December 13, 2024
Week in Review: December 13, 2024
Alabama Policy Institute announced it will be releasing its BluePrint for Alabama, a 30-point conservative policy plan, later this month.
Indiana Policy Review Foundation held its annual winter seminar which examined the growing problem of negativity that informs voting patterns in the US.
Institute for Reforming Government continued its What Wisconsin Wants series, which takes a closer look at those living and working in rural Wisconsin, with its new report, What Wisconsin Wants: Going in Depth with Rural Wisconsin Voters. This edition in particular exposes how rural residents desire less government, more economic opportunity, and the freedom to pursue the life they seek.
James Madison Institute released the 2024 edition of The Journal, the Institute’s annual publication of articles from a host of policy areas. This latest edition includes 24 individual articles, opinions, narratives and reflections from industry leaders, policy experts, and staff.
Kansas Policy Institute’s investigative journalists interviewed researchers who allege Pfizer hid deaths in its COVID vaccine trial.
Liberty Justice Center issued a statement on the dissenting opinion that Justices Alito and Thomas issued alongside the Supreme Court’s rejection of a Wisconsin parental rights case.
Mississippi Center for Public Policy published a blueprint to achieve universal school choice in Mississippi, with details of the specific steps needed to advance the goal.
Philanthropy Roundtable published part two of its series on school choice in the states, Wisdom for Donors: Strengthening the Supply of Schools and Safeguarding Legal Protections for School Choice, which continues the discussion of the expansion of school choice with commentary from Mark Gleason, managing partner of the Drexel Fund, and Meredith Olson, president of VELA Education Fund.
Pioneer Institute released a new booklet outlining detailed, actionable reforms aimed at realigning federal government agencies with the Constitution. These recommendations seek to enhance responsiveness, put accountability back into citizens’ hands, and reinforce structural safeguards to protect individual liberty.
R Street Institute published a letter to Texas lawmakers, advising against heavy-handed regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). The letter particularly warns again proposed legislation which would impose restrictive regulations and burdensome compliance costs that risk stifling Texas’s thriving AI sector.
Rio Grande Foundation released its 2025 policy priorities for New Mexico, which include fighting for tax cuts and against tax hikes, reducing regulatory burdens, and locking in gross receipts tax elimination for medical providers.
South Carolina Policy Council published its 2024 Legislative Scorecard, which scores SC lawmakers on policy initiatives that relate to the Council’s legislative agenda, including school choice expansion, transparency and judicial reform.
Sutherland Institute announced that it had partnered with Weber State University to hold a summit focused on benefits cliffs and upward mobility. Sutherland also announced a new collaboration with the Utah Governor’s Office to pursue policy reforms that strengthen the transition from government assistance to self-reliance anchored to work for families participating in the social safety net.
The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief to the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in B.A. v. Tri County Area Schools that argued that a Let’s Go Brandon t-shirt indisputably expresses a political opinion, which is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S Constitution. In another amicus brief to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Newman v. Moore, Buckeyealsonoted that public confidence in the judiciary is the backbone of our judicial system, arguing that closed-door judicial disciplinary proceedings risk public confidence in the judiciary.
Empire Center filed a pair of lawsuits charging the New York Health Department with improperly withholding public records in violation of the Freedom of Information Law.
Liberty Justice Center filed an amicus brief supporting two Michigan brothers’ First Amendment right to wear “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts. The brief argues that students should not be punished for obscenities they never spoke and highlights the growing number of lawsuits nationwide challenging school administrators’ attempts to police students’ speech and conduct without justification. In addition, a Chicago court will hear oral arguments in the Center’s lawsuit challenging Illinois’ dragnet surveillance of anyone who drives a car or truck in the state — without a warrant or even the barest suspicion of criminal activity. After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a decision rejecting constitutional challenges to the proposed federal TikTok ban, the Center also filed an emergency motion to halt the ban pending Supreme Court review.
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty announced that it is preparing legal action against the Green Bay Area Public School District on behalf of a mother whose dyslexic son was denied reading resources because of his race. The Institute also filed a new motion to intervene in defense of Act 10, legislation that provides public employees the freedom to not participate in unionization, due to a recent court decision that creates serious constitutional concerns regarding the First Amendment and compelled speech.
Arizona: The Arizona Supreme Court announced it would amend its rules to eliminate the State Bar’s authority to levy membership dues for non-regulatory functions — an important win for First Amendment rights that means that the State Bar cannot force lawyers to fund ideologies they oppose as a condition of earning a living (Goldwater Institute).
North Carolina: In a significant development, lawmakers in the North Carolina House of Representatives and Senate overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of House Bill 10, legislation that provides funding to meet the increased demand for Opportunity Scholarships — a great move for education in North Carolina (John Locke Foundation).
South Carolina: New State Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kittredge released an administrative order that brings long-awaited reform to South Carolina’s magistrate court system and shuts down potential for conflict of interest in magistrates’ rulings on cases involving lawyer-legislators — a much-needed move that addresses potential for conflicts of interest in the current system (Palmetto Promise).
Washington: The state’s governor joined a bipartisan and growing group of governors who no longer require four-year degrees from those who wish to be considered for employment in their own state agencies — a move which recognizes the reality that a college education is not always the way to acquire skills that are pertinent to a state job (Washington Policy Center).
Empire Center released briefs illuminating how a billion-dollar Medicare Wage Index adjustment brought a windfall to upstate hospitals but jeopardized coverage for millions of New Yorkers and revealing how Governor Hochul’s proposed $3 billion in “inflation refund checks” relies on a sales tax surplus that doesn’t exist.
Idaho Freedom Foundation published briefs that argue the “seniority” system that is traditionally used for assigning the state Senate’s leadership is not an effective one and unpack data showing the need to stop careless government taxing and spending before taking credit for economic growth in the state.
Kansas Policy Institute posted a brief with an analysis of the state’s tax competitiveness, as determined by the Tax Foundation.
Mountain States Policy Center issued briefs examining the federal red tape that is ruining Christmas for Americans, analyzing the damning Congressional report on origin of the COVID-19 virus and its impact on the United States, and compiling the data on voter turnout in the mountain states.
Platte Institute released a brief showing why Nebraska should repeal its capital stock tax, a form of property taxation which is levied upon a business’ net worth in Nebraska rather than the business’ profitability.
Washington Policy Center published briefs which update on Washington’s increasing carbon auction prices and highlight the latest data for wind power in Washington, which offer a reminder of the need of reliable energy.
Massachusetts: The City of Boston’s new Planning Department is leading a reform initiative for the city’s outdated and over-complicated development permitting process which is in dire need of an overhaul (Pioneer Institute).
Michigan: Two bills which would open up the state Legislature and the governor’s office to the state’s Freedom of Information Act moved closer to passage — key first steps to further reform to the state’s transparency laws (Mackinac Center).
Oklahoma: A second lawmaker filed legislation that would gradually lead to the full elimination of Oklahoma’s personal income tax and reports are that lawmakers are more receptive to addressing tax issues during the upcoming 2025 session (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).
Nationwide: Thirty-two million American businesses received an early Christmas gift when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas granted a preliminary injunction that included a stay of the dreaded Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule, which creates a federal obligation for most small business entities to disclose personal information about their beneficial owners, senior officers, and other control persons to a new national database maintained by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Whether this temporary reprieve results in permanent dismissal remains to be seen (Mountain States Policy Network).
Topics:
Let Teachers Teach
Cardinal Institute Limit
Limits on School-Day Phone Use Will Free Students to Learn
Cascade Policy Institute
St. Paul Teachers Union Gaza Resolution Leads to Call For Antisemitism Training
Center of the American Experiment
The Aikens Family: Hoping for Jaiden’s ESA
Empower Mississippi
Teachers Union Distributing Woke Children’s Books to Montana Students
Freedom Foundation
DPI Should Stop Playing Games with Childhood Literacy
Institute for Reforming Government
Despite Huge Funding Increases, Schools Cling to Four-Day Weeks
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
School Choice Benefits Rural Oklahoma Students
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
U-OK’s Dan Hamlin on Emerging School Models & Learning Loss
Pioneer Institute
The Four-Day School Week and Finances
Show-Me Institute
Public Education in Missouri Is Shrinking
Show-Me Institute
Public Schools in 2025: Enrollment and Key Issues
Sutherland Institute
National Politics May Shake Up the Federal Approach to Education. Utah Should Stay the Course
Sutherland Institute
Finding Water for the San Joaquin Valley
California Policy Center
US Energy Demand to Rise 15% in Next 5 Years
Center of the American Experiment
Will Xcel’s Electric Rates Go Up on Jan. 1? Yes.
Center of the American Experiment
Supreme Court Skeptical of Expansive Environmental Reviews
Center of the American Experiment
Most Americans Don’t Know Risks of Renewables, Benefits of Oil and Gas
Center of the American Experiment
Let the Wealthy Ride E-Bikes
Center of the American Experiment
Scrap Recyclers Sue State Over Copper Theft Law
Center of the American Experiment
Unpacking Colorado’s Electric Vehicle Triumphalism
Independence Institute
Costly Emissions-Reduction Mandates Make Us Worse Off
John Locke Foundation
Scandaltracker 2024 Update! OLA Dings DHS on Provider Overpayments
Center of the American Experiment
Episode 46: Medicaid Overdose
Empire Center
Michigan Drug Bills Would Shift Profits to Hospitals Without Helping the Poor
Mackinac Center
The False Promise of a Government Takeover of our Health Care System
Pacific Research Institute
What To Do About 340B
Pioneer Institute
Hawaii Island Permitting Case Is Real ‘Eye-Opener’
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Iowa Can Serve as a Property Tax Reform Leader
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
School Referenda Driving Wisconsin’s Largest Property Tax Increases Since 2009
MacIver Institute
The House Call – Mayor Wu Wants to Overhaul Boston’s Arcane Development Approvals Process? Here Are Three Reform Options
Pioneer Institute
Metrics Show Free-Market Reforms Lead to Broad Prosperity in Wisconsin
Badger Institute
California’s Regulators – Uninformed and Unaccountable
California Policy Center
Why the Minneapolis Labor Standards Board Is a Bad Idea
Center of the American Experiment
Let’s Avoid Government-Backed Internet Boondoggles
Frontier Institute
Why Economic Freedom Matters
Georgia Public Policy Foundation
Proof of Concept: Arizona Prop 312 Is Already Forcing Action on Homelessness
Goldwater Institute
ESG Investments: A Disaster for Agriculture
John Locke Foundation
Atlas Van Lines: Illinois 3rd in Nation for Residents Leaving
Illinois Policy
An XPRIZE Mindset Could Spur Statewide Innovation
Mackinac Center
Oklahoma Losing High-Income Earners
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
California’s Next Crime Wave – Fuel Theft
Pacific Research Institute
How to Strengthen the American Dream for Utah Families Who Feel Stuck on the Social Safety Net
Sutherland Institute
Good Headlines, But Bad Policy: The Story of NJ’s Film Tax Credits
Garden State Initiative
Johnson Proposes 11 Tax and Fee Hikes Totaling $234M
Illinois Policy
Exclude Staff Costs, Chicago Spending Still Spiked $3.6B in Just 6 Years
Illinois Policy
Income Tax Cuts Are Not Responsible for the “Sting” of Your Property Tax Bill
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
Hidden Costs of Federal Dollars are a Barrier to More Tax Cuts
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
The Most Difficult Policy is the Most Important Policy: Conservative Budgeting in Iowa
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
Increasing Legislator Pay: Making It Affordable for the Average Citizen to Represent the State
John Locke Foundation
Michigan Supreme Court Must Guard Headlee Amendment’s Taxpayer Protections
Mackinac Center
This North Las Vegas Official Quit in May. He Made $1M Anyway
Nevada Policy
Voters Slam California with New Local Taxes and Bonds
Pacific Research Institute
Louisiana’s Tax Competitiveness Poised for Improvement
Pelican Institute
Downtown St. Louis Doesn’t Need Subsidies
Show-Me Institute
Missouri’s Accountability Crisis, Ghost Students and Tax Hikes
Show-Me Institute
Unions Push to Gut Fiscal Guardrails, Demand Billions in More Spending
Yankee Institute
Teacher Union Exodus Reaches Nearly Double-Digit Percentage Since 2018
Center of the American Experiment
Colorado: Union’s Selfish Actions Reveal Its True Agenda
Freedom Foundation
November Wins: New Yorkers and New Jerseyans Send Clear Message to Their Unions
Freedom Foundation
National Education Association Sees Teacher Exodus as Political Spending Balloons
Illinois Policy
Dane County Judge Strikes Down Act 10
Institute for Reforming Government
Madison Teachers’ Union Wants Post-Act 10 Contract
MacIver Institute
Latest ACT-10 Lawsuit Focuses on First Amendment, “Compelled Speech”
MacIver Institute
A Big Bet on Government Efficiency
Georgia Public Policy Foundation
The Civitas Partisan Index Was Highly Reliable Again in 2024
John Locke Foundation
Michigan Supreme Court Punts on Abuse of Emergency Powers
Mackinac Center
‘Tis the Season (for AI)
Pelican Institute
Obscured Guidance from Federal Agencies Creates an Accountability Gap. What Can the State Do?
Sutherland Institute
Inspection Without Impact: Why Virginia Should End Mandatory Car Inspections
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy
At InsideSources, the Commonwealth Foundation’s David Osborne considers if Trump’s labor pick will respect state labor reforms.
In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Dylan Sharkey points out how the Chicago mayor is cutting cops for residents while nearly 100 officers protect him.
In his recent column for The Denver Gazette, the Independence Institute’s Jon Caldara highlights how Colorado’s 80-year Labor Peace Act may end as lawmakers consider removing the 75% union vote requirement.
In The American Spectator, the Independent Institute’s Lloyd Billingsley points out that California’s woke politburo does not value merit and fiscal responsibility.
In the Standard-Examiner, the Libertas Institute’s Hunter Cox considers how to evaluate college as an investment.
In his column for The Detroit News, Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz notes meaningful work is the key to finding happiness.
In the Magee News, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s Douglas Carswell outlines his plan to achieve school choice in Mississippi.
In the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Chris Cargill highlights the problems with unneeded federal rules and regulations.
In his recent column, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs’ Jonathan Small notes it’s time to cut Oklahoma’s personal income tax.
In her column for Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes points out that hospital pricing in the shadows is never acceptable.
At RealClearHealth, the Pioneer Institute’s William S. Smith and Robert Popovian discuss concerns around the Inflation Reduction Act and its potential to create “duplicate discounts” in the 340B program.
In the Washington Examiner, the Pacific Research Institute’s Wilfred Reilly considers the defeat of a California measure that would have banned making convicted felons work while incarcerated.
In the Las Cruces Sun-News, the Rio Grande Foundation’s Paul Gessing notes New Mexico can ‘move the needle’ with a regulatory sandbox.
In The Salt Lake Tribune, Sutherland Institute’s Christine Cooke Fairbanks promotes Utah’s balanced approach to education policy, which supports both education choice and strong public schools.
In the Deseret News, Sutherland Institute’s Nic Dunn considers how to strengthen the American Dream for Utah families who feel stuck on the social safety net.
In his recent column, John Hood encourages policymakers to go bigger on regulatory reform.
In his recent column, John Hood highlights North Carolina’s approach to tax reform.
In his recent column, John Hood argues new import taxes are a bad bet.
