Week in Review: February 17, 2023

Announcements

Americans for Prosperity released a new report outlining how state legislatures can unleash freedom and reclaim sovereignty with structurally balanced budgets.
The Badger Institute announced the promotion of Angela Smith to executive vice president, the addition of board members Shannon Whitworth and Matt Rowe, and the appointment of an array of Wisconsin luminaries as emeritus directors.
Veteran news leader Dan McCaleb has been named vice president of news and content by the Franklin News Foundation effective January 15, 2023. McCaleb will retain his responsibility as executive editor of The Center Square newswire service—the nation’s only 50-state legislative reporting source aside from the Associated Press.
The Caesar Rodney Institute‘s special project group American Coalition for Ocean Protection (ACOP), along with other public interest groups, demands federal regulators to reject the Virginia Offshore Wind Project to save the Right Whale.
A new documentary from the Illinois Policy Institute explores the Chicago Teachers Union’s rise to political power and the consequences.
The Institute for Reforming Government announced the launch of the Center for Investigative Oversight (CIO), a new division of IRG aimed at promoting accountability, transparency and conservative governance in Wisconsin by conducting and supporting rigorous, independent and objective oversight of state government.
In a new video, Kite & Key Media explains why homeownership became harder to achieve.
In support of citizens and taxpayers in the Monroe School District, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) submitted a letter to the school board, urging it to pause its project for a new high school and hold a new special referendum. In the lead up to the referendum last fall, statements by Monroe School District staff misled the entire community about the effect this project would have on property taxes.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty announced the hire of its new Communications Director, Pat Garrett, who will help manage the communications, messaging, and digital marketing efforts for the expanding non-profit law and policy center.

Freedom through the Courts: The Latest Litigation Efforts across the Network

The Buckeye Institute filed a lawsuit against the city of Columbus to protect the rights of Ohioans to keep and bear arms after the Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 3176-2022 outlawing certain firearms magazines. In Doe v. Columbus, Buckeye argues the ordinance violates Ohio law, the due process clause in the Ohio Constitution, and Article I, Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution.

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

The Caesar Rodney Institute released its First Annual Report Card on Delaware Governance.
A new report published by Cascade Policy Institute finds that school choice programs such as vouchers and education savings accounts can improve public school quality
In a new policy primer, The James Madison Institute considers how to strengthen cybersecurity in Florida.
A new study from Pioneer Institute, Cicero Institute, and Reason Foundation rates every state’s telehealth laws.
The Platte Institute released priorities for the 108^th Nebraska Legislature.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation considered property tax relief proposals in Texas.
In a new study, the Washington Policy Center considers how to increase access to affordable housing in Washington state.

Tracking Positive Reforms in the States: Updates from State Think Tanks

Arizona: Arizona lawmakers are considering a reform that stops occupational licensing boards from over-collecting licensing fees from hardworking Arizonans, many of whom are struggling just to make ends meet (Goldwater Institute)

Nebraska: The Goldwater Institute provided testimony in support of LB43 in Nebraska, which seeks to end judicial deference to administrative agencies and establish “de novo” review of agency actions. The Goldwater Institute and the Platte Institute are working together to pass this legislation that is based on Goldwater’s model. If passed, Nebraska would be the 13^th state to enact some form of Goldwater’s judicial review model legislation.

Iowa: A lawmaker in Iowa introduced Goldwater’s Right to Try for Individualized Treatment in the state. Right to Try for Individualized Treatment opens the door for patient access to cutting-edge treatments that are otherwise blocked by the FDA.

Kentucky: The Kentucky Legislature is considering legislation that establishes the Tax Expenditure and Economic Development Incentive Review Board. The board will review past incentives, estimate the yearly revenue loss resulting from each incentive and provide a detailed report to the legislature (Bluegrass Institute)

Maine: The Maine Legislature is considering a bill that would require the Maine Department of Education to accept certifications held by administrators, teachers, educational technicians and educational specialists issued by other states, US territories and other countries as an equivalent in Maine (Maine Policy Institute).

Missouri: A Parents’ Bill of Rights bill cleared the Missouri Senate (Show-Me Institute).

Nebraska: Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill that contains two main elements: universal recognition of licenses from out-of-state and a “fair chance” component, similar to what many states are doing, which limits how broadly those formerly incarcerated can be excluded from state licensure in occupations (Platte Institute).

Oklahoma: Oklahoma government officials would not be allowed to ignore open-records requests indefinitely under legislation approved by a state Senate committee (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).

Oklahoma: Parents would have online access to textbooks and instructional materials used in their children’s classes under legislation that has won easy approval in a state House subcommittee (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).

Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Legislature is considering legislation that would make clear that a party “prevails,” and may recover their attorney fees under state law, when a government agency releases records after a lawsuit is filed (Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty)

Policy News from the States

Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield writes how long-debated Certificate of Need laws in Georgia could see action to reform or repeal this year as new circumstances in state have changed the debate.

NC House Introduces Medicaid Expansion Bill
John Locke Foundation

A Predictable—And Uncaring—Talking Point For Medicaid Expansion
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Universal Health Care Sounds Good Until It Doesn’t; SJM 8006 Offers A Misguided Wish
Washington Policy Center

Unacceptable Wait Times For Health Care In Canada And Great Britain
Washington Policy Center

Housing

Zoning, Planning Reforms Would Help Produce More Hawaii County Housing
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Lone Star Housing Crunch
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Jobs and State Economies

Kicking It Back Into High Gear! Continuing Licensing And Regulatory Reform In Tennessee.
Beacon Center

Home Improvement Contractor License Needs Reform
Beacon Center

I Repeat: Now Is Not The Time To Raise Taxes
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Americans’ Purchasing Power Down 14% Over Last Two Years
John Locke Foundation

U.S. Unlikely to Avoid a Recession If Inflation Remains High
John Locke Foundation

Five Ways to Reduce Your Tax Burden
John Locke Foundation

Michigan’s Economy Needs To Catch Up
Mackinac Center

State Budgets and Spending

California Per Capita General Fund Spending Doubles – Where Is It Going?
California Policy Center

Controlling Spending Key to Property Tax Reforms
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

What is a Flat Tax?
Kansas Policy Institute

Where’s The Love For Taxpayers This Valentine’s Day?
Washington Policy Center

Workplace Freedom

Labor Relations Radio, Ep. 57: The U.S. Post Office May Be Giving Your Information To Unions
Americans for Fair Treatment

USPS Potentially Shared Private Personal Info to Labor Unions
Americans for Fair Treatment

Member Spotlight: Rochelle Porto
Americans for Fair Treatment

Rutgers University faculty, staff threaten strike over pay
Americans for Fair Treatment

University of California will force striking workers to repay wages
Americans for Fair Treatment

New York City teachers union holds ‘teach-in’ protest over wages
Americans for Fair Treatment

Paycheck protection highlights worker freedom
Americans for Fair Treatment

Unions Are Behind California’s Latest Wealth Tax Proposal
California Policy Center

Other

Gonzalez v. Google: Protecting the Future of Free Expression on the Internet
Beacon Center

Concerns Over Toxic Chemicals Released After Train Derailment in Ohio
John Locke Foundation

California Has “Been There, Done That” on Push for Gas Stove Ban
Pacific Research Institute

Social Media And The Supreme Court
Pelican Institute

Cooking Without Gas: Stove Ban a Plan or Conspiracy Theory
Pioneer Institute

The Network in the News

In the Anchorage Daily News, the Alaska Policy Forum notes student-centered funding could fix Alaska’s education outcomes.
In the Commonwealth Journal, the Bluegrass Institute considers ESG activism.
In National Review, the California Policy Center explains how California can save the Colorado water deficit.
In a piece for National Review, the Cardinal Institute highlights how West Virginia is poised to join the ranks of states cutting income taxes.
At RealClearEnergy, the Commonwealth Foundation considers if federal energy commissioners taking cues from climate activists.
In the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Commonwealth Foundation notes how a recent court ruling is a major win for education choice advocates.
In the Vermont Daily Chronicle, the Ethan Allen Institute highlights a movement to undermine parental choice.
In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Georgia Center for Opportunity points out school choice advocates are not anti-public school.
In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield highlighted how CON laws are in the spotlight again.
In the Washington Times, the Goldwater Institute notes public schools must be transparent and forthright about what they present to students.
In a piece for RealClearEducation, the Illinois Policy Institute explains how the Chicago Teachers Union brought chaos to education.
In his recent column in The Denver Gazette, the Independence Institute’s Jon Caldara considers Colorado’s energy system.
In The Center Square, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation points out spending limits can provide property tax relief.
In the Washington Examiner, The James Madison Institute highlights how Washington bureaucrats can control online speech.
In his recent column, the John Locke Foundation’s John Hood encouraged the North Carolina Governor to sign a riot bill.
In The Spectator, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy noted America is the greatest country in the world due to our continuous defense of the free markets.
In an op-ed for The Center Square, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy notes trickle-down economics is a lie.
In her Newsmax column, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes considers quality-adjusted life years, or QALYs, in federal healthcare programs.
At RealClearPolicy, the South Carolina Policy Council outlines Nikki Haley’s admirable record on transparency.
At Fox News Online, the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlights California’s harmful energy policies.
In The Fairfax Times, the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy considers if Virginia is ready for mandated electric vehicles.

Events and Opportunities

Please see SPN’s Network Calendar for a full list of events.