October 13, 2023
Week in Review: October 13, 2023
The Buckeye Institute was named by The Columbus Dispatch as “one of the most prominent players shaping the U.S. Supreme Court’s agenda,” in a piece that featured the great work of Buckeye’s Legal Center. “‘We are having a tremendous impact,’ President Robert Alt said. ‘That The Buckeye Institute has surpassed so many larger and better-established organizations in Supreme Court amicus practice is a real testament to Buckeye’s strategic approach and the skill of our attorneys.’”
California Policy Center hosted a Local Elected Candidate & Leadership Training event in Bakersfield that included campaign basics for candidates planning to run for local office as well as advanced leadership skill building for local elected officials governing cities, counties and school districts.
Cascade Policy Institute announced the date, October 18, for their “Policy Picnic,” an event featuring CEO John Charles which will uncover the facts behind Oregon’s disappearing electricity supply.
Goldwater Institute’s Van Sittert Center for Constitutional Advocacy announced, in collaboration with AAT Education, the development of a groundbreaking new United States history curriculum for high school students.
Idaho Freedom Foundation released an overview of Idaho’s fiscal health, how it affects Idahoans, and how legislators can put the state on the right path in 2024.
John Locke Foundation unveiled the findings of their October Civitas Poll, surveying likely Republican Primary voters in North Carolina about their preferences for the 2024 candidates. The results indicate that both former President Donald Trump and Lt. Governor Mark Robinson are commanding significant leads in the GOP primaries, while another statewide race indicate a toss-up. Locke also announced that it is bringing back their highly popular video series, Policy Pizza, for another round, with the first episode of Season 2 to be released this weekend. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to Locke’s YouTube channel so as not to miss any of the action from Season 2!
Liberty Justice Center announced that it filed a request for all records relating to the Florida Department of Education’s recent decision to suspend school choice scholarships to four schools, based on the allegation that the schools have “direct ties” to the Chinese Communist Party and “constitute an imminent threat to the health, safety, and welfare of these schools’ students and the public,” while the Center’s recent victory for free speech in McDonald v. Lawson continues to attract media attention, with articles and interviews by Fox News, the Center Square, the Washington Examiner, and more.
Mountain States Policy Center hosted its first annual Boise dinner, which brought more than 500 attendees to the Boise Centre to hear keynote speeches from the 17th U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Dr. Ben Carson and the Wall Street Journal’s Kim Strassel. The Center also released details on Montana’s legislative process and a Q&A on how citizens can participate in this process.
Texas Public Policy Foundation hosted a panel on empowering parents to determine the best education for their child. Meanwhile, the Foundation’s Joshua Treviño and Carine Martinez submitted testimony before the Texas Senate Committee on Border Security, and Michael Barba submitted testimony in favor of Education Savings Accounts before the Texas Senate Education Committee.
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit seeking to overturn Wisconsin’s Legislative Districts. The lawsuit was brought by several left-leaning attorneys, who are trying to relitigate issues resolved just a year and a half ago.
North Carolina: The North Carolina General Assembly effectively overturned Gov. Cooper’s veto on legislation that enacts several election reforms (John Locke Foundation).
Wisconsin: The town of Hayward agreed to hold a publicly noticed “special town meeting” that was rightfully and legally requested by residents of the town. The town changed course once a lawsuit was filed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty a few weeks ago.
Badger Institute released a policy brief explaining their opposition to a bill proposed in the Wisconsin Senate that exempts some retirement income from the state income tax, finding it to be an unfair exemption and poorly targeted relief.
Beacon Center of Tennessee’s Olivia Michiels wrote a brief examining the Federal Reserve’s release of the first phase in the rollout of its new FedNow instant payment platform.
California Policy Center’s Edward Ring issued a brief examining the economic and environmental catastrophe of offshore wind policies.
Empire Center’s Ken Girardin wrote a brief illuminating why and how legislators need to get serious about tackling New York’s archaic liquor rules.
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s Keli’i Akina penned a brief calling for legislators, in the wake of the August 8 wildfires, to leave it to Maui residents to decide what is best for them individually.
James Madison Institute’s Dr. Edward Longe and Turner Loesel published a brief examining the Federal Communications Commission’s plans to reinstate net neutrality rules, plans which risk disrupting a regulatory environment that has seen increased private investment and speeds.
Mackinac Center’s Michael D. LaFaive issued a brief which links economic freedom to economic growth and presents data showing that Michigan ranks poorly when it comes to economic freedom.
Mountain States Policy Center’s Sean V. O’Brien penned a brief that examined the Accurately Counting Risk Elimination Solutions (ACRES) Act, legislation crafted to bring transparency and accountability surrounding actions taken by land management agencies.
Pelican Institute for Public Policy released a brief questioning the Federal Communications Commission’s recent move to take control of the internet.
People United for Privacy Foundation published a brief exploring the history of the term “dark money” and how politicians use it to attack the privacy and free speech rights of nonprofits.
Pioneer Institute wrote a brief that examines how patent protections fuel biopharma innovation which, in turn, helps patients.
Washington Policy Center’s Mark Harmsworth authored a policy brief that serves as a “Citizen’s Guide” to an initiative to increase the minimum wage and limit job opportunities for Bellingham workers, while Todd Myers examined a letter from the Washington Department of Ecology that contradict previous claims on the state’s climate tax.
Texas: A school choice bill has passed the Texas Senate. The House is now considering this reform that could bring school choice to some Texas children (Texas Public Policy Foundation).
Topics:
New ACT Scores Show Pandemic’s Grip on Kentucky’s Students Continues
Bluegrass Institute
After Years of Failing Students, Schools Return to Phonics to Teach Reading
Center of the American Experiment
Tell It to the Judge: Raise Our Standards
Center of the American Experiment
Poorer Children Need the Same Choices as Richer Children
Commonwealth Foundation
State Drags Out Test Mess
Empire Center
Tina Lavery’s Story
Illinois Policy Institute
Pandemic Recovery Slow for Low-Performing Students
Institute for Reforming Government
School Climate Outweighs Pay in Teacher Retention
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
The BASIC Fund: Proof That School Choice Works, Even in California
Pacific Research Institute
Former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty on School Reform
Pioneer Institute
Maybe the Adults Need a Math Test
Show-Me Institute
Sexual Assault of a Plainview Child Shows Need for Parent Empowerment
Texas Public Policy Foundation
The Results Are in… Wisconsin Schools Are Failing Kids!
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty
Soaring Industrial Electricity Prices Threaten Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
Center of the American Experiment
Xcel Energy Has the Highest Residential Electricity Prices in Minnesota, Otter Tail Power the Lowest
Center of the American Experiment
SB 389: New Water Law Wastes Time in the Race to Save a Valuable Resource
Pacific Research Institute
Gas Car Ban Regulation Heads to Committee for Approval
Yankee Institute
How Tinslee’s Story Helped Change Texas’s 10-Day Rule
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Rising Healthcare Reformer Charts a Path for Young Professionals and Policy Reforms
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Renter’s ‘Bill of Rights’ Would Spike Michigan Housing Costs
Mackinac Center
Home Is Where the Hope Is
Texas Public Policy Foundation
September Data Show That Inflation Continues to Erode Earnings
Center of the American Experiment
Data Show That Minnesota One of 13 States Which Still Haven’t Regained Their Pre-COVID-19 Employment Numbers
Center of the American Experiment
High Food Prices Stem from Government Overreach in Agriculture Policy
Kansas Policy Institute
Anti-ESG Law Benefiting State Economy
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Taxpayers Help Pay to Injure Their Favorite Players
Beacon Center of Tennessee
NYC Fire Pensions Hit New High
Empire Center
Living In N.H. Would Save a New England Powerball Winner Up to $126 Million in Taxes
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy
Republican Senators Back Stitt on Tax Cuts
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
A Cavalier Cash Grab
MacIver Institute
Union-Backed Bills Pose Biggest Challenges to Cities
Pacific Research Institute
Happy Columbus Day! Now Return the Statue
Center of the American Experiment
The Immortality of Ben Franklin and the American Dream Made Real
Goldwater Institute
Our ‘Leaders’ — Chosen but not Liked
Indiana Policy Review Foundation
Israel Under Attack
John Locke Foundation
Atrocities in Israel – How Should America Respond?
Mississippi Center for Public Policy
In the Wisconsin State Journal, the Badger Institute‘s Mike Nichols highlights how UW-Madison is finally grappling with a former president’s odious views.
In her recent column for The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Commonwealth Foundation‘s Jennifer Stefano points out conservative students can’t speak freely, and explains why that’s bad for everyone.
In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation‘s Kyle Wingfield highlights the challenge of tackling Georgia’s limited housing accommodations.
In The Washington Times, the Goldwater Institute‘s Matt Beienburg considers what’s really behind the problems at Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research.
In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute‘s Paul Vallas notes the sanctuary city program threatens Chicago’s future.
In his recent column for The Denver Gazette, the Independence Institute‘s Jon Caldara considers Rep. Ken Buck’s decision to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
In the Iowa Gazette, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation‘s John Hendrickson highlights how Governor Reynolds brings greater accountability and oversight to government.
At RealClearPolicy, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation‘s John Hendrickson highlights how Governor Kim Reynolds is a champion of fiscal conservatism.
At The American Spectator, the Independent Institute’s Lloyd Billingsley examines how the Biden Administration is now implementing California-style travel restrictions, even after the Golden State has abandoned them.
At the Independent, the Independent Institute’s Philip Magness opines on President Joe Biden’s proposed 25 percent minimum tax on the wealthy –the centerpiece of his “Bidenomics” plan.
In the Carolina Journal, John Locke Foundation’s Donald Bryson urges lawmakers to discontinue North Carolina’s premier corporate incentive program.
In his recent column, the John Locke Foundation‘s John Hood considers how we can foster constructive engagement across political differences.
At The Oxford Eagle, the Liberty Justice Center’s Buck Dougherty argues that Mississippi’s 1890 state constitution wrongfully discriminates against private schools.
In The County Press, the Mackinac Center‘s James Hohman outlines three reasons Michigan’s budget is unsustainable.
In the Idaho Stateman, Mountain States Policy Center’s Olivia Johnson reports on how a Washington couple was taxed on money they hadn’t made yet, calling on SCOTUS to stop this destructive practice.
In The Center Square, the Pelican Institute‘s Daniel Erspamer highlights more bad policy coming out of Washington DC.
In the Albuquerque Journal, the Rio Grande Foundation’s Julie Wright argues that the Federal government shouldn’t dictate credit card fees.
In the Federalist, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Chuck DeVore warns that Hamas’ attack is a wake-up call to America about the risks of the U.S. open border.
At National Review, Washington Policy Center’s Donald Kimball reviews some of the dire but unfulfilled claims made by pro-net neutrality pundits who predicted disaster once the Open Internet Order was revoked.
