Week in Review: March 06, 2026

Announcements
Success Stories
Freedom Through the Courts
This Week’s Policy Briefs
Tracking Positive Reforms

Jobs in the Network
Tracking Positive Reforms
Policy News from the States
The Network in the News

Announcements

The Alabama Policy Institute launched ‘Freedom First Alabama,’ a coalition of influential political groups aiming to combat big government policies that increase costs for families.

The BASED Media Fellowship offers a 12-week training program to equip liberty-minded professionals with skills in communication and digital strategy. Apply here.

Empower Mississippi released its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting significant advancements in education, work, and justice.

The Foundation for Economic Education launched the Hazlitt Fellowship, an intensive program designed to develop emerging scholars into influential content creators in economics and policy, with a deadline for applications on March 29, 2026.

The ITR Foundation highlighted the benefits of a local REINS Act — which would require city councils to approve new regulations and conduct public cost-benefit analyses.

Addressing housing issues, James Madison Institute examined common land use and housing terminology, identifying terms that either facilitate or hinder housing production.

Mountain States Policy Center reported that parents in Idaho and Montana express high satisfaction with their children’s schools.

Pacific Research Institute noted that proponents of a wealth tax, including Bernie Sanders, could drive $30 billion in revenue out of state, raising questions about its feasibility.

The Pelican Institute for Public Policy released a poll indicating Louisiana voters’ alarm over rising costs, with strong support for school choice funding and legal reforms.

After a Supreme Court ruling on parental rights in schools, Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty issued legal guidance to school districts and parents.

The Yass Prize launched its 2026 competition, aiming to reward innovative education organizations that embody the STOP principles.

Success Stories

Nebraska: Gov. Pillen signed legislation that streamlines the county permitting process for agricultural producers by setting clear timelines and decision-making standards (Platte Institute).

West Virginia: More than 3,000 students enrolled in the first 24 hours of open enrollment for the universal HOPE Scholarship, bringing total participation to roughly 14,000 students for the 2026-27 school year (Cardinal Institute).

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

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in Columbus v. Ohio, an important case before the Ohio Supreme Court that challenges the state’s ability to adopt policies in matters of general state concern, which is a necessary tool to protect fundamental rights, promote economic opportunity, and ensure regulatory clarity.

The Liberty Justice Center has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, Brown v. Neville, et al., on behalf of Judge James R. Brown, a retired Cook County judge who was removed from his judicial recall appointment after exercising his First Amendment rights.

Vermont’s Act 73 is being challenged in court by the Liberty Justice Center for unlawfully limiting families’ education options and restricting the town tuition system in Caspers v. State of Vermont.

The Liberty Justice Center has submitted an amicus curiae to the U.S. Supreme Court in FCC v. AT&T, Inc. in order to protect the Seventh Amendment’s guarantee to a trial by jury.

The Liberty Justice Center has filed an amicus brief in Chatrie v. United States, calling for the U.S. Supreme Court to end the use of unconstitutional “geofence” warrants.

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

The Buckeye Institute urged lawmakers to adopt policies that allow pharmacists to test and treat patients for common illnesses.

The Beacon Center of Tennessee noted that Tennessee has successfully operated for over 75 years without a state property tax.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii submitted testimony advocating for the loosening of CON regulations, arguing that it could significantly enhance the quality of healthcare in Hawaii.

The Illinois Policy Institute highlighted Governor Pritzker’s proposal to reduce burdensome housing regulations, emphasizing the urgent need for an additional 227,000 homes by2030.

Independence Institute highlighted that Colorado’s potential adoption of cap-and-trade could lead to significantly higher gas prices.

The Institute for the American Worker highlighted significant imbalances in the National Labor Relations Act that favor unions over small businesses.

A report from the MacIver Institute shows that Wisconsin’s GDP growth is lagging behind the rest of the nation.

People United for Privacy Foundation highlighted how bills restricting so-called “foreign-influenced corporations” actually target American nonprofits and donors.

The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy pointed out concerns about a proposed dual broad-based income and property tax in New Hampshire.

Policy Watch

Connecticut: Lawmakers are considering a “Climate Superfund” that could raise gas prices by 33 cents per gallon (Yankee Institute).

Idaho: The House passed HB 745, which would prohibit school districts from using taxpayer funds or payroll systems to support teachers unions (Freedom Foundation).

Mississippi: Lawmakers sent SB 2202 to the governor, enacting worker freedom legislation that bans neutrality agreements and guarantees secret-ballot elections in unionization efforts.

New Mexico: The Legislature passed medical malpractice reform, joined the national doctor compact, and enacted a $10,000 tax credit for physicians to address the state’s doctor shortage (Rio Grande Foundation).

Ohio: The Ohio General Assembly sent House Bill 52 to the governor’s desk. Once signed, the bill will remove onerous supervision requirements and allow certified registered nurse anesthesiologists (CRNA) to practice to the full extent of their medical training, helping to ease Ohio’s care provider shortage. (The Buckeye Institute)

South Carolina: The Senate passedan income tax overhaul that cuts the top rate and sets a long-term goal of eliminating the income tax entirely, sending it back to the House (South Carolina Policy Council).

Utah: A bill advancing through the Senate would remove licensing requirements for four professions—commercial interior designers, court reporters, polygraph examiners, and music therapists (Libertas Institute).

Wisconsin: Lawmakers are considering AB696, which would reduce CPA licensure requirements to a bachelor’s degree plus two years of work experience (Badger Institute).

Jobs in the Network

Digital Video Producer, News & Policy — John Locke Foundation (Hybrid in Raleigh, North Carolina)

Donor Database and Engagement Manager — Children’s Scholarship Fund (NYC)

Communications Director — Idaho Freedom Foundation (Idaho)

SEE ALL JOBS

The Network in the News

In the Yellowhammer News, the Alabama Policy Institute‘s Stephanie Holden Smith debunks the $100 million “cost” claim against school choice, noting Alabama’s record $12.2 billion education budget tells a very different story.

In the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the Cardinal Institute’s Jessi Troyan encourages policymakers to make workforce development services as prevalent as social services.

In the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Andrew Lewis argues that Democratic governors’ energy mandates and deficit spending undermine their “affordability” claims.

In the New York Post, the Empire Center’s E.J. McMahon highlights the big lie behind Mamdani’s ‘tax the rich’ demands.

In the Miami Herald, the Independent Institute‘s William F. Shughart II argues that Congress should make standard time permanent year-round rather than extending daylight saving time, which disrupts health and productivity.

In his recent column for The Denver Gazette, the Independence Institute’s Jon Caldara highlights how Colorado businesses are moving to states with lower taxes, lighter regulatory burdens, and more predictable policy environments.

In The Wall Street Journal, the Institute for the American Worker‘s Karen Harned argues that while the Trump-appointed NLRB can reverse Biden-era pro-union policies, Congress must pass lasting labor law reforms to protect workers long-term.

At RealClearMarkets, the Free State Foundation’s Randolph May notes FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is unwisely belittling the Reagan FCC.

In the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Pacific Research Institute‘s Kerry Jackson argues that San Diego’s proposed empty home tax is unlikely to ease the housing crisis, pointing to failed attempts elsewhere.

In the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Show-Me Institute’s David Stokes notes it’s past time to phase out St. Louis’ city earnings tax.

In The Hill, The James Madison Institute’s Steve Crisafulli notes affordability will be key to Republicans’ success—or failure—in 2026.

In National Review, State Policy Network’s Madison Ray points out governors and their leadership still have a direct impact on the lives of Americans.