Keeping the spirit of the western frontier alive

Montana Supreme Court: An Institution in Need of Reform

Montana Supreme Court: An Institution in Need of Reform

  Key Points: Since 2012, the court’s opinions generally have become clearer and the rate of discarding its own case precedents has decreased. However, the court still uses unclear opinions, and the justices frequently disregard their own rules. This is particularly noticeable in how the justices waive standing requirements for favored plaintiffs, how they review...

By Professor Rob Natelson

Modern Mining, Outdated Permitting: Black Butte Copper Mine

Modern Mining, Outdated Permitting: Black Butte Copper Mine

"Despite the critical role copper plays in environmental progress and a proposal for the most responsible copper mine in Montana history, a small number of radical groups were able to hijack our permitting process and block Black Butte for years."

By Tanner Avery

Montana 2050: Data Centers

Montana 2050: Data Centers

Over the last 100 years, technological advancements have continuously challenged the status quo, fundamentally shifting how we live. While these changes have undoubtedly provided benefits to our everyday lives, Montanans have all too often been left behind as other states prosper from these innovations. The result has been a constant brain drain of our brightest...

By Tanner Avery

Leave Policy Making To Lawmakers

Leave Policy Making To Lawmakers

"It’s clear the proper place to address the multifarious issues raised by global climate change that concern the plaintiffs is within the democratic processes of our representative legislature — not the courts."

By Kendall Cotton

Beyond A Monopoly Mindset

Beyond A Monopoly Mindset

On June 6, 2023, Education Week published an article titled, “Charter Schools are Outperforming Traditional Public Schools: 6 Takeaways from a New Study.” Reporter Libby Stanford writes, A new study shows that charter school students are now outpacing their peers in traditional public schools in math and reading achievement, cementing a long-term trend of positive...

By Cody Bendix, Benjamin Lindquist

Black History Month In Montana

Black History Month In Montana

"He did not believe in segregating history by race, but rather, he dreamed of seamlessly incorporating the relevant history of all peoples into a unified discipline."

By Lawrence Reed

Why Are Coloradans Paid 30% More Than Montanans?

Why Are Coloradans Paid 30% More Than Montanans?

In 2019, a survey of 800+ Montana employers revealed that the number one obstacle to expanding employment is a lack of skilled workers. An overwhelming number of employers observed that: (a) schools are not adequately preparing students for the workforce; (b) schools are not adequately teaching students interpersonal skills; and (c) a majority of new...

By Benjamin Lindquist, Cody Bendix