Announcements

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross, urging the court to declare that California’s Proposition 12—which purports to regulate the pork industry within the Golden State, but in reality imposes its regulations nationwide—violates the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause. 

Buz Koelbel, in partnership with Job Creators Network, produced a video on American exceptionalism. When describing what inspired Koelbel to create this video, he noted: “This was done totally from my heart because I do get up every day and count my blessings, having lived and participated in the most magical and successful experiment in the history of mankind. Unfortunately, many in this country are diligently working to erase everything about America and its exceptionalism. I dearly want my four kids/spouses, and 10 grandkids to be able to reflect on those same blessings I so cherish while enjoying the “pursuit of happiness”. Watch the video here.

The Goldwater Institute launched a new project to help citizens hold government accountable, with OpenMyGovernment.org and Open My Government: A Citizens Guide to Public Records Requests. With these tools, Americans can now access a comprehensive, step-by-step, and state-by-state guide that outlines best practices for drafting well-defined requests for public information. Each guide is tailored to a state’s unique public records law, putting accountability in reach for everyday Americans. 

The Idaho Freedom Foundation announced that Rep. Ron Nate joined its policy team as a senior policy fellow.

This Week on SPN.org

Checking In On Legislative Sessions: What States Passed Tax Relief To Help American Families?

SPN Jobs Report: Is State Job Recovery Slowing Down?

Success Stories

• The Supreme Court ruled in Carson v. Makin that a parental choice program in Maine cannot exclude religious schools.

• The Arizona House passed a bill that would expand its ESA program to universal eligibility. 

• The Mackinac Center entered a settlement with the state of Michigan to receive $200,000 in attorney fees. These fees are a result of the win at the Michigan Supreme Court that struck down Gov. Whitmer’s emergency powers. They will be split evenly and paid between the governor’s office, the attorney general, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

• The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee approved a bill to extend Lifeline Scholarships to students in underperforming school districts. The Commonwealth Foundation noted Lifeline Scholarships would give students in the lowest-performing public schools a modest portion of the per-pupil education funding to use on educational expenses, such as tuition, curriculum, and tutoring

• The Louisiana Governor signed two bills that will reform Louisiana’s occupational licensing laws and restore the right to earn a living for Louisianans. The Pelican Institute noted these bills will begin the process of reforming our occupational licensing laws and give everyone in Louisiana a fair chance at succeeding as an entrepreneur. 

Solutions from the states: This week’s policy briefs

• The Commonwealth Foundation released the 2022 Pennsylvania Budget Checklist that includes four elements of a good budget.

• Caesar Rodney Institute released a new study that no emissions reduction was gained from increasing wind & solar power.

• A new study published by Pioneer Institute finds that issuing pension obligation bonds to refinance $360 million of the MBTA Retirement Fund’s (MBTARF’s) $1.3 billion unfunded pension liability would only compound the T’s already serious financial risks.

Policy News from the States

Carson v. Makin

U.S. Supreme Court Decision Important Victory For Educational Freedom

Center of the American Experiment

U.S. Supreme Court Once Again Prohibits Religious Discrimination in School Choice Decision

Mackinac Center

U.S. Supreme Court Delivers Win for Parents

Empower Mississippi

Supreme Court Delivers Victory for Religious Freedom

John Locke Foundation

Maine Policy Applauds SCOTUS Ruling in Carson v. Makin

Maine Policy Institute

The Supreme Court Explains School Choice (Again), But Is The South Carolina Senate Listening?

Palmetto Promise Institute

A SCOTUS Victory for Private School Choice

Show-Me Institute

School Choice Funds Students, Not Schools

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Education

How a Retirement Plan Change Impacted Teacher Retention in Alaska

Alaska Policy Forum

The $60 Million Question for Portland Public Schools: Where is…

Cascade Policy Institute

Public Funding In The Private Sector

Mississippi Center for Public Policy

Teacher Licensure and Shortages

Libertas Institute

Tide of School Choice Support Keeps Rising

Mackinac Center

Energy

University of Delaware Disappoints Again

Caesar Rodney Institute

Portland’s “EV Ready Code” Isn’t That Electric

Cascade Policy Institute

Government Manipulation Of Energy Markets Is A Cause Of, Not A Solution To, High Energy Prices

Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

Cheap, Clean Energy Isn’t An Oxymoron

Kansas Policy Institute

Albuquerque Public Schools’ new budget pushes per-pupil spending above $27,000

Rio Grande Foundation

Healthcare

The Misconceptions of Medicaid Expansion

Georgia Public Policy Foundation

Housing

How To Make Housing Affordable In Hawaii (Oahu Presentation)

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Inflation/Gas Prices

A Gas Tax Holiday Is Still A Bad Idea

Center of the American Experiment

Inflation Cut Minnesotans Per Capita Personal Incomes 0.7% In First Quarter

Center of the American Experiment

Time to Face the Facts: Inflation Hurting All Consumers

Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

The Role Of Regulations On Inflation

Frontier Institute

We Can Do Something About Inflation

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Biden May Suspend Federal Gas Tax As Pritzker Sets Up Double Hike For 2023

Illinois Policy Institute

Bidenflation Threatens to Tear Down Main Street

John Locke Foundation

How Not to Lower Gas Prices

John Locke Foundation

Biden Proposes Gas Tax Holiday, But Will That Just Make Inflation Worse?

John Locke Foundation

No Investigation Needed – Government Energy Policy Fuels Record-High Gas Prices

Pacific Research Institute

Taxation Without Legislation: Exploring Inflation’s Causes, Curses & Cures

Pioneer Institute

Inflation is America’s Top Concern

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Democratic Governor On Providing Tax Relief To Help With Inflation: “It Is Absolutely Unconscionable Not To Do This”

Washington Policy Center

Jobs And State Economies

New York Still Lagging Nation’s Employment Recovery

Empire Center

New Jersey Personal Income “Dreary,” Trails Nation & Neighbors In Q1

Garden State Initiative

Citadel 3rd Major Company To Leave Illinois In 2 Months

Illinois Policy Institute

Unemployment Rate Continues To Fall: Biden Recession Ahead?

Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

Kansas and 17 Other States Lose Private-Sector Jobs in May

Kansas Policy Institute

Citizens Need the Ability to Challenge Occupational Licensing Requirements

Libertas Institute

Nebraska Is Losing Taxpayers. See Where They’re Moving.

Platte Institute

State Budgets and Spending

Alabama Lawmakers Should Be In No Rush To Spend Additional ARPA Funds

Alabama Policy Institute

Mississippi Reducing Its Income Tax Starting July 1st

Alabama Policy Institute

Best Practices For A Better Kentucky: Keep ‘Rainy Day’ Fund Pedal To The Medal

Bluegrass Institute

Inflation-Adjusted Per Capita State Spending Doubles In One Decade—For What?

California Policy Center

Commonwealth Foundation Warns Governor: Don’t Inflate the Budget

Commonwealth Foundation

Nevada Policy Supports Call for COVID-19 Spending Audit 

Nevada Policy Research Institute

Inflation Is Cause For Extreme Caution On Oklahoma Use Of ARPA Funds

Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Workplace Freedom

What Is A Labor Union, And What Could Unions Mean For Alabama?

Alabama Policy Institute

Member Profile: Matt Eason

Americans for Fair Treatment

Biden Thanks Labor For Getting Him Elected

Americans for Fair Treatment

Public-Sector Unions Funded Powerful Progressive Network that Attacked Elon Musk

Americans for Fair Treatment

Other

Three Cheers To Arthur Guinness!

Frontier Institute

Think Tanks in the News

Teachers Upset With Their Unions Don’t Have To Take It Any More

Americans for Fair Treatment on Wilkow!

Paying Their Dues: How A Leading Teachers Union Used A Quarter Of Their Funds To Elect Democrat Candidates

Americans for Fair Treatment cited at The Daily Signal

Some Arguments Against The Move For Unionization On Capitol Hill

Americans for Fair Treatment on Federal News Network

Educational Freedom Surges Among Supremes

Bluegrass Institute at Kentucky Today

Ohio Senate Helping Students Recoup Learning Losses

The Buckeye Institute in The Lima News

The $60 Million Question For Portland Public Schools: Where Is The Money Going?

Cascade Policy Institute in the Portland Tribune

Bear Market Spells Big Trouble For NY State And City Budgets

Empire Center in The New York Post

Bloomberg: Charter Schools Outperform Public Alternative, Unions Largely to Blame

Freedom Foundation at RedState

President Biden Said The Quiet Part Out Loud

Freedom Foundation at Broad + Liberty

States Need to Avoid ‘Cures’ that Can Make Inflation Worse

Garden State Initiative at RealClearPolicy

The Real Problem Isn’t Inflation. It’s the Price Level.

Georgia Center for Opportunity at RealClearPolicy

It’s Time To Hold Georgia Schools Accountable Again

Georgia Public Policy Foundation in the Dalton Daily Citizen

Housing Costs Have Soared. What Should Government Do About It?

Illinois Policy Institute in Crain’s Chicago Business

The Supreme Court’s ‘American Hospital’ Case: A View of the DC Swamp

Independence Institute in The Epoch Times

Put Tighter Restraints On Local Governments Addicted To Property Taxes

ITR Foundation in the Des Moines Register

Lawmakers Should Fix Utility Favoritism Instead Of Approving More

Mackinac Center in The County Press

Price Controls Can’t Cure an Ailing Insulin Market

Pacific Research Institute in Newsmax

Plastics Fight Would Inconvenience Californians, Not Do Much To Help The Planet

Pacific Research Institute in the Los Angeles Daily News

California Exodus

Pacific Research Institute on NewsNation

America Needs Dads More Than Ever

Pegasus Institute in National Review

What’s Better For Disadvantaged Students, Trades Or College?

The Pioneer Institute’s new book featured in The Washington Post

Is Houston A Model In Reducing Homelessness Or Will Its Policies Fail?

Texas Public Policy Foundation in The Hill

STA Taxpayers Get Bigger Bill, Bigger Delays And Bigger Government

Washington Policy Center in the Spokesman-Review

Events and Opportunities

Please see SPN’s Network Calendar for a full list of events.