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WHAT WE COVER
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WHAT WE COVER
Free
Markets
First.
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JOIN JUDGE JEANINE IN COEUR D'ALENE APRIL 11TH!
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Jason Mercier
Nov 4, 20241 min read
The main policy event is after the election
I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to go to my mailbox again and have it stuffed with bargain shopping deals instead of political...
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Jason Mercier
Oct 17, 20243 min read
MSPC joins public records amicus
Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC) joined a public records amicus this week concerning the disclosure of state employee contract...
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Chris Cargill
Sep 30, 20244 min read
Spokane’s Prop 1: The Community Safety Sales Tax
Like many cities across Washington state, the city of Spokane is facing a public safety crisis. Graffiti and garbage line many downtown...
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Jason Mercier
Sep 22, 20243 min read
Montana’s CI-126 and CI-127: Enacting a Top 4 primary and 50% election threshold
This November, Montana voters will decide whether to adopt two separate constitutional amendments: CI-126 to require a non-partisan Top...
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Jason Mercier
Sep 17, 20244 min read
Idaho’s Prop 1: Enacting Ranked Choice Voting and a Top 4 Primary for State Elections
This November, Idaho voters will decide whether to enact Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for statewide elections while using a non-partisan...
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Jason Mercier
Sep 9, 20243 min read
State worker contract secrecy benefits no one
Note: This is a joint op-ed with Elizabeth New ( Washington Policy Center ) and Jackson Maynard ( Citizen Action Defense Fund )....
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Jason Mercier
Aug 15, 20244 min read
Open primaries bill introduced in Congress
The debate about open primaries may soon occur in the halls of Congress. A group of bipartisan lawmakers last month introduced the “ Let...
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Jason Mercier
Aug 5, 20241 min read
Wyoming Governor appoints Public Records Ombudsman
Governor Gordon recently announced that he re-appointed Darlena Potter as the Cowboy state’s official Public Records Ombudsman. According...
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Chris Cargill
Aug 1, 20242 min read
States should protect the integrity of the Electoral College
Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have joined in an agreement to award their Electoral College votes in a U.S. election to...
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Chris Cargill
Jul 26, 20242 min read
Legal challenge filed to Idaho's open primaries/ranked choice voting initiative
As we previously reported, coupling the issues (open primaries and RCV) together in the same measure raises serious constitutional concerns.
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Jason Mercier
Jul 16, 20242 min read
Washington versus Idaho on celebrating 250 years of America
Most states are getting ready to proudly celebrate 250 years of our Republic. One state isn’t so sure though. Compare and contrast the...
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Chris Cargill
Jul 15, 20244 min read
Delays and dollars: Ranked Choice Voting's stunning Idaho cost
Idaho's Secretary of State Phil McGrane has sent legislators a detailed memo on the implementation of such a drastic change in Idaho electio
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Jason Mercier
Jul 15, 20243 min read
Now Available: The Mountain States Policy Manual
The Mountain States Policy Manual is a 200-page guide filled with facts, figures, research and more than 80 recommendations – it is an...
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Chris Cargill
Jul 4, 20242 min read
248 years later, are we worthy of the sacrifice?
John Adams said that “liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.” On this 248th celebration of America’s...
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Chris Cargill
Jul 2, 20243 min read
97,000 signatures... but still major question marks
Supporters of an Idaho ballot measure that would open primaries and adopt ranked choice voting likely delivered enough signatures to the sta
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Amber Gunn
Jul 2, 20243 min read
Double whammy: U.S. Supreme Court deals two decisive blows to unelected federal regulators
After forty years in the agency-policymaking wilderness, the U.S. Supreme Court signaled its clear intention to restore the balance of...
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Chris Cargill
Jun 28, 20242 min read
What the Supreme Court ruling on homeless encampments really means
The court's ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson is welcome news for cities and towns up and down the west coast, as the ball now returns to the
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Chris Cargill
Jun 27, 20242 min read
No more secrets: Open the door to public employee contract talks
Collective bargaining in government is controversial, but it should never be a secret. Collective bargaining talks are the negotiations...
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Jason Mercier
Jun 12, 20242 min read
Montana’s Secretary of State details her opposition to Ranked Choice Voting
We’ve previously highlighted Washington’s Democratic Secretary of State’s concerns about Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Showing the...
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Chris Cargill
Jun 7, 20243 min read
Long live the legislative branch
All three branches are now trying to make laws – an effort that is dramatically changing the size, scope, and confidence in government. Thi
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