This has been a heartbreaking week for our movement. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has left a void that will be felt for years to come. Charlie was a devoted husband and father, a fearless advocate for freedom, and an inspiration to countless young Americans. His unwavering belief in liberty and the promise of America shaped the future of our movement and challenged us all to lead with conviction.
In this week’s review, we share several moving tributes from our affiliates that honor Charlie’s life and legacy, along with the latest updates, blogs, and policy work from across the Network.
SPN published Our Job in Turbulent Times, with Tracie Sharp urging the liberty movement to channel grief over Charlie Kirk’s assassination into vigilance, civil discourse, and resolve.
American Experiment published Dialogue in Pursuit of Truth, arguing that Charlie Kirk was committed to respectful debate and urging conservatives to defend dialogue even in these dark times.
Freedom Foundation CEO Aaron Withe wrote a statement honoring Charlie Kirk and condemning political violence—and warning against the normalization of hostility toward conservatives.
Goldwater Institute published Remembering Charlie Kirk, honoring his life’s work defending free speech and calling on the liberty movement to continue fighting for constitutional freedoms.
The Carolina Journal, part of the John Locke Foundation, released the podcast Freedom vs. Fear in Our Civil Society, with Mitch Kokai reflecting on Charlie Kirk’s legacy and the threat of political violence.
Maine Policy Institute published In Memory of Charlie Kirk: Why Political Violence Demands a Better Response, urging leaders to reject dehumanizing rhetoric and resist ineffective policy overreach.
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs published Kirk’s Death Comes As More College Students Support Violence Over Speech, linking the tragedy to rising student support for silencing speech through violence.
Pacific Research Institute published Je suis Charlie, describing Charlie Kirk’s murder, examining safety policy and warning that anger and extremism threaten everyone.
The Virginia Institute for Public Policy publishes In Memory of Charlie Kirk (1993-2025), honoring his life and legacy while calling the liberty movement to stand firm in civil discourse and constitutional values.
Announcements
The Alabama Policy Institute noted that the state’s Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Plan faces financial challenges—emphasizing the need for healthcare and pension reforms.
The Caesar Rodney Institute highlighted how PJM Interconnection, the organization that manages the electric grid for 13 states, has confirmed that state mandates are raising bills and straining reliability.
The Maine Policy Institute pointed out that real-world economics contradict assertions that offshore wind would have saved New England ratepayers millions.
The Mountain States Policy Center notes ‘workforce housing’ fees make homes more expensive for everyone.
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy announced a series of free Continuing Legal Education and Continuing Education courses aimed at keeping legal professionals updated on the latest developments in the law.
The Platte Institute pointed out Nebraska lawmakers can deliver stronger transparency and greater tax relief by consolidating and tightening Nebraska’s property tax caps.
Success Stories
In last week’s email, we mistakenly reported that the Arkansas Supreme Court had ruled in favor of small business owner Steven Hedrick in a case brought by the Goldwater Institute. That ruling has not yet occurred—the case is scheduled to be argued before the Court on October 2.
Freedom through the Courts: The Latest Litigation Efforts across the Network
The Buckeye Institute joined the Institute for Justice (IJ) to file an amicus brief with the Ohio Supreme Court in Havel v. Board of Zoning Appeals, Kent, Ohio, calling on the court to protect property owners and strike down Kent’s unconstitutional zoning restrictions.
The Supreme Court of the United States has granted cert for the Liberty Justice Center’s case, V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump. They will review whether the Trump Administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs exceed the President’s legal and Constitutional authority.
The Liberty Justice Center has filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case Oliver v. City of Brandon, writing in favor of Gabriel Oliver and others like him who are fighting to protect their Constitutional rights against unconstitutional laws.
WILL and the Institute for Reforming Government filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, arguing that a state law barring disclosure of denied judicial misconduct complaints violates the First Amendment and undermines public accountability.
Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs
The Common Sense Institute released a four-state analysis showing that financial fraud will cost billions in 2025, draining family budgets and reducing GDP across Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, and Iowa.
The James Madison Institute released a study on election integrity, highlighting Florida as the “Gold Standard” in election administration from 2000 to 2025.
The Illinois Policy Institute highlighted the importance of third grade reading proficiency, noting that local schools’ performance can impact students’ future educational success.
The Institute for Free Speech released its 2025 Report Card on Anti-SLAPP statutes, highlighting growing protections nationwide but warning that 12 states still leave millions vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits.
The Kansas Policy Institute criticized the Kansas Association of School Boards for lowering proficiency standards, arguing the changes misrepresent student achievement.
The Pacific Research Institute noted that manicurists are the latest to be hurt by AB 5, after their temporary carve-out ended, worsening the challenges faced by independent contractors in the state.
The Show-Me Institute suggested that the Platte County tax reassessment agreement could serve as a beneficial model for other areas in Missouri, emphasizing the need for effective local governance.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation issued a guide for the upcoming 2025 constitutional amendments, informing voters in Texas about the proposed changes.
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy emphasized that Louisiana still requires a government growth limit, arguing that limited government is crucial for individual prosperity.
The Washington Policy Center highlights the decline of Seattle Public Schools, and their refusal to honor parental decision-making rights.
Policy News from the States
Topics:
State Budgets
DFL deficit: How Minnesota’s budget blew up
American Experiment
For Isleton (and other small California cities), disincorporation is the answer
California Policy Center
Commonwealth Foundation Urges Legal Protection of State’s Rainy Day Fund
Commonwealth Foundation
The ITD Money Pit of Idaho: Stop Digging!
Idaho Freedom Foundation
Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states
Illinois Policy Institute
When will Cook County expect 2nd property tax payment? Good question.
Illinois Policy Institute
Progressive Colorado Income Tax Push Obscures Fiscal Reality
Independence Institute
Government Spending Does Not Drive Economic Growth
ITR Foundation
Chief justice hands Trump temporary victory on foreign aid
John Locke Foundation
Freedom notes U.S.A.: Trash business fights The Man in Arkansas court
Mackinac Center
Cost for Seattle’s Sound Transit rail program balloons to $185 billion – $55,000 per person within the tax district
Mountain States Policy Center
Tightening Nebraska’s Property Tax Caps for Real Relief
Platte Institute
The Taxman Cometh: City of Whitesboro
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Farm costs are eroding hope in agriculture
Washington Policy Center
K-12 Education
The patrons of our age: new data suggests that almost one in five adults donate to K-12 schools
American Experiment
Fear Itself: New data suggests that the majority of civics teachers self-censor to avoid controversy
American Experiment
12th-grade math and reading scores hit new lows
American Experiment
Salary perks amid dropping test scores: Minnesota’s school superintendent salaries don’t match their performance
American Experiment
Why Teachers Unions Trade Algebra for Antisemitism
California Policy Center
John Charles’ Sept. 9 Testimony for PPS Board Meeting Re: Purchase Agreement for Center for Black Student Excellence
Cascade Policy Institute
Student Excellence for Every Portland Public School
Cascade Policy Institute
Teachers Unions to Blame for Nation’s Plummeting Test Scores
Freedom Foundation
A Public School’s DEI Cover-Up Fails in Pennsylvania Court
Goldwater Institute
Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date
Illinois Policy Institute
Chicago Teachers Union president claims Southern Illinois takes more than it makes
Illinois Policy Institute
KASB tries to whitewash new lower proficiency standards with deception and false claims
Kansas Policy Institute
Education blob orders more of the same after test scores collapse
Mackinac Center
Michigan education budget fight centers on local decision-making
Mackinac Center
Kerry McDonald – Joyful Learning
Pacific Research Institute
UK’s Dr. Kathryn Hughes on George Eliot, Middlemarch, & Victorian Novels
Pioneer Institute
Third-Grade Retention and Early Literacy Policies
Show-Me Institute
WILL Applauds Wisconsin State Assembly for Tackling Education Priorities
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
NAEP 2024: American Students Score Historic Lows in Math, Reading, Science
Washington Policy Center
Energy and Environment
The Gordon Chang Report–China’s Car Industry Slams Into the World
Pacific Research Institute
Valley residents are growing alarmed by solar-and-battery project taking over farmland. Here’s why.
Pacific Research Institute
California’s lawsuit against energy companies will increase greenhouse gas emissions
Pacific Research Institute
Pelican Institute Files Amicus Briefs at U.S. Supreme Court to Confront Trial-Lawyer Driven Lawfare Against American Energy Production
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Energy Victories: Commonwealth LNG Gets Final DOE Approval; US LNG Exports Hit Record High Thanks to Plaquemines LNG
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy
Healthcare
Medicaid for millionaires
John Locke Foundation
NIH director urges honesty on vaccines
John Locke Foundation
Trump’s Medicaid reform is moral and necessary
Pacific Research Institute
Housing Affordability
Tanking commercial property values in St. Paul push up residential property taxes
American Experiment
Omar Fateh shilled for HSS
American Experiment
Set standards on manufactured housing to ramp up homebuilding
Grassroot Institute
Kudos to the counties for considering housing reforms
Grassroot Institute
Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas
Illinois Policy Institute
Buncombe County draws federal ire over discriminatory policy recommendations
John Locke Foundation
‘Workforce housing’ fees make homes more expensive for everyone
Mountain States Policy Center
Los Angeles Faces an Olympian Task
Pacific Research Institute
Massachusetts’ Capital Investment Plan Earmarks $415 Million for Housing in FY2026
Pioneer Institute
Research Note: current efforts to address ag zoning issues
Platte Institute
Jobs and State Economies
Ilhan Omar: The Marxist Millionaire
American Experiment
Amazon leaves Becker in the lurch with loss of data center
American Experiment
National Poverty Rate Fails to Capture the Problem of Poverty Concentration in Georgia and Beyond
For Opportunity
Bill 123 crucial to economic recovery of bed and breakfasts in Lahaina
Grassroot Institute
1,065 Illinoisans laid off in August, with 276 at Diverse Facility Solutions
Illinois Policy Institute
New iPhone launching soon, but Illinoisans will pay nation’s highest taxes to use it
Illinois Policy Institute
Wong: The Abuse of Intercity Bus Subsidies
Indiana Policy
Kansas Needs a Reality Check—It’s Time to Relearn Econ 101
Kansas Policy Institute
Oklahoma Supreme Court upholds Stitt’s remote-work ban
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Wage regulation roll back is a step in the right direction for the H-2A program
Pacific Research Institute
Avon Rep. Eleni Kavros Degraw Calls Non-Degree Workers a ‘Burden’ at Debt Relief Meeting
Yankee Institute
Business Leaders Urge CT to Cut Taxes, Energy Bills
Yankee Institute
Workplace Freedom
As an LIRR Strike Looms, the Empire Center Publishes the Disputed Contracts
Empire Center
Phoenix to Face AZ Supreme Court Scrutiny over Public Records Refusal
Goldwater Institute
Other
One nation, indivisible: Remembering September 11 in a divided America
American Experiment
Minnesota Man in the news!
American Experiment
Charlie Kirk
American Experiment
U.S. Attorney charges 3 in crime spree
American Experiment
A “just do something” special legislative session will not help fix what is broken
American Experiment
Wilson Tindi in ICE custody
American Experiment
Federal charges for carjacking killer
American Experiment
The Buckeye Institute Calls on Ohio Supreme Court to Strike Down Kent’s Unconstitutional Zoning Restrictions
The Buckeye Institute
Vallas: Chicago needs federal intervention, but not National Guard
Illinois Policy Institute
The Technology of Ancient Rome: An Epiphany
Independence Institute
Restoring the Constitution’s Presidency: Modifying Myers and Overruling Humphrey’s Executor
Independence Institute
McGowan: The Advantage of Biological Parents
Indiana Policy
Texas governor bans Sharia Law within Lone Star State
John Locke Foundation
NYT coverage of Charlotte murder described as ‘agitprop’
John Locke Foundation
FBI warns about AI-backed deepfake impersonations
John Locke Foundation
Two Democratic mayors exhibit opposite responses to crime
John Locke Foundation
Media outlets blast Republicans for noticing crime
John Locke Foundation
We can prevent noncitizen voting in North Carolina
John Locke Foundation
Biden autopen scandal draws in Kamala Harris
John Locke Foundation
Sen. Wimberger Suspects Politics at Heart of Homeless Vets Funding Fight
MacIver Institute
Democratic Lawmakers Push Voluntary Gun Don’t Sell Law
MacIver Institute
David Crowley Officially Enters Wisconsin Governor’s Race
MacIver Institute
MPS: Lead Clean-up Will Last ’til December
MacIver Institute
After 76 years, ‘1984’ still resonates and informs
Mackinac Center
Students self-censor as OU and OSU fail to make the grade on free speech
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Fewer than half of OU freshmen are Oklahomans … again
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
WILL & IRG File Suit to Allow IRG to Disclose Request for Investigation Brought Against Judge
Reforming Government
Never Again Means Action: Why We Must Treat the Cartels as the Terrorists They Are
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Killing Lincoln Again: Human Rights, God, and the Curse of Kaine
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Democrats are dead wrong on crime
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Ukraine proves America’s secret weapon works — now we must double down on it
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Joy Cometh in the Morning
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy
IRG v. Wisconsin Judicial Commission
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
WILL & IRG File Suit to Allow IRG to Disclose Request for Investigation Brought Against Judges
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
State Department of Ecology: 91 Pages of Climate Politics, 0 Pages of Legally Required Data
Washington Policy Center
The Network in the News
In The American Spectator, the Independent Institute’s Lloyd Billingsley highlights how California, Oregon, and Washington are setting up their own health alliance.
Delaware Live wrote a piece on the Caesar Rodney Institute’s new civic-education initiative honoring America’s 250th.
In The Daily Caller, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Andrew Lewis points out how some Democratic governors are hiding school violence.
In the New York Post, FGA’s Hayden Dubois notes President Trump has good reason to fundamentally reform BLS.
In the Dalton Daily Citizen, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Athan Clark considers how Georgia can fix its housing shortage.
In The Daily Signal, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation’s John Hendrickson explains why government spending does not drive economic growth.
In the Tri-City Herald, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Jason Mercier points out Washington’s new federal school choice law is a breakthrough for Washington children.
In the Chico News & Review, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes notes generic competition shouldn’t come at the expense of patient safety.
At RealClearHealth, the Pioneer Institute’s William Smith highlights the adverse consequences of price controls.
