Announcements
California Policy Center highlighted the unchecked power of public employee unions in California, which drives up costs and erodes accountability.
The Goldwater Institute announced their 2025 Freedom Gala at the Arizona Biltmore on October 17.
Tax Notes interviewed Joshua Sharf of the Independence Institute about a Colorado ballot initiative to exempt tips and overtime from state income tax.
The Institute for Reforming Government named Alison Prange as its new Board Chair. She succeeds founding Chair Rob McDonald and will help lead IRG’s statewide strategy.
With the passage of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation noted that Iowans avoided a huge tax increase, though future fiscal vigilance remains necessary to sustain budgetary discipline.
Annual reports released by trustees for Social Security and Medicare, John Locke Foundation observed, reveal ongoing significant funding gaps despite intense political debate.
Kansas Policy Institute uncovered that thousands of ineligible students received free lunches, costing taxpayers millions, according to a recent audit.
Liberty Justice Center and Mark Janus urged federal officials to strengthen union transparency laws and free speech protections, citing concerns about how dues are spent.
A guest piece by the Tax Foundation, published by Mountain States Policy Center, discussed how a new federal tax change could reduce regional competitiveness unless state lawmakers intervene.
The Mountain States Policy Center launched the Bill & Milly Kay Baldwin Center for Education, a new regional hub advancing student-centered reforms and expanding educational opportunity.
The Pioneer Institute interviewed the Defense of Freedom Institute’s Jim Blew on the federal education tax credit program.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation pointed out the One Big Beautiful Bill proved subsidies are nearly impossible to remove.
Success Stories
Pennsylvania: In a landmark ruling for parental rights and public accountability, a court determined that public school DEI programs cannot be treated as trade secrets. The Goldwater Institute hailed this decision as a crucial advancement for transparency in government education practices.
Tennessee: Property owners in Tennessee moved closer to receiving refunds after a court gave preliminary approval to a $1.4 million stormwater settlement. The Beacon Center of Tennessee played a key role in this outcome, drawing attention to the victory and advocating for the affected residents throughout the process.
Wisconsin: Thanks to the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the State Bar of Wisconsin has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit and remove harmful and discriminatory “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” or DEI, from its program.
Freedom through the Courts: The Latest Litigation Efforts across the Network
Beacon Center of Tennessee petitioned the Supreme Court to review a significant property rights issue impacting many Tennesseans—emphasizing that permits should be issued in a timely manner, not delayed by bureaucracy.
The Buckeye Institute filed its appeal brief in Sheldon v. Ohio Association of Public School Employees, calling on the court to reverse the lower court’s dismissal of the case and end the union’s wage theft practices.
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by seven Jewish teachers against United Teachers of Los Angeles over alleged antisemitism and forced association. The Freedom Foundation, which filed the suit, plans to appeal.
The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, on behalf of the Detroit Free Press, filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Treasury for refusing to release records related to millions in payments being provided to real estate firm Bedrock as part of a major development in downtown Detroit.
Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs
The Buckeye Institute outlined 10 proposals for Ohio’s Property Tax Reform Working Group, aiming to ease the burden on homeowners and improve local governance.
The Competitive Enterprise Institute reported that some asset managers are leaving ESG-focused investing behind, aligning instead with taxpayers and pensioners seeking greater financial returns and less political activism in their portfolios.
The Freedom Foundation highlighted how U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald and U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis introduced the STUDENT Act—aiming to reform the National Education Association’s federal charter for enhanced accountability.
Local government spending drives high property taxes, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation pointed out in their analysis of Iowa’s property tax crisis, urging legislators to limit spending for effective relief.
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation encouraged policymakers to make spending restraint a priority in 2026.
Kansas Policy Institute published new research that identifies the number of Kansas students who are functionally illiterate in each county.
Public dollars for infrastructure projects, like broadband, should be efficiently spent, The Mountain States Policy Center noted in their analysis of new federal guidelines impacting Montana.
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy released the Louisiana Quarterly Economic Report for Summer 2025, providing insights into the state’s economic trends and fiscal health.
The Nebraska Livestock Matrix, introduced in 2015 to standardize permitting processes, has faced challenges in aligning objectives—according to a new analysis from the Platte Institute
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty released the School Scorecard Dashboard—a one stop shop for information on Wisconsin public schools.
Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates
Michigan: Mackinac Center pointed out that a proposed House bill would reform the misuse of categorical grants by returning spending decisions to local school districts, aiming for more local control.
Wisconsin: Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to repeal Gov. Tony Evers’ 400-year school funding veto.
Policy News from the States
Topics:
K-12 Education
St. Paul school district asks voters to approve tax increase to help cover anticipated budget shortfall
American Experiment
One big beautiful opportunity that doesn’t ‘take’ money from public schools
American Experiment
Why did House DFLers block the creation of an Inspector General office to fight fraud?
American Experiment
Beacon Takes Permit Battle to U.S. Supreme Court
Beacon Center of Tennessee
High school, college students can earn $10,000, $5,000 or $1,000 from Jones Act essay contest
Grassroot Institute
The Price of Public Education in Iowa
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
A Conversation with Assemblyman Josh Hoover
Pacific Research Institute
Federal School Choice Is A Double-Edged Sword for Educational Freedom
Pelican Policy Institute
One Big Beautiful Bill Breakdown, Part II with Elias Tsapelas
Show-Me Institute
Unveiling Financial Transparency Failures in Labor Organizations
Yankee Institute
Energy and Environment
Hawaii climate policy going overboard on cruise ships
Grassroot Institute
Panasonic’s EV Gamble Isn’t Capitalism—It’s Corporate Welfare
Kansas Policy Institute
Healthcare
$250 million wasted to pay twice for 50,000 Minnesotan’s Medicaid
American Experiment
MAHA Report: a failure on several levels
Pacific Research Institute
Private Efforts Not Public Committees Will Generate Healthcare Savings
Pacific Research Institute
The Big Beautiful Bill Fixes One Drug Problem—But Highlights An Even Bigger One
Pacific Research Institute
Medicaid Reform Incoming
Show-Me Institute
Pain Has a Price: The Hidden Costs of Insurer-Controlled Care
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Housing Affordability
California’s obsession with density limits housing growth
Pacific Research Institute
Jobs and State Economies
BIG Beautiful BILL vs. UGLY Media LIES
American Experiment
Taxpayer Protections Are Just as Important as Pro-Growth Tax Policy
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
The U.S. Drug System Strikes a Reasonable Balance Between Incentivizing Innovation and Promoting Competition
Pacific Research Institute
What Does Austin’s Budget Show Us About Rates and Values?
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Layoffs at Bloated Federal Agencies Versus the Impact of Private Sector Layoffs Caused by the Federal Government
Thomas Jefferson Institute
State Budgets
$1 billion of fraud under Tim Walz
American Experiment
Idaho DOGE: Misses it by That Much
Idaho Freedom Foundation
Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending
Illinois Policy Institute
Holder’s group promotes redistricting double standard
John Locke Foundation
Sneaky budget practice is costing Michigan billions
Mackinac Center
Fixing Maine’s broken budget process begins with defining ‘extraordinary occasion’
Maine Policy Institute
Missouri’s Squandered Opportunity
Show-Me Institute
Sun Fresh’s Struggles Were Predictable—and Predicted
Show-Me Institute
Public Debt Profiles for House Districts
Texas Public Policy Foundation
How to Save $100 Million
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Other
Feeding Our Future: 48th conviction
American Experiment
How did Minneapolis resurrect camera-based traffic citations?
American Experiment
Two weeks’ notice
American Experiment
Majority of Americans don’t know why U.S. declared independence from Britain
American Experiment
Fateh wins?
American Experiment
California’s State of Decay
California Policy Center
Metro Should Reject the Burnside Bridge Road Diet
Cascade Policy Institute
Former Speaker Philip Gunn: Faith, Resilience, and Leadership
Empower Mississippi
Maui lawmakers give green light to food trucks and kitchenettes
Grassroot Institute
Franke: Hagiography or Iconoclasm?
Indiana Policy
Statement From The James Madison Institute on the Release of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan
James Madison Institute
The U.S.’s Need for a National AI Strategy
James Madison Institute
The Senate Flashed a Yellow Light on AI. States Shouldn’t Run the Run
James Madison Institute
Docs reveal WaPo’s key role in Russia election hoax
John Locke Foundation
More evidence of Comey’s misuse of powerful position
John Locke Foundation
Brennan ignored top intel officials to push Russia hoax
John Locke Foundation
Assessing the impact of Colbert’s TV exit
John Locke Foundation
Seeing ‘real trouble’ ahead for the ‘deep state’
John Locke Foundation
Trump pushes Thune to speed up confirmations
John Locke Foundation
Newsom pushed financial support for anti-ICE, anti-police group
John Locke Foundation
Hanson argues the world ‘woke up’
John Locke Foundation
New evidence of Obama administration’s role in Russia hoax
John Locke Foundation
Major media outlets ignore Gabbard’s ‘bombshell’
John Locke Foundation
Over 150,000 Kansas students may be functionally illiterate, yet the adults in charge won’t take action
Kansas Policy Institute
Will Whitmer’s legacy include fixing the roads?
Mackinac Center
The real Independence Day
Mackinac Center
10 Best Things About Mississippi
Minnesota Policy
ICE in California – Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Pacific Research Institute
Crypto Week Recap
Pelican Policy Institute
BBB Is Not The Tragedy Our Politicians Portray
Rio Grande Foundation
‘Restorative reproductive medicine’ should be offered sooner
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Union Rules: Welcome to the Hotel California
Thomas Jefferson Institute
Ed Feulner (1941-2025): A National Leader with a Virginian Heart
Thomas Jefferson Institute
The Network in the News
In the Courier Post, the Garden State Initiative’s Audrey Lane notes New Jersey’s lack of economic competitiveness is a big issue for their next governor.
In The Hill, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Brett Kittredge highlights the benefits of federalism and notes the exodus from New York City will only get worse under Mamdani.
In The Center Square, the John Locke Foundation’s Brian Balfour notes licensing reform gives North Carolina a competitive edge.
In his column for The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz points out that public tools like the Michigan Government Salaries database make state government more transparent.
In Forbes, the Pacific Research Institute’s Wayne Winegarden emphasized that increasing price transparency in healthcare could improve system affordability.
In her latest column for Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes highlights the problems with price controls.
In The Boston Globe, the Pioneer Institute’s Jim Stergios considers if Massachusetts will follow New Hampshire’s lead and expand school choice.
In National Review, SPN’s Jennifer Butler highlights how the One Big Beautiful Bill is an opportunity to renew federalism.
