January 24, 2025
Week in Review: January 24, 2025
Beacon Center of Tennessee released Tennessee: The Land of Opportunity, which imparts Beacon’s vision to ensure that Tennessee is truly a land of opportunity for all its residents.
Commonwealth Foundation released a new resource, its Pennsylvania Budget Chart Book, which breaks down the state budget into 38-slides of easy to follow data visualization.
Foundation for Government Accountability announced that Sam Adolphson, who most recently worked as the Foundation’s Policy Director, was named by President Trump to the position of Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
James Madison Institute announced that Dr. Edward Longe has been promoted to Director of National Strategy, where he will oversee policy development nationwide along with his continued leadership of technology and innovation policy advancement with coalition building.
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, as a part of its “Roadmap to Equality” campaign, issued a statement of support of executive orders signed by President Donald J. Trump ending long-standing, unconstitutional programs and policies of the federal government. The Institute’s campaign was also covered in in a recent article in the Washington Post.
The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in Bowers v. Oneida County Industrial Development Agency, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case and overturn its infamous decision in Kelo v. New London, which allows the government to take private property and give it to a private developer.In addition — recognizing The Buckeye Institute’s excellence and well-reasoned legal arguments — the Michigan Supreme Court asked Buckeye to file legal briefs in two important property rights cases—Jackson v. Southfield Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative and Yono v. Ingham County. Buckeye argued that the takings clause in the US Constitution is unconditional and that when the government does take private property for public use, its duty to compensate the former owner is “categorical.”
Center of the American Experiment filed an amicus brief with the Minnesota Supreme Court supporting the position that 67 members constitutes a quorum in the Minnesota House. This comes on the heels of an ongoing absence of certain MN House Representatives from the current General Assembly.
Goldwater Institute filed a suit to protect Arizona taxpayers from being left on the hook for up to $125 million in Hollywood handouts.
Washington Policy Center filed a lawsuit against the Departments of Ecology and Commerce in the state of Washington, demanding accountability and a release of data that will allow lawmakers to determine if the state’s policies are working.
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty launched a comprehensive effort to eliminate “diversity, equity & inclusion” programs in all levels of the federal government, noting that these programs are unconstitutional and unlawful, distort the free market through unnecessary regulations, and otherwise waste taxpayer money.
The Buckeye Institute, in partnership with Americans for Prosperity-Ohio, outlined the challenges Ohio lawmakers must address as the need and demand for energy grows. The report offers basic principles lawmakers should use to develop better energy policies that will ensure a healthy supply of affordable, reliable energy.
Goldwater Institute released a brief which revealed how Arizona taxpayers and undergraduate students are being forced to subsidize “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” course mandates at public universities to the tune of nearly $2 billion and 40 million hours.
Idaho Freedom Foundation issued briefs that demand more accountability from local governments, call for a stop to snowballing proposals for significant pay increases for all state employees, and propose conservative solutions to a proposed 27% pay increase for state legislators.
Kansas Policy Institute published reports explaining why Kansas needs property tax relief and why a national school choice program is a bad idea.
Mountain States Policy Center released briefs which analyze a new proposal in Montana that would instill a “harm reduction” principal on tobacco tax rates in the state, point out how taxpayers should not fund government union activities, question if the Idaho legislative pay debate is really just about 26 cents, and show how Idaho and Montana have set the example of the new Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE).
Opportunity Arkansas released a comprehensive report addressing the state’s Medicaid waiting list crisis. The report reveals that thousands of vulnerable Arkansans are enduring extended delays—averaging a decade—before receiving essential services.
Platte Institute issued a brief detailing how Nebraska’s tangible personal property (TPP) tax might be reformed and pointing out how Nebraska ranks 45th in the nation for overall property tax competitiveness and TPP is one of the culprits for Nebraska’s uncompetitive property tax system.
Washington Policy Center published briefs that examine a bill that would grant a union favor at the expense of many workers, scrutinize another bill which would drive up amounts that workers pay in taxes for the Paid Family and Medical Leave program, breakdown the improvements and errors to proposed revisions to the state’s WA Cares program, and reveal the how the state’s Employment Security Department is still unable to meet its obligations.
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty posted a brief that debunks the often repeated canard that Wisconsin’s form of school choice does not serve special needs students.
Idaho: Federal plans to erect hundreds of wind turbines on nearly 100,000 acres of public land, plans that were repeatedly opposed by state and local officials but were moved forward despite these objections, have been cancelled (Mountain States Policy Center).
Illinois: Lawmakers proposed a bill which would establish a recall process for state lawmakers and executive officers such as the state attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer — a move that would give Illinoisans across the state a chance to hold corrupt leaders accountable (Illinois Policy).
Minnesota: Lawmakers heard testimony on a measure that would repeal the retail delivery tax, an inefficient and ineffective way to close budget gaps. In addition, a bill which would repeal the state’s ban on new nuclear power plants advanced out of the House of Representatives’ energy committee (Center of the American Experiment).
Mississippi: House lawmakers tabled a bill that would enable students to take their individual education state budget to a public school of their choice. Legislators also proposed a bill that would allow public to private school choice through an Education Savings Account targeted at underperforming school districts — stay tuned as more develops (Mississippi Center for Public Policy). In addition, Lawmakers in the House introduced bills which would provide full practice authority to nurse practitioners in Mississippi and authorize mobile barbershops. Finally, both the Senate and House introduced bills that would allow homeschool students to participate in public school extracurricular activities, including sports (Empower Mississippi).
Montana: Lawmakers introduced a bill which would provide a tax credit for non-public school education expenses — a move that shows that education choice momentum appears to be growing in the state (Mountain States Policy Center).
Ohio: Policymakers proposed the Medicaid 1115 demonstration waiver, which, as The Buckeye Institute pointed out in public comments, will allow the state to implement work and education requirements for healthy adult Ohioans younger than 55 who receive Medicaid benefits. These requirements will keep people connected to the workforce, increasing their earning potential.
Oklahoma: Lawmakers filed a pair of bills that would reduce regulations in the state by requiring a thorough review and proactive legislative approval for agency rules to take effect should these rules impose economic costs above a certain threshold (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).
South Carolina: Building on the conversation started in the state’s last General Assembly, new hopes for energy reform are forming, with principles of past energy reform bills returning to the fore (Palmetto Promise).
Tennessee: Governor Bill Lee called a special session ahead of the convening of the Tennessee General Assembly on January 27 with stated priorities that include passing the Education Freedom Act, which would give every Tennessee family the opportunity to choose the educational path that best suits the needs of their child.
Texas: Leadership in the House and Senate introduced substantially similar base budget bills that included a raft of praiseworthy elements. For instance, both proposals held spending growth below population and inflation, which is a key indicator of a Conservative Texas Budget. In addition, lawmakers appropriated $1 billion towards empowering parents with Education Savings Accounts — a great signal for parents and students in the state (Texas Public Policy Foundation).
Washington: Several lawmakers proposed a bill to study the creation of an official open government ombudsman — a move that would provide a helpful resource for citizens and potentially reduce the possibility of litigation relating to the enforcement of state public records and open meeting laws (Mountain States Policy Center).
Wisconsin: Lawmakers began a push to restore the state’s academic standards (MacIver Institute).
Topics:
A Great Deal of Power Is at Stake in Spring Election for Wisconsin-Wide Schools Post
Badger Institute
Annual Celebration Highlights Importance of Effective Educational Opportunities for All
Cascade Policy Institute
2025 State of Education Spending in Pennsylvania
Commonwealth Foundation
What New School Board Members Should Know About Chicago Public Schools
Illinois Policy
Education Freedom Accounts Are Public Education, Not an Anti-Poverty Program
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy
Lower-Income Families Benefiting from Oklahoma School Choice Tax Credit
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
The Newsom Education Budget: No Bang for the Buck
Pacific Research Institute
Navigating Personalized Learning: Meghan’s Role as a Guide at KaiPod Microschool
Pioneer Institute
Tracy Hanson, Oak Creek Academy
Texas Public Policy Foundation
The Fire Next Time
California Policy Center
Quantifying the Upside of More Lawns
California Policy Center
The Politicization of Wind and Fire
California Policy Center
Mission Impossible
Center of the American Experiment
Flurry of Executive Orders Signal New Approach to E&E Policy
Center of the American Experiment
Mega Solar Project Replacing Coal Plant Generates Mega Backlash
Center of the American Experiment
Paris Agreement Exit Signals Return of American Energy Dominance
Commonwealth Foundation
Why America Leaving the Paris Agreement Is No Big Deal
John Locke Foundation
Go Nuclear to Preserve Reliable Power and Keep Cost Increases Under Control
John Locke Foundation
Why the Hydrogen Future Is Not Imminent
Mackinac Center
Financing Water Projects: Paying to Quench the Thirst of Texas
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Youngkin Calls Clean Energy Laws a ‘Quagmire’ As Challenges, Consumer Costs Become Evident
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy
CONfined: How Bureaucratic Barriers Stifle Rural Healthcare
Cardinal Institute
Hochul Shows a Jarring Lack of Direction on Healthcare
Empire Center
Wisconsin Employers Want Fix for High Healthcare Costs
MacIver Institute
CMS’ Drug Price Controls Have Expanded to the Next 15 Medicare Part D Drugs
Pacific Research Institute
Pioneer Institute Study Calls for Reforms to Ensure that Pharmacy Benefit Manager Practices Benefit Patients, Healthcare Payers
Pioneer Institute
Property Rights Are Fundamental Rights
Frontier Institute
Chicago’s Hidden Housing Solution: How Additional Dwelling Unit Expansion Can Make City More Affordable
Illinois Policy
Progress in Motion: Insurance Reforms Gaining Momentum
James Madison Institute
Housing Affordability in Texas with Stephanie Matthews
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Rep. Hageman Fights to Deliver Regulatory Relief to the American People and Small Businesses Across the Country
Foundation for Government Accountability
Montana and Missouri—The Fur Connection
Frontier Institute
MI Reality Check: Job Numbers Tell a Different Story than Evers’ Rosy Employment Boast
MacIver Institute
Corporate Welfare Goes One for Eleven in Job Creation
Mackinac Center
MEDC Has Woeful Record of Failure
Mackinac Center
Rebuilding Los Angeles Puts Urbanism at a Crossroads
Pacific Research Institute
Mapping Mass Migration: New England State and County Population Change, 2020 to 2023
Pioneer Institute
Missouri Is Shrinking
Show-Me Institute
District Town Hall Will Discuss $20 Million Budget Error
Center of the American Experiment
More Spending Won’t Fix Childcare but Could Worsen State Budget Problems
Center of the American Experiment
Pennsylvania’s Running Out of Money
Commonwealth Foundation
How to Balance the PA State Budget
Commonwealth Foundation
3 Ways to Balance Chicago’s Next Budget Without Tax Hikes
Illinois Policy
46 Towns Have Passed a Grocery Tax. Is Your Town Next?
Illinois Policy
5 Principles to Guide Illinois’ Public Pension Reform
Illinois Policy
Michigan Legislators Authorize New Selective Business Subsidies
Mackinac Center
Court Ruling Bolsters Oklahoma Anti-ESG Law
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
The Tax Race Is On—Oklahoma Is Losing
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
The Newsom Budget on Taxes: Yes, Governor, California Is a High Tax State
Pacific Research Institute
Louisiana’s Sales Tax Swap and What It Means for Fiscal Responsibility
Pelican Institute
Nebraska Revenue Committee Must Be Ready for Reconciliation
Platte Institute
Governor’s FY 2026 Executive Budget: The Good and the Bad
South Carolina Policy Council
Fiscal Sanity with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar
Texas Public Policy Foundation
MFPE Doubles Down on Far-Left Politics in 2024 Elections
Freedom Foundation
Teachers’ Union Holds Anti-Trump Webinar
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Rep Palm’s Next Act, Ratepayer Woes and Big Labor’s Big Payoff
Yankee Institute
Iowa Senator Drawing up the ‘Minnesota Purchase’?!
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota
Kemp Makes Strongest Push Yet for Tort Reform
Georgia Public Policy Foundation
TikTok and the First Amendment
Independence Institute
Franke: Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump
Indiana Policy Review Foundation
Sadly, Concept Drafts Still Have a Home in the Maine Legislature
Maine Policy Institute
Stanford’s Lerone Martin on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & the Civil Rights Movement
Pioneer Institute
Free Speech Coalition Notches Win with Facebook Changes
Rio Grande Foundation
Abraham Lincoln in Connecticut
Yankee Institute
In The Baltimore Sun, the Caesar Rodney Institute’s David T. Stevenson highlights how Maryland’s green policies have failed.
In the Desert Sun, the California Policy Center’s Lance Christensen explains how California could benefit if Trump actually dissolved the Education Department.
In the New York Post, Center of the American Experiment’s John Hinderaker notes Democrats are obstructing democracy in Minnesota.
At Newsweek, the Commonwealth Foundation’s André Béliveau argues the Paris Agreement exits signals the return of American energy dominance.
In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield highlights Georgia’s plans to rein in abusive lawsuits.
In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Paul Vallas notes attacks on Eileen O’Neill Burke are unfair.
In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Brad Weisenstein considers the debate over Illinois’ new flag.
In The American Spectator, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation’s John Hendrickson highlights how Trump can restore fiscal sanity to Washington.
In The Des Moines Register, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation’s John Hendrickson and Center of the American Experiment’s John Phelan compare the fiscal policies of Iowa under Kim Reynolds with those of Minnesota under Tim Walz.
In The Gazette, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation’s John Hendrickson and Vance Ginn outline how policymakers can tackle the explosive growth of property taxes.
At Complete Colorado, the Independence Institute’s Nash Herman explains Colorado’s over-spending problem.
In The News Tribune, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Dr. Roger Stark highlights how lawmakers are proposing a huge tax increase for single-payer health care in Washington state.
In her column for Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes highlights how record Obamacare enrollment is being masqueraded as a victory.
In The Sacramento Bee, the Pacific Research Institute’s Matt Fleming notes we can’t stop wildfires, but we can mitigate their devastating effects.
At RealClearHealth, the Pacific Research Institute’s Daniel M. Kolkeynotes good intentions cannot justify a flawed federal health policy.
In his recent column, John Hood points out North Carolina residents should prepare for cuts.
