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Chris Cargill
Nov 10, 20222 min read
Voters have amended Idaho’s constitution – now what?
It wasn’t overwhelming approval, but voters in the Gem State gave a thumbs up to a constitutional amendment that would allow the...
Chris Cargill
Nov 9, 20221 min read
Of squeakers and blowouts
Nationally speaking, Tuesday’s election results might not have been what everyone was expecting or predicting. It may take days or weeks...
Chris Cargill
Nov 5, 20222 min read
No, vote by mail elections do not increase voter turnout
Citizens across the Mountain States and the nation are busy casting ballots for the 2022 general election. Some have already voted by...
Madilynne Clark
Nov 4, 20222 min read
Examining local voter turnout in mid-term elections
Voter apathy runs rampant in many mid-term elections and lower voter turnout is the result. Lower profile races, indifference towards...
Chris Cargill
Oct 26, 20221 min read
Check out our new animation on gas tax transparency
Last month, we released a study calling for tax transparency at the gas pump. We've also appeared in the CDA Press, Idaho Statesman and...
Madilynne Clark
Oct 24, 20222 min read
Supreme Court looks at an Idaho case to offer clarity on WOTUS
What bodies of water does the federal government have authority over? Defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) is the long-standing...
Chris Cargill
Oct 23, 20222 min read
Our focus is on the policies, not the politics
As election season reaches its climax, it’s natural to be fired up for a specific candidate, or your preferred political party. It’s...
Chris Cargill
Oct 7, 20222 min read
Collective bargaining in government should never be secret
The citizens of the city of Spokane have reason to be upset. After nearly 80% of voters approved a city charter change demanding...
Chris Cargill
Oct 4, 20222 min read
The debate over calling legislatures into special sessions
This fall, voters in Idaho will be considering Senate Joint Resolution 102. The measure would amend Idaho’s constitution to allow for the...
Chris Cargill
Sep 26, 20222 min read
No excuses: government meetings should be live-streamed
Call it one of the few good things to come out of the pandemic. Government agencies have finally figured out how to make their meetings...
Chris Cargill
Sep 14, 20222 min read
Our fights over speech and language
In just a few years, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday. Through ups and downs, our struggle to make a more perfect...
Chris Cargill
Aug 30, 20221 min read
Thoughts about the Idaho special session
The Idaho Legislature convenes in a special session on Thursday, September 1st. Here's what we think about the proposals that will be...
Chris Cargill
Aug 30, 20221 min read
Ready, set, go...
We are excited today to launch the Mountain States Policy Center blog. As the organization's incoming President & CEO, I am humbled by...
Chris Cargill
Jun 29, 20223 min read
The state of emergency, emergency
While most states have ended their states of emergency, Washington State remains under emergency proclamation. Governor Jay Inslee issued...
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