companies, has reaffirmed its highest credit rating for Idaho while saying the state’s credit “outlook remains stable.” This good fiscal news is a reflection of Idaho’s sound fiscal management and helps save money for taxpayers by keeping government borrowing costs low with favorable terms. According to Moody’s October 9 update : “Idaho's Aaa issuer rating reflects its strong credit position supported by continued higher tha...| Mountain States Policy Center
After months of rigorous coursework, mentorship, and public voting, Avery Nichols has been selected as the first-place scholar, earning the $5,000 Tim Hennessey & Holly Harrison Scholarship.| MSPC
The future of nuclear power in Idaho is looking strong. The Gem State recently took two important steps demonstrating its commitment to unleashing the potential of nuclear energy. These efforts are working hard alongside other governmental and private partners to meet the need and promote Idaho as a viable state to fill the energy demand of the future. The first step was taken on September 18 as Idaho released the Advanced Nuclear Strategic Framework. This is a comprehensive plan to guide...| MSPC
This article was originally published by the Washington Policy Center. It is reposted with permission.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.That is the conclusion of a report from researchers at Washington State University prepared for the Washington State Departments of Commerce and Ecology. The report notes that the law “may not be effective at reducing en...| MSPC
With a federal government shutdown upon us and even more importantly, ballooning national debt jeopardizing the solvency of Social Security and Medicare in less than 10 years and other basic government functions, states must start preparing for changes in federal support.This is especially true in a state like Wyoming, where over 49 percent of the state budget is derived from federal tax dollars. For context, the national average is about 30 percent, and regionally, it’s higher than in oth...| MSPC
The campaign will include the launch of a website to answer questions, a robust series of public town hall meetings across the state, a multi-phase media effort, and legal support to protect the law from special interest challenges.| Mountain States Policy Center
Idaho is once again in the national spotlight for its willingness to innovate and modernize. The latest effort? Fighting fires from...| Mountain States Policy Center
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.| Mountain States Policy Center
Mountain States Policy Center is proud to announce the four finalists for the 2025 Sawtooth Leadership Academy scholarships.| Mountain States Policy Center
Idaho’s top real estate agents are not cashing commissions in Boise—they’re writing tax laws in Olympia. Washington legislators keep...| Mountain States Policy Center
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.| Mountain States Policy Center
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 ....| Mountain States Policy Center
Earlier this year, Mountain States Policy Center published details on the tools available for parents to keep their children safe on the...| Mountain States Policy Center
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.| Mountain States Policy Center
The phrase ‘government shutdown’ is younger than most members of Congress. Fifty years ago, government shutdowns didn’t exist. But now,...| Mountain States Policy Center
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.| Mountain States Policy Center
The Treasure State is taking important steps to help control the exploding costs of Medicaid while providing critical care to the...| Mountain States Policy Center
Across our region, policymakers have been taking action that significantly moves the economic needle: cutting waste and trimming red...| Mountain States Policy Center
The region's top source for accurate, high-quality research. Our mission is simple – empower you to succeed through non-partisan, quality research that promotes free enterprise, individual liberty and limited government.| Mountain States Policy Ctr
As billions of dollars in federal funding flows into states through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, the success of expanding internet access hinges on the efficiency of local permitting processes. We believe that local and state broadband agencies must prioritize reforms that empower the market—not bureaucracy—to drive broadband expansion forward.The BEAD program's $42.45 billion investment is a historic opportunity to close the digital divide, but success wil...| MSPC
