Tax day, the governor's 5% cuts to the state budget, and a range of other budget debates have passed, allowing the opportunity to envision a path ahead for the Montana state budget.

MBPC Research Director Sarah Wilhelm argues for the need for a balanced approach to the state budget in a guest editorial in the Great Fall Tribune, where she explains the important connection between tax revenue and state services like education and land management:

The services that create pride in our communities do not fall from the sky. They are created by the decisions we make through our elected officials and paid for with our tax dollars. In times like these, if we rely solely on cuts to public services and infrastructure, we risk hurting families that are struggling, and we will fail to make the investments we'll need to take advantage of prosperity when it returns.

Click here to read Dr. Wilhelm's comments in their entirety.