Announcements
- Center of the American Experiment launched the 2023 Golden Turkey Awards to highlight examples of wasteful spending in Minnesota state and local budgets.
- On the GSI Briefing, the Garden State Initiative’s Regina Egea discussed the budget wars in Trenton with New Jersey State Assemblyman Brian Bergen.
- The Mountain States Policy Center announced the launch of its first research center the William and Elizabeth Junkermier Center for Technology and Innovation.
- Philanthropy Online interviewed SPN‘s Ray Nothstine to learn more about his work on American Habits.
- SPN’s Tony Woodlief discussed the power of federalism on the Future of Freedom podcast.
- Washington Policy Center announced the hiring of one of the region’s most respected and successful development professionals, Steven L. Hatting as Chief Revenue Officer.
Freedom through the Courts: The Latest Litigation Efforts across the Network
- The Kansas Justice Institute filed a new lawsuit about an occupational licensing story on behalf of a young mom in Kansas who wants to start a “sugaring” business, but has been told she also has to spend tens of thousands of dollars and somewhere around 1500 hours of her time just to get a license that doesn’t teach sugaring.
- The Liberty Justice Center, the Illinois Policy Institute, and the Upper Midwest Law Center jointly filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to grant certiorari in Jarrett v. SEIU, a case addressing forced union dues which were collected in violation of employees’ Janus rights.
- The Liberty Justice Center, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, and Dr. Erica E. Anderson jointly filed an amicus brief in Regino v. Staley, urging the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a lower court’s ruling denying parents’ rights.
Success Stories
- Thanks in large part to the Independence Institute, Proposition HH failed in Colorado—a ballot measure that would have raised taxes by billions.
Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs
- Opportunity Arkansas released a report on phasing out the income tax.
- New York’s plan to steer homeowners and landlords toward electric heat could backfire due to high costs and practical concerns, according to a new study from the Empire Center for Public Policy.
- In a new study, the Foundation for Government Accountability notes Congress should fix Administrative PAYGO and pass the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act.
- Pioneer Institute released a new study on the specifics of school pandemic relief funding.
Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates
- Wisconsin is considering a bill that aims to remove barriers to mental healthcare access by allowing out-of-state providers to practice in Wisconsin via telehealth technology (IRG Action).
Policy News from the States
Election Day: November 7, 2023
Prop HH is Defeated: Now What?
Independence Institute
November 2023 Local Bond Election Results
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
Local Elections Shape Our Communities
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
Happy Election Day!
John Locke Foundation
Tax Votes Of Note From 2023 Election
Mountain States Policy Center
General Election Results 2023 (Local)
Palmetto Promise Institute
What Happened with Texas Bond Elections?
Texas Public Policy Foundation
After Tuesday’s Elections, Texas Can Take a Bow
Texas Public Policy Foundation
K-12 Education
The Poor, Powerless Casualties Of Wisconsin’s School Choice Lawsuit
Badger Institute
What The New Homeschool Demographic Means For School Choice
Cascade Policy Institute
As Per Pupil Funding Skyrockets, Less Minnesota Students Can Read or Do Math
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota
Teachers Unions Hand Nearly $1.5 Million To Lawmakers Ahead Of Invest In Kids Vote
Illinois Policy Institute
What Is The Impact Of School Choice Programs On Overall Education Funding?
John Locke Foundation
NH Families Are Choosing To Spend Their EFA Funds In A Variety Of Ways, Including At Public Schools
Josiah Bartlett Center
How to Use the Utah Fits All Scholarship
Libertas Institute
This Young Mom & Lawmaker Led The Fight For Ed Choice In Utah – Now She Has Advice For Other States
Mountain States Policy Center
Nevada Sees Education-Spending Boom this Century
Nevada Policy Research Institute
Oklahoma Per-Student Revenue Has Risen Dramatically
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Breaking: A Closer Look at House Bill 1 ESA and Funding
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Energy and Environment
California Bureaucrats Embrace Water Rationing
California Policy Center
When They Say They Want To Turn Your Power Off, Believe Them
Center of the American Experiment
Can Idahoans Protect Their Homes And History From Out-Of-State Interests?
Mountain States Policy Center
Government Accountability
Years After Pandemic, Evers Spending ARPA Money On Soccer And A Railroad Museum
Badger Institute
New Palace For Politicians To Feature A Built-In Balcony/Terrace
Center of the American Experiment
Report: Chicago Area Most Corrupt In America
Illinois Policy Institute
Idaho Lawmakers Should Provide At Least 3-Day Notice Of Bills Scheduled For Public Hearing
Mountain States Policy Center
Housing Affordability
Streamline Permitting Process To Reduce Wait Times, Favoritism
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Jobs and State Economies
Alaska’s Economic Outlook, Ranked: 2023
Alaska Policy Forum
Research Shows That Corporate Tax Cuts Boosted Investment|
Center of the American Experiment
The Pros And Cons Of Local Sales Taxes
Center of the American Experiment
Relax Rules On ‘Cottage Food’ Entrepreneurs
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Black, Brown Chicago Neighborhoods Endure Highest Poverty Rates
Illinois Policy Institute
Chicago City Council Puts ‘Mansion Tax’ On March 2024 Ballot
Illinois Policy Institute
Bezos Move Provides A “Prime” Warning On The Impact Of Tax Policy
Mountain States Policy Center
State Budgets
Michigan Politicians Submit More Bills Hamstringing Property Owners
Mackinac Center
Other
A Republic If You Can Keep It
Center of the American Experiment
Election Reforms States Should Consider Before 2024
Foundation for Government Accountability
State Broadband Plan Won’t Help Rural Communities
Mackinac Center
Here’s What Issues Lawmakers Want To Debate In The Second Session
Maine Policy Institute
Personal Stories And Lessons For Veterans Day
Palmetto Promise Institute
Veterans Day 2023
Show-Me Institute
The Evolution Of Free Speech In America
Sutherland Institute
The Network in the News
- At National Review, the Alaska Policy Forum‘s Sarah Montalbano highlights how the Biden Administration won’t let Alaska responsibly develop its natural resources.
- At RealClearPolicy, the Cardinal Institute‘s Jessi Troyan notes red tape of occupational licensing leaves West Virginia workers in the red.
- At RealClearPolicy, Center of the American Experiment‘s John Phelan highlights the growing divide between “freedom conservatives” and “national conservatives.”
- At Broad + Liberty, the Commonwealth Foundation‘s Guy Ciarrocchi notes Tuesday’s election highlights different messages and changing coalitions.
- In The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Commonwealth Foundation notes Governor Shapiro is the least productive governor of the last 50 years.
- In The Hill, the Freedom Foundation’s Aaron Withe highlighted how Oregon just dropped all graduation standards in the name of ‘equity.’
- In the Daily Journal, the Garden State Initiative‘s Regina Egea notes New Jersey has to hit the reset button on its energy policy — and get it right.
- In the Hawaii Reporter, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii‘s Keli‘i Akina notes telehealth could be game-changer in effort to improve Hawaii healthcare.
- In The Center Square, Illinois Policy Institute‘s Brad Weisenstein notes Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice—but the fight will continue.
- In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute‘s Paul Vallas argues Gov. J.B. Pritzker should use executive powers to take action on migrant crisis.
- In The American Spectator, the Independent Institute’s Richard K. Vedder notes that, like second century Rome, we have seen a deteriorating quality of national leadership and a sense of national community.
- The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board featured the Institute for Reforming Government’s analysis in an editorial on Wisconsin’s school choice program.
- The Daily Caller published an op-ed by the Liberty Justice Center’s James McQuaid, discussing censorship and free speech rights in the Biden Administration.
- At National Review, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs‘ Jonathan Small notes its time to eliminate Oklahoma’s penalty on work.
- In his recent column for the Journal Record, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs‘ Jonathan Small notes antisemitism is linked to college DEI.
- At RealClearPolicy, State Policy Network‘s Steve Johnson notes Iowa’s restructuring reform is a model for other states.
- In The Federalist, the Texas Public Policy Foundation‘s Chuck DeVore highlights TPPF’s Election Protection Project.
