July 12, 2024
Week in Review: July 12, 2024
Alabama Policy Institute announced that 2016 Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson would be the keynote speaker at its 35th Anniversary Dinner later this year.
Georgia Public Policy Foundation released a new Spanish-language website, politicadegeorgia.org, as the Foundation continues and expands outreach into Hispanic and Spanish speaking communities of Georgia.
Kansas Policy Institute launched the scores for the Kansas Freedom Index this week, scoring lawmakers’ votes for the 2024 legislative session. The Freedom Index allows Kansans to have a deeper understanding of how this year’s legislation impacts education freedom, economic freedom, and the constitutional principles of individual liberty and limited government.
Liberty Justice Center and Pelican Institute issued a statement praising a federal court’s decision to halt the Biden Administration’s ban on the export of liquid natural gas (LNG). The court’s ruling in this case, brought by 16 states through their attorneys general, will halt the ban in its entirety, effective immediately. In May, the Center and Pelican co-filed a lawsuit which also challenges the LNG export ban, on behalf of an association of oil and gas workers.
Maine Policy Institute announced the date and keynote speaker for its 2024 Freedom and Opportunity Luncheon. The event will take place on August 19 and will feature prominent author Mr. Peter Schweizer.
Sutherland Institute announced a new statement of principles, along with a renewed mission and vision statement, that will guide the think tank’s work in the coming months and years. The statement calls for a renewed application of America’s founding ideals and a strong defense of our nation’s institutions of civil society that have been eroded by both internal and external forces.
Washington Policy Center submitted a request to the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC) to review the State Building Code Council’s rulemaking and the Regulatory Fairness Act. JARRC has the authority to hold agencies accountable when they violate laws regarding rulemaking procedure, as they have in the last legislative session with the natural gas ban legislation.
The Buckeye Institute’s case to end the federal ban on home distilling—“a favorite hobby of the Founding Fathers,” Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury, was featured in a recent article by Reason Magazine.
Freedom Foundation filed a complaint with the Office of Financial Management and Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office alleging that the Washington Federation of State Employees/American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 28 submitted false legal declarations to obtain lists of certain state employees under the Public Records Act in an effort to market paid memberships.
Liberty Justice Center filed the opening brief in its legal challenge to the proposed federal TikTok ban. The lawsuit received a groundswell of support as nine amicus briefs supporting the challenge were filed by organizations across the political spectrum—ranging from libertarian organizations to prominent liberal law professors and a coalition of social justice nonprofits. In addition, the Center and clinical psychologist Dr. Erica Anderson filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Parents Protecting Our Children v. Eau Claire Area School District, a case challenging a Wisconsin school district’s gender identity policy on behalf of local parents. Finally, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia filed an amicus brief in support of the Liberty Justice Center and Pelican Institute’s battle to defend independent contractors.
Hawaii: Governor Josh Green signed a bill that will make it easier for licensed out-of-state nurses to practice in the state – a move that promises to ease the state’s current nursing shortage (Grassroot Institute of Hawaii).
North Carolina: Governor Roy Cooper signed the Right to Try Individualized Treatments Act. The innovative, nonpartisan reform offers hope to those who need it most, allowing suffering patients to work directly with their physician to safely seek the most groundbreaking of investigational personalized care options (Goldwater Institute).
Wisconsin: Institute for Reforming Government, represented by attorneys at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, announced it has reached a settlement in a public records lawsuit against Wisconsin Secretary of State, Sarah Godlewski. As part of the settlement agreement, the Secretary of State’s office agreed that it will respond to all public record requests, as soon as practicable and without delay – a key victory in the fight for governmental transparency.
Empire Center released a brief that recommends that New York adopt an education spending strategy similar to Massachusetts, including reforms that would allow the governor to select the Board of Regents, focus on high-quality curriculum, align teacher preparation with state standards, and establish clear intervention procedures for underperforming schools. The Center also published a brief that examines a new subsidy for a state health-care union that allows the union’s benefit fund for home care aides to shift some members into taxpayer-funded health coverage through the Essential Plan.
MacIver Institute issued a brief that breaks down a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin constitution that would prevent non-citizens from voting in local, state, and federal elections in the state, pointing out that, despite indications that 85% of the voters support the measure, officials are still trying to block it.
Mountain States Policy Center released a suite of briefs that point out that policymakers should avoid taxes on sugary beverages, examine data that show downwards trends in eighth grade history scores that call into question Americans’ worthiness of the sacrifice of founding generations, and break down the efforts of a 19-state coalition that is challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s green energy transition measurements.
Platte Institute published a brief highlighting their vision for property tax relief ahead of the expected Special Legislative Session in Nebraska.
Washington Policy Center released a brief analyzing the Fourth of July cookout costs on the West Coast, showing how they once again reached record highs.
Hawaii: A proposed bill aims to remove certain zoning regulations that limit beekeeping to agricultural land and impose setback requirements for beehives – a step that would allow a crucial aspect of the state economy to grow even more (Grassroot Institute of Hawaii).
Nevada: Governor Lombardo vetoed a bill that would impose rent control in manufactured home parks. In issuing his veto, Lombardo emphasized the need for solutions that expand housing supply rather than distort market dynamics – a free-market solution without the negative side-effects that invariably accompany rent control policies (Nevada Policy).
Topics:
What If Every Child Could Find the Path to Academic Success?
Cascade Policy Institute
Rochester School District to Allow an ‘F’ Grade Again
Center of the American Experiment
Pro-Teacher and Pro-School Choice
Frontier Institute
Why Is Montana Experiencing Severe Teacher Shortages?
Frontier Institute
There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch – Or Breakfast
Idaho Freedom Foundation
A Message from Parents: Stop Slow-Walking NC Voucher Money, Republicans
John Locke Foundation
School Choice in Rural America: New Opportunities for Endless Potential
Libertas Institute
School Budget Flunks
Mackinac Center
Breaking the Chains of Chance
Nevada Policy
Teacher Shortages in Schools? Blame the Teachers’ Unions
Pacific Research Institute
Livestream Report: Which School Districts Provide Real-Time Access to the Public’s Business?
Palmetto Promise Institute
Teacher Retention and the Limits of Public Policy
Show-Me Institute
Can New Sexual Development Standards Help Teach ‘Success Sequence’?
Sutherland Institute
California’s Energy Economy: Challenges and Opportunities
California Policy Center
California’s Water Economy: Challenges and Opportunities
California Policy Center
Industry Needs Cheap Electricity, Not Wind and Solar
Center of the American Experiment
Climate Panic Is Old Wine in a New Bottle
Mackinac Center
Congress Moves to Advance Nuclear Energy
Show-Me Institute
Water Markets in Texas
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Hurricanes and Climate Hysteria
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy
Things My Daughters Used to Say
James Madison Institute
CON Laws Bad for Michigan’s Health
Mackinac Center
WILL Denounces Proposed Federal Effort to Allocate Kidney Transplants Based on Race
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty
Support Chance to Expand Housing Freedom
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Let Folks Use Shipping Containers for Storage Without Permits
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Abolish ‘Ohana Dwelling’ Permit in Effort to Spur More ADUs
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Update Development Standards to Allow More Apartment Housing
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
CDA Council Chases Away Sadness with Prohibition on Private Property
Idaho Freedom Foundation
Apprenticeships Offer Economic Opportunity for Illinoisans
Illinois Policy
The Housing Shortage Tax We All Pay
Libertas Institute
Assembly Bill 340 – California-Style Eviction Process
Nevada Policy
Seattle’s Revised Housing Plan Still Too Restrictive
Pacific Research Institute
A Bad Idea for California’s Housing Woes: Commandeering Your Spare Bedroom
Pacific Research Institute
Even as Rents Fall, Progressives Push Local Rent Controls
Pacific Research Institute
The Housing Crisis has a Hand in Massachusetts Out-migration Trends
Pioneer Institute
California Employers Pay the Price for State Negligence
California Policy Center
Business Unfriendly: The Regulatory Burden Crushing California Enterprises
California Policy Center
Here’s What’s Wrong with New Proposed Rules for Daycare Centers
Center of the American Experiment
New EPA Rules Threaten Montana’s Economic Future
Frontier Institute
Proposed STR Rules Fraught with Potential Economic, Legal Pitfalls
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Grassroot Urges Alternatives to Maui STR Phase-Out Plan
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Making Government Smaller, Not Banning Employment, Is the Right Answer in State Contract Case
Idaho Freedom Foundation
New Hampshire Can’t Thrive as a Hallmark Movie Set
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy
The Real Wisconsin Economy
MacIver Institute
Pool Safety or Business Squeeze? The Gym Lifeguard Debate in Nevada
Nevada Policy
President Newsom, For the Power and the Glory
Pacific Research Institute
Louisiana’s Economic Challenges Demonstrated in Lower Annual Ranking
Pelican Institute
Latest IRS Migration Data Show Exodus from Massachusetts Continues
Pioneer Institute
Unemployment in Massachusetts by Race
Pioneer Institute
A Closer Look at the Effects of a $15 Minimum Wage for Missouri
Show-Me Institute
Preserving History or Just Tax Breaks?
Badger Institute
Most OC Cities Financially Stable, While One Seeks Sales Tax Increase
California Policy Center
Portland Public Schools’ Building Costs Are Shaking Up Budgets
Cascade Policy Institute
Delivery Fees a Bad Way to Fund Roads
Center of the American Experiment
How Should We Pay for the Roads?
Center of the American Experiment
Borealis’ Ridership Numbers Don’t Make Case for Northern Lights Express
Center of the American Experiment
The Supreme Court Was Wrong About Taxes
Independence Institute
How Florida Highways Can Keep Up with Growth
James Madison Institute
Other States Cutting Income Taxes While Maine Does Nothing
Maine Policy Institute
Do the Stadium Hustle
Nevada Policy
Free Agents Reap Tax Savings
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Californians Have Little to Show for All That Government Spending
Pacific Research Institute
Arkansas is Cutting Taxes. Louisiana Should Follow.
Pelican Institute
How Public Transportation’s Efficiency Changed During Covid
Pioneer Institute
The KC Streetcar Still Isn’t Driving Economic Development
Show-Me Institute
Maryland’s Fiscal Policies Jeopardize State’s Credit Rating
The Maryland Public Policy Institute
National Teachers’ Union Staff Strikes, Assembly Canceled
Center of the American Experiment
Pro-‘Labor’ but Anti-Worker: NEA Staffers’ Strike Threat the Latest Example of Union Hypocrisy
Freedom Foundation
Nevada’s Primary Results Reveal Union Influence Waning
Nevada Policy
Big Labor’s Quid Pro Quo Political Convention
Yankee Institute
Chris Bray on the AB 1955 Floor Debate
California Policy Center
A Birthday is Important to Celebrate
Cardinal Institute
How Free Should We Be?
Center of the American Experiment
Is America Exceptional?
Empower Mississippi
Hancock Signed It so the ‘Fat Old King Could Read It Without His Spectacles’
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota
Fireworks, Freedom, and A Is for the American Dream
Goldwater Institute
Freedom in Hawaii Is Having a Moment
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
‘Nobody Is Coming to Help’
Indiana Policy Review Foundation
The Freedoms We Have Lost
Libertas Institute
Happy Fourth of July!
Show-Me Institute
If Independence Day Has No Future, Neither Does American Democracy
Texas Public Policy Foundation
In the Washington Examiner, The Buckeye Institute shines a light on the dangers of the Biden administration’s net-zero agenda.
In the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Commonwealth Foundation‘s Guy Ciarrocchi outlines how rural Pennsylvania can thrive.
In Lee Newspapers, the Frontier Institute‘s Kendall Cotton notes school choice is pro-student, pro-family, and pro-teacher.
In USA Today, the Garden State Initiative‘s Audrey Lane highlights the problems with New Jersey’s latest budget.
In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation‘s Kyle Wingfield highlights the high cost of regulations.
In the Daily Herald, the Illinois Policy Institute‘s Matt Paprocki notes good business starts with good education.
At RealClearMarkets, the Illinois Policy Institute‘s Josh Bandoch and Ravi Mishra highlight how Chicago’s political leaders are finally starting to address housing unaffordability.
In his latest column, the Independence Institute‘s Jon Caldara considers the prospect of a President Polis.
In The Orange County Register, the Independent Institute’s Lloyd Billingsley points out that California’s high court took power from the people.
In the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Independent Institute’s William J. Watkins, Jr., argues that the remedy for radically unjust speech is not to silence those who chant such things but to clearly explain why they’re wrong.
At the Corridor Business Journal, Matt Everson and the Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation’s John Hendrickson note that Governor Reynolds’ fiscal policy brings stability and optimism.
At RealClearHealth, The James Madison Institute‘s Bob McClure and Collin Roberts reflect on the costs of the government’s actions during the pandemic.
In the Deseret News, the Libertas Institute‘s Lee Sands highlights the lost freedom to use one’s property as one sees fit.
In InsideSources, the Libertas Institute‘s David R. Iglesias highlights how police want access to Americans’ data in cars.
At Townhall, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy‘s Douglas Carswell notes ‘America First’ means investing in defense.
In The Center Square, the Pelican Institute‘s Daniel Erspamer notes Congress must fix the Medicare physician payment system.
In the Washington Examiner, Sutherland Institute‘s Nic Dunn explains why removing work disincentives in the social safety net will strengthen upward mobility and the economy.
In the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Washington Policy Center’s Donald Kimball lauds the Supreme Court’s ruling in the NetChoice social media free speech cases.
In the Puget Sound Business Journal, the Washington Policy Center’s Steven Hatting tackles the business challenges in Washington state.
In The Spokesman-Review, the Washington Policy Center’s Mark Harmsworth points out the very real costs that would be imposed if the state accepted the idea of a full-time legislature.
In his recent column, John Hood notes we need more hospital competition.
