What’s an item you’ll find in almost any toolbox in businesses and households around the country? Pliers. And Channellock is one of the nation’s best producers of pliers. Since 1886, this Meadville, Pennsylvania-based company’s tools have helped build countless homes, hospitals, cars, and personal projects for millions of Americans. Even now, pliers are an important tool used for a variety of activities necessary to keep our nation moving. But due to government overreach triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, Channellock was closed down by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.

Leaders across the country are understandably making quick, difficult decisions in this unprecedented time. But they don’t always make the right call. Sometimes they don’t understand the ramifications of their decisions. Closing a company like Channellock is a prime example of unintended consequences when blanket decisions are hastily made.

Thankfully, businesses like Channellock have an advocate in their state: The Commonwealth Foundation, Pennsylvania’s free-market public policy think tank.

As soon as Commonwealth Foundation saw the impact of misapplied pandemic policies, their team sprang into action and helped draft legislation that would open up important business services for Pennsylvanians and the rest of the nation that rely on Pennsylvania producers. They have served as a liaison between businesses and citizens who need an advocate at the state capitol now more than ever.

Commonwealth Foundation President Charles Mitchell observed, “I don’t believe in making people do things that are unsafe—none of us believe that. But when there are places where people can work safely and they want to, it’s harmful to stop them. We are the champions for these workers.”

Commonwealth has also drawn on the example of other state governments and state think tanks to propose public policies that both protect public health and allow businesses to continue providing important products and services.

The organization recently helped a payroll company that was shut down since it was considered not “life-sustaining” under Pennsylvania’s coronavirus quarantine rules. Mitchell commented, “How do you think nurses get paid? We helped this payroll company make sure nurses were paid. That’s what I mean when I say we’re the champions for workers.”

This is yet another example of how state think tanks are leading the way in protecting citizens and giving them a voice when government oversteps. State think tanks across the nation are helping citizens and lawmakers in their states as we all navigate this uncertain time. They are providing the sound research and policies that will be critical to our economies bouncing back.

Mitchell reflects the sentiments of state think tank staff across the nation when he noted, “We really can fight, win, and be champions for workers. The impact we’ve had on workers over the last few weeks has been significant, and it’s incredibly meaningful to help those people. It’s also meaningful because I know it wouldn’t be happening if not for our allied organizations across the states.”