Keeping the spirit of the
western frontier alive

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Election Crabs-In-The-Bucket

Election Crabs-In-The-Bucket

"We should want “Montanan” to mean anyone, longtime residents and newcomers alike, who embrace the frontier spirit. We should want “Montanan” to mean success and wealth and prosperity and vitality."

By Kendall Cotton

Local Control Is Failing Montana Education

Local Control Is Failing Montana Education

Key Points The signs of Montana education’s poor performance are both widespread and alarming. In our research, it is not evident that district school boards are raising alarms about declining performance or asserting local control. At least six major obstacles prevent school boards from providing effective oversight. In the absence of local control, state associations...

By Benjamin Lindquist, Cody Bendix

Lawfare Threatens Clean, Healthful Environment

Lawfare Threatens Clean, Healthful Environment

"Our chronically ambiguous federal and state environmental permitting laws have enabled fringe anti-forest management groups to weaponize the courts and shut down critical projects, even projects that are good for our forests and our environment."

By Kendall Cotton

Why Is Montana Experiencing Severe Teacher Shortages?

Why Is Montana Experiencing Severe Teacher Shortages?

Key Points Classroom teachers hold the most important positions in Montana public schools because they are the ones educating students every day. Montana teachers experience persistent low pay and even layoffs despite public school funding steadily increasing the past 6+ years. Since 2017, administration costs for Montana public schools have increased by 4.7% while money...

By Benjamin Lindquist, Cody Bendix

They Are ALL Our Children

They Are ALL Our Children

"Policy should improve the lives of citizens by increasing and upholding the individual’s freedom and dignity. The system should not be superior to the individual."

By Trish Schreiber

The Jews Of Montana

The Jews Of Montana

"All of us should be proud of what Nicky Winton did to save so many, and proud of Montana’s Jewish heritage too."

By Lawrence Reed