This weekly round-up shares the latest news about what the Network is doing to promote state-based solutions that will improve the lives of families, workers, and local communities. If you are an SPN member and have an update you’d like us to include in next week’s round-up, please email us at updates@spn.org (all submissions are subject to SPN approval).

Announcements

Success Stories

  • Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant has signed legislation championed by the Mississippi Center for Public Policy that creates a first-in-the-nation tax credit for targeted investments in Mississippi’s foster care system. The Children’s Promise Act provides concrete assistance to nonprofit organizations working on diverse problems around the state, including human trafficking, opioid addiction, and autism.

Earth Day & the free-market perspective

Many think tanks used Earth Day (April 22) as an opportunity to champion free-market ideas for protecting and nurturing the environment.

Research & Initiatives

  • Center of the American Experiment has launched an Employee Freedom Awareness Campaign to educate public employees about their First Amendment rights and the choices they have regarding union membership. The campaign is already attracting attention from local media.
  • Goldwater Institute has partnered with HeroZona Foundation and the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation on a military employment collaborative series highlighting Arizona’s veterans and military spouses. The kick-off event this week shared the unique challenges military spouses face as they search for employment.
  • Grassroot Institute considers Hawaii’s stagnant ranking in the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Rich States, Poor States and calls on leaders to get serious about addressing taxes and business hurdles that discourage people from staying in Hawaii.
  • Illinois Policy Institute’s latest report warns citizens and policymakers that, without reform, pension-related benefits could consume half of Illinois’ taxes.
  • “North Carolina is one of only three states with a blanket prohibition on public-sector union collective bargaining,” reports the John Locke Foundation’s Carolina Journal. But a new push to end that ban could change North Carolina’s public sector landscape and influence.
  • The Pelican Institute‘s inaugural 2019 Solutions Summit was the culmination of its deep-dive policy paper series addressing key issues for Louisiana and offering solutions to overcome the status quo. The summit brought Louisiana leaders together with policy experts and legislators from across the country to discuss solutions.
  • Nebraska lawmakers have voted to advance a bill to expand the state’s cottage food law to allow homemade food items to be sold statewide and online. The Platte Institute has been a strong champion of the bill, which if passed, could provide an additional source of income to families hard hit by the recent natural disaster.
  • In its new brief on the Digital Landscape, The Policy Circle takes a look at how technology and our nation’s digital infrastructure impact our society and public policy. Organizations with local or state information about digital infrastructure or technology initiatives that could be included should contact Nicole Cline at The Policy Circle.
  • Truth in Accounting is expanding its State Data Lab to include information on the federal government. This extension will allow users to create charts comparing federal data overtime, including Social Security, Medicare, and DOD data. As a sneak preview to what the database will include, they have released a Financial State of the Union report. 
  • Washington Policy Center reports that an anti-Janus bill is headed to the Governor’s desk. The bill would make it more difficult for public employees to have a voice and choice in paying union dues.

Think Tanks in the News

  • The Beacon Center of Tennessee‘s report on Education Scholarship Accounts was referenced in support of greater school choice in Tennessee. The report finds students would not only graduate in higher numbers, but the state could anticipate an increase in overall personal income and a reduction in the number of people coming through the criminal justice system.
  • Tired of traffic jams? The Cascade Policy Institute sees a way out.
  • The Center of the American Experiment makes the case why the Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME applies to union members, as well as agency fee payers. The Center explains how members were presented with a “Hobson’s Choice” when deciding whether to join the union, a choice the Court ruled unconstitutional.
  • Empire Center’s report on New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2018 payroll showed a 16 percent increase in overtime payments before the authority hiked up fare rates to cover their expenses. The $400 million payroll hike story made the front page of the New York Post and was covered by multiple broadcast and radio stations.  
  • The New Jersey economy is at a “Fork in the Road,” and, to encourage lawmakers to take the road less taxed, the Garden State Initiative looks at examples from neighboring states.
  • How are North Carolina lawmakers different from movie directors? They find it hard to say “cut,” especially when giving Hollywood producers taxpayer subsidies to make films instate. The John Locke Foundation reports a bipartisan group of state representatives are trying to resurrect a tax credit for filmmakers.
  • The Pacific Research Institute points out recent school riots have underscored the reason many parents are choosing charter schools.
  • The Nevada Policy Research Institute found the number of California public employees receiving six-figure annual pensions has more than doubled in just six years.
  • The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs warns Oklahoma residents of a potential minefield ahead if the state takes federal funding to expand Medicaid.
  • Should local governments have to keep checkbooks online? The Show-Me Institute says yes. The Institute’s experience compiling their Missouri Municipal Checkbook debunks the idea it is too costly for small towns.
  • Tax Foundation’s “Tax Freedom Day” is the date that American workers finish working to pay down government taxes. It’s useful because it provides “a clear, concrete example of how tax policy (which is boring) affects every American’s paycheck (which is not very boring).” Looking at the “Tax Freedom Day” in various states, Texas Public Policy Foundation notes Texas’ day is weeks ahead of other states’ and takes a look at the reasons why.
  • “Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes settled a public-records lawsuit this month, and in doing so turned over a legal memo showing his office had advised the City Council in 2014 that cities don’t have authority under state law to impose an income tax.” The Washington Policy Center’s successful lawsuit against Seattle, and the actions of the council it subsequently revealed, caught the attention of The Seattle Times.
  • Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit the state and municipalities from using eminent domain for commercial purposes, a move Yankee Institute strongly encourages.

Events & Opportunities

  • The American Enterprise Institute is bringing together scholars, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders for their Bridging the Divide Summit on June 5–7 in Denver, Colorado. The summit will highlight the very best research and action-oriented solutions to increase opportunity and mobility for those at the margins of society. Registration fee waivers are available SPN members. Find out more here.