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Sebastian Griffin
Dec 18, 20233 min read
Plugged in – Five steps for expanding broadband coverage in a responsible way
Policymakers now have a generational opportunity to expand high-speed internet in their states with federal broadband funds.
Jason Mercier
Dec 15, 20232 min read
Changes to school bond vote requirements should be tied to the November general election
Ultimately all local tax levies should be moved to the November general election.
Jason Mercier
Dec 11, 20232 min read
A policy wish list for Santa and lawmakers
Here are five of the high-demand policy gifts that are sure to delight users of all ages.
Jason Mercier
Dec 9, 20231 min read
MSPC joins Idaho Reports to discuss transparency reforms
I had the opportunity to sit down with Melissa Davlin of Idaho Reports on December 8 for an interview about the Mountain States Policy...
Madilynne Clark
Dec 6, 20233 min read
States must finally end the unconstitutional scheme of home equity theft
Banning home equity theft protects the interests of vulnerable property owners from governments seeking to take more than they’re owed.
Jason Mercier
Dec 4, 20233 min read
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
Nov 8, 20231 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 3, 20232 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
Oct 30, 20231 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 24, 20232 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 23, 20233 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 17, 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 16, 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.
Olivia Johnston
Oct 4, 20234 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.
Jason Mercier
Oct 2, 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
Sep 20, 20231 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 19, 20233 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 11, 20232 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.
Chris Cargill
Aug 29, 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 18, 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...
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