Announcements
The Caesar Rodney Institute highlighted Delaware’s literacy and math crisis, noting that urgent reforms are needed to address declining student performance.
The Empire Center called on the Hochul administration to release records related to its communications with Public Partnerships LLC, which controversially won a $1 Billion contract.
Recent testimonies submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii addressed various local bills, including those concerning backyard henneries.
Concerns about New Jersey’s bag ban surfaced as the New Jersey Policy Institute argued for its repeal, emphasizing the need for better strategies to cut waste.
The Pacific Research Institute questioned the market sustainability for electric vehicles and noted the end of significant federal subsidies and carpool lane access for EVs.
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy highlighted Louisiana’s proactive measures in utilizing AI, showcasing its potential to enhance government efficiency.
People United for Privacy Foundation announced a new policy to protect donors by redacting home address and employer information from public databases.
The Yankee Institute noted that expanding state ownership of hospitals in Connecticut would lead to higher costs and long-term liabilities.
Success Stories
The Ohio House adopted two recommendations from The Buckeye Institute to help lower property taxes.
The Liberty Justice Center recently celebrated a victory for free speech by protecting the whistleblowing rights of Joel Peyton in Peyton v. Barnes. Mr. Peyton has written an opinion article in Human Events detailing his experience being silenced by the government, working with LJC to fight for his rights, and his hope for the future of his community.
Freedom through the Courts: The Latest Litigation Efforts across the Network
The Liberty Justice Center has filed its brief in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump. LJC has led this case from the start, winning in both the trial and appellate courts. Now before the U.S. Supreme Court, the case has drawn support from numerous organizations through amicus briefs.
Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs
The Badger Institute noted that vague Wisconsin laws have permitted teachers who are sexual predators to groom students without adequate scrutiny or severe penalties.
The ITR Foundation released the final report from the Iowa Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force.
Addressing Michigan’s school meals program, the Mackinac Center argued that funds would be better allocated toward literacy efforts rather than catering primarily to the wealthy,
The New Jersey Policy Institute pointed out that most New Jersey school districts lack effective student-centered strategic plans.
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs highlighted research showing that a $15 minimum wage could lead to a 14.1 percent reduction in restaurant jobs.
The Pacific Research Institute found that Proposition 50 would diminish the voting strength of cities and counties, making congressional districts less competitive and responsive.
The Palmetto Promise Institute noted that South Carolina’s Senate passed S.439 to increase the manufacturing property tax reimbursement fund.
The Rio Grande Foundation noted that New Mexico ranks as the 2nd-most impacted state by the federal shutdown.
The Washington Policy Center highlighted the need for reforms to Medicaid Long-Term Care to protect taxpayers and ensure support for individuals in need.
Jobs in the Network
Economist — The Buckeye Institute (Columbus, OH)
Development Writer — American Enterprise Institute (Washington, DC)
Director of Donor Relations — Pacific Legal Foundation (Remote)
Policy News from the States
Topics:
K-12 Education
An Eerie Silence About the State of Education in New York
Empire Center
If Lawmakers Are Trying to Defund Public Education, They Aren’t Very Good at It
Empower Mississippi
Wyoming Mom Faced Retaliation by School Officials. Goldwater Came to Her Defense.
Goldwater Institute
West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice
Illinois Policy Institute
Pensions take up money that should go to Illinois classrooms
Illinois Policy Institute
Franke: The Huge Dictionary in the Corner
Indiana Policy
Schools Must Fund Learning Before Luxuries
ITR Foundation
Republicans Blast State Superintendent’s Silence at Grooming Hearing
MacIver Institute
DPI’s Internal Priorities Favor Radical Philosophies Over Children’s Wellbeing
MacIver Institute
Sexual Grooming is Nothing New in Wisconsin’s Public Schools
MacIver Institute
WALL STREET JOURNAL: A Teachers Union Candidate Took My Money and Ran for Office
New Jersey Policy Institute
Experts urge Oklahoma to reinstate third-grade reading law
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
When ‘Consistency’ Costs Too Much: The Hidden Dangers in RFA’s Funding Recommendations : Palmetto Promise Institute
Palmetto Promise Institute
IRG CIO Submits Request to DPI Seeking Teacher Licensing and Misconduct Scandal Public Records
Reforming Government
The Future of Federal Education Policy with Christy Wolfe
Show-Me Institute
Recent Education Hearing Explores Student Pipeline to Meet Louisiana’s Workforce Needs
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Energy and Environment
Oil Extraction Reduces Methane Seepage
California Policy Center
Green energy increases utility bills
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Electricity, the Energy Transition, and New Mexico’s “Project Jupiter” – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
MLG is right to promote LNG exports to Japan – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
Healthcare
MN Gov. Tim Walz rails against the Obamacare subsidies he voted for
American Experiment
Hospital Strikes Show Why Healthcare Is NOT a Right
California Policy Center
Work requirements could help 125,000 Oklahomans move from welfare to…
Foundation for Government Accountability
The real cause of rising Obamacare premiums isn’t the end of subsidies – Georgia Public Policy Foundation
Georgia Public Policy Foundation
Stanford’s Anna Lembke, MD, on Dopamine Nation & Addiction
Pioneer Institute
State Ownership Isn’t the Cure for Connecticut’s Health Care Challenges
Yankee Institute
Housing Affordability
REVIEW: Georgia’s property taxes vary widely by county – Georgia Public Policy Foundation
Georgia Public Policy Foundation
Akina extols dissent as necessary part of solving our problems
Grassroot Institute
Helton warns federal tax deadlines could hinder Lahaina rebuilding
Grassroot Institute
Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois
Illinois Policy Institute
Is Declining Homeownership Driving Support for Democratic Socialism?
Pacific Research Institute
What Do Travis County Homeowners Pay in Property Taxes?
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Jobs and State Economies
Say “aloha” to fraud
American Experiment
Acton Dinner: “The Future of Faith and Freedom” with Rev. Robert A. Sirico
Cascade Policy Institute
Podcast: How This Pastor Rebuilt a Community—Without DEI
Goldwater Institute
Amazon could replace 500K jobs with robots
John Locke Foundation
MEDC Admits Failure of Gotion Project Mackinac Center Warned About
Mackinac Center
Gov. Greg Gianforte to join Dr. Ben Carson at MSPC’s Montana Liberty Dinner
Mountain States Policy Center
Idaho cities are experimenting with AI tools to improve services
Mountain States Policy Center
What is Antitrust?
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy
U.S. beef prices don’t need “fixing”
Washington Policy Center
WILL Warns Gov. Pritzker Not to Jeopardize Billions in Federal Highway Funding
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
WILL Warns States About New Risks Federal Highway Funding if Woke Policies Remain
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
State Budgets
Former Auditor makes explosive fraud claims about DFL
American Experiment
Pennsylvania Senate Passes Budget Plan, RGGI Abrogation, Regulatory Reform
Commonwealth Foundation
New Statewide Ad Calls Out Governor Shapiro For Budget Impasse
Commonwealth Foundation
Goldwater Warns Wyoming Officials to Stop Illegal Taxpayer-Funded Electioneering
Goldwater Institute
‘Progressive’ income tax scheme threatens Colorado – Independence Institute
Independence Institute
The Outstater
Indiana Policy
Try, Try Again: Local Governments Bring Back Bond Proposals
ITR Foundation
Wisconsin Legislative Budget Chiefs Warn about Opioid Settlement Spending
MacIver Institute
The Federal Shutdown Explained: What it Means for Maine
Maine Policy Institute
Oklahoma Democrats decry government shutdown caused by D.C. Democrats
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Time to Rely Less on D.C.? Nebraska’s Path to Independence
Platte Institute
Harrisonville Goes for a Local Gas Tax
Show-Me Institute
Workplace Freedom
UC Unions Exposed: Fear, Intimidation, and a Growing Antisemitism Problem
Freedom Foundation
Pennsylvania Sees Record Opt-Outs — Highest Since 2022
Freedom Foundation
Other
Reckless Milwaukee drivers pushing conservatives out of traditional lane
Badger Institute
Decision Time for TriMet’s 82nd Ave. Road Diet
Cascade Policy Institute
Denver’s Flavor Ban a Poor Solution Looking for a Problem – Independence Institute
Independence Institute
President Trump, the Constitution, and the National Guard Cases – Independence Institute
Independence Institute
Surrounded by Leftist Propaganda: Proving Media Bias Over Time – Independence Institute
Independence Institute
McGowan: Not the ‘Greatest’ Game
Indiana Policy
Hanson explores king-like presidential action in recent history
John Locke Foundation
Left-wingers call it art when decapitating statues
John Locke Foundation
Wisconsin A-G: Verifying Voter Citizenship Threatens Voter Rights
MacIver Institute
Let’s disagree more, and better
Mackinac Center
Brecheen: ‘Open primary’ designed to help left-wing politicians
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Senator: OU’s weak response to TPUSA harassment is too little, too…
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Former Californian warns: ‘top two’ model would be a disaster for…
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Keller’s bike trail a half-baked boondoggle – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
ABQ Journal’s Trever another masterpiece on the workings of NM government – Errors of Enchantment
Rio Grande Foundation
Democrats once undermined the Army. Now they undermine the nation.
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Troubled History, Troubling Choices: Passaic County’s Failed Election Safeguards
Texas Public Policy Foundation
The Network in the News
In The Jessamine Journal, the Bluegrass Institute’s Edward J. Timmons highlights how occupational licensing reform can boost labor market in Kentucky.
In The Clark County Tribune, Empower Mississippi’s Grant Callen refutes the claim that Mississippi’s Republican leaders are defunding public education.
In the Washington Examiner, FGA’s Tarren Bragdon urges Republicans not to get tricked by Democrats on Obamacare subsidies.
In the Washington Examiner, the Freedom Foundation’s Matthew Hayward highlights how, seven years after Janus, public employees still can’t quit their unions.
In The Regulatory Review, the Free State Foundation’s Randolph May notes Congress should eliminate the FCC’s public interest authority.
In the Coastal Courier, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Chris Denson points out Georgia’s growing doctor shortage demands remedies.
In The American Spectator, the Independent Institute’s Lloyd Billingsley considers Frank and Elsie Meyer’s thoughts on education and highlights the many benefits of putting parents in charge.
In the Laramie Boomerang, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Marta Mossburg considers how to reform Wyoming’s property tax to protect taxpayers and services.
In his recent column, OCPA’s Jonathan Small points out petition reforms are clearly constitutional.
In a piece for The Daily Caller, the Pelican Institute’s Melissa Landry argues the Supreme Court can deliver a major victory for America’s energy workers by ending state-led lawsuits against energy producers.
In Governing, SPN’s Tony Woodlief warns that states’ growing dependence on federal money erodes self-governance and has made communities more vulnerable than ever to Washington’s dysfunction.
