Chris Mehl

What Americans are concerned about when they talk about declining affordability. The essentials: Food, housing, income, and health care.

Starting Friday right with flowers dropped off by a friend. Have a great weekend.

Montana Democrats’ Bipartisan Work Brought Real Wins for Montana Communities  - Flathead Beacon During last year’s election, we had the opportunity to talk with thousands of Montanans about what they wanted to see from the Montana Legislature and our state’s politics. We heard one message loud a...

Op-Ed from #Montana Senate Democrats: "Montanans are done with the toxicity and bickering of modern-day politics...From Day 1 of the Legislative Session, we chose to put people and problem solving above petty politics." #mtnews #mtpol
flatheadbeacon.com/2025/08/07/m...

Wednesday Data: Employment change, last six months through July. Other than health care & social services, little job growth in other sectors.

Americans top concerns:

The hockey fan in August…

Joe Hancock: Gallatin County Democrats poised to govern from 'bottom up' instead of 'top down' After I was honorably discharged from the Air Force at 24, I moved to Bozeman to study at Montana State using my VA benefits.

Joe Hancock, new head of Gallatin Democrats, talks about his background (Air Force, Big Timber native) and hopes for a "brighter future for our children." #mtnews #mtpol #mtnews
www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/gue...

Why Drug Prices for Some Big Medicines Will Remain High for a Longer Time Little-known provisions lobbied by industry will cost Medicare billions in missed savings.

Hidden impact of the #BigBeautifulBill? Delays or drops some drugs from #Medicare price negotiations. Will cost Medicare at least $5 billion and seniors will pay more as well.
www.wsj.com/health/pharm...

Mixed job news for Montana cities. #Bozeman again lost jobs; -1.8% for June 2024-25 (as it had in May, below).

Other MT cities June-June:
-Billings: 0.4%
-Great Falls: -1%
-Helena: 1.5%
-Missoula: 0.3%

Note: Bozeman still has lowest unemployment, 2.4%. All below 3%. #mtnews

Change in under-18 U.S. population by race, ethnicity, 20-18-2024.

Note: #Montana U-18 population dropped by ~2,490 from 2023-24 while overall population grew by ~5,900. #mtnews

New CBO analysis on #Trump/GOP tax break bill for the wealthy: increasing deficit is $4.1 trillion during next 10 years. The biggest budget busting bill ever.
Link: www.cbo.gov/system/files...

Summary:
-Gen Z has has more purchasing power than baby boomers did in their 20s as $ goes further than in 1970s.
-Today’s young adults face financial challenges for housing and education.
2/2 Read more: www.consumeraffairs.com/finance/comp...

Purchasing power over time:
The good: "People today have about 63% more purchasing power than they did in 1973." [below]
The bad: housing and education costs rose faster than inflation while gas and others dropped. @consumeraffairs.bsky.social
1/2

Monday Data: #Montana imports far more goods than it exports. #mtnews

Avg wealth by generation--mostly tracking each other. 2024 $. @stlouisfed.bsky.social

Helped feed horses as volunteer at Eagle Mount program this AM. Even got to play with barn cat Lenny.

Avg. wealth by generation at age 34 (in 2024 $). @stlouisfed.bsky.social

Saturday Data: Job growth by sector last three months. BLS data, @julienberman.bsky.social

Don't like data on the #economy? Shoot the messenger. #Trump

...and 21% report losing money from an online scam or attack. 2/2

Friday Data: 73% of Americans have experienced an online scam. 1/2

US violent and property crime at or near historic lows.
h/t Jeff Asher substack.

More Americans now identify with Democrats than GOP.

Both parties continue to have poor favorable ratings; 34 & 38%. By comparison, in 1992 both parties had favorable ratings above 50%. @gallup.com

Americans just disagree. 80% say that on important issues facing the country, GOP & Democratic voters "not only disagree on plans and policies, but also cannot agree on basic facts."
@pewresearch.org

Local News: Vice-President raising money in Jackson, WY and Big Sky, MT today. #mtpol

U.S. homeownership rate last 60 yrs--varies within range of 63-69% or roughly 2/3 of households owning rather than renting. Current rate Q22025: 65%.

Forest Service to Abandon Nine Regional Offices - Mountain Journal As Washington continues slash-and-burn policies for federal agencies, USDA announces consolidation of offices responsible for 193 million acres of public land

The @forestservice.bsky.social plans to close regional offices, including Missoula. #mtnews
mountainjournal.org/forest-servi...

🤔 Under #Trump #tariff cars from Japan, not owned by U.S. firms, will pay a 15% import duty.

But cars made in Canada or Mexico, many made by U.S. companies, will pay a 25% tarriff.

Big generational divide on job opportunities. Survey of 5,700 young adults, parents, “navigators” (guidance counselors/teachers who work w/young adults) and employers about the job market.