Announcements
As Ohio’s budget process enters the home stretch, The Buckeye Institute continues to urge greater fiscal prudence in the face of budget uncertainty, calling on lawmakers to aggressively reprioritize spending and inhibit the accounting gimmicks that perpetuate runaway spending.
The California Policy Center is helping the charter school community push back on a bill that would cut funding for charter schools.
New polling from the Commonwealth Foundation reveals that Pennsylvania voters are already feeling the pain of rising energy costs, remain deeply concerned about access to affordable energy, and strongly oppose policies that would impose additional taxes and costs.
The Goldwater Institute submitted a formal public comment to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in support of a Trump Administration proposal to reclassify thousands of federal employees with policy-influencing roles to at-will employment status.
Independent Institute’s Senior Fellow Phillip W. Magness, author of The 1619 Project Myth, was interviewed by Jonah Goldberg on The Dispatch’s Remnant podcast.
In a special episode of the Beyond Policy Podcast, Palmetto Promise Institute hosted a roundtable discussion focused on the energy landscape in South Carolina, highlighting the state’s growth, the challenges faced by the nuclear energy sector, and the importance of energy in both economic development and national defense.
A coalition of advocacy groups, organized by the Pelican Institute, urged Louisiana senators to fully fund the newly approved LA GATOR Scholarship Program.
Sutherland Institute considers what’s happeningwith education choice policy—at both the state and national levels.
The Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy filed comments with the Virginia Department of Labor in support of its proposed regulations on local government Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Freedom through the Courts: The Latest Litigation Efforts across the Network
The Pioneer Public Interest Law Center (Pioneer Law Center) announced its strategic alliance with the New England Legal Foundation (NELF), as the Pioneer New England Legal Foundation (PNELF). Building on a common mission of advancing educational opportunity, government transparency and free enterprise, PNELF will expand services to defend and promote these freedoms across and beyond New England.
On May 22, the Liberty Justice Center filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court in Project Veritas v. Schmidt, a case that challenges Oregon’s restrictions on recording public officials. This marks the second time the Liberty Justice Center has weighed in on the case, having previously filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit in 2024.
The Trump administration is investigating Green Bay schools for alleged race-based discrimination, following a complaint by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty.
Success Stories
Iowa: Governor Kim Reynolds launched the Statewide Child Care Solutions Fund to expand access to quality child care across Iowa. The initiative builds on local pilot programs and was informed by research from the Common Sense Institute, which showed how public-private partnerships can effectively boost child care availability while supporting economic growth.
Mississippi: Lawmakers voted to increase funding for Mississippi’s Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program. House Bill 42 increases funding for the ESA from $3 million to $5 million, ensuring that more students can participate in the program (Empower Mississippi).
Oklahoma: The Sooner State cut the personal income tax and put it on a gradual path to full repeal (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).
Governor Kevin Stitt also signed Senate Bill 652 into law, restructuring Oklahoma’s school board election laws in a way that will ultimately lead to an increase in voter participation and reduce election costs to taxpayers (Freedom Foundation).
Nationwide: On May 28, the Liberty Justice Center celebrated a significant victory in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump after a landmark opinion from the US Court of International Trade unanimously struck down the Liberation Day tariffs as unlawful.
Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs
A new analysis from the Badger Institute highlights how we increasingly live in a world of unsolved crime.
A new report by the Bluegrass Institute reveals that Kentucky’s open-enrollment policies are among the weakest in the nation, restricting the ability of families to choose a different public school that better meets their children’s educational needs.
Energy is Pennsylvania’s competitive advantage. However, two proposed climate-related programs will harm the Keystone State economically and fail to provide any meaningful environmental benefits, according to a new study published by the Commonwealth Foundation.
Empire Center released a report on K-12 education achievement and spending in New York.
A new report by the Common Sense Institute found that thanks to Arizona’s 2023 Permit Freedom Act—a law developed by the Goldwater Institute—permit timelines dropped from 200 days to just 126, on average.
The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released a “Court Watch” primer, detailing the bounds of judicial immunity. The primer outlines Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan’s alleged conduct to prevent federal immigration officials from arresting an illegal immigrant in the context of judicial immunity.
In a new report, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Madilynne Clark explains what debanking is and why it requires a federal solution.
Reason Foundation released its new policy study, “K-12 open enrollment by the numbers: 2025.” The study examines open enrollment data and finds five key trends policymakers should consider.
A new paper from State Policy Network highlights how states can strengthen ESA programs with better rules. The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), in partnership with the Archbridge Institute, released a new report titled, “Reforming Childcare in Wisconsin: Reducing Regulatory Burdens to Expand Access.” The report reveals Wisconsin’s ranking as the 10th most restrictive state for childcare regulations, even lagging states like California, Illinois, and Michigan.
Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates
Louisiana: A bill that would enhance economic freedom and bring commonsense reform for Louisiana’s hair braiders recently passed Louisiana’s House of Representatives with bipartisan support (Pelican Institute).
Texas: The Texas Legislature advanced a tax cut package for Texas homeowners and businesses (Texas Public Policy Foundation).
Policy News from the States
Topics:
K-12 Education
Taxpayers Need More Simplicity and Transparency—Not Misleading Arguments Meant to Stoke Fears of Successful Choice Schools
Badger Institute
People Greatly Underestimate Public School Spending
Center of the American Experiment
Universal School Choice Attracts More Educational Alternatives
Commonwealth Foundation
U.S. House Passes Federal School Choice Program, Moves To Senate
Illinois Policy Institute
Trump Tariffs Will Have Negative Impact on NC Public Schools
John Locke Foundation
Ed Reformers Worry About Wisconsin Report Card Changes
MacIver Institute
Was Oklahoma 17th in education under Democrats? In a word: No
OCPA
Children Have a Right to a Safe Place to Learn
Show-Me Institute
Ruling Against School Choice: A Legal Misread in Utah
Sutherland Institute
Parent Notification Of Medical Services, Mental Health Issues Involving Students Is Removed
Washington Policy Center
Energy and Environment
Supreme Court Gets Permitting Right In A Likely-Landmark Ruling
Center of the American Experiment
U.S. is All-In on Nuclear—Why Not Minnesota?
Center of the American Experiment
Minnesota Drivers Free From California EV Tyranny
Center of the American Experiment
Pensions, Not Politics: Why Oklahoma’s Anti-ESG Law is Important
OCPA
Legislature Warned Again of Electricity Shortage
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy
Why Connecticut Has One of the Highest Electric Rates in the United States
Yankee Institute
Healthcare
Now is the Opportunity for Congress to Reform Medicaid
Mountain States Policy Center
Prescription Price Controls And Rationing Would Undermine The Innovation That Has Saved So Many
Washington Policy Center
Housing Affordability
Plans, Zoning and Annexation Form Front Lines for Wisconsin Cities Looking to Build More Housing
Badger Institute
Gavin Newsom’s Shameless Dodge on the Homeless Crisis
California Policy Center
Wall Street Remains Easy Target, But Tackling Housing Affordability Begins in Georgia
Georgia Public Policy Foundation
For Fixing The Housing Market, Deregulation Beats Subsidies
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy
Jobs and State Economies
No, We Don’t Have Low Property Taxes
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
County Population Changes in Iowa
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation
Bad Policy, Bad Results: Michigan’s Economic Decline
Mackinac Center
Idaho Agriculture Could Spoil Under Weight Of Arbitrary Tariff Tax Increases
Mountain States Policy Center
Building Community Without Public Stadium Subsidies: Alternatives to Costly Sports Projects
Nevada Policy
Transit Trends and Wishful Thinking
Washington Policy Center
State Budgets
Taking Less Taxes from Citizens Should Be the Top Priority in 2026
Alabama Policy Institute
All Minnesota’s Businesses Should Be Paying Less Sales Tax
Center of the American Experiment
Behind-The-Scenes Look at the Minnesota Budget Negotiations
Center of the American Experiment
The Problem with Energy
Center of the American Experiment
Idaho, We Saved You Money! (Not)
Idaho Freedom Foundation
Pritzker Grows State Spending Most Among Past 5 Illinois Governors
Illinois Policy Institute
Lawmakers Should Look Outside Of Springfield When Choosing A Fiscal Watchdog
Illinois Policy Institute
Dirty Little Secret: Do Citizens Actually Support Higher Property Taxes?
Mountain States Policy Center
Workplace Freedom
Work? Strike? Whatever; Employers now required to pay union members not to work
Washington Policy Center
Other
Minnesota Sanctuaries Put On Notice
Center of the American Experiment
Being Your Own Boss
Frontier Institute
Yes, AI Is New, But The Principles For Regulating It Are Not
John Locke Foundation
The Standard Of Success For The Latest Road Proposals
Mackinac Center
The 2025 Washington Legislative Session: Small Business, Taxation, and Business Regulation
Washington Policy Center
The Network in the News
In The News Journal, the Caesar Rodney Institute’s Tanya Hettler highlights Delaware’s abysmal literacy scores.
In a Letter to the Editor for Penn Live, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Elizabeth Stelle notes the hidden costs in Pennsylvania’s pharmacy reform could hurt patients.
In the Washington Examiner, the Commonwealth Foundation’s notes Republicans in Washington are on the verge of keeping a historic promise to America’s families.
In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Mark Batinick highlights the high cost of college in Illinois.
In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Paul Vallas argues public schools are in crisis in Illinois and across the country.
The Independence Institute’s Rob Natelson opined in a piece in Townhall on former President Biden’s Special Counsel testimony.
In Complete Colorado, the Independence Institute’s Mike Krause pens a piece on Governor Polis’ veto of the ridesharing regulatory bill.
In The American Spectator, the Independent Institute’s Christopher J. Calton points out Gavin Newsom can’t escape his embarrassing legacy on homelessness.
In The Johnson County Report, the John Locke Foundation’s Donald Bryson highlights the hidden tobacco tax in the big, beautiful bill.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board covered the Mackinac Center’s recent earmark lawsuit, highlighting the irresponsible spending by Michigan lawmakers.
In his column for The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz encourages recent graduates to choose optimism.
At Townhall, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s Douglas Carswell considers if America will make the same immigration mistakes as Europe.
In his recent column, OCPA’s Jonathan Small highlights the benefits of Oklahoma’s Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities program.
In the Washington Examiner, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes praises the Trump Administration for targeting provider taxes.
In a piece for Newsweek, State Policy Network’s Madison Ray points out America needs a state revival.
In The Orlando Sentinel, The James Madison Institute’s Robert McClure III points out that Florida voters favor property tax reform over sales tax cuts.
In his recent column, John Hood highlights North Carolina’s recent employment gains.
