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We practice what we preach and don't take any government money. Help MPI keep free enterprise alive and support your voice for freedom TODAY!
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Mark Your Calendar for our 2012 Legislative Forum!
Mark the date - November 17, 2012 for our Legislative Forum to be held at the Great Northern Hotel in Helena. The event is open to the public. More information to follow soon. |
Quick Links
 
Tons of information you can use to argue for freedom, free markets, and limited government
An independent news-gathering organization, published by Montana Policy Institute
A site dedicated to government transparency
Easy access to school spending and government employee compensation
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About MPI
Montana Policy Institute is a non-profit free-market think tank focused on "flipping the switch" from government dependence to free people and free enterprise. We provide credible nonpartisan expertise and analysis to help Montanans advocate for policies that are based on a respect for individual freedom, an expectation of personal responsibility, and the idea that government intervention should be an avenue of last, rather than first, resort when addressing public policy challenges. To find out more visit our website at: montanapolicy.org :: |
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Happy Spring!
Scroll down for the latest news and happenings at MPI and around Montana.
Some food for thought:
"You say we [reporters] are distracting from the business of government. Well, I hope so. Distracting a politician from governing is like distracting a bear from eating your baby. - P.J. O'Rourke
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MPI is Growing!
We're proud to announce the hiring of our latest addition to the MPI family, Glenn Oppel as Policy Director.
Glenn will oversee our policy studies and programs from our new office in Helena. He'll also be there to attend hearings and meetings so that we can keep you up to date on what your state government is doing for you...or to you.
Welcome aboard Glenn! |
 We're Gathering the Goods For Our 2013 Pork Report!
Our 2010 Pork Report was a huge hit and we're getting started on the 2013 edition.
The report is a one-stop shopping guide to state government and should be mandatory reading for all taxpayers.
We're analyzing data and going through the budget line by line to weed out and expose excessive spending in the Big Sky state, along with ideas on how to restore fiscal sanity.
If you have any tips or ideas about what should be in the next Pork Report - or if you want to help us put one on every dining room table in Montana - email us here.
We're rollin' out the NEW 2013 Pork on November 17th at our Legislative Forum in Helena. Be sure to be there!
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| MPI Wins Actual Employee Pay Information Lawsuit!
The system worked. The state refused to give us public pay information, we were forced to sue, and the court ruling ordered the Department of Administration to provide us with electronic records of actual state employee pay, as well as to reimburse MPI's legal costs for the suit.
Thanks to those who supported us in the suit, and a HUGE thanks goes out to our donors. This couldn't have been possible without your support!
You can read more about the final settlement in Lee Newspaper's story here.
We expect to get the data in early April and it will go up on our opengovmt.org website shortly after that!
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 Redistricting Website Funding
We Need YOUR Help!
What's your take on Montana's current redistricting process?
Do you remember or were you affected by the
"Blunder of 2000"?
We have created a website fully dedicated to monitoring and reporting on the dealings of the 2012/2013 Redistricting Committee (the panel in charge of drawing district lines for state legislators every ten years after the Census is put out) and need YOUR help to get it online!
We are looking to raise a total of $3,000 to get this website up and working so we can provide transparency details of this process at your fingertips.
Please feel free to call us at (406) 219-0508 for more details or you may make a secure online donation/get our mailing address here.
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Tapping Capitalism Tour Dates
*Updated*
Did you know that state government spending in Montana is up over 50% in the past 10 years; or that we are dependent on (and beholden to) federal dollars for over 40% of state spending?
Did you know that Montana is ranked 49th nationally in incomes per job?
How about that Montana consistently ranks below our neighboring states in nearly every indicator that job creators use when deciding where to invest?
There are solutions
Bring a few friends to have lunch, and hear about MPI's plan to encourage free markets and free people in the Treasure State
Current Dates: April 18 - Glendive April 19 - Glasgow May 17 - Helena (Note: We apologize for the March cancellations in the Great Falls area and will have new dates available shortly!) Registration and more dates will be available shortly on our homepage! Feel free to call us at (406) 219-0508 if you would like to register before then. In the meantime, be sure to watch our trailer video!
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Attention Central and Eastern Montana!
'FrackNation' Event on April 12th!
We'll be in Glendive the evening of April 12th. Watch our website for more details.
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"Hands Off My Health Care" Rally in Bozeman on March 27th!
As you are most likely aware, the Supreme Court will be considering the constitutionality of several elements of the President's health care takeover. This may be our best chance to overturn this offense against our health care freedoms.
In conjunction with the rally being held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on the same day, local affiliates of national supporters will be hosting a rally in Bozeman opposing the ACA and individual health care mandate as unconstitutional on the day the U.S. Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments challenging the bill's Constitutionality. This rally marks a critical milestone on the road to repealing the ACA. We need your help to remind politicians that this law is contrary to the Constitution and the will of the American people. WHEN: Tuesday, March 27 at 12:00 Noon WHERE: Gallatin County Court House (Main St. corner of 3rd.) WHO: Medical doctors, patients and patriots will be presenting and attending. Please see the flyer for more information. Can't make it but still want to make a difference? Sponsors Include: |
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Montana Watchdog
Get the latest in investigative journalism at Montana Watchdog. Who are they? The Watchdog collective is a rapidly growing breed of nonprofit journalism committed to holding the government accountable. That means telling YOU how your tax dollars are being spent in Montana. We've broken some of the hardest hitting stories around the state and there's no sign of slowing down! Be sure to "LIKE" Montana Watchdog on Facebook and follow contributing editor, Phil Drake, on Twitter for up to the minute breaking news! 
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MPI on the Radio
 | | Click here for archived shows or to listen live |
Tune into AM 1450 KMMS Radio every Monday morning from 8:30-9:00 AM to hear MPI's CEO Carl Graham tackle the important issues in Montana.  Why don't you subscribe to our podcast to receive new episodes automatically in your iTunes or other RSS feed catcher!
Carl will also be on KGVO 1290 in Missoula the fourth Tuesday of each month for Talk Back with Peter Christian. You can catch the shows from 8:30am-10:00am live or on the web. |
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