With the last Christmas presents opened, many of us will now turn our attention to undecorating and focusing on our goals for the New Year. While MSPC will be publishing our priorities for the 2024 Legislative Session next week, it is important first to reflect on and appreciate all that has happened in 2023 before we turn the page.
Here are some of our favorite memories from this year:
Idaho and Montana continued to prioritize tax relief with income tax reductions and property tax rebates.
We had nearly 1,000 in combined attendance at our inaugural dinners in Coeur d'Alene and Boise. Former Congressman Trey Gowdy gave an inspirational message on hope and public service at our Spring Coeur d'Alene dinner. Idaho Senator Jim Risch also gave the crowd a congressional update. We were also pleased to honor Idaho Controller Brandon Woolf, Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, and Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers with our Elevation Awards at that event. Those who attended our Fall Boise dinner were treated to speeches by the 17th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson and the Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel. Idaho Governor Brad Little helped present former Governor Butch Otter with MSPC’s Elevation Award in Boise.
MSPC teamed up with U.S. Senator Jim Risch to write a joint op-ed on the vital economic and environmental importance of the Snake River dams.
Montana Governor Gianforte sent MSPC a handwritten thank-you note after our meeting this summer. Governor Gianforte wrote: “Thank you for taking the time to visit in Helena to discuss your good work. We welcome your input as we prepare for the 2025 legislative session.”
MSPC President and CEO Chris Cargill was published coast-to-coast in more than 40 newspapers - from the Sacramento Bee to the Idaho Statesman to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram to the Miami Herald. His column was about the proposed merger between Albertsons & Kroger and how it could allow more competition with the likes of grocery giants including Walmart, Amazon, and Costco.
Several Idaho lawmakers expressed interest in MSPC’s property tax reform recommendation for Truth in Taxation. We hope to see this policy acted on in 2024.
We published an interview with Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs on the differences between an open primary (which he supports) and ranked choice voting (which he opposes).
The Daily Montanan highlighted our blog post on the Montana legislative process in its weekly update saying: “The Mountain States Policy Center has presented a great resource for folks wanting to know how and why the Montana state government works like it does. Here's a handy-link to Montana's legislative process and how residents can get involved in government.”
None of this would have been possible without your support. We’re excited for what’s to come in 2024 but we wanted to thank you first for a successful 2023!