Announcements
The California Policy Center announced that attorney Emily Rae has joined the organization to lead the California Justice Center.
The Caesar Rodney Institute published an analysis revealing that Delaware’s long-running policy choices caused the 2025 reassessment to hit homeowners hardest.
The Freedom Foundation named Ryan Walters as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Teacher Freedom Alliance.
The Goldwater Institute noted a recent survey conducted at James Madison University revealed that 57% of students believe the campus political environment hinders free expression.
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s memorial this past Sunday, the Idaho Freedom Foundation reflected on Charlie’s legacy, how important his family and faith were to him, and what this means for all of us moving forward.
The ITR Foundation remembered David Stanley, a champion for taxpayers, who criticized excessive government spending and humorously dubbed the IRS the “infernal revenue agency.”
The John Locke Foundation communications team and Carolina Journal won 15 North Carolina Press Association awards at the NCPA Awards banquet.
Kansas Policy Institute expanded its durable freedom infrastructure with the Pearson Eby Liberty Academy (PELA), which is dedicated to deepening public understanding of constitutional principles.
Liberty Justice Center welcomed Senior Counsel Ángel J. Valencia, who brings with him a landmark case protecting Puerto Rico public employees from union coercion. Puerto Rico Police Bureau Civilian Employees v. Puerto Rico Police Bureau and Union of Organized Civilian Employees challenges the denial of health care benefits to nonunion members.
The Mississippi Center for Public Policy reported that the 2025 Mississippi Leadership Academy has kicked off its program.
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs highlighted a new national poll showing voters favor school-choice supporters nearly three to one over opponents.
The Palmetto Promise Institute highlighted a pending lawsuit that could unleash American energy innovation and lower power bills.
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy emphasized that Louisiana’s unique identity reflects its rich cultural heritage, advocating for federalism as a means to empower the state.
Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal interviewed Governor Jim Pillen on the latest episode of Nebraskanomics.
On Tuesday, September 30, WILL is holding a webinar, Equipping School Boards: Parents’ Rights and the Mahmoud Decision. Register here.
The Yankee Institute held a webinar on its new report exposing how Connecticut’s DOL ignores union transparency laws.
Success Stories
Tennessee: The Education Freedom Scholarships (EFS) program showcased significant progress in advancing educational liberty and has the potential to unlock education freedom for all Tennesseans (Beacon Center of Tennessee).
Freedom through the Courts: The Latest Litigation Efforts across the Network
In testimony, The Buckeye Institute urged lawmakers to let county budget commissions cut property tax levies that exceed voter-approved amounts—one of 10 recommendations it offered to Ohio’s Property Tax Reform Working Group.
The Buckeye Institute submitted policy and legal comments urging the U.S. EPA to rescind Biden-era regulations that raised vehicle costs without measurable benefits.
Petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court: Liberty Justice Center will seek Supreme Court review in McCaleb v. Long, urging the Court to restore public access to commission meetings and confirm that governments cannot evade transparency requirements by labeling important proceedings “advisory.”
Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs
The Cascade Policy Institute highlighted how removing education restrictions can significantly improve education outcomes.
The Illinois Policy Institute outlined four myths about the federal scholarship tax credit program.
Independence Institute’s Energy and Environmental Policy Center authored a paper on Colorado’s Green Hydrogen Boondoggle.
The John Locke Foundation noted most Americans favor locals over feds for crime control.
Liberty Justice Center sent a demand letter to the San Jacinto Unified School District after it blocked LJC Board member Corey DeAngelis from its X account. The district has agreed to stop viewpoint-based restrictions on social media and to commit to First Amendment training for its communications staff.
The Mackinac Center pointed out that charter schools are leading the recovery from post-COVID challenges.
Addressing the relationship between public schools and education choice, The Mountain States Policy Center emphasized that both serve complementary roles.
Noting that excessive taxation doesn’t lead to economic growth, the Mountain States Policy Center highlighted the deficit of $421 million for Washington state’s budget.
The Pacific Research Institute pointed out that Phoenix’s mayor is advocating for the elimination of special tax treatments for AI data centers.
People United for Privacy Foundation analyzed legislative sessions across the country to highlight the best and worst trends for nonprofit donor privacy in the states.
WILL unveiled a new report detailing a roadmap to enforce Wisconsin’s Citizenship Voting Amendment, proposing an audit of voter rolls using state and federal data.
Policy News from the States
Topics:
State Budgets
Delaware’s New Hybrid Vehicle Fee Doesn’t Add Up
Caesar Rodney Institute
The $500 billion California agency accountable only to itself
California Policy Center
What They Make 2025
Empire Center
More Taxes, More Fees, More Spending Proposed for Milwaukee City Budget
MacIver Institute
Nebraska Property Taxes Keep Rising Despite Tax Caps
Platte Institute
Nebraskanomics: Governor Jim Pillen on Moving Nebraska Forward
Platte Institute
K-12 Education
7k for Kids Fun Run a huge success
American Experiment
Inside the dizzying world of false student achievement
American Experiment
Podcast: Fired by DEI – A Whistleblower’s Inside Story
Goldwater Institute
More than 3-in-4 Illinois lawmakers get money from Illinois Federation of Teachers
Illinois Policy Institute
School officials raise false alarm about House education budget
Mackinac Center
7 questions for Michigan’s new school superintendent
Mackinac Center
Report undermines claim of Oklahoma college affordability
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Athletic associations try to impede states’ school-choice programs
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Despite state and federal law, OU student group says ‘Crimson & Queens’ drag show to proceed
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
FEE’s Kerry McDonald on Joyful Learning, Microschools, & Homeschooling
Pioneer Institute
Test Scores Changes Backfire on Education Establishment
Reforming Government
Springfield Needs Charter Schools
Show-Me Institute
What is the Full Cost of Friendswood ISD’s $165 Million Bond Package?
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Testimony and Analysis: Wisconsin’s Report Cards are Far from “Fine”
Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty
Energy and Environment
Idaho antimony project gets approval
American Experiment
Oregon Energy Strategy is Doomed to Fail
Cascade Policy Institute
Governor Shapiro Again Blames PJM for High Energy Prices, Ignores True Culprit: His Policies
Commonwealth Foundation
Colorado’s Green Hydrogen Boondoggle
Independence Institute
Healthcare
Another day, another fraud
American Experiment
First defendant charged in autism-clinic fraud
American Experiment
Study Rates Every State’s Telehealth Laws for Patient Access and Ease of Providing Services
Pioneer Institute
Housing Affordability
Charges expected in HSS Medicaid scam
American Experiment
Joe Thompson is turning the tide
American Experiment
Chicago could add 8,000 granny flats by following Los Angeles’ lead
Illinois Policy Institute
Debunking ‘holding the line’ and other property tax myths
Kansas Policy Institute
An open letter to the Union Township Planning Commission
Mackinac Center
YIMBYs win political victories, but where are the new houses?
Pacific Research Institute
Mayor Daniel Lurie slashes red tape in San Francisco
Pacific Research Institute
Austin Governments Make Affordability Worse
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Special Sessions, Secret Deals: Connecticut’s Broken Legislative Process
Yankee Institute
Jobs and State Economies
Transit Tax Advocates Downplay Driverless Options
California Policy Center
Statement of Pioneer Institute on Board Member Mike Kennealy’s Bid for Governor
Pioneer Institute
At Least they Didn’t Fire Mike Gundy for Telling the Truth
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Louisiana’s Future Depends on Capitalism, Not More Government
The Pelican Institute for Public Policy
South Carolina must learn from Kansas’ tax reform failures
South Carolina Policy Council
Bridges, Budgets and Transportation System Resilience
Washington Policy Center
How the legislature dug Washington into a fiscal hole
Washington Policy Center
Ag labor myths persist, posing challenges to reform
Washington Policy Center
Workplace Freedom
Teachers in Powers, Oregon Replace Their OEA Affiliate With an Independent, Local Association
Freedom Foundation
Oregon Teachers Break Away from Statewide Union, Form Independent Local Association
Freedom Foundation
Victory for Lawyer’s Right to Earn a Living in Tennessee!
Goldwater Institute
Other
DOJ sues Steve Simon over voter list access
American Experiment
Minnesota Man gets 8 months in prison
American Experiment
Americans Gain New Protections Against “Debanking”
Goldwater Institute
Peaceful disagreement and civil discourse
Grassroot Institute
We Are Charlie Kirk: The Call of a Generation
Idaho Freedom Foundation
More states push legislation to consolidate elections
Illinois Policy Institute
Rise in Crime: More Evidence of Colorado’s “Progressive” Squalor
Independence Institute
Answering the Latest Anti-Originalism Narrative
Independence Institute
Franke: The ‘Rechurching’ of America
Indiana Policy
Orlando Sentinel: Commentary: Campus Culture Wars and the Kirk Assassination
James Madison Institute
New report on political violence misses the mark
John Locke Foundation
Cooper faces fire from conservative outlet
John Locke Foundation
Wisconsin Statehouse Democrats Oppose Election Day Reforms
MacIver Institute
WILL Offers ‘roadmap’ to Citizen-Only Elections in Wisconsin
MacIver Institute
There is no ‘hate speech’ exception to the First Amendment
Maine Policy Institute
Next steps for ensuring a safe online experience for our children
Mountain States Policy Center
Our rights come from God, not politicians
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Watch Tim Anaya discuss California’s crime challenges with “America’s Criminologist”
Pacific Research Institute
Reigning in Regulation with the REINS Act
Palmetto Promise
RGF in National Review: Take It from Albuquerque: Free Transit Is a Bad Idea
Rio Grande Foundation
100 years of Democrat Rule Have Failed New Mexico
Rio Grande Foundation
MLG admits: trial attorneys in her party will kill needed health care compacts
Rio Grande Foundation
A look at Ken Miyagishima’s plans if elected Gov.
Rio Grande Foundation
New Mexico’s medical provider shortage impacting military installations
Rio Grande Foundation
Are Trump and Rubio trying a version of trust but verify with Mexico?
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Webinar: Blatant Lawlessness
Yankee Institute
The Network in the News
In The Washington Times, The Buckeye Institute’s Rea S. Hederman Jr. joined with Americans for Prosperity-Ohio to spotlight Ohio’s recent energy policy reforms, which are a standard for policymakers nationwide.
In The Hill, the Independent Institute’s William F. Shughart II notes the market and the government should stay in their own lanes.
In the Washington Examiner, the Institute for Reforming Government’s Jake Curtis highlighted the hidden flow of federal guidance to Wisconsin state agencies.
The Liberty Justice Center published a letter to the editor in the Franklin Favorite highlighting Peyton v. Barnes and the importance of First Amendment protections at every level of government.
Educational Freedom in the Press: Dean McGee, Director of LJC’s Educational Freedom practice, published an op-ed in the Franklin Favorite highlighting Peyton v. Barnes and the importance of First Amendment protections at every level of government.
Tariff Litigation Spotlight: The Cato Institute’s article, No, Mr. President, Tariff Challengers Don’t “Hate Our Country”, called out President Trump’s misleading remarks on tariffs and profiled small business plaintiffs challenging their constitutionality, including LJC’s clients V.O.S. Selections, FishUSA, Genova Pipe, MicroKits LLC, and Terry Precision Cycling.
In National Review, the Mackinac Center’s James Hohman considers if Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is moving toward commonsense spending and problem-solving—or doubling down on a failed and unaffordable vision of more taxes and spending.
In the Washington Examiner, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s Douglas Carswell pointed out the Left’s real power is controlling the bureaucracy.
In The Washington Times, People United for Privacy Foundation’s Heather Lauer notes donor disclosure laws put ordinary Americans in crosshairs of political extremists.
In the Washington Examiner, Sutherland Institute’s William C. Duncan points out Congress must curtail the secret lawmaking of the administrative state.
