Announcements
The Empire Center noted that New York’s population remains diminished in 2024 compared to 2020, highlighting the lasting effects of Covid-19 on the state.
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs noted that momentum is building to revive Mississippi-style reading reform in Oklahoma to combat the state’s literacy crisis.
The Palmetto Promise Institute joined a coalition in support of the Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act, urging South Carolina legislators to advance this vital reform.
The Pioneer Institute joined a coalition letter endorsing the federal Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act.
The Washington Policy Center named Ryan Frost as the new Director of Budget and Tax Policy.
Jay Lapeyre discussed America’s semiquincentennial on the Institute for Liberal Values’ Free Speech Forward podcast
Success Stories
Minnesota’s massive welfare fraud captured the national media this week. Center of the American Experiment, however, has been tracking and exposing the issue for years, long before major outlets took notice. Thanks to their persistent work, the story is now getting the attention it deserves, and politicians are finally being held accountable.
Freedom through the Courts: The Latest Litigation Efforts across the Network
The Beacon Center of Tennessee intervened in a legal case to defend Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship (EFS) program, alongside EdChoice, with a decision on their motion to intervene expected later this year.
An unprecedented 250 organizations, business groups, trade associations, public interest law firms, state attorneys general, and individuals from across the political spectrum filed amicus briefs—including one from State Policy Network—supporting The Buckeye Institute’s position in Buckeye v. IRS. The Buckeye Institute is challenging a tax law forcing nonprofit charities, including Buckeye itself, to hand over the private information of donors to the federal government every year.
The Independence Institute filed its own amicus brief in Buckeye vs. IRS, highlighting the historic use of tax law to control speech and reminding the court why the Founders opposed “taxes on knowledge”—concerns that remain relevant today.
The Liberty Justice Center has filed Abraham v. Arizona Board of Regents. The case challenges the University of Arizona’s exclusion of Dr. Abraham from prestigious governance committees after he opposed and sought records about what he reasonably believed were unlawful, race-based hiring and selection practices tied to DEI initiatives.
The Liberty Justice Center’s amicus brief in Buckeye v. IRS argues that the IRS’s history of targeting and leaking sensitive information—seen in its audit of Buckeye after it opposed Medicaid expansion—underscores why courts should presume donor privacy and require the government to justify any demand for donor names.
The Palmetto Promise Institute joined an amicus brief supporting The Buckeye Institute against IRS donor disclosure requirements, arguing that such policies violate the First Amendment and threaten nonprofit freedom.
A major lawsuit was filed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty and the Center for Individual Rights against the Trump Administration, challenging the foundation of federal DEI programs favoring “socially disadvantaged individuals.”
Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs
The American Experiment reported that Minnesota Management and Budget projected a $2.465 billion surplus for the 2026-27 biennium.
As Ohio lawmakers look to fix a broken 340B drug pricing program, The Buckeye Institute released a new policy brief outlining how the program came to neglect its well-intended goals.
The Fraser Institute released its “Economic Freedom of North America 2025” report, ranking states and provinces by how their policies support or restrict economic freedom. The Rio Grande Foundation drew attention to New Mexico’s placement near the bottom of the U.S. rankings, while the Josiah Bartlett Center highlighted New Hampshire’s continued position as the freest state in North America.
The Illinois Policy Institute noted a study stating that providing money without work negatively impacts recipients, yet state lawmakers are allocating tax dollars to pursue this approach again.
The MacIver Institute highlighted a 361% increase in enrollment in Wisconsin’s Children’s Long-Term Support program since 2017, signaling rising developmental concerns.
Maine’s latest revenue forecast revealed an unexpected $248 million surplus, the Maine Policy Institute highlighted, yet state leaders are not considering tax cuts for families.
The Pacific Research Institute pointed out that California’s latest Fiscal Outlook warns of ongoing budget challenges.
The Platte Institute highlighted the benefits of adopting full expensing in Nebraska, noting it could significantly boost economic growth compared to traditional corporate rate cuts.
Jobs in the Network
Major Gift Officer — The Heartland Institute (Remote)
Summer Law Clerkship — Pacific Legal Foundation (Virginia)
Internal Systems Director — The Foundation for Government Accountability (Remote)
Policy News from the States
Topics:
K-12 Education
Robbinsdale school closings loom amid board member chaos
American Experiment
Goldwater to Rhode Island Supreme Court: Open Meetings Act Favors Broad Public Access
Goldwater Institute
How well are your local third graders reading?
Illinois Policy Institute
Parents should act now to be ready for the Parental Choice Tax Credit application
Mountain States Policy Center
The Hidden Advantages of the ESTF Program : Palmetto Promise Institute
Palmetto Promise Institute
Book Highlights Advances in Digital Education, Policies to Unlock Its Benefits
Pioneer Institute
Sean Geraghty & Mike Goldstein on ADHD, Technology, & Schools
Pioneer Institute
Watch: Help Build Missouri’s Legacy of Liberty
Show-Me Institute
It’s Time to Hold DESE Accountable
Show-Me Institute
It’s Time We Stop Accepting the EdTech Lie
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Energy and Environment
California’s War on Oil Actually Harms the Environment
California Policy Center
PUC Establishes New ‘Clean Heat’ Targets Designed to Crack Down on Natural Gas
Independence Institute
Robotaxis offer real-world solution for urban traffic congestion
Pacific Research Institute
The SCC Decides: Dominion’s Rates and Profits Go Up, New Rules on Data Centers
Thomas Jefferson Institute
Approval of Gas Generation Plant Divides Two Big Donors Who Helped Democrats Win
Thomas Jefferson Institute
Healthcare
Florida Politics: The 340B Drug Program — Accountability Needed To Protect Patients, Taxpayers
James Madison Institute
Michigan would benefit from independent nurse practitioners
Mackinac Center
‘Soak the Rich’ Won’t Rescue Calif. Healthcare
Pacific Research Institute
Serving Country & Serving Time
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Housing Affordability
Congress and the Trump Administration Are Curbing Section 1115 Waiver Abuse and Reinforcing Real Medicaid Priorities
The Foundation for Government Accountability
States Have The Tools Necessary To Reduce Their Medicaid Improper Payment Rates And Avoid Increased Costs
The Foundation for Government Accountability
Lucky — and grateful — we live Hawaii
Grassroot Institute
The Holiday Season Is Here — But Affordability Still Isn’t
Kansas Policy Institute
Zoning is not the only tool local governments have
Mackinac Center
What Key Bills Will Lawmakers Debate in 2026?
Maine Policy Institute
Jobs and State Economies
New York’s Population Is Struggling to Recover from Covid-19
Empire Center
ICYMI: Bringing Benjamin Franklin to Life—A Conversation with Descendant Dr. Mark Skousen
Goldwater Institute
Jones Act bad; factual errors also bad
Grassroot Institute
Fort Meyers News-Press: Polling Shows Rural Areas More Receptive to Data Centers
James Madison Institute
A Very Grateful Immigrant’s Thanksgiving
Minnesota Policy
Idaho’s “C.O.W.” problem is great for economic growth
Mountain States Policy Center
Understanding Inflation in South Carolina : Palmetto Promise Institute
Palmetto Promise Institute
RGF opinion piece: Federal shutdown highlights New Mexico dependence
Rio Grande Foundation
New Mexico falls to 50th among US states in latest “Economic Freedom Freedom of North America” – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
RGF opinion piece: Federal shutdown highlights New Mexico dependence – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
This Giving Tuesday, Support Liberty
Show-Me Institute
Washington is bleeding taxpayers and now a State Representative wants to make it worse
Washington Policy Center
New proposed legislation aims to adopt Seattle’s failing economic strategy
Washington Policy Center
State Budgets
Illinois lawmakers push retirement tax to keep spending more
Illinois Policy Institute
When elected officials raise your property taxes, don’t blame the assessor
Washington Policy Center
Workplace Freedom
Oregon ethics board lets teachers union lobbyist off the hook for falsified Freedom Foundation mailer
Freedom Foundation
Union support for immigration protests proves workers need freedom
Mackinac Center
Texas International Produce Association v. OSHA
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Other
Minnesota Man on the rampage
American Experiment
Radical Activists Hijacked a Top Political Science Journal—with Far-Reaching Consequences
Goldwater Institute
Should We Be Concerned About Idaho Elections?
Idaho Freedom Foundation
Week in Review: Make Idaho Sovereign Again
Idaho Freedom Foundation
The Outstater
Indiana Policy
Schansberg: ‘Greatness’ — a Biblical Perspective
Indiana Policy
The Fight Over America’s Institutions is a Test of Our Republic
ITR Foundation
Use Your IRA to Advance Liberty
James Madison Institute
North Carolina is about to have a new largest party
John Locke Foundation
Rubio distills Trump’s foreign policy approach
John Locke Foundation
SCOTUS case involving Trump’s authority labeled ‘vital’
John Locke Foundation
Barnes Announces Gov’s Bid, Tiffany Slams Barnes’ Record
MacIver Institute
Congressman Tom Tiffany Weighs-in on 2030 Census
MacIver Institute
A new Montana Constitutional Convention?
Mountain States Policy Center
OU probes claim of religious discrimination after student given zero
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Eric Swalwell touted as open-primary success
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
OU student: No intent to cause controversy with essay
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
IRG Polling: April 2025
Reforming Government
Why won’t NM help feds root out SNAP fraud? – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
Tipping Point NM episode 765: New Mexico’s Federal Dependency, Donor Privacy Fight, Hoodies for the Homeless and more – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
Ranked choice will only make Albuquerque elections worse – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
RGF continues to fight for donor privacy (this time alongside Goldwater Institute and National Federation of Independent Businesses) – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
WILL Moves to Intervene in Wisconsin Redistricting Cases on Behalf of Wisconsin Voters
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
WILL Jumps Into New Wisconsin Redistricting Fight
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty
The Network in the News
In the Washington Examiner, the Freedom Foundation’s Aaron Withe argues dismantling the Education Department is an experiment America needs.
In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Paul Vallas considers what can be done to restore faith in Chicago’s justice system.
In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Institute for Reforming Government’s Quinton Klabon explains how charter schools work in Wisconsin.
At InsideSources, the Josiah Bartlett Center’s Andrew Cline points out standardized tests help students by creating a framework for accountability.
In the Deseret News, the Libertas Institute’s Jason Chipman outlines five reforms that would restore opportunity for Utahns in 2026.
In his recent column for The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz encourages Governor Whitmer to form a commission to review her pandemic response.
In The News Tribune, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Sam Cardwell considers Washington’s poor rating in the Tax Foundation’s latest state competitiveness index.
In her column for Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes notes a ‘billionaire tax’ will only worsen the Golden State’s health system.
In The Spokesman-Review, the Washington Policy Center’s Paul Guppy highlights the complexity of property taxes and explains that increases stem from elected officials’ budget decisions, not from county assessors.
