Bozeman is the state’s fastest growing and most prosperous city. Much of our public discourse centers around how to manage the stresses that come with our growing popularity. Hence, I was surprised to read that the Bozeman City Commission will soon decide if the northeast section of town is a “blighted” area. This designation will […]

Bozemanites live in the midst of a fascinating experiment in environmental economics. We are in the vortex of two colliding principles. First, trash flows downhill or downwind toward poverty, and second, economic systems evolve toward efficiency. We are watching these forces play out at the Holcim Trident cement plant near Three Forks, Montana. Holcim Inc., […]

Gallatin County is undergoing rapid economic and social change. We are home to increasing numbers of high-tech and biotech start-ups. Our population grew 50 percent from 1990 to 2004, far outpacing national growth of 18 percent. This is not the case in all rural areas; many regions face diminishing opportunities and populations. And those fortunate […]

On July 3rd, Independence Eve, FREE celebrated its 20th anniversary. While we always enjoy Fourth of July celebrations, we wanted more than food, fireworks, friends, and frivolity. An important part of FREE’s mission is to harmonize responsible liberty with environmental quality. Hence we designed a special program to recognize our glorious, though imperfect, nation. We […]

America’s founders understood this law of politics: The governing class advances policies that benefit the wealthy and well connected. As George Will notes, “The world is divided between those who do and do not understand that activist, interventionist, regulating, subsidizing government is generally a servant of the strong and entrenched against the weak and aspiring.” […]