April 11, 2025
Week in Review: April 11, 2025
American Legislative Exchange Council issued an invitation to Network groups to sign letters that call for permanently extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and supporting President Trump’s recent Executive Order on the Department of Education.
The Buckeye Institute issued public comments urging lawmakers to constrain spending to protect taxpayers from future tax hikes as the Ohio House passed its version of the state’s biennial budget, which includes several good policies that prioritize the needs of Ohio’s K-12 students, improve Ohio’s higher education system, and put reasonable guardrails on the state’s ever-growing Medicaid program. However — as Buckeye points out — the budget assumes a rosy financial picture that is not certain.
Idaho Freedom Foundation released a wrap of the state’s 2025 legislative session, the best in recent history.
Independence Institute hosted a sold-out event that relaunched the Institute’s Women’s Luncheon speaking series. Noted author, filmmaker, and CEO Jennifer Sey was the events’ keynote speaker.
Mackinac Center for Public Policy released its 2025 Michigan Context and Performance Report Card evaluating the performance of public elementary and middle schools across the state.
Mountain States Policy Center released a recap of the 2025 Idaho legislative session, which may go down as one of the state’s most significant.
Washington Policy Center launched a campaign to collect signatures urging Governor Ferguson to stand strong against calls for new taxes. Within days of its launch, the campaign has already garnered thousands of signatures.
The Buckeye Institute filed its appeal in Flannery v. Eckenwiler—a critical First Amendment case—with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on behalf of Eric Flannery, the owner of The Big Board, a neighborhood bar and grill located in our nation’s capital. Flannery v. Eckenwiler charges that members of the 6C Advisory Neighborhood Commission conspired to protest the renewal of The Big Board’s liquor license to punish Mr. Flannery because he spoke out against D.C.’s pandemic-era shutdown orders.
Liberty Justice Center commended the US Department of Education for establishing a new Title IX Special Investigations Team (SIT) to investigate complaints of Title IX violations following on the heels of its federal complaint made three weeks ago.
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, representing a Wisconsin dairy farmer, issued a warning to the United States Department of Agriculture over several race-based programs that continue to hurt farmers every day.
California: Parental rights advocates celebrated a significant victory as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s dismissal of Aurora Regino’s case against the Chico Unified School District in Regino v. Staley (Liberty Justice Center).
Hawaii: A local homeowner sued and won a case against the state’s County’s Board of Appeals and its former Department of Public Works director after the homeowner found himself in the strange position of owning a beach house that he couldn’t live in or renovate due to permitting denials that effectively locked him out of his home — a encouraging victory for those struggling with similar permitting problems or unfair permit revocations in the state (Grassroots Institute of Hawaii).
Idaho: The Governor signed bills that reform the current high school civics test to help students graduate with a more thorough understanding of America’s constitutional republic and made those in the country illegally ineligible for some types of taxpayer-funded benefits in the state (Idaho Freedom Foundation). In addition, the state struck a monumental blow against “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) by eliminating mandatory indoctrination in DEI from the curricula of public universities (Idaho Freedom Foundation and Goldwater Institute).
Kentucky: This year’s General Assembly session resulted in a continuing series of victories in policy areas critical to making the state competitive again, including lower taxes and defense of education choice (Bluegrass Institute). In addition, lawmakers passed a key reform into law that addresses the state’s lack of comprehensive data on sentencing, parole, and recidivism (Bluegrass Institute and Georgia Center for Opportunity).
Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Education agreed to pay $7,000 to settle a lawsuit over their failure to fulfill a data practices request — a win for government transparency (Center of the American Experiment).
North Dakota: The state adopted laws allowing for universal recognition of out-of-state occupational licenses — a move that promises to unlock economic potential, shore up workforce shortages, and empower skilled workers (Goldwater Institute).
Tennessee: Governor Lee signed legislation that will provide the state’s independent workforce with access to critical benefits, such as health insurance, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits without losing their work flexibility — a game-changer for these workers (Beacon Center).
West Virginia: The state also adopted laws allowing for universal recognition of out-of-state occupational licenses — one of the most exciting bill signings in recent memory (Cardinal Institute and Goldwater Institute).
American Legislative Exchange Council published a brief that reports on energy affordability.
The Buckeye Institute outlined how a “regulatory sandbox” enables healthcare providers, AI developers, and policymakers to collaborate and responsibly test novel technologies related to drug development, medical imaging, disease diagnosis, gene therapy, medical research, and health data management in a flexible, safe regulatory environment that lowers costs and cuts red tape. In addition, Buckeye looked at further commonsense reforms to Ohio’s higher education, such as aligning state subsidies with post-graduate outcomes, reducing administrative costs, and regulating OPM partnerships wisely—to improve student success in the state’s public universities and colleges.
Heartland Institute published a brief titled Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: An Updated Study on the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on U.S. Personal Income Taxes, an update to Heartland’s previous examination of Trump’s signature tax law in his first term.
Mountain States Policy Center released a set of briefs that remind of timeless Reagan wisdom on free markets and trade policy, report on efforts by state Governors who are pressing for a balanced budget amendment in the US Constitution, call for the elimination of third-party payer systems to allow for patients to control their healthcare dollars, contrast two radically different approaches to rental housing affordability, break down Idaho’s adoption of a Medicaid budget that increases spending by $539 million, and show how Wyoming’s property tax relief law will not stop housing costs from rising.
Palmetto Promise and The Buckeye Institute issued a brief that predicts that passage of a proposed income tax bill could expand South Carolina’s economy dramatically.
Platte Institute added briefs that examine how discriminatory taxes make unreliable revenue sources and call for Nebraska lawmakers to prepare for federal Medicaid reform.
Washington Policy Center posted briefs that highlight how the legislature is ignoring the needs of farmers in the state and points out changes Idaho is making that Washington should adopt to streamline housing.
Arkansas: Representative Torres introduced a bill which would help reduce barriers for those looking to become foster parents. In addition, Rep. McCollum advanced a bill which would ease the process of student transfers within school districts (Opportunity Arkansas).
Georgia: Lawmakers proposed a bill which would provide added incentives for local governments to provide property tax relief (Georgia Public Policy Foundation).
Illinois: The state could make it much simpler for hair braiders across the state as a bill that completely removes the licensing requirements to braid hair passed the House and moves to the Senate. In addition, lawmakers proposed a bill which aims to expand housing options such as duplexes, quadplexes and townhomes — a positive step toward addressing the state’s housing affordability challenges (Illinois Policy).
Montana: Although two bills that would have cut taxes in the state have been voted down in committee, there are several income tax reduction bills still in play—stay tuned (Mountain States Policy Center).
Oklahoma: Legislation that would require Oklahoma hospitals to publicly post prices for roughly 300 services advanced from a state House committee, overcoming the lobbying efforts of hospital officials who sought to kill the transparency measure. In addition, legislation that would preserve the religious rights of foster parents advanced from an Oklahoma House committee. Lawmakers in a state House committee also voted to change Oklahoma law to explicitly ban men from being placed in women’s prisons, while legislation making permanent a ban on “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs at Oklahoma colleges easily passed out of a state House committee. The House Elections and Ethics Committee advanced common-sense initiative petition reforms. Legislation to significantly reduce the use of “virtual learning” days at Oklahoma’s brick-and-mortar public schools and address perceived widespread abuse of distance learning cleared its first hurdle in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Finally, legislation that would gradually phase out Oklahoma’s personal income tax continued to move ahead, clearing its first Oklahoma Senate hurdle (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).
South Carolina: The South Carolina House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to restructure South Carolina’s fragmented health agencies. Now the upper chamber will have to agree with the House’s technical amendment made in committee and send the legislation to the Governor’s desk for a final signature (Palmetto Promise).
Texas: Lawmakers introduced a bill which would reform accreditation by allowing public education institutions to choose from more than a dozen vetted accreditors, enhancing flexibility and competition (Texas Public Policy Foundation). In addition, the Senate passed a bill which ensures that Texas does not loosen eligibility standards for Medicaid — a win that would protect benefits for those who truly need them (Foundation for Government Accountability).
Topics:
Josh Shapiro Keeps Betraying Poor Pennsylvania Children
Commonwealth Foundation
Median Teacher Pay Exceeds $100K in a Quarter of NY School Districts as Federal Funding Cuts Loom
Empire Center
DeArchie Scott: Charter Schools and Educational Excellence
Empower Mississippi
‘Homeschool Act’ Changes Create More Problems, Could Traumatize Kids
Illinois Policy
Survey: Homeschooled Students Face Less Abuse. So Why Are Illinois Lawmakers Targeting Families?
Illinois Policy
Municipal-Level Tax Credit Scholarships: A Way to Build on Existing Success
Independence Institute
Oklahoma Superintendents’ Wages Surge as Less Money Reaches Classroom
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Millions Diverted from Oklahoma Classrooms
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Charter Schools Are Highly Effective in Missouri
Show-Me Institute
Building the Golden Age of Liberty: Equipping Students Through the Texas Scholars Program
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Discipline That Works
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Maximizing Home Protection Against Wildfires
California Policy Center
Rebuilding Requires Reimagining Environmentalism
California Policy Center
Energy Transition Has Global Shipping Problem, Report Finds
Center of the American Experiment
US Electricity Demand to Grow 50% by 2050
Center of the American Experiment
Solar Power Equipment Vulnerable to Hacks
Center of the American Experiment
Republicans’ Critics Not Sold on New Energy Reform Act
MacIver Institute
‘Decarbonization’ Means Submission to China
Mackinac Center
Green’ Energy Mandates, Profit Demands Drive Dominion Price Hikes, Not Data Centers
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy
Minnesota Bill Kicks Dead People Off Medicaid
Center of the American Experiment
Illinois Looks at Adding More Granny Houses to Boost Affordability
Illinois Policy
Illinois Lawmakers Get Chance to Boost Affordable Family Housing
Illinois Policy
First Principles Series: The Policy Case Against Tariffs
Beacon Center of Tennessee
First Principles Series: The Legal Case Against Tariffs
Beacon Center of Tennessee
Restoring the California Dream
California Policy Center
Breaking: Trump to Sign Coal Executive Orders Today
Center of the American Experiment
A Tale of Two Food Halls
Center of the American Experiment
After Tariff Shock, Albany Should Face New Fiscal Reality
Empire Center
Illinois’ February Unemployment Rate 5th Highest in US
Illinois Policy
Two Alternatives to Tariffs: Real Manufacturing Policy for a Competitive America
John Locke Foundation
State-Level Growth Undone by Top-Down Tariffs
Libertas Institute
Let the Real Detroit Renaissance Begin
Mackinac Center
Mississippi on the Move!
Mississippi Center for Public Policy
New Economic Impact Analysis Finds Tax Cut Plan Juices SC Economy
Palmetto Promise Institute
Congress Should Make the Trump Tax Cuts Permanent for Louisiana Families
Pelican Institute
Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Risk with Dominic Pino
Show-Me Institute
Tariffs: Trump’s Double Whammy to Virginia’s Economy
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy
Half Wisconsin State Employees May Be Working from Home — Though No One Has Complete Count
Badger Institute
Another Audit Blasts Met Council’s Management of Disastrous SWLRT Project
Center of the American Experiment
Overtime on State Payroll Surges 11%
Empire Center
State Watchdog: Changes Needed on Troubled Southwest Light-Rail Project
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota
Southern Tax Reckoning: Georgia Risks Falling Behind
Georgia Public Policy Foundation
Illinois Might Revive Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday
Illinois Policy
Legislative Binge Ongoing Despite Billion-Dollar Budget Gap
Independence Institute
Iowa’s Fiscal Discipline Is Working—Don’t Be Fooled by GDP Spin
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
Nebraska’s Fiscal Crisis Is a Roadmap for What Iowa Must Avoid
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
Codify Risk-Based Taxation in the Sunshine State
James Madison Institute
House Finance Budget Rolls Back Post-COVID Growth in State Spending
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy
You Can’t Always Cut What You Want
Mackinac Center
Jackson County Property Tax Assessment Update
Show-Me Institute
Platte County Commission Decision Not to Levy Taxes Upheld in Court
Show-Me Institute
Where Things Stand on the Texas Budget
Texas Public Policy Foundation
CT Dems Push Forward Child Care Bill with Hundreds of Millions in New Spending
Yankee Institute
Video: Former LA Teachers Union Member Exposes Antisemitism
Freedom Foundation
Does the Montana Teachers Union Support Racist Organizations?
Freedom Foundation
83% of Alabama Voters Support App Store Parental Approval to Download Apps
Alabama Policy Institute
‘We Are All Americans’: Appomattox, 1865
Center of the American Experiment
The James Madison Institute Remembers Former Board Member and Friend, William A. “Bill” Dunn
James Madison Institute
Revolutionary Reads: Celebrate and Revere America’s Founding
John Locke Foundation
If Everything Is a Crisis, Is Anything?
Mackinac Center
Legislators Trying to Unmask Nonprofit Donors — Again
Rio Grande Foundation
How the Constitution Can Repair Today’s Social Discourse
Sutherland Institute
At RealClearEnergy, the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Jake Morabito breaks down the Council’s recently released annual energy affordability rankings.
In the Washington Examiner, the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Jonathan Williams and Lee Schalk show what DOGE can learn from the states.
In the Greenwood Commonwealth, Empower Mississippi’s Grant Callen considers why school choice legislation died in the MS Legislature this year.
In RealClearMarkets, The Free State Foundation’s Randy May notes that it’s past time to end subsidies to public broadcasting.
In The Hill, the Freedom Foundation’s Aaron Withe praises President Trump’s executive order ending collective bargaining across national security agencies.
In the New Jersey Herald, the Garden State Initiative’s Danielle Zanzalari highlights how New Jersey lawmakers can ensure true drug price transparency for patients.
In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield urges Georgia to set up a Taxpayer Relief Fund to facilitate even faster tax cuts.
At Fox News, the Goldwater Institute’s Adam Shelton highlights a lawsuit filed on behalf of a Maine mother whose child’s school concealed the child’s gender identity from her.
In The Detroit News, the Goldwater Institute’s Matt Beienburg encourages the University of Michigan to end DEI for good.
At Florida Politics, The James Madison Institute’s Edward Longe criticizes “right-to-repair” legislation.
At Townhall, The John Locke Foundation’s Jim Stirling notes that both parties misallocated funds in North Carolina in 2024.
In his column for The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz explains the Overton Window of Political Possibility.
In The Telegraph, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s Douglas Carswell argues the Joe Rogan Right is winning because the Left has become boring.
In The Center Square, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Amber Gunn compares the short-term rental policies of Idaho and Washington.
In his recent column, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs’ Jonathan Small highlights three key areas that warrant the attention of statewide official candidates.
In the Washington Examiner, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes points out Medicaid reform is popular.
At FITS News, the Palmetto Promise Institute’s Wendy Damron outlines the benefits of South Carolina’s new flat tax proposal.
In the Los Alamos Daily Post, the Rio Grande Foundation’s Paul Gessing considers the impact of New Mexico’s lack of economic freedom.
At The College Fix, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Thomas Lindsay encourages Texas to embrace accreditation reform.
In his recent column, John Hood encourages North Carolina to fully protect right-to-work.
