Quick Links
Freedom Isn't Free!
We rely solely on the help of our members to spread the word of free people, free markets, and limited government. Help MPI restore a legacy of opportunity in Montana with your tax exempt contribution today!  
 MPI Website 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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"America's tradition of being free provides greater economic growth and efficiency, better distribution of opportunities, and larger possibilities for the pursuit of happiness. But what's really important about being free is that it's moral. Individual liberty and personal responsibility are right. Collective restraint and communal irresponsibility are wrong."
- P.J. O'Rourke
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MPI Welcomes Two New Board Members
MPI's latest additions are two new board members: Chris Helland of Glasgow and Harry Hyatt of Bigfork joined us this summer. We'd like to thank them for their commitment to Montana's future.
MPI Welcomes It's Newest Staff Member
We are pleased to welcome our new Administrative Assistant, Patsy Krause. Patsy's helping keep things under control in our Bozeman office as we prepare for the 2013 Legislative Session.
We're Still Gathering the Goods For Our 2012 Pork Report!
The report is a one-stop shopping guide to state government and should be mandatory reading for all taxpayers.
 If you have any tips or ideas about what should be in the next 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 2012 Report on November 17th at our Legislative Forum in Helena. Be sure to be there! |
American Majority Montana Activist Trainings
American Majority uses a cutting edge training curriculum to empower individuals and organizations with the most effective tools to promote liberty through limited government. They have conducted over 600 trainings in 44 different states, training over 20,000 candidates and activists. AM will be offering their first round of training in Montana this month.
Topic: Instant Activism
August 11, 2012 10AM-2PM
Helena, MT
Helena, MT Event Page
August 25, 2012 10AM-2PM
Bozeman, MT
Bozeman, MT Event Page
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Mark Your Calendars!
The 2012 MPI Legislative Forum will be held on
Saturday, November 17!
MPI's biennial Legislative Forum will be held on November 17th at the Great Northern in Helena. We had over 150 attendees in 2010 and expect even more this year as Montana legislators and taxpayers prepare for the 2013 session. The Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore will headline, and as always, we'll bring in guest speakers from across Montana and the US to provide analysis and ideas for providing free market answers to our policy challenges. Check our our event page for more details and to register!
Want your name on the sponsor board?
If you're interested in helping us get first rate speakers for this informative and nonpartisan event, please contact us at (406) 219-0508 or go to our secure sponsor page.
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| OpenGovMT.org a Hit!
We crashed the servers, got pilloried in the media and by the unions, and had over 20,000 people visit the site in less than a week. Overall not a bad effort.
On July 12, 2012, we updated our OpenGovMT.org transparency portal with the actual compensation data we obtained as a result of our lawsuit against the state.
You can search by agency, name, location, and more. There are also interesting demographic trends to explore.
The site is non-judgmental about whether compensation is too high, too low, or just about right. That's for taxpayers to decide. We just think it's fair for Montanans to know how much they're paying their employees.
Go to our website to find more information about reactions to the site.
You can also go to our YouTube page for links to news clips that mention our site.
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New Policy Brief
Minimum Wage and Teen Unemployment
Montana's minimum wage has increased almost 50% since 2005, with the predictable effect that teen unemployment is hovering near historical highs.
It's simple economics. If you increase the cost of something people will buy less of it. That applies to labor as much as it does to potato chips or houses. So while those with jobs get paid more, there are fewer jobs to go around.
Here's a press release summarizing the findings.
And here's the full Policy Brief.
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MPI on the Radio
Tune into KMMS 1450 every Monday morning from 8:40-9:00AM to hear MPI's CEO Carl Graham tackle the important issues in Montana on The Mark Allen Show.
Carl is on KGVO 1290 in Missoula the fourth Tuesday of each month on Talk Back with Peter Christian and Jon King. You can catch the show from 8:30am-10:00am live or on the web.
Carl is on Montana Public Radio the 4th Thursday of every month at 5:55pm.
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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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