Week in Review Archives - State Policy Network

Week in Review: July 18, 2025

Jon Elordi — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:49:53 +0000

Announcements
Success Stories
Freedom through the Courts
This Week’s Policy Briefs

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates
Policy News from the States
The Network in the News

Announcements

In the latest episode of Quality Matters, Diogo Costa, President of the Foundation for Economic Education, joins hosts Shaka Mitchell and Caitlin Sienkiewicz to discuss how economic principles like innovation, feedback loops, and creative destruction can reshape education.

Work requirements for welfare recipients, Illinois Policy Institute noted, may impact the 1-in-4 Illinois residents on Medicaid following recent congressional changes to federal health care and food assistance benefits.

The Independence Institute’s Kathleen Chandler held another session of her popular class, Citizen’s Guide to Civic Engagement, which teaches people how to get involved in local politics by serving on a board or commission.

The Institute for Reforming Government announced the promotion of Chris Reader to Chief Operating Officer, where he will oversee daily operations and lead the IRG Action Fund as Executive Director.

The erosion of federalism reliance on federal funding, ITR Foundation emphasized, is evident through leaders’ concerns about DOGE spending cuts impacting programs like Medicaid and SNAP, necessitating constitutional renewal.

Warnings from leaders like President Coolidge on federal subsidies, ITR Foundation argues, remain relevant as states grow dependent on federal funds, affecting fiscal responsibility and constitutional governance.

The John Locke Foundation highlighted how the growth of artificial intelligence is predicted to raise electric bills by over 20 percent for millions of Americans, stressing the power grid with potential blackouts.

Investigative journalists at Kansas Policy Institute reported that the Kansas Department of Education is still not in compliance with the Attorney General’s direction to remove gender identity and sexual orientation from non-discrimination language.

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has released a new episode of The Overton Window Podcast, featuring coverage of its federal lawsuit, Hernden v. Chippewa Valley Schools Board of Education, the recent oral arguments in the Sixth Circuit, and the client’s personal story of government retaliation during the COVID era.

Warning labels’ complexity, Pelican Policy highlighted, can hinder the free market’s ability to assist families, raising questions about their effectiveness in nuanced areas like social media.

On literacy advancement, Pioneer Institute suggests learning from Louisiana and Mississippi to enhance educational strategies, drawing lessons from their successful improvements in literacy rates.

The Platte Institute examined the One Big Beautiful Bill, noting its sweeping changes to federal fiscal policy and Nebraska’s crucial decisions on adopting or deferring provisions with significant budgetary impacts.

The Show Me Institute highlighted how new executive orders on nuclear initiatives may enhance national security and affect Missouri’s energy landscape through development and deployment strategies.

Success Stories

Maine: The recent legislative session saw the passage of LD 857, a bill increasing government transparency in procurement, which was allowed to become law without the governor’s signature. This achievement was praised by Maine Policy Institute, enhancing transparency for taxpayers.

Mississippi: Over the past five years, bold economic reforms have driven significant growth in Mississippi, with the state achieving the second-fastest per capita GDP growth. Mississippi Center for Public Policy highlighted this economic transformation, shedding the state’s laggard image.

North Carolina: A new law simplifying the process for licensed professionals to work was signed, breaking down barriers to employment. This achievement was celebrated by Goldwater Institute, which emphasized the positive impact on work opportunities in the state.

Wisconsin: The passage of Gov. Scott Walker’s Act 10 in 2011 restructured teacher union influence, resulting in benefits for students. American Experiment noted this reform’s positive impact on education, as highlighted in a recent economic research paper.

Tennessee/North Carolina: U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Mark Harris introduced a bill to repeal the NEA charter, a move applauded by Freedom Foundation. This legislation aims to reduce federal oversight in education, promoting greater autonomy.

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

The Buckeye Institute won a key case for Anthony Alfieri, securing over $18,000 in tax refunds from Cleveland, following a similar win for Dr. Manal Morsy that included full tax repayment, interest, and court costs.

Goldwater Institute sued the federal government to uncover why a moving company has been investigated for nearly a decade over alleged age discrimination in a $15 million case.

The Goldwater Institute sued the federal government to demand transparency in a case involving $15 million, questioning why it has targeted a successful moving company for nearly a decade over alleged age discrimination.

Liberty Justice Center and Upper Midwest Law Center won a First Amendment case for Minnesota college students forced to fund political speech. The court ruled the group in question acts as a state entity and can be held accountable.

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

A new Independence Institute publication highlights a Colorado educational service agency, which has proactively authorized new brick-and-mortar public schools, online schools, and homeschool enrichment programs. Forty-five states have educational service agencies that can potentially provide similar services.

The James Madison Institute released a new policy brief examining the role of data centers, emphasizing their economic impact and the need for balanced regulation to encourage growth in this sector.

In a study of charter schools, Show-Me Institute analyzed enrollment trends in Los Angeles, finding significant impacts on student outcomes and educational choice, as reported in Education Finance and Policy.

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty launched the 2025 School Scorecard Dashboard with enhanced data, offering parents and stakeholders valuable insights into district performance across Wisconsin.

A legislative overview from Maine Policy Institute highlighted the passage of significant bills defining the state’s 2025 session, moving beyond headlines to focus on impactful policy changes.

Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy outlined a strategic vision advocating for affordable, reliable energy, opposing expensive mandates and unreliable generation in a new report.

Reason Foundation published “Debtor Nation 2025,” a tool designed to provide a clearer picture of why the national debt matters to taxpayers and future generations, how we arrived at this point, who holds this debt, and what would need to be done to rein it in.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

New Hampshire: Lawmakers overwhelmingly advanced the Right to Try expansion, bringing rare disease patients closer to accessing cutting-edge bespoke medical treatments. The bill was sent to Governor Kelly Ayotte for approval (Goldwater Institute).

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Other

The Network in the News

The Caesar Rodney Institute‘s Dr. Casscells’ op‑ed in the Delaware State News argues that the “Big Beautiful Bill” could significantly improve health care access for Delawareans by expanding and sustaining affordable coverage.

Dr. Tanya Hettler, Education Expert at the Caesar Rodney Institute, joined The Rick Jensen Show to explain why Delaware is not being harmed by frozen education funds.

At RealClearEnergy, Center of the American Experiment’s Sarah Montalbano notes American AI needs affordable, reliable energy, not wishful thinking.

At RealClear, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Elizabeth Stelle highlights what Pennsylvania can learn from Louisiana about energy policy.

In The Wall Street Journal, FGA’s Hayden Dublois underscores the importance of the welfare reforms in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

In National Review, Independent Institute’s Phillip W. Magness argues that the 1619 Project has failed to stand up to academic scrutiny.

In The Wall Street Journal, Jason Riley cites Magness’ new book, The 1619 Project Myth, which challenges claims that slavery broadly benefited the U.S. economy.

In The American Spectator, Independent Institute’s Lloyd Billingsley critiques California’s rebuilding delays, calling out environmentalist obstruction.

In The Hill, Kansas Justice Institute’s Samuel MacRoberts celebrates a court win affirming that warrantless inspections on private property violate the Fourth Amendment.

In a National Press Foundation interview, Liberty Justice Center’s Jeff Schwab discusses LJC’s case challenging the Trump Administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs.

On Fox Business, LJC’s Dean McGee and client Leah McGhee discuss a free speech win after a student was punished for using the term “illegal alien” in a question.

In Law & Liberty, the John Locke Foundation’s Donald Bryson reflects on Locke, limited government, and the need to resist authoritarian impulses.

John Locke Foundation statement to the AP on North Carolina’s energy bill veto made global headlines, picked up by outlets like U.S. News & World Report, ABC News, San Francisco Chronicle, Yahoo Singapore, The Canadian Press, Daily Mail UK, Malaysia Yahoo, and En Pelotas (Spain).

In his recent column for The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz outlines 7 questions to ask about any policy proposal.

In The Center Square, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Sebastian Griffin underscores theimportance of human oversight in AI-driven reporting.

In her column for Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes notes the One Big Beautiful Bill is a fiscal lifeline for Medicaid and taxpayers.

The post Week in Review: July 18, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: July 11, 2025

Jon Elordi — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:12:23 +0000

Announcements
Success Stories
Freedom through the Courts
This Week’s Policy Briefs

Policy News from the States
The Network in the News

Announcements

The Badger Institute cautioned that Wisconsin’s expanded retirement income exclusion will shift tax burdens to working families, potentially increasing taxes or reducing services over time.

The California Policy Center criticized Orange County’s $649 million streetcar project as wasteful—projecting low ridership and diverting funds from more effective transportation solutions.

The Freedom Foundation of Minnesota honored the legacy of Grace-Marie Turner, a free-market healthcare reform advocate, following her passing in 2025.

The Illinois Policy Institute highlighted how Illinois’ $142 billion pension debt limits teacher pay, worsens recruitment challenges, and underscores the need for constitutional pension reform to prioritize education funding.

Rob Natelson, a senior fellow in constitutional studies with the Independence Institute, published a piece in Civitas Institute on implied powers in the Constitution.

The Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation announced Ashleigh Hackel as its new Executive Vice President.

Kansas Policy Institute reported on the state receiving an “F” on the Center for Education Reform’s Parent Power Index.

The Pacific Research Institute reported that California’s wildfire rebuild efforts are stalled, with only 3,000 of 18,000 destroyed structures rebuilt by July 2025, due to regulatory and bureaucratic delays.

The Sutherland Institute examined the declining college enrollment of men, who earn only two out of five U.S. degrees, calling for policies to address economic and cultural barriers.

Success Stories

Colorado: The Independence Institute showcased the success of its Citizen’s Guide to Civic Involvement class, where participant Samantha DeVito joined her HOA board and saved thousands by correcting a water billing error.

Hawaii: The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii praised Governor Josh Green and the legislature for 2025 bills that alleviate housing shortages, enhance healthcare freedom, and curb government overreach, including automatic building permits and restrictions on civil asset forfeiture.

New Jersey: The New Jersey Policy Institute helped stop a bill that would have imposed intrusive new requirements on homeschool families, protecting education freedom in New Jersey.

South Carolina: The state’s Education Scholarship Trust Fund, which was funded this year thanks to the Palmetto Promise Institute, reached its cap of 10,000 students for the year. Palmetto Promise also highlighted how the state passed a law that expands public school choice.

Nationwide: Thanks to the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the USDA released a rule this week that eliminates race- and gender-based preferences in key farm assistance programs

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

The Buckeye Institute sued the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees for wage theft on behalf of Cindy DuPuis and Tiffany Binder in Lucas County Court.

Five major policy groups, Americans for Prosperity Foundation, Cato Institute, Center for Individual Rights, Liberty Justice Center, and Southeastern Legal Foundation, filed amicus briefs supporting The Buckeye Institute’s challenge to the federal home distilling ban in Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury at the Sixth Circuit.

The Buckeye Institute urged the U.S. Supreme Court to hear of Thomas v. County Humboldt, arguing the Seventh Amendment’s civil jury trial right applies to states via the Fourteenth Amendment.

The Liberty Justice Center won a First Amendment victory in Kentucky, defending educational advocate Corey DeAngelis’ free speech rights. DeAngelis detailed the win in a Blaze Media op-ed.

The Liberty Justice Center’s fight against “Liberation Day” tariffs presses on, with a recent filing in the Federal Circuit and oral arguments set for July 31.

The Liberty Justice Center, alongside the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and Dr. Erica Anderson, filed an amicus brief defending parental rights.

New Jersey Policy Institute submitted an amicus brief in a major case challenging school district boundaries as drivers of segregation, urging the court to consider expanding Interdistrict School Choice.

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

The Common Sense Institute Arizona’s (CSI) latest report finds that while home prices in Arizona have dipped slightly in recent months, that relief may be short-lived as slowing permit activity threatens to deepen the state’s long-term housing shortage.

The Independence Institute’s Energy and Environmental Policy Center published an issue paper on the history of nuclear energy in Colorado.

The Mississippi Center for Public Policy launched a strategic plan to sustain Mississippi’s growing economic momentum.

The Mountain States Policy Center highlighted important new details on Idaho’s new education choice tax credit.

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Other

K-12 Education

What the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Means for School Choice in Mississippi
Empower Mississippi

Why Third Grade Reading Matters More Than You Think
ITR Foundation

Duke Could Become Trump Administration Target
John Locke Foundation

New School Finance Formula Should Focus on Accountability
Kansas Policy Institute

KSDE Denies Lowering Standards Despite Implausible Proficiency Gains
Kansas Policy Institute

A Game-Changer for School Choice in Our State!
Mississippi Center for Public Policy

Massachusetts Families Urge Court to Reverse Ruling Over Unconstitutional Conditions for Special Education Services
Pioneer Institute

Education Provisions of OBBB
Pioneer Institute

What’s in a NAEP Score?
Show-Me Institute

Back to Topics

Energy and Environment

A Critical Look at Nuclear Energy in Colorado: Overcoming Our Past to Secure Our Future
Independence Institute

Taming the ‘Green Frankenstein of Wall Street’
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Back to Topics

Healthcare

Pervasive Medicaid Fraud Met with Milquetoast Response by Walz Regulators
Center of the American Experiment

Claims About Medicaid Work Requirements Ignore Facts, Fuel Fear
Mackinac Center for Public Policy

Let’s Get Real About the Medicaid Reform in the “Big Beautiful Bill”
Mountain States Policy Center

New Federal Law Requires Medicaid Recipients to Seek Work
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Back to Topics

Housing Affordability

HB 2089 Brings Oregon into Compliance with the Supreme Court’s Tyler Ruling on Property Rights and Home Equity
Cascade Policy Institute

July Fourth Reminder: Freedom Should Include Your Choice of Doctor
Grass Root Institute of Hawaii

A Tax Revolt Then—and Now
ITR Foundation

Los Angeles Pursues Scarcity with Short-Term Rental Crackdown
Pacific Research Institute

Back to Topics

Jobs and State Economies

97 NYSLRS Retirees Eligible for Pensions Over $200K in FY2025
Empire Center for Public Policy

Maui Council Doing Right Thing to Support ‘By Right’ Food Truck Bill
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Maine, Like New Hampshire, Should Kick Vehicle Inspections to the Curb
Maine Policy Institute

Massive Tobacco Tax Hike Will Hurt Poorest Mainers, Fuel Black Markets
Maine Policy Institute

Can You Hear the Cell Phone Taxes Now?
Mountain State Policy Center

Oklahoma Supreme Court Declares All Oklahomans Must Pay Income Tax
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Seattle’s Regulatory Overreach Drives Up DoorDash Fees, Hurting Consumers and Workers
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

State Budgets

Tim Walz Leaves Minnesotans on the Hook for a $430,000 Legal Bill
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

IRG Poll: Wisconsin Has a New State Budget; Voters Want Specific Solutions Next
Institute for Reforming Government

Iowa Property Tax Growth Continues in FY 2026
Iowans for Tax Relief

Florida Politics: The One Big Beautiful Bill — Common Sense for the Sunshine State
James Madison Institute

Washington’s Supreme Court Hides the Ball on State Employee Compensation Offers
Mountain States Policy Center

Big Beautiful Relief for Oklahoma’s State Budget
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

A Closer Look at Louisiana’s 2026 Budget: Pork Projects and Missed Priorities
Pelican Institute for Public Policy

Will the Texas Legislature Finally Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying?
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Back to Topics

Other

16 Missed Chances for State Lawmakers to Help Out Illinoisans
Illinois Policy Institute

Mackinac Ferry Regulatory Expansion Is Bad Policy
Mackinac Center for Public Policy

Saving America’s Family Farms: A Rural Revival
Platte Institute

Context for Congress’s Failed Moratorium on State Artificial Intelligence Regulations
Sutherland Institute

Back to Topics | Back to Top

The Network in the News

In The Tennessean, the Beacon Center’s Scott Gilmer and Libertas’ Caden Rosenbaum highlight a new Tennessee law that’s a game changer for gig workers.

In the Billings Gazette, the Frontier Institute’s Kendall Cotton points out Montana is leading with free market healthcare.

In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Micky Horstman notes Illinois needs the nuclear option for its energy needs.

In his latest column, John Hood considers how American Conservatism came into existence.

In the Cape Gazette, the Caesar Rodney Institute’s Tanya Hettler considers legislation in Delaware that will allow teachers to choose their own evaluations.

In the Tallahassee Democra⁠t, The James Madison Institute’s Doug Wheeler highlights reforms to Florida’s citizens’ initiative process.

In The Center Square, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Dr. Roger Stark highlights the changes to Medicaid in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

At City Journal, the Pacific Research Institute’s Kerry Jackson notes California shouldn’t set America’s environmental policy.

In a Washington Times op-ed, the Mackinac Center highlights the recent UPS layoffs and the Mercatus Center’s new report on unions, emphasizing the need for union reforms that empower workers without undermining businesses.

In the Washington Examiner, People United for Privacy Foundation‘s Heather Lauer notes how outdated laws are enabling political violence by exposing citizens’ home addresses and donation records.

The post Week in Review: July 11, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: June 27, 2025

Engage LLC — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 18:43:00 +0000

Announcements and Network Initiatives

The Commonwealth Foundation released new polling assessing voter sentiment around the Pennsylvania state budget battle and key policy proposals being debated in Harrisburg.

The Independence Institute’s Rob Natelson published the 4^th edition of his book, The Original Constitution.

The Illinois Policy Institute highlighted how Illinois lawmakers passed almost 100 bills on final day of session.

Kathleen Chandler, the Independence Institute’s Director of the Citizen Involvement Project, held her popular class, A Citizen’s Guide to Civic Involvement. Several class attendees have already applied and were placed on statewide boards and commissions.

Race & Liberty in America: The Essential Reader, edited by Independent Institute Research Fellow Jonathan Bean was reviewed in Law & Liberty.

Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation pointed out that controlling local government spending is essential to delivering tax relief.

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy, along with a broad coalition of leading business associations, taxpayer advocates and policy organizations, issued a joint letter to Michigan legislative leaders urging them to reject a proposed digital advertising tax.

The Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s Douglas Carswell highlighted the state’s surprising economic rise and policy leadership.

The Mountain States Policy Center highlights a new legal challenge to Wyoming’s recently expanded ESA program.

As South Carolina faces a brutal heatwave this week, the Palmetto Promise Institute noted the pressure on the state’s power grid is hitting new highs.

The Platte Institute considers what Nebraska can learn from the “Mississippi Miracle” in education.

The James Madison Institute points out st⁠a⁠t⁠e th⁠i⁠nk tanks are democracy’s secre⁠t⁠ weapon.

During a union-organized rally outside the Governor’s Mansion to pressure Connecticut Governor Lamont to sign S.B. 8, a digital billboard truck operated by Yankee Institute was vandalized. The vehicle, displaying messages critical of a controversial labor-backed bill that would give striking workers unemployment benefits, was struck with rocks.

Success Stories

Connecticut: The Yankee Institute commended Governor Ned Lamont for vetoing two detrimental bills: S.B. 8, which would have provided unemployment benefits to striking workers, and H.B. 5002, an omnibus housing bill that threatened local decision-making.

Louisiana: Governor Jeff Landry signed “One Door” legislation, which integrates the state’s workforce and social services programs (Pelican Institute and Alliance for Opportunity).

Ohio: In Ohio, the General Assembly sent a pro-growth budget to the governor that includes a flat income tax, closes tax loopholes, reins in Medicaid, and offers smart property tax reforms (The Buckeye Institute).

Oklahoma: The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs highlighted key policy wins from the 2025 legislative session, including reducing the income tax, strengthening school choice, reining in bureaucratic overreach, and restoring balance to the legal system.

Texas: Governor Abbott signed housing reforms that allow more housing types, ease conversions, end protest petitions, and relax lot-size rules (Goldwater Institute).

Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Governor Evers’s partial veto blocking funding for literacy reforms, siding with the Legislature and clearing the way for policies championed by the Institute for Reforming Government to move forward.

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

The Buckeye Institute filed its opening brief on appeal in Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Challenging the federal government’s ban on the home distilling of spirit beverages, arguing that this ban exceeds Congressional authority under Article I of the U.S. Constitution and violates the Tenth Amendment.

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in Center for Arizona Policy v. Arizona, calling on the Arizona Supreme Court to recognize that Proposition 211—Arizona’s expansive donor disclosure requirement—is not only unconstitutional, but also dangerous.

Attorneys from the Freedom Foundation filed a request for certiorari on behalf of Terry Klee, an employee with the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (CDCR), who is suing the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 51, (IUOE) as well as the California State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation asserting Klee’s request to leave the union was illegally delayed for nearly two years.

The Liberty Justice Center filed an amicus brief in defense against judicial overreach in Jonathan R. v. Morrisey, arguing that the Court should affirm dismissal of a lawsuit where the plaintiffs are asking federal courts to act beyond the scope of the judicial branch’s constitutionally delegated authority.

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

Frontier Institute released the Free Market Healthcare Hub—which maps where verified Direct Patient Care (DPC) clinics are operating in Montana.

The Garden State Initiative analyzed New Jersey’s job report for May.

The John Locke Foundation (North Carolina) explained how cutting incentives for renewables would help consumers.

Out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors may rise under President Trump’s Most Favored Nation proposal if policymakers do not address the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), according to a brief released by Pioneer Institute.

The James Madison Institute explains why AI regula⁠t⁠⁠i⁠on could crush Flor⁠i⁠da’s economy.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

North Carolina: The Legislature passed the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, sending it to the governor (John Locke Foundation).

New Hampshire: Lawmakers are considering several reforms, including expanding Right-to-Try, removing zoning regulations, and allowing open enrollment.

Policy News from the States

K-12 Education

Alaska’s Schools Are Rolling In Cash, So Why Aren’t The Results Better?
Alaska Policy Forum

Education Freedom: A Lifeline for Tennessee Families
Beacon Center

California Accepts Billions In Federal Funds For Education While Defying Federal Law
California Policy Center

New Hampshire Is First in New England to Enact Universal School Choice
Cascade Policy Institute

Six Reasons Why Hold Harmless is Anything But for Kids
Commonwealth Foundation

Vallas: Illinois Returning To Soft Bigotry Of Low Expectations
Illinois Policy Institute

State House Budget Proposal Respects School Leaders
Mackinac Center

If A Child Can’t Read, The System Has Failed
OCPA

Why Missouri Needs Universal Open Enrollment
Show-Me Institute

Utah School Districts Need Better Guidance On Parent Access To Curriculum. Here’s What The State Can Do
Sutherland Institute

Energy and Environment

The Grand Water Bargain
California Policy Center

President Trump Shows Strong Support For Snake River Dams
Mountain States Policy Center

More Nuclear For New York, Not Minnesota
Center of the American Experiment

Albany’s Looming Energy Shock
Empire Center

Trump’s (Other) Nuclear Option
Mackinac Center

This Week Proves Again Wind and Solar Cannot Take the Heat
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

Healthcare

Walz Raises A New Health Care Tax To Lower Premiums, But Rates Skyrocket Anyway
Center of the American Experiment

Medicaid Fraud Issues Arising Nationwide
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

With Medicaid Expansion, Oklahoma Has Higher Costs, Worse Outcomes
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Want Lower Health Care Costs? Start With Better Policies
Washington Policy Center

Housing Affordability

Legislators Return To Bad Ideas For Confronting Housing Costs
Mackinac Center

Jobs and State Economies

Taxpayers Getting Jobbed
Badger Institute

6 Ways State Policy Affected Your Wallet In 2025
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

Does Connecticut Have a City Problem?
Yankee Institute

State Budgets

Cursing the Rain—and Tax Cuts—Cuz Everyone Benefits
Badger Institute

Budget Resources are Limited—Even in California
California Policy Center

Capitol Watch: 2025 Legislature Leaves Town With Budget Out Of Balance
Center of the American Experiment

Illinois Pensioners Earn Nearly $25K More Retired Than Those Working To Support Them
Illinois Policy Institute

Senate And House Unveil Spending Proposals During Budget Gridlock
John Locke Foundation

Understanding The 2025 State Budget Pension Fight
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

Is It Time for a Local Government Balanced Budget Requirement?
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Other

Colleges Must Educate for Freedom
Cardinal Institute

Philly Teacher Union Threatening to Strike is Mostly Performative
Commonwealth Foundation

Congress Should Avoid A 600% Tax Increase On Charitable Foundations
Mountain States Policy Center

Why Transparency in Collective Bargaining Matters for Nevada Taxpayers
Nevada Policy Research Institute

The Network in the News

Robert Alt’s, president and chief executive officer of The Buckeye Institute and founder of PROFOUND CLIMBING^TM, summit of Mt. Everest was featured in The Columbus Dispatch.

At RealClearPennsylvania, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Stephen Bloom and Megan Martin highlight Governor Shapiro’s lack of leadership on Pennsylvania’s budget.

In the New York Post, Empire Center’s Cam Macdonald highlights the New York Governor’s growing list of delays on climate initiatives that would cause New Yorkers pain.

In the New York Daily News, Empire Center’s Bill Hammond highlights how Andrew Cuomo is still gaslighting New Yorkers about how many people died in nursing homes.

At National Review, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield points out Georgia’s fiscal responsibility is a lesson for Washington.

At Governing, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s Mark Coleman and Jonathan Helton highlight policy lessons from the Maui fires.

The Independence Institute’s Rob Natelson shared pearls of wisdom from Justice Thomas in a piece published in Townhall.

In The OC Register, the Independent Institute’s Kristian Fors notes governments in burn areas should eliminate single-family zoning, along with land-use controls such as height restrictions.

The John Locke Foundation’s Kelly Lester was published in Reason Magazine on the effect of deportations on our food supply. Her report was also featured on WUNC (an NPR station) on the radio, in an article on their website.

In the Washington Times , Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s Jarrett Skorup examines union involvement in the nationwide No Kings protests.

In The Hill, The James Madison Institute’s William Mattox notes education freedom is on the march.

At RealClearPolicy, the Yankee Institute’s Andy Fowler makes the case for a moratorium on state AI laws.

The post Week in Review: June 27, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: June 20, 2025

Camille Walsh — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:44:00 +0000

Announcements
Freedom through the Courts
Success Stories
This Week’s Policy Briefs

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

Announcements

On their recent podcast, Center of the American Experiment’s Grace and Kathryn speak with Rep. Harry Niska about the recent Minnesota tragedy.

The Freedom Foundation’s Washington outreach team is helping the state’s public employees by sharing a feature in the fine print found on nearly every union member’s membership agreement to help give public employees a second chance to opt out of union dues.

The John Locke Foundation released a new video in their “A Better Carolina” series.

The Independence Institute held their introduction luncheon for the Future Leaders internship program.

The Boston Policy Institute together with Pioneer Institute announced the launch of Boston DataLabs, an online platform designed to empower Boston residents, journalists, researchers, and policymakers with clear, accessible insights into the city’s payroll and budget.

The Yankee Institute highlighted what happened in the Connecticut General Assembly’s 2025 session.

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

Taxpayers in Yuma, Arizona, have been paying an illegal property tax for years—and now, the Goldwater Institute is fighting for their rights in the Arizona Court of Appeals (Goldwater Institute)

A federal court has struck down Kansas’s warrantless inspection regime as unconstitutional, ruling in favor of Kansas Justice Institute clients Scott Johnson and Harlene Hoyt. This important decision affirms that the Fourth Amendment protects private property owners from unannounced government searches—even when tied to occupational licensing.

On June 16, the Liberty Justice Center filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court in Chiles v. Salazar, a lawsuit challenging a Colorado law that limits free speech of mental health professionals. This is the second amicus brief LJC has filed on behalf of licensed professional counselor Kaley Chiles.

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has voluntarily dismissed a lawsuit against Flint Community Schools after the district agreed to comply with Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act and release public records dealing with school administration.

WILL sued the Trump Administration’s Department of Agriculture (USDA) over several discriminatory programs that deny financial assistance to farmers based on race and sex.

Success Stories

Louisiana: The state passed the REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act (Pelican Institute).

Texas: The governor signed several property tax relief measures into law, setting the stage for a $10 billion tax cut to take effect later this year, assuming voters approve related constitutional amendments in November (Texas Public Policy Foundation).

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

As Ohio’s Budget Conference Committee works on Ohio’s biennial budget and analyzes some hotly-contested issues, The Buckeye Institute released Keep, Cut, Change, its recommendations for which version of the budget—the governor’s, House, or Senate—lawmakers should adopt and what should be cut or changed.

A new report released by Center of the American Experiment warns that the environmental costs of wind, solar, and battery storage are routinely underestimated in public policy discussions, while the benefits of conventional energy sources such as nuclear, natural gas, oil, and coal are increasingly ignored.

A new Common Sense Institute report finds that Oregon is not building enough housing to keep up with current or future demand.

The pension plan covering most New York City government agencies, including the City’s subway system, had 70 members with pension payments of at least $200,000 last year, almost quadrupling 2019’s tally of 19, according to new data posted at SeeThroughNY.net, the Empire Center’s transparency website.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii released a paper that examines how state lawmakers could improve healthcare access and outcomes in the islands by allowing local patients to receive medical care via telehealth from providers licensed and located in other US states, districts or territories.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted how Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) can support Texas’ CTE-heavy education system.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

Michigan: The Michigan House Republicans passed a bill to increase transparency for state earmarks (Mackinac Center).

Wisconsin: Lawmakers advanced a proposal that would decrease the tax rate on a lot of income from 5.3 percent to 4.4 percent (Badger Institute)

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Workplace Freedom
Other

K-12 Education

Want Better Schools? Healthy Competition Is The Difference
Alaska Policy Forum

Jefferson High School’s Dual Enrollment Dilemma
Cascade Policy Institute

New York’s K-12 Problem
Commonwealth Foundation

Two Dozen School Districts Are Returning to the Polls for Budget Revotes
Commonwealth Foundation

Let’s Start at the Beginning: Vouchers, Tax Credit Scholarships and ESAs
Frontier Institute

Nevada’s Education Spending is High, But Results Are Low: What’s Going Wrong?
Nevada Policy Research Institute

The Changing Landscape of Standardized Testing in Massachusetts
Pioneer Institute

What Nebraska Can Learn from the Mississippi Miracle in Education
Platte Institute

How State Leaders Prioritize Vulnerable Students
Sutherland Institute

Back to Topics

Energy and Environment

Net Zero Just Isn’t Happening
Mackinac Center

The Supreme Court Reins In the Environmental Review Process
Washington Policy Center

Red Ink For Red Cups: State Brews Up Wasteful Program To Promote Reusable Coffee Cups
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Healthcare

Courage On Medicaid In The Past Helps Wisconsin Now
Badger Institute

Plan To Cover Mental Health Program Would Create New Bureaucracy, Raise Taxes & Costs
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

The Left’s Latest Scare Campaign Over Medicaid
MacIver Institute

Back to Topics

Housing Affordability

n/a

Back to Topics

Jobs and State Economies

Without Legislative Change, Dwindling Ranks Of Young Accountants Will Flee Wisconsin
Badger Institute

When New York City Tried Local Income Taxes They Accelerated Its Bankruptcy
Center of the American Experiment

The Illegitimate Pushback Against Sheetz In Michigan
Mackinac Center

‘Make it in Michigan’ isn’t making it
Mackinac Center

Washington’s New Digital Ad Sales Tax: Unconstitutional, Unfair, And Economically Unsound
Mountain States Policy Center

Does Oklahoma Need A Cosmetology Board?
OCPA

Disaster Looms with California’s High Unemployment
Pacific Research Institute

Licensing Reviews: Agriculture and Banking Committees
Platte Institute

Washington’s CO2 Tax Jumps 16% In Just Three Months To About 46 Cents Per Gallon
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

State Budgets

Pritzker Oks $237M In Partisan Pork As Part Of Record Illinois Budget
Illinois Policy Institute

Denver’s Budget Mess—The Cost Of “Progressive” Policies
Independence Institute

New Taxes, New Spending: Maine’s Part 2 Budget Adds Burdens Without Reform
Maine Policy Institute

Raising the SALT Cap in the OBBB: A Blue State Bailout?
Palmetto Promise Institute

How To Get Real Income Tax Relief In South Carolina
South Carolina Policy Council

Back to Topics

Workplace Freedom

The Public-Sector Union Behind L.A. Immigration Agitation
California Policy Center

Back to Topics

Other

High-Speed Rail Authority’s Rebuttal to Trump Administration is Well Argued but Makes Questionable Claims
California Policy Center

Arizona Court Makes Clear: Cities Cannot Pass the Buck on Homeless Encampments
Goldwater Institute

Jones Act Keeps U.S. Lagging In Global Shipbuilding Output
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

A Blue Wave Is Helping Rock The Boat On Jones Act Reform
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

When GOP Gets Just 14% Of State Legislation, Illinois Has A Legislative Map Problem
Illinois Policy Institute

Rule Of Law Requires Limits On Governors, Presidents
Mackinac Center

Americans Still Have The Freedom To Choose Healthy Lifestyles
Mountain States Policy Center

Free Markets Require Free Minds—And That Starts With Reading
OCPA

Back to Topics | Back to Top

The Network in the News

In The Columbus Dispatch, The Buckeye Institute offers a better plan to address Ohio’s high property taxes—local government reform.

In the Courier Journal, the Bluegrass Institute’s John C. Mozena notes Kentucky’s elected officials may be making some dumb decisions with taxpayer dollars when it comes to data-center subsidies.

In the Daily Caller News Foundation, the Center of the American Experiment’s Isaac Orr notes Trump’s EPA has cleaned up Biden’s blackout blunder.

In The Federalist, FGA’s Madeline Malisa notes New York City could sleepwalk its way into electing a socialist mayor, thanks to ranked-choice voting.

At National Review, FGA’s Paige Terryberry and Addison Scherler point out Republican work requirements are modest—and empowering.

At Townhall, the Independence Institute’s Rob Natelson considers the Supreme Court’s decision in the “ghost gun” case.

In The Wall Street Journal, the Independent Institute’s Judy Shelton explains how the Federal Reserve fuels fiscal profligacy.

In the Chicago Tribune, Illinois Policy Institute’s Matt Paprocki notes Michael Madigan has left Illinoisans with a corrupt political system he refined.

In the Chicago Tribune, Illinois Policy Institute’s Paul Vallas argues Chicago must reform how it handles expensive police misconduct lawsuits.

The John Locke Foundation’s Jon Sanders was published in Townhall on energy policy.

In a Detroit News column, Mackinac Center’s Michael Reitz suggests that, as innovation transformed the movie industry, reimagining the delivery system of education, employee benefits, and permitting could lead to major improvements.

In The News Tribune, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Sebastian Griffin points out Washington’s new digital ad sales tax is unfair and unconstitutional.

In his recent column, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs’ Jonathan Small notes there’s no need for tuition increases at Oklahoma colleges and universities.

At RealClearHealth, the Pacific Research Institute’s Wayne Winegarden highlights how Medicare’s restrictive coverage policy is limiting Alzheimer’s patients’ access to approved treatments.

In the Washington Examiner, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes notes we shouldn’t believe the CBO’s spin on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

In the New Mexico Sun, the Rio Grande Foundation’s Marina Herrera highlights several factors that contribute to Arizona’s growth and success compared to New Mexico.

In InsideSources, Sutherland Institute’s Nic Dunn highlights what both sides are missing about Medicaid work requirements.

In The Federalist, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Robert Henneke points out that the American economy is still strong.

In the Orlando Sentinel, The James Madison Institute’s William Mattox notes that for the first time in state history, a majority of Florida’s K-12 students are now enrolled in an education option chosen by their parents.

The post Week in Review: June 20, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: June 13, 2025

Camille Walsh — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:19:00 +0000

Announcements
Freedom through the Courts
Success Stories
This Week’s Policy Briefs

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

Announcements

State legislatures across the country are enacting the REINS Act, which reforms unchecked regulatory rules and agencies.

Alaska Policy Forum elected Ray Kreig as the President of the Board of Directors.

In legislative testimony, The Buckeye Institute argued that adopting House Bill 52 will increase the supply of medical providers in the Buckeye State by allowing certified registered nurse anesthesiologists (CRNAs) to practice to the full extent of their medical training and collaborate with physicians.

The Commonwealth Foundation opened its new headquarters, The Thomas E. Beach Center.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)’s payroll surpassed $8 billion in 2024 – a 2.6 percent increase since 2023, according to data posted today on SeeThroughNY, the Empire Center’s government transparency website.

The Freedom Foundation submitted formal comments in support of a proposed regulation by the Trump administration to hold career bureaucrats working for the federal government more accountable to the American public and the officials they democratically elect.

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) applauded the Trump administration for renewing its commitment to healthcare price transparency by prioritizing the Transparency in Coverage rule.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii joined with the Washington, D.C.-based Progressive Policy Institute last month to host a weeklong event in Honolulu that brought together senior congressional staff members to learn about the Jones Act.

The Mountain States Policy Center highlighted how Idaho scored the strongest regional credit rating.

The Pelican Institute for Public Policy expressed deep disappointment over the legislature’s decision to pass a $46 billion budget without adequately funding the LA GATOR K-12 education scholarship program.

On the Show-Me Institute podcast, Susan Pendergrass and Elias Tsapelas talked to Paragon Health Institute’s Brian Blase about the healthcare provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Sutherland’s Defending Ideas podcast aired its 100th episode, featuring special guest Ramesh Ponnuru, editor of National Review and fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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

The Buckeye Institute is taking the National Education Association, Ohio Education Association, and Poland Education Association to court. In Queen v. NEA, The Buckeye Institute is demanding that the government union stop charging union dues to Buckeye’s client, who is no longer a union member.

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief with the Ohio Supreme Court in Cincinnati ex rel. Miller v. Cincinnati, arguing that Ohio law allows citizens to bring cases on behalf of the government when they feel it is necessary to prevent an abuse of corporate power that the government refuses to address itself.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, representing the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), announced a settlement in the lawsuit filed against the City of Chicago, the Illinois Gaming Board, and Bally’s Chicago Casino regarding a $250 million investment opportunity only offered to “people of color” and “women.”

Success Stories

California: The Freedom Foundation’s California outreach team extended its streak of record-breaking months by helping 2,500 public employees opt out of union membership and dues.

Tennessee: The Beacon Center reached a settlement agreement with the city of Nashville over their unconstitutional stormwater fees. If approved by the court, over $1.4 million in wrongfully collected fees will be refunded to hundreds of property owners.

Washington: President Trump signed a memorandum to protect the four lower Snake River dams by rescinding Biden Administration policies that put the dams on a path to being destroyed, which would have cost tens of billions of dollars and eliminated a reliable source of electricity the state will need to meet rapidly increasing demand (Washington Policy Center).

Wisconsin: Following a brief legal battle, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty recouped over $30,000 in scholarships from the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP), one of Wisconsin’s prominent school choice programs.

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

A new report by the Common Sense Institute finds that Arizona’s budget has continued to grow since the 2.5% flat tax was adopted, and that rising state spending—not tax reform—was the main cause of last year’s fiscal challenges.

The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released groundbreaking reforms on Wednesday aimed at transforming Wisconsin’s child welfare system.

Opportunity Arkansas released the 2025 Opportunity Scorecard, evaluating how Arkansas legislators voted on key bills impacting opportunity and prosperity.

A new study by the Pacific Research Institute highlights how Medicare’s price controls are fueling America’s growing doctor shortage.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

Louisiana: The Legislature sent the One Door legislation to the Governor’s desk, a bill that integrates the state’s workforce and social services programs (Pelican Institute).

Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill modeled after the federal Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. The Senate also passed SB 444, which creates an automatic three-year review of “economically significant” regulations, ensuring that existing regulations remain beneficial (Commonwealth Foundation).

New Hampshire: The state is considering updating its Right to Try law (Josiah Bartlett Center).

Ohio: The Senate passed a pro-growth budget that includes tax reform, greater fiscal constraint, and the most robust local government reforms of any budget yet this century. While no budget is perfect, and there is more lawmakers can do to rein in the expansion of Medicaid and focus education funding on students first, this budget offers a positive blueprint for Ohio’s increasingly challenging economic times (The Buckeye Institute).

Texas: The Texas Legislature advanced Senate Bill 12, aka the “Parents Bill of Rights,” a monumental step toward solidifying parental rights and ensuring they have the tools to protect their kids (Texas Public Policy Foundation).

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Workplace Freedom
Other

K-12 Education

Assembly Bill 84 Fails Our Most Vulnerable Students
California Policy Center

Educational Choice for Children Act Would Expand Private Scholarship Options for American Children
Cascade Policy Institute

If School Spending Is Up, Why Aren’t Teacher Salaries?
Center of the American Experiment

School Choice Means More Than Just One Program
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

Homeschooling Support For Military Families: A New Opportunity For Georgia
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

Need Funding For Your Microschool?
John Locke Foundation

Per-Pupil Spending In NH Nearly Doubles From 2001-2024 As District Public Schools Spend $1.25 Billion More On 54,000 Fewer Students
Josiah Bartlett Center

Why More Money Won’t Fix Nevada’s Education System
Mississippi Center for Public Policy

The Child Is Not A Mere Creature Of The State
Mountain States Policy Center

School Choice Fuels Catholic School Growth
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Federal School Choice at a Crossroads: What the Senate Must Do Next
Palmetto Promise Institute

We Reviewed All Utah School Districts’ Curriculum Transparency Efforts. Here’s What We Found
Sutherland Institute

Back to Topics

Energy and Environment

Real Answer To Siting Nuclear Plants: ‘Yes, Here.’
Badger Institute

The Economics of the Delta Tunnel
California Policy Center

Bay Area Transportation and Housing Policies Cannot Stop Climate Change
California Policy Center

To Save Ecosystems, Sometimes Hands-Off is Not Enough
California Policy Center

EPA Stands Up For Consumers And Repeals Power Plant Emissions Standards
Center of the American Experiment

Regardless Of What Powers Hawaii’s Energy Future, Red Tape Is In The Way
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Energy Policy: The Biggest Problem Facing Virginia’s Next Governor
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

Washington EV Sales Have Stalled And Are Far Short Of State’s Arbitrary Targets
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Healthcare

Sponsors of a $10 Fee for Prescriptions Narrow Their Proposal
Empire Center

Even With Federal Cuts, New York’s Health Funding Would Remain High
Empire Center

State Lawmakers Need To Examine Their Role In Health Care Cost Increases
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Housing Affordability

Illinois Lawmakers Stall Housing Reforms, But Avoid Worst Bills
Illinois Policy Institute

Back to Topics

Jobs and State Economies

From Gas Tank to Paycheck: Oregon’s Plan to Tax Everything That Moves
Cascade Policy Institute

Shapiro, Fetterman Talk Out of Both Sides of Their Mouths About U.S. Steel
Commonwealth Foundation

We Didn’t Get the Property Tax Relief We Need
Frontier Institute

Weighing The Costs And Benefits of Data Centers In Georgia
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

Maui Council Approves Tax-Rate Hikes Mostly Lower Than It First Proposed
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

“Property Taxes are the Worst” — But Bonds and Levies are Fine?
Idaho Freedom Foundation

Lawmakers Just Passed 2 Bills Making Illinois Even Worse For Business
Illinois Policy Institute

States Seek Jobs From An Industry That Delivers Few
Mackinac Center

How To Achieve Change in Mississippi (And How Not To)
Mississippi Center for Public Policy

A Policy Tale Of Two Cities… And Many More
Mountain States Policy Center

Back to Topics

State Budgets

New State Mandates Like Paid Family And Medical Leave Are Squeezing Childcare Providers
Center of the American Experiment

Minnesota Legislators May Need To Do More To Avoid Big DOGE Fines
Center of the American Experiment

Health Provisions In One Big Beautiful Bill Could Impact Upcoming Budget Deal
Center of the American Experiment

Inside Illinois’ 2026 Budget: Spend Now, Squeeze More, Solve Later
Illinois Policy Institute

House Bill 1335: Colorado’s sweetheart tax credits breaking the bank
Independence Institute

Critics of Republican Budgeting are Wrong, but Warnings Exist
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

Iowa’s DOGE Taskforce Identifies Property Taxes as the Elephant in the Room
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

State Budget Discussions Should Include CON Repeal
John Locke Foundation

Tax Debate Should Be A Budget Debate Instead
Mackinac Center

Lack Of Oversight, Late And Incomplete Reporting Plague Fremont County Sales Tax Grants
Mountain States Policy Center

Budget Gimmicks Will Not Solve the State’s Fiscal Crisis
Pacific Research Institute

You Want To Know How Much Washington State Now Taxes You? Here Is The Answer.
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Other

Don’t Overlook the Union Factor in California’s Chaos
California Policy Center

Discussing Some Overlooked Aspects of Trump’s Tariff Defeat
John Locke Foundation

The Challenge of Democratic Policing
Pacific Research Institute

FGA Applauds House Passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025 to Lock President Trump’s DOGE Saving Into Law
Foundation for Government Accountability

Back to Topics | Back to Top

The Network in the News

In an op-ed for LootPress, the Cardinal Institute‘s Tiffany Hoben notes media outlets in West Virginia must take a more critical look at public education.

In the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Megan Martin encourages Governor Shapiro to pass school choice.

At RealClearPennsylvania, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Elizabeth Stelle points out energy costs and regulations threaten Pennsylvania’s tech boom.

In the New York Post, FGA’s Hayden Dublois notes Democrats are fighting too hard for an agenda that Americans reject, with a central demand of welfare for all.

At Townhall, FGA’s Nick Stehle debunks some of the lies about Medicaid work requirements—especially the myth of Arkansas’ experience.

In The Hill, the Freedom Foundation’s Aaron Withe notes we shouldn’t overlook the Big Labor funding behind the LA protests.

In the Costal Courier, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Chris Denson notes tackling the affordable housing crisis begins in Georgia.

In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Paul Vallas notes wemust not allow a repeat of 2020 George Floyd protests in Chicago.

In his column for The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz notes proponents of tax hike in Michigan incorrectly claim schools are underfunded.

In a Fox News op-ed, Mackinac Center Legal Foundation’s client, Sandra Hernden, seeks an apology from a Michigan school board for violating her free speech rights as her lawsuit heads to oral arguments this week.

In the Reno Gazette Journal, Nevada Policy’s Geoffrey Lawrence points out that political parties are private organizations—which is why independent voters have no say.

In his recent column, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs’ Jonathan Small highlights the benefits of work requirements.

In her column for Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes encourages the Senate to seize the opportunity to further expand access to HSAs.

In The American Spectator, the Pacific Research Institute’s Steven Greenhut points out the irony of California Democrats tackling the high cost of living.

In the Santa Fe New Mexican, the Rio Grande Foundation’s Carter Swanson underscores the importance of economic freedom in New Mexico.

In the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Show-Me Institute’s David Stokes explains why taxes should be broadly based.

In Forbes, State Policy Network’s Kerry McDonald highlights how microschooling is spreading in choice-friendly states.

In the Deseret News, Sutherland Institute’s William C. Duncan highlights another unanimous win for religious freedom at the Supreme Court.

The post Week in Review: June 13, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: June 6, 2025

Camille Walsh — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:44:35 +0000

Announcements
Freedom through the Courts
Success Stories
This Week’s Policy Briefs

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

Announcements

The Alabama Policy Institute argues Alabama open records reforms need teeth to give true transparency to taxpayers.

With the recently unveiled Senate version of Ohio’s budget, The Buckeye Institute continues to urge greater fiscal prudence. While the Senate’s budget instills greater fiscal discipline, closes tax loopholes, pays for a flat income tax, and makes essential local government reforms to address the spike in property taxes, The Buckeye Institute offered recommendations on what policies lawmakers should include in the final version of the budget to ensure the Buckeye State remains on a pro-growth path in turbulent times.

The Idaho Freedom Foundation uncovered that millions of Idaho tax dollars are being hidden through continuous appropriations.

The John Locke Foundation asked DOGE protesters some questions to see why they oppose the DOGE initiative

Investigative journalists at Kansas Policy Institute exposed several concerns with the new state assessment test and called out the Kansas Department of Education for trying to extend discrimination protection to gender identity.

The Mountain States Policy Center highlights how school choice will reshape Wyoming students’ education

The Mountain States Policy Center considers Trump’s recent EO on AI education.

The Rio Grande Foundation is hosting a luncheon on the decline of economic freedom in New Mexico.

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

In an unfair labor practice case filed with the State Employment Relations Board (SERB), The Buckeye Institute charged the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) with coercion and violating the Janus rights of The Buckeye Institute’s client.

In an amicus brief in Abbotsford Education Association v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, The Buckeye Institute urged the Wisconsin Court of Appeals to uphold the carefully constructed constitutional balance between the peoples’ right to govern themselves while ensuring fundamental rights are not trammeled, arguing that for the opponents of Wisconsin’s Act 10, their remedy is found in the statehouse, not the courthouse.

The Beacon Center and the city of Nashville jointly asked a federal court to preliminarily approve a settlement in a class action lawsuit Beacon filed challenging the city’s stormwater capacity fees.

New Jersey Policy Institute officially filed an amicus brief in the Latino Action Network v. State of New Jersey lawsuit —a high-profile case challenging school segregation in New Jersey. NJPI’s brief urges the Court to consider expanding the Interdistrict School Choice Program as a voluntary, cost-effective solution to improve diversity and student opportunity.

Success Stories

New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Legislature passed universal school choice (Josiah Bartlett Center).

Nevada: Governor Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 197 into law, prohibiting state agencies and officials from unlawfully demanding or disclosing the personal information of nonprofit supporters (People United for Privacy Foundation).

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

The Caesar Rodney Institute is raising a red flag over a newly released report that could drive up costs for Delaware’s lower-income electric customers.

In order to hold Washington government policies accountable, the Washington Policy Center launched our Report Card for Washington’s Future, a full report accompanied by a web dashboard to keep track of the impacts of the laws and regulations passed.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

North Carolina: Senate Bill 266, a new and improved energy bill, advanced in the Tar Heel State. This bill is heavily influenced by John Locke Foundation’s report from April, “Power Plays.” In addition, the REINS act passed through the North Carolina Senate Reg Reform Committee. Watch the John Locke Foundation’s explainer video on it here.

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Workplace Freedom
Other

K-12 Education

A Century Later, Washington State Fails Parental Rights
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Energy and Environment

Supreme Court Gets Permitting Right In A Likely-Landmark Ruling
Center of the American Experiment

Back to Topics

Healthcare

Now is the Opportunity for Congress to Reform Medicaid
Mountain States Policy Center

Back to Topics

Housing Affordability

Plans, Zoning and Annexation Form Front Lines for Wisconsin Cities Looking to Build More Housing
Badger Institute

For Fixing The Housing Market, Deregulation Beats Subsidies
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

Back to Topics

Jobs and State Economies

Washington’s Affordability Crisis Fuels Out-Migration in 2025
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

State Budgets

Montana sets the pace with the Right to Compute Act
Mountain States Policy Center

Policy Changes Can Offer Hope, Help To Farms
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Workplace Freedom

Work? Strike? Whatever; Employers now required to pay union members not to work
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Other

Montana sets the pace with the Right to Compute Act
Mountain States Policy Center

Policy Changes Can Offer Hope, Help To Farms
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics | Back to Top

The Network in the News

In the Bay to Bay News, the Caesar Rodney Institute’s David Stevenson criticizes a Delaware bill that overrides local control to advance an offshore wind project.

The Independence Institute’s Shayne Madsen and Vanessa Rutledge teamed up with Taylor Barkley of the Abundance Institute for a piece in the Denver Gazette, calling for a 10-year moratorium on new AI regulations at the state level.

In the Los Angeles Times, the Independent Institute’s Abigail R. Hall notes police use of military tools presents a growing danger.

In Governing, the John Locke Foundation’s Kelly Lester considers the impacts of tariffs on farmers and grocery prices.

The Liberty Justice Center appeared on several media outlets, including CNN and NPR, to discuss their victory in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump.

Several newspapers published an op-ed from Kansas Policy Institute, giving credit for the “Mississippi Miracle” to school transparency and accountability legislation in 2013.

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s Michael Reitz penned a column at

at The Detroit News, analyzing DOGE and the lessons it offers to Michigan lawmakers.

State Policy Network’s Tony Woodlief appeared on the Saving Elephants podcast.

The post Week in Review: June 6, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: April 25, 2025

Ladan Nowrasteh — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:14:55 +0000

Announcements
Freedom through the Courts
Success Stories
This Week’s Policy Briefs

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

Nota Bene: This edition covers two-weeks’ worth of news from around the Network, including the week of April 18, 2025, as well as the current week.

Announcements

Bluegrass Institute announced that Caleb O. Brown has been named its Chief Executive Officer. Brown’s employment will commence in May. Jim Waters, the Institute’s president, will continue in that role.

Institute for Reforming Government continued its public polling project with Napolitan News Service and Scott Rasmussen with a new release of polling data that focuses on Wisconsin’s 2025 Spring Election.

Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation partnered with School Boards for Academic Excellence to launch a first of its kind ITR Report Card, a new online resource that gives Iowans unprecedented access to clear, easy-to-use data on student achievement and school spending in every public school district across the state.

John Locke Foundation released a new video in its “A Better Carolina” series opposing certificate-of-need (CON) laws.

Mississippi Center for Public Policy launched the Mississippi Freedom Index, an online tool that allows people to see where their local lawmakers stand on key pro-growth policies. Having announced the winners the 2025 Mississippi Freedom Awards to celebrate the lawmakers that promoted pro-growth policies, the Center’s new tool now ensures Mississippians can continue to keep tabs on their local lawmakers.

Mountain States Policy Center hosted a record-breaking 2025 Spring Dinner at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, which gathered a sellout crowd of more than 600 and featured keynote speaker Judge Jeanine Pirro. At the event, the Center also named Mike Moyle, Idaho’s Speaker of the House, as the recipient of its prestigious Elevation Award. Finally, the Center’s Jason Mercier was featured in Governing’s quote-of-the-day: “Things that happen after midnight: carriages turn back into pumpkins, vampires come out and Washington lawmakers pass massive tax increases.”

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

The Buckeye Institute sued the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) for union wage theft. Vanderveer v. OAPSE was filed in the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Katrina Vanderveer, a paraprofessional who works with high schoolers at the Pike-Delta-York High School. Buckeye also joined with the Pelican Institute to file an amicus brief in Crowe v. Oregon State Bar (a Goldwater Institute case), calling on the US Supreme Court to protect the First Amendment rights of lawyers and end laws that force attorneys to join state-sponsored bar associations that lobby on inherently political and ideological issues.

Freedom Foundation filed a federal lawsuit against a local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on behalf of Karima Tarbah, a San Bernardino County employee who is being unconstitutionally forced to support the union’s shareholder activism through mandatory paycheck deductions—despite never joining or consenting to be part of the union.

Goldwater Institute’s suit on behalf of two Arizona homeschooling moms challenging a new burden that has blocked their purchases of everything from kids’ books to the Constitution under Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program was noted by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, who states “We are joining with the Goldwater Institute’s Court challenge to that dictum from the Attorney General.” Goldwater also filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to enforce constitutional rules that require federal decision-makers to be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

Liberty Justice Center historically filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s constitutional authority to unilaterally issue the “Liberation Day” tariffs, which are devastating small businesses across the country. Also, the Center filed a temporary restraining order (TRO), and motion for preliminary injunction to immediately stop the enforcement of the “Liberation Day” tariffs, but the TRO was denied. The Center also filed a lawsuit against Illinois’ Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and Winnebago County State’s Attorney for violating the Fourth Amendment by illegally seizing First Supply, LLC’s truck after an accident where it was an innocent bystander. The Center prepared oral arguments in California Policy Center v. Garcia-Brower. This joint legal challenge with California Justice Center seeks to enjoin a California law that violates employers’ First Amendment rights by prohibiting companies from discussing any “religious or political matters” at mandatory meetings. Finally, the Center filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of Gabriel Olivier in the case Olivier v. City of Brandon, which raises critical questions about the ability of individuals to seek protection from unconstitutional laws.

Success Stories

Alabama: The state became the newest member of the portable benefits movement — passing legislation by a unanimous vote to not only support independent workers but also introduce tax deductions for contributions to portable benefits accounts (Libertas Institute).

Arizona: The state enacted a new law empowering parents to safeguard their children’s private information by requiring affirmative parental consent before schools release student data — a move that puts the parents back in charge of their child’s personal information (Goldwater Institute).

Arkansas: Governor Huckabee Sanders signed a bill which helps reduce barriers for foster parents and will help increase the number of foster homes in Arkansas and another bill which eases various processes related to student transfers within school districts, helping families to realize the full potential of education freedom (Opportunity Arkansas). The Governor also officially signed a pivotal piece of legislation that puts an end to union-led “captive audience meetings” during school hours (Freedom Foundation).

Colorado: Governor Polis signed a bill which changes the classification of nuclear energy such that it is recognized as “clean” energy for purposes of the state’s clean energy and carbon reduction goals (Independence Institute).

Georgia: Governor Kemp signed two tort reform bills that will provide meaningful relief for Georgia residents and business owners burdened by abusive lawsuits (Georgia Public Policy Foundation).

Idaho: The Governor signed a future-facing provision of the state’s budget that allocates for fire detection cameras powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) — an investment that gets ahead of challenges by harnessing technology to fight wildfires (Mountain States Policy Center).

Kansas: Kansans suffering from rare diseases can now seek cutting-edge personalized treatments after the Sunflower State became the tenth state to enact the Goldwater Institute’s landmark Right to Try for Individualized Treatments (Goldwater Institute). In addition, Governor Laura Kelly signed H.B. 2206 into law, a bipartisan reform which protects donor privacy rights for nonprofit organizations by clarifying the definition of a political committee (People United for Privacy Foundation). Finally, lawmakers successfully overrode the Governor’s veto to enact a law that gives the state a universal regulatory sandbox (Kansas Policy Institute and Libertas Institute).

Michigan: In a major success that will bring energy relief to Michigan and the United States while protecting the waters of the Great Lakes, the US Army Corps of Engineers expedited the environmental review process for an essential upgrade to the Line 5 pipeline (Mackinac Center).

Montana: The Governor signed the Right to Compute Act, legislation that sets a national benchmark for protecting the right to build, deploy, and use digital tools without undue government interference. For those innovating or using digital innovations, it establishes the gold standard of protection against government overreach (Frontier Institute).

Texas: The Governor signed a bill that establishes a DOGE-inspired Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office to identify regulations that are unnecessary or ineffective — a move that promises to begin to cut the red tape, improve the efficiency of government, and increase transparency (Texas Public Policy Foundation).

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

Caesar Rodney Institute published a brief which draws attention to the 2025 federal energy report’s troubling forecast—predicting higher prices, energy instability, and slowed growth under Biden’s plan—while noting the author’s confidence in President Trump’s course correction.

Common Sense Institute Colorado issued a brief analyzing the state’s behavioral health investments and outcomes. The study found that despite $8.5 billion in projected spending by FY 2025, Colorado still ranks among the worst states in the nation for mental health.

Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation added briefs that argue both for and against tariffs as trade policy debates continue to rage. The Foundation also posted a video further explicating the its trade “debate”.

John Locke Foundation released an energy policy brief, Power Plays, which shows how activist bureaucracy obstructs North Carolina’s energy future, along with solutions pointing the way to a better energy future in the state.

Mountain States Policy Center posted briefs that analyze proposed tax increased for residents of Washington state, show why open enrollment is the most popular public education option, defend the constitutionality of Idaho’s new education choice law, break down Montana’s strong business creation numbers, and expose how the Washington state Supreme Court ignored voters to make issues stemming from homeless encampments even worse.

Platte Institute added a brief which guides Nebraska lawmakers on how to keep their eyes on the prize of tax competitiveness.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

Alabama: Lawmakers in the House moved to put an additional $35 million toward the state’s new school choice tuition program, citing the nearly 37,000 students applying for Alabama’s new education savings accounts (Alabama Policy Institute).

Georgia: Lawmakers proposed a bill which would establish a Taxpayers Relief Fund, which would be used to supplement revenue to gradually reduce income tax rates (Georgia Public Policy Foundation).

Idaho: The state launched Transparent Idaho, a fantastic government transparency website that provides searchable details on state, county, city, and local district spending (Mountain States Policy Center).

Louisiana: Lawmakers proposed a bevy of bills seeking solutions to the state’s skyrocketing insurance costs and a legal climate that drives jobs away. Among the best are bills that would allow juries to see the true cost of medical expenses that are actually paid instead of the amount billed, requires attorneys to notify defendants within 10 days of being hired to file a lawsuit, and raises the recovery threshold for uninsured drivers in accidents to $100,000 for bodily injury and property damage (Pelican Institute).

Oklahoma: Within a matter of hours on the same day, members of the Legislature advanced two measures designed to significantly restrict regulation in the state. One bill would create a REINS Act in the state to independently review and assess the economic impact of major rules proposed by state agencies, while the other would require that all administrative rules be approved through a joint resolution of the Legislature before taking effect. In addition, members of a House committee voted to end a two-tiered system that forces the families of children with special needs to jump through hoops that other families are not subjected to when accessing a school-choice program. Finally, legislation that would require initiative-petition efforts to gather signatures from Oklahomans passed out of its House Committee (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).

Minnesota: The Senate advanced a bill which reforms Minnesota’s net metering policy, sunsets funds for subsidization of residential solar panels, and would also define some wood waste and biodiesel power generators as carbon-free as well as hydroelectric dams of any capacity (Center of the American Experiment).

Montana: The legislature passed the Financial Freedom and Innovation Act, which bans Central Bank Digital Currency — a win for digital freedom. In addition, lawmakers passed a bill which establishes a Montana Task Force on Blockchain and Digital Innovation to promote adoption, develop incentives, build partnerships, and recommend clear state-level regulations. Both bills now move to the Governor’s desk (Frontier Institute).

New Mexico: In a positive defensive move, the Governor vetoed a bill which would have included a 20% hike on alcohol taxes (Rio Grande Foundation).

North Carolina: The House passed the REINS Act, a law that would prevent the addition of unnecessary and harmful regulations to the state’s regulatory burden. The bill now moves to the Senate (John Locke Foundation).

South Carolina: The bill to restore South Carolina’s ESA program — the Education Scholarship Trust Fund — took a momentous step forward, as Senate lawmakers presented an amendment that increases the ESA scholarship value to $7,500 along with a bevy of other pro-school choice proposals. Stay tuned as these changes are considered in the House and hopefully sped to the Governor’s desk (Palmetto Promise and South Carolina Policy Council). In addition, spurred on in part by key research, House and Senate versions of energy legislation have included key provisions that champion Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a critical part of our state’s future energy portfolio. Policymakers are now seriously considering nuclear innovation as a solution to South Carolina’s long-term energy needs. Finally, the Senate reached an agreement on tort reform legislation that aims to make South Carolina’s civil liability system fairer, particularly in complex cases that involve multiple parties (Palmetto Promise).

Tennessee: Lawmakers passed a bill to support animal chiropractors, allowing them to practice on animals without needing to pay an additional licensing fee beyond what is required for human chiropractors. The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk (Beacon Center of Tennessee).

Texas: In a monumental victory for students and their families, universal school choice is coming to Texas, the nation’s second-largest state, as the House passed school choice legislation that now moves to the Governor’s desk, where he is ready to sign (Texas Public Policy Foundation and Goldwater Institute). In addition, lawmakers in the House and Senate proposed bills that will restore property rights to landowners and renters in the state. A Senate Committee also heard testimony in favor of a bill which would improve the patient shopping experience and incentivize patients to seek out quality and affordable healthcare. Finally, a House Committee passed a bill that will ensure responsible development of wind and solar by requiring these sources to meet the reliability standards that other resources are required to meet (Texas Public Policy Foundation).

Washington: Fixes built into a bill that has garnered near-unanimous legislative support will allow farmers access to fuel exempt from the state’s fuel tax — a step in the right direction (Washington Policy Center).

West Virginia: Lawmakers sent a bill to the Governor that is signed would expand the Scope of Practice for Pharmacists, allowing patients with minor, testable illnesses to receive treatment at the pharmacy.

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Workplace Freedom
Other

K-12 Education

How Alabama School Board and Superintendent Groups Misled Lawmakers on Religious Education Bill
Alabama Policy Institute

Expanding Opportunity: The Future of Education in Tennessee
Beacon Center of Tennessee

Race-Based School Funding
Cascade Policy Institute

MN Dept of Ed Won’t Comply with Federal DEI Rules
Center of the American Experiment

Rise of Bureaucracy
Center of the American Experiment

A Tale of Two Eras: Minnesota Math Over the Years
Center of the American Experiment

An Easter Proposal for Gov. Tim Walz
Center of the American Experiment

Educators Receiving $200k+ Doubles in Five Years
Empire Center

SB 274 Fails Teachers and Classrooms — It’s CTA’s Handiwork
Freedom Foundation

The Public School Funding Problem
Frontier Institute

Bill Targets Homeschool Study Groups with Big School Rules
Illinois Policy

Chicago Teachers Union Contract Bumps Average Teacher from $86K to Over $114K
Illinois Policy

Florida Politics: Florida Could Lose Its #1 Ranking in Education Freedom
James Madison Institute

Utah Fits All Continues for Now
Libertas Institute

Don’t Count Utah Fits All Out Just Yet
Libertas Institute

Mississippi Surpasses Michigan in Fourth Grade Reading after Literacy Reforms
Mackinac Center

Federal Scholarship Program Would Help Michigan
Mackinac Center

What Mills and Frey Get Wrong About the Trump Admin’s Title IX Lawsuit Against Maine
Maine Policy Institute

Urban Institute Study Shows School Choice Benefits Low-Income Children
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Oklahoma School-Board Election Shift Moves Ahead
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Many High-Funded Oklahoma Schools Have Low Instructional Spending, Poor Performance
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

It’s Time for Grade Floors to Go
Palmetto Promise

The Federal Educational Choice for Children Act: Unlocking School Choice for All
Palmetto Promise

Dr. Sheila Harrity on Worcester Tech & MA’s Urban Voc-Tech Schools
Pioneer Institute

A New Voice for Accountability, and School Choice in Missouri with Cory Koedel
Show-Me Institute

The Honesty Gap in Education
Show-Me Institute

Accountability in Missouri’s Public Schools
Show-Me Institute

What Missouri Can Learn from Arizona’s Education System with Sean McCarthy
Show-Me Institute

Here’s How Different States Are Approaching AI in Education
Sutherland Institute

Utah Should Prepare for Changes to the US Department of Education. Here’s How
Sutherland Institute

Why Parent-Friendly School District Websites Deserve More Recognition
Sutherland Institute

Parents Told to Have a Seat; Government Knows Best
Washington Policy Center

On ‘Apples to Apples’ Assessment, Private and Charter Schools Outperform Their Public Counterparts
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty

Back to Topics

Energy and Environment

California Can Dramatically Increase Its Water Supply
California Policy Center

California’s Refinery Capacity Stretched to the Limit
California Policy Center

Earth Day Reclaimed: Challenging the Top 10 Myths that Hijacked Environmentalism
California Policy Center

Ways to Rein in the California Coastal Commission
California Policy Center

Can EVs Make Up for Gasoline Shortages?
California Policy Center

Earth Day: Putting the ‘Conservative’ in Conservation
Center of the American Experiment

DOE Exploring Data Centers on Federal Lands
Center of the American Experiment

End the “Green New Scam” Loan Machine
Commonwealth Foundation

Here’s the ‘Green’ Fuel the Left Refuses to Celebrate This Earth Day
Commonwealth Foundation

SB 4: Missouri’s Energy Challenge and the Push for CWIP Reform
Show-Me Institute

Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office with Rep. Cody Harris – HB 14
Texas Public Policy Foundation

An Earth Day Lesson: Last Year’s Biggest Environmental Victories Came from Free Markets
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Healthcare

A Cry for Help Goes Unanswered
Center of the American Experiment

Medicaid Reform Needed to Eliminate Waste and Fraud
Commonwealth Foundation

MAHA Comes to Indiana
Foundation for Government Accountability

Idaho’s Medicaid Budget Is Unfinished Business
Idaho Freedom Foundation

Taxpayers’ Pay Over 2X Rate Illinois Workers Pay for Health Insurance
Illinois Policy

Indiana Seeks Work Requirements for Medicaid-Expansion Population
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Two Good Healthcare Headlines
Pacific Research Institute

The Hidden Costs of Healthcare: Why South Carolinians Need Billing Transparency and a Right to Shop
Palmetto Promise

Nebraska Must Prepare for Federal Medicaid Reform
Platte Institute

Back to Topics

Housing Affordability

Wisconsin Cities Can Grow if They Let Housing Markets Work, Say Scholars
Badger Institute

Apply Rebuilding Waivers to All Lahaina Fire Victims
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Chicago’s Housing Policy Still Promotes Exclusion
Illinois Policy

Chicago Makes It Too Hard to Build Dwelling Units
Illinois Policy

Banning Credit Checks Won’t Help Illinois’ Poor Get Housing
Illinois Policy

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency Accused of Anti-White Racism
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Examining the Roots of California’s Ongoing Insurance Crisis
Pacific Research Institute

West Coast Cities Need to Catch Up on Office-to-Home Conversions
Pacific Research Institute

New Rankings Confirm California’s Status as Too Restrictive for Homebuilding
Pacific Research Institute

Massachusetts Releases New Permanent Regulations for MBTA Communities Act
Pioneer Institute

House Bill 1217 — So-Called “Housing Stability” Act — Passed Senate
Washington Policy Center

Back to Topics

Jobs and State Economies

Bring Domestic Steel Manufacturing into America’s Golden Age
Commonwealth Foundation

Bill Cork: Mississippi’s Economic Momentum
Empower Mississippi

Regulatory Reform Efforts Stall in 2025 Session
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

Georgia’s Economy Strong, But Others Getting Stronger
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

Tier 2 Isn’t Broken for Illinois’ Career Workers: Expanding Choice Secures Benefits
Illinois Policy

Pritzker’s Tariffs Take
Illinois Policy

One-Third of Illinois’ March Layoffs Hit Chicago Security Firm
Illinois Policy

Florida Politics: Rolling Back Legal Reforms Is a Step Backwards for Insurance
James Madison Institute

Florida Daily: New Report Reveals How Impact Fees Effect Some Florida Counties
James Madison Institute

NC Farmers Facing the Costs of Tariffs (Again)
John Locke Foundation

Kansas Could Lose Big if TCJA Expires
Kansas Policy Institute

Portable Benefits Polling Out
Libertas Institute

Republicans Frame Unemployment Reforms as Focusing on Work
MacIver Institute

The Cost of Picking ‘Winners’ in the Steel Industry
Mackinac Center

Whitmer’s Reindustrialization Plan, By the Numbers
Mackinac Center

Why Your Next Bottle of French Champagne Could Cost More: Tariffs & US Sparkling Wine Options
Pacific Research Institute

The May Revision Should Assume a Weaker Fiscal Position for FY2025-26
Pacific Research Institute

Wolf Management Needs a Regional Strategy
Pacific Research Institute

A Free-Market Vision for Insurance and Lawsuit Abuse Reform in Louisiana
Pelican Institute

Reputation and Reality Matter in City Governance
Show-Me Institute

Path to Prosperity: A Fiscal Roadmap for South Carolina
South Carolina Policy Council

Republicans Should Address Welfare’s Work Disincentives in Budget Reconciliation
Sutherland Institute

Business Needs Certainty. So Do Voters
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

Spokane’s Voter Approved Anti-Camping Initiative Overturned by Washington Supreme Court
Washington Policy Center

More Reasons for Overtime Flexibility
Washington Policy Center

Two Bills Adversely Impacting Workers Are Near Legislative Finish Line
Washington Policy Center

Connecticut Wants to Regulate…Movie Start Times?
Yankee Institute

Back to Topics

State Budgets

‘ALDOGE’ Targets Innovate Alabama, Claims Awarding Millions to Businesses with DEI Initiatives
Alabama Policy Institute

Urbanists and Unions Can Slow but Not Stop California’s Transportation Progress
California Policy Center

Taxpayers on the Hook for Sexual Abuse Committed by Government Employees
California Policy Center

Only Bold Spending Cuts Will Save State Budget
Center of the American Experiment

Minnesota Democrats Newest Tax Hike OBSESSION!
Center of the American Experiment

DFL Deficit: ‘Blue Dogs’ Proposed Tax on Social Media Companies a Bad Idea
Center of the American Experiment

Governor Braun Draws the Line: No More Junk Food in Food Stamps
Foundation for Government Accountability

Tim Walz Chooses Self-Indulgence Over True Leadership
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

Time to Stick a Fork in the Wasteful Northstar Commuter Rail Boondoggle
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

Minneapolis Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Non-Serious City Council Action
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

Why Are ‘Blankety Blank’ Tax-Hike Bills Even Allowed?
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Illinois Spent More on Transportation, Saw More Roads Crumble
Illinois Policy

Kane County Part of Voter Wave Saying ‘No’ to More Taxes
Illinois Policy

Tax Day: Here’s How Your $4K in State Income Taxes Is Spent
Illinois Policy

Colorado Lawmakers’ Absurd Proposal to Void TABOR
Independence Institute

Is Voting on Taxes Unconstitutional?
Independence Institute

WI Supreme Court Veto Decision in LeMieux v. Evers Gives Blank Check to Gov. Evers
Institute for Reforming Government

Assessing Florida Local Government Impact Fees: 2024-2025
James Madison Institute

Newsmax: Fla. Debates Size of Its Proposed Tax Cuts, That’s Good
James Madison Institute

Norm Major’s Eternal Advice: Budget Cautiously
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

Vos: Goal is to Pass Tax Cut, but Governor Needs to Agree
MacIver Institute

What Oklahoma Could Learn from Ohio’s Tax-Cut Experience
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

State Tax Competition Is Fierce
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

This State Slashed Its Income Tax, Yet State Revenues Grew
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Gavin Newsom Claims California Taxes Aren’t High. Here Is Why He’s Wrong
Pacific Research Institute

The Solution to Traffic Congestion Isn’t Up, Up and Away
Pacific Research Institute

Seven FAQs About South Carolina Republicans’ Tax Cut Plan
Palmetto Promise Institute

Money Is Stampeding into Florida but Trickling into South Carolina…Palmetto State Must Cut Income Tax to Compete
Palmetto Promise Institute

RGF Weighs in for KRQE Channel 13 Story on Wasteful Keller Administration Remodel
Rio Grande Foundation

The Three-Legged Stool of Taxes with David Stokes
Show-Me Institute

Earmarks Come to St. Louis County
Show-Me Institute

Beware the Budget Mirage
Show-Me Institute

No Pork in This Year’s Budget?
South Carolina Policy Council

Bond Deception
Texas Public Policy Foundation

A Non-Solution in the State Transportation Budget
Washington Policy Center

Hot Mic: Rep. Hughes ‘Tax My People, They Won’t Even Notice’
Yankee Institute

$55.7 Billion Budget Will “Turbo-Charge” State Spending Spree, Return to Tax-and-Spend Past
Yankee Institute

Back to Topics

Workplace Freedom

When You’re Winning, The Union Bosses Call the Legislature
Freedom Foundation

Oregon Dems Advance Bill Targeting Freedom Foundation with Union Lawfare
Freedom Foundation

Public Employees in New York Are Waking Up
Freedom Foundation

A Record-Breaking Quarter for Worker Freedom
Freedom Foundation

Over 1 in 3 Illinois Government Workers Reject AFSCME Council 31 Membership
Illinois Policy

Federal Workers Shouldn’t Have Collective Bargaining Rights
Mackinac Center

Back to Topics

Other

Policy in Action: A Recap of the 2025 Legislative Session
Beacon Center of Tennessee

West Virginia Leaders Deliver Bold Reforms to Take the Mountain State to New Heights
Foundation for Government Accountability

Six Ways States Are Leading in 2025
Foundation for Government Accountability

What Is the Overton Window?
Mackinac Center

The 2025 Legislative Session Begins: The Next Chapter in Louisiana’s Comeback Story?
Pelican Institute

Brown’s Pulitzer Winner Gordon Wood on the American Revolution’s 250th Anniversary
Pioneer Institute

Back to Topics | Back to Top

The Network in the News

In The Columbus Dispatch, Rea S. Hederman Jr. of The Buckeye Institute calls for a more competitive, more transparent, less subsidized energy market.

In The Center Square, Greg R. Lawson of The Buckeye Institute outlines an approach to higher education reforms that protects innovation.

In The Center Square, The Buckeye Institute and the Mississippi Center for Public Policy look at Mississippi’s bold tax reform.

In the Los Angeles Daily News, the California Policy Center’s Marc Joffe argues urbanists and unions can slow but not stop California’s transportation progress.

In the San Diego Union-Tribune, the California Policy Center’s Will Swaim highlights the hidden costs of CalPERS, the state agency that manages California’s largest public employee retirement fund.

In The Sun, the California Policy Center’s Edward Ring points out that rebuilding LA requires reimagining environmentalism.

At Star News Network, the California Policy Center’s Edward Ring highlights the problems with free trade fundamentalists who oppose tariffs on China.

In the Columbia County Spotlight, Cascade Policy Institute’s Kathryn Hickok notes school choice options now reach more than 40% of American children.

At RealClearWire, the Commonwealth Foundation’s André Béliveau notes it’s time to end Washington’s green-loan machine.

In The Morning Call, the Commonwealth Foundation’s Elizabeth Stelle notes Medicaid reform is needed to eliminate waste and fraud.

In the Dallas Morning News, Foundation for Government Accountability’s Victoria Eardley notes Texas should ban sugary drinks on food stamps.

In The Hill, the Foundation for Government Accountability’s Tarren Bragdon argues food stamp reform excluding soda is a huge win for making America healthy again.

In the Magnolia Tribune, the Foundation for Government Accountability’s Jonathan Bain argues the “One Door” policy is an open door to welfare expansion.

In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield recaps Georgia’s 2025 legislative session.

In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield argues Georgia must improve even faster in economic competitiveness.

In The Hill, the Goldwater Institute’s Victor Riches notes Arizona— not China—is the best place for Tesla’s self-driving future.

In the Chicago Daily Herald, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Matt Paprocki points out Cook County’s tax system is driving businesses and residents away.

In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Paul Vallas highlights how Chicago lost another police officer to suicide.

In his recent column for The Denver Gazette, Independence Institute’s Jon Caldara highlights how the Sundance Film Festival is moving to Boulder, Colorado.

In his recent column for The Denver Gazette, the Independence Institute’s Jon Caldara points out threats to TABOR are threats to democracy.

In the Des Moines Register, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation’s John Hendrickson and Tom Sands note Iowa’s fiscal discipline is working.

At Florida Politics, The James Madison Institute’s Doug Wheeler notes rolling back legal reforms is a step backward for insurance.

At Newsmax, The James Madison Institute’s Dr. Robert McClure highlights the many reasons why people are moving to Florida.

At Florida Politics, The James Madison Institute’s William Mattox considers Adam Kissel’s nomination to serve on the Board of Trustees at the University of West Florida.

At Florida Politics, The James Madison Institute’s William Mattox highlights how Florida’s No. 1 ranking in education freedom is in jeopardy.

At Business North Carolina, the John Locke Foundation’s Donald Bryson takes a historical stance in opposition to tariff policy.

In The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz highlights the resurgence of civic literacy through student debate programs.

In The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz considers the challenges facing young men.

In The Missoulian, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Chris Cargill notes open enrollment is the most popular public education choice option.

At Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes highlights a new Trump administration rule to ensure marketplace integrity and affordability on Obamacare’s health insurance exchanges.

In the Washington Examiner, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes notes that Trump is right—housing isn’t healthcare.

In the Portland Press Herald, People United for Privacy Foundation’s Matt Nese and Maine Policy Institute’s Jacob Posik warn about threats to the privacy of nonprofit donors.

In The Boston Globe, the Pioneer Institute’s Jim Stergios highlights the consequences of high taxes on income.

At Fits News, the South Carolina Policy Council’s Michael Burris notes pharmaceutical reform is a lifeline for South Carolina families.

In the Washington Examiner, Sutherland Institute’s Nic Dunn and the Illinois Policy Institute’s Josh Bandoch encourage Republicans to address welfare’s work disincentives in the budget reconciliation.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty’s Will Flanders and Lauren Greuel argue states are best equipped to oversee public schools.

In his recent column, John Hood points out New York beats North Carolina when it comes to relaxed scope of practice laws.

In his recent column, John Hood highlights three ways North Carolina governs differently.

In his recent column, John Hood highlights why conservatives defend free enterprise.

The post Week in Review: April 25, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: April 11, 2025

Ladan Nowrasteh — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 12:59:31 +0000

Announcements
Freedom through the Courts
Success Stories
This Week’s Policy Briefs

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

Announcements

American Legislative Exchange Council issued an invitation to Network groups to sign letters that call for permanently extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and supporting President Trump’s recent Executive Order on the Department of Education.

The Buckeye Institute issued public comments urging lawmakers to constrain spending to protect taxpayers from future tax hikes as the Ohio House passed its version of the state’s biennial budget, which includes several good policies that prioritize the needs of Ohio’s K-12 students, improve Ohio’s higher education system, and put reasonable guardrails on the state’s ever-growing Medicaid program. However — as Buckeye points out — the budget assumes a rosy financial picture that is not certain.

Idaho Freedom Foundation released a wrap of the state’s 2025 legislative session, the best in recent history.

Independence Institute hosted a sold-out event that relaunched the Institute’s Women’s Luncheon speaking series. Noted author, filmmaker, and CEO Jennifer Sey was the events’ keynote speaker.

Mackinac Center for Public Policy released its 2025 Michigan Context and Performance Report Card evaluating the performance of public elementary and middle schools across the state.

Mountain States Policy Center released a recap of the 2025 Idaho legislative session, which may go down as one of the state’s most significant.

Washington Policy Center launched a campaign to collect signatures urging Governor Ferguson to stand strong against calls for new taxes. Within days of its launch, the campaign has already garnered thousands of signatures.

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

The Buckeye Institute filed its appeal in Flannery v. Eckenwiler—a critical First Amendment case—with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on behalf of Eric Flannery, the owner of The Big Board, a neighborhood bar and grill located in our nation’s capital. Flannery v. Eckenwiler charges that members of the 6C Advisory Neighborhood Commission conspired to protest the renewal of The Big Board’s liquor license to punish Mr. Flannery because he spoke out against D.C.’s pandemic-era shutdown orders.

Liberty Justice Center commended the US Department of Education for establishing a new Title IX Special Investigations Team (SIT) to investigate complaints of Title IX violations following on the heels of its federal complaint made three weeks ago.

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, representing a Wisconsin dairy farmer, issued a warning to the United States Department of Agriculture over several race-based programs that continue to hurt farmers every day.

Success Stories

California: Parental rights advocates celebrated a significant victory as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s dismissal of Aurora Regino’s case against the Chico Unified School District in Regino v. Staley (Liberty Justice Center).

Hawaii: A local homeowner sued and won a case against the state’s County’s Board of Appeals and its former Department of Public Works director after the homeowner found himself in the strange position of owning a beach house that he couldn’t live in or renovate due to permitting denials that effectively locked him out of his home — a encouraging victory for those struggling with similar permitting problems or unfair permit revocations in the state (Grassroots Institute of Hawaii).

Idaho: The Governor signed bills that reform the current high school civics test to help students graduate with a more thorough understanding of America’s constitutional republic and made those in the country illegally ineligible for some types of taxpayer-funded benefits in the state (Idaho Freedom Foundation). In addition, the state struck a monumental blow against “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) by eliminating mandatory indoctrination in DEI from the curricula of public universities (Idaho Freedom Foundation and Goldwater Institute).

Kentucky: This year’s General Assembly session resulted in a continuing series of victories in policy areas critical to making the state competitive again, including lower taxes and defense of education choice (Bluegrass Institute). In addition, lawmakers passed a key reform into law that addresses the state’s lack of comprehensive data on sentencing, parole, and recidivism (Bluegrass Institute and Georgia Center for Opportunity).

Minnesota: The Minnesota Department of Education agreed to pay $7,000 to settle a lawsuit over their failure to fulfill a data practices request — a win for government transparency (Center of the American Experiment).

North Dakota: The state adopted laws allowing for universal recognition of out-of-state occupational licenses — a move that promises to unlock economic potential, shore up workforce shortages, and empower skilled workers (Goldwater Institute).

Tennessee: Governor Lee signed legislation that will provide the state’s independent workforce with access to critical benefits, such as health insurance, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits without losing their work flexibility — a game-changer for these workers (Beacon Center).

West Virginia: The state also adopted laws allowing for universal recognition of out-of-state occupational licenses — one of the most exciting bill signings in recent memory (Cardinal Institute and Goldwater Institute).

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

American Legislative Exchange Council published a brief that reports on energy affordability.

The Buckeye Institute outlined how a “regulatory sandbox” enables healthcare providers, AI developers, and policymakers to collaborate and responsibly test novel technologies related to drug development, medical imaging, disease diagnosis, gene therapy, medical research, and health data management in a flexible, safe regulatory environment that lowers costs and cuts red tape. In addition, Buckeye looked at further commonsense reforms to Ohio’s higher education, such as aligning state subsidies with post-graduate outcomes, reducing administrative costs, and regulating OPM partnerships wisely—to improve student success in the state’s public universities and colleges.

Heartland Institute published a brief titled Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: An Updated Study on the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on U.S. Personal Income Taxes, an update to Heartland’s previous examination of Trump’s signature tax law in his first term.

Mountain States Policy Center released a set of briefs that remind of timeless Reagan wisdom on free markets and trade policy, report on efforts by state Governors who are pressing for a balanced budget amendment in the US Constitution, call for the elimination of third-party payer systems to allow for patients to control their healthcare dollars, contrast two radically different approaches to rental housing affordability, break down Idaho’s adoption of a Medicaid budget that increases spending by $539 million, and show how Wyoming’s property tax relief law will not stop housing costs from rising.

Palmetto Promise and The Buckeye Institute issued a brief that predicts that passage of a proposed income tax bill could expand South Carolina’s economy dramatically.

Platte Institute added briefs that examine how discriminatory taxes make unreliable revenue sources and call for Nebraska lawmakers to prepare for federal Medicaid reform.

Washington Policy Center posted briefs that highlight how the legislature is ignoring the needs of farmers in the state and points out changes Idaho is making that Washington should adopt to streamline housing.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

Arkansas: Representative Torres introduced a bill which would help reduce barriers for those looking to become foster parents. In addition, Rep. McCollum advanced a bill which would ease the process of student transfers within school districts (Opportunity Arkansas).

Georgia: Lawmakers proposed a bill which would provide added incentives for local governments to provide property tax relief (Georgia Public Policy Foundation).

Illinois: The state could make it much simpler for hair braiders across the state as a bill that completely removes the licensing requirements to braid hair passed the House and moves to the Senate. In addition, lawmakers proposed a bill which aims to expand housing options such as duplexes, quadplexes and townhomes — a positive step toward addressing the state’s housing affordability challenges (Illinois Policy).

Montana: Although two bills that would have cut taxes in the state have been voted down in committee, there are several income tax reduction bills still in play—stay tuned (Mountain States Policy Center).

Oklahoma: Legislation that would require Oklahoma hospitals to publicly post prices for roughly 300 services advanced from a state House committee, overcoming the lobbying efforts of hospital officials who sought to kill the transparency measure. In addition, legislation that would preserve the religious rights of foster parents advanced from an Oklahoma House committee. Lawmakers in a state House committee also voted to change Oklahoma law to explicitly ban men from being placed in women’s prisons, while legislation making permanent a ban on “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs at Oklahoma colleges easily passed out of a state House committee. The House Elections and Ethics Committee advanced common-sense initiative petition reforms. Legislation to significantly reduce the use of “virtual learning” days at Oklahoma’s brick-and-mortar public schools and address perceived widespread abuse of distance learning cleared its first hurdle in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Finally, legislation that would gradually phase out Oklahoma’s personal income tax continued to move ahead, clearing its first Oklahoma Senate hurdle (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).

South Carolina: The South Carolina House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to restructure South Carolina’s fragmented health agencies. Now the upper chamber will have to agree with the House’s technical amendment made in committee and send the legislation to the Governor’s desk for a final signature (Palmetto Promise).

Texas: Lawmakers introduced a bill which would reform accreditation by allowing public education institutions to choose from more than a dozen vetted accreditors, enhancing flexibility and competition (Texas Public Policy Foundation). In addition, the Senate passed a bill which ensures that Texas does not loosen eligibility standards for Medicaid — a win that would protect benefits for those who truly need them (Foundation for Government Accountability).

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Workplace Freedom
Other

K-12 Education

Josh Shapiro Keeps Betraying Poor Pennsylvania Children
Commonwealth Foundation

Median Teacher Pay Exceeds $100K in a Quarter of NY School Districts as Federal Funding Cuts Loom
Empire Center

DeArchie Scott: Charter Schools and Educational Excellence
Empower Mississippi

‘Homeschool Act’ Changes Create More Problems, Could Traumatize Kids
Illinois Policy

Survey: Homeschooled Students Face Less Abuse. So Why Are Illinois Lawmakers Targeting Families?
Illinois Policy

Municipal-Level Tax Credit Scholarships: A Way to Build on Existing Success
Independence Institute

Oklahoma Superintendents’ Wages Surge as Less Money Reaches Classroom
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Millions Diverted from Oklahoma Classrooms
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Charter Schools Are Highly Effective in Missouri
Show-Me Institute

Building the Golden Age of Liberty: Equipping Students Through the Texas Scholars Program
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Discipline That Works
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Back to Topics

Energy and Environment

Maximizing Home Protection Against Wildfires
California Policy Center

Rebuilding Requires Reimagining Environmentalism
California Policy Center

Energy Transition Has Global Shipping Problem, Report Finds
Center of the American Experiment

US Electricity Demand to Grow 50% by 2050
Center of the American Experiment

Solar Power Equipment Vulnerable to Hacks
Center of the American Experiment

Republicans’ Critics Not Sold on New Energy Reform Act
MacIver Institute

‘Decarbonization’ Means Submission to China
Mackinac Center

Green’ Energy Mandates, Profit Demands Drive Dominion Price Hikes, Not Data Centers
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

Back to Topics

Healthcare

Minnesota Bill Kicks Dead People Off Medicaid
Center of the American Experiment

Back to Topics

Housing Affordability

Illinois Looks at Adding More Granny Houses to Boost Affordability
Illinois Policy

Illinois Lawmakers Get Chance to Boost Affordable Family Housing
Illinois Policy

Back to Topics

Jobs and State Economies

First Principles Series: The Policy Case Against Tariffs
Beacon Center of Tennessee

First Principles Series: The Legal Case Against Tariffs
Beacon Center of Tennessee

Restoring the California Dream
California Policy Center

Breaking: Trump to Sign Coal Executive Orders Today
Center of the American Experiment

A Tale of Two Food Halls
Center of the American Experiment

After Tariff Shock, Albany Should Face New Fiscal Reality
Empire Center

Illinois’ February Unemployment Rate 5th Highest in US
Illinois Policy

Two Alternatives to Tariffs: Real Manufacturing Policy for a Competitive America
John Locke Foundation

State-Level Growth Undone by Top-Down Tariffs
Libertas Institute

Let the Real Detroit Renaissance Begin
Mackinac Center

Mississippi on the Move!
Mississippi Center for Public Policy

New Economic Impact Analysis Finds Tax Cut Plan Juices SC Economy
Palmetto Promise Institute

Congress Should Make the Trump Tax Cuts Permanent for Louisiana Families
Pelican Institute

Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Risk with Dominic Pino
Show-Me Institute

Tariffs: Trump’s Double Whammy to Virginia’s Economy
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

Back to Topics

State Budgets

Half Wisconsin State Employees May Be Working from Home — Though No One Has Complete Count
Badger Institute

Another Audit Blasts Met Council’s Management of Disastrous SWLRT Project
Center of the American Experiment

Overtime on State Payroll Surges 11%
Empire Center

State Watchdog: Changes Needed on Troubled Southwest Light-Rail Project
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

Southern Tax Reckoning: Georgia Risks Falling Behind
Georgia Public Policy Foundation

Illinois Might Revive Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday
Illinois Policy

Legislative Binge Ongoing Despite Billion-Dollar Budget Gap
Independence Institute

Iowa’s Fiscal Discipline Is Working—Don’t Be Fooled by GDP Spin
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

Nebraska’s Fiscal Crisis Is a Roadmap for What Iowa Must Avoid
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

Codify Risk-Based Taxation in the Sunshine State
James Madison Institute

House Finance Budget Rolls Back Post-COVID Growth in State Spending
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

You Can’t Always Cut What You Want
Mackinac Center

Jackson County Property Tax Assessment Update
Show-Me Institute

Platte County Commission Decision Not to Levy Taxes Upheld in Court
Show-Me Institute

Where Things Stand on the Texas Budget
Texas Public Policy Foundation

CT Dems Push Forward Child Care Bill with Hundreds of Millions in New Spending
Yankee Institute

Back to Topics

Workplace Freedom

Video: Former LA Teachers Union Member Exposes Antisemitism
Freedom Foundation

Does the Montana Teachers Union Support Racist Organizations?
Freedom Foundation

Back to Topics

Other

83% of Alabama Voters Support App Store Parental Approval to Download Apps
Alabama Policy Institute

‘We Are All Americans’: Appomattox, 1865
Center of the American Experiment

The James Madison Institute Remembers Former Board Member and Friend, William A. “Bill” Dunn
James Madison Institute

Revolutionary Reads: Celebrate and Revere America’s Founding
John Locke Foundation

If Everything Is a Crisis, Is Anything?
Mackinac Center

Legislators Trying to Unmask Nonprofit Donors — Again
Rio Grande Foundation

How the Constitution Can Repair Today’s Social Discourse
Sutherland Institute

Back to Topics | Back to Top

The Network in the News

At RealClearEnergy, the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Jake Morabito breaks down the Council’s recently released annual energy affordability rankings.

In the Washington Examiner, the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Jonathan Williams and Lee Schalk show what DOGE can learn from the states.

In the Greenwood Commonwealth, Empower Mississippi’s Grant Callen considers why school choice legislation died in the MS Legislature this year.

In RealClearMarkets, The Free State Foundation’s Randy May notes that it’s past time to end subsidies to public broadcasting.

In The Hill, the Freedom Foundation’s Aaron Withe praises President Trump’s executive order ending collective bargaining across national security agencies.

In the New Jersey Herald, the Garden State Initiative’s Danielle Zanzalari highlights how New Jersey lawmakers can ensure true drug price transparency for patients.

In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield urges Georgia to set up a Taxpayer Relief Fund to facilitate even faster tax cuts.

At Fox News, the Goldwater Institute’s Adam Shelton highlights a lawsuit filed on behalf of a Maine mother whose child’s school concealed the child’s gender identity from her.

In The Detroit News, the Goldwater Institute’s Matt Beienburg encourages the University of Michigan to end DEI for good.

At Florida Politics, The James Madison Institute’s Edward Longe criticizes “right-to-repair” legislation.

At Townhall, The John Locke Foundation’s Jim Stirling notes that both parties misallocated funds in North Carolina in 2024.

In his column for The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz explains the Overton Window of Political Possibility.

In The Telegraph, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s Douglas Carswell argues the Joe Rogan Right is winning because the Left has become boring.

In The Center Square, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Amber Gunn compares the short-term rental policies of Idaho and Washington.

In his recent column, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs’ Jonathan Small highlights three key areas that warrant the attention of statewide official candidates.

In the Washington Examiner, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes points out Medicaid reform is popular.

At FITS News, the Palmetto Promise Institute’s Wendy Damron outlines the benefits of South Carolina’s new flat tax proposal.

In the Los Alamos Daily Post, the Rio Grande Foundation’s Paul Gessing considers the impact of New Mexico’s lack of economic freedom.

At The College Fix, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Thomas Lindsay encourages Texas to embrace accreditation reform.

In his recent column, John Hood encourages North Carolina to fully protect right-to-work.

The post Week in Review: April 11, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: April 4, 2025

Ladan Nowrasteh — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:54:29 +0000

Announcements
Freedom through the Courts
Success Stories
This Week’s Policy Briefs

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

Announcements

Arkansas Policy Foundation’s Greg Kaza was quoted in an article in Talk Business & Politics that reported on Arkansas’ continued ranking as first among the states in quarterly GDP growth.

The Buckeye Institute’s experts testified on numerous bills being debated in the Ohio General Assembly. On House Bill 96—Ohio’s biennial budget—Buckeye lauded lawmakers for adopting several Buckeye-championed Medicaid, education, and tax policies. On Senate Bill 127, Buckeye urged lawmakers to bring greater accountability to Ohio’s public schools by taking measurable actions to turn around failing schools.

Goldwater Institute was quoted in Fox News and the Washington Examiner, commenting on the University of Michigan’s move to eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) mandates.

Heartland Institute led a coalition of more than two dozen other free-market groups with a letter urging the Trump administration and Congress to take action to protect U.S. sovereignty, economic prosperity, free markets, and individual liberty.

Independence Institute’s Fiscal Policy Analyst, Nash Herman, created interactive charts showing that 2025 legislation would add over 300 new state employees, cut General Fund revenue by $900 million, and reduce TABOR-eligible funds by $1.3 billion. In addition, the Institute’s Jon Caldara and Nash Herman were granted title by the Secretary of State for a ballot measure that would secure the rights of Colorado workers by ensuring their freedom to choose whether to join or financially support any organization, including a union.

Kansas Policy Institute exposed the State Department of Education’s attempt to hide poor outcomes with new performance-level descriptors and called on legislators to stop protecting local governments and provide property tax relief.

Virginia Institute for Public Policy’s analysis on vetoed minimum wage legislation was quoted in The Daily Signal.

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

The Goldwater Institute joined forces with the Kansas Policy Institute and American Dream Legal to file a brief in the US Supreme Court urging the justices to consider how state constitutions protect privacy rights in cases involving warrantless searches. In addition, an Oregon attorney represented by Goldwater asked the US Supreme Court to enforce a simple concept: you shouldn’t have to subsidize speech you disagree with just to do your job.

Liberty Justice Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of Nested Bean, Inc. against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for the regulatory overreach of the CPSC, initiated by Commissioner Trumka’s targeted attack on Nested Bean products with no legal or scientific basis. In addition, the US District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Eastern Division heard oral arguments in the Center’s legal challenge in CTM Holdings, LLC v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, a lawsuit challenging the longstanding federal “Swampbuster” law, which unconstitutionally takes farmers’ property without compensation. Finally, the Nebraska Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Center’s defense against government overreach in NFOA v. Lincoln. The lawsuit argues that Mayor Baird’s executive order conflicts with Nebraska’s Legislative Bill 77, which adopted “constitutional carry” statewide and declared local firearm restrictions null and void.

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, alongside Alliance Defending Freedom and Parents Defending Education, filed a complaint with the US Department of Education and the US Department of Justice against the Milwaukee Public Schools for its secret gender transition policy.

Success Stories

Kentucky: Overriding the veto of Governor Andy Beshear, the legislature passed legislation that eliminates a broad range of discriminatory policies that waste taxpayer money and transform college campuses into centers of ideological activism. Legislators also overrode Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of legislation that ends judicial deference to government agencies’ interpretations of laws and their own regulations (Goldwater Institute).

Michigan: A massive marketing campaign to highlight the potential job losses and increased costs that stringent minimum wage hikes and mandatory paid sick leave would impose on businesses in the state resulted in Democrats and Republicans working together to reform the laws in a last-minute move (Mackinac Center).

South Dakota: In a life-changing victory for patients with rare and ultra-rare diseases, Governor Rhoden signed the Right to Try Individualized Treatments Act, a move which allows suffering patients to work directly with their physician to safely seek the most groundbreaking of investigational personalized care options (Goldwater Institute).

Virginia: The Governor signed a bill that bars the state from unnecessarily requiring a college degree for state jobs (Virgina Institute for Public Policy).

Nationwide: A major win for free speech — the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it was dropping its defense of controversial climate rules that imposed sweeping new disclosure requirements on corporations. The rules were widely criticized for forcing corporations to make disclosures related to climate change that are unrelated to the SEC’s purpose of regulating securities and protecting investors (Pelican Institute and Liberty Justice Center)

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

Common Sense Institute issued a brief that reveals that Oregon’s estate tax structure is increasingly out of step with the rest of the country—and it may be pushing older, high-net-worth residents out of the state.

Goldwater Institute released a brief that points out how driverless ride-hailing is an ordinary reality in Arizona thanks to a regulatory model that prioritizes freedom and innovation over bureaucratic control.

Heartland Institute published a brief titled “CSDDD: The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive Is a Direct Threat to US Sovereignty, Free Markets, and Individual Liberty.”

Mountain States Policy Center posted briefs that point out how reforms to the building permit process could increase the housing supply, warn against Washington state’s continued attacks against its own economic engine, and call for congressional action to completely kill the misguided Lava Ridge energy project.

Pelican Institute released briefs that examine the economic effects of state-level Right of First Refusal electricity transmission laws, highlight deregulatory solutions that would drive opportunity and economic growth in Louisiana, and cast a vision of policies that would enhance public safety in the state.

Washington Policy Center issued briefs that expose a misguided bill that limits school notifications for parents that has cleared committee, sound the alarm on a proposed bill that would raid the tourist cookie jar to fund affordable housing, question if every rural home should have fiber internet, and analyze how Washington state’s electric vehicle (EV) sales have fallen far short of next year’s mandate.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

Idaho: Lawmakers introduced a bill which seeks to establish uniform and competitive procedures for public contracts, which will level the playing field for all industries when seeking to apply for government work and projects (Mountain States Policy Center).

New Hampshire: The House unanimously advanced a bill that empowers patients with rare and ultra-rare diseases to work with their physicians to seek highly specialized treatments that are as unique as they are (Goldwater Institute).

Oklahoma: Members of the House Common Education Committee voted to simplify the process for children with special needs to access a state scholarship program (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).

Texas: Lawmakers in the House Public Education Committee passed universal school choice — the bill now moves to the House floor. In addition, lawmakers proposed a bill which addresses the environmental and property rights issues that surround the decommissioning and disposal of energy storage facilities, and the House DOGE Committee considered a bill which would require the approval of the comptroller of public accounts before a state agency may accept federal money (Texas Public Policy Foundation).

Virginia: Governor Youngkin vetoed the High-Risk Artificial Intelligence Developer and Deployer Act, a bill which was the epitome of the perils of restrictive artificial intelligence (AI) legislation (Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy).

Washington: A bill hoping to deliver on the long-overdue climate tax fuel exemptions promised to agricultural producers passed the House and is awaiting action by the Senate (Mountain States Policy Center).

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Workplace Freedom
Other

K-12 Education

US Dept. of Education Investigates California Over FERPA Violations Tied to AB 1955
California Policy Center

New Law Expands School Choice to All Wyoming Children
Cascade Policy Institute

Mankato YMCA Caves to Activists, Reneges on Hosting Education Expo
Center of the American Experiment

Education Savings Accounts: Flexibility and Innovation for Minnesota Education
Center of the American Experiment

Rural Pennsylvanians Deserve School Choice, Too
Commonwealth Foundation

Literacy Epidemic Hits Illinois as Fewer Than 1 in 3 Students Read Well
Illinois Policy

Fix This Flaw in Michigan’s Teacher Licensing System
Mackinac Center

Fixing Nevada Education: One Scholarship at a Time
Nevada Policy

Poor Reading Outcomes Impact Oklahoma Taxpayers, Economy
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Public Schools Serve Rich and Poor Alike—So Does School Choice
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

How the Closure of the Federal Department of Education Could Impact South Carolina
Palmetto Promise Institute

Hoover’s Dr. James Lynn Woodworth on CREDO, NCES, & Data-Driven Policy
Pioneer Institute

The Arena: Abbott Says School Choice Benefits Parents, Students and Teachers
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Senator Lucas: Our Neediest Students Deserve an Opportunity Now!
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

Back to Topics

Energy and Environment

Stuck Under the Green Thumb of the California Environmental Quality Act
California Policy Center

Fast-Track Dredging to Save the Delta
California Policy Center

Paving Over Paradise
Center of the American Experiment

Build More Power, but Don’t Forget About the Grid
Libertas Institute

Climate Agenda Is a Regressive Tax on Consumers
Mackinac Center

California Water Works
Pacific Research Institute

Energy ‘Reform’ Bills Potential Shock to Ratepayers’ Wallets
South Carolina Policy Council

Back to Topics

Healthcare

New York’s Home Health Workforce Jumps by Another 10 Percent
Empire Center

Tragic: Child’s Measles Death in Texas Was Entirely Avoidable
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

Idaho Freedom Foundation, Idaho Freedom Action Joint Statement on Veto of Senate Bill 1023, The Medical Freedom Act
Idaho Freedom Foundation

Counting the Cost of Single-Payer
Pacific Research Institute

Back to Topics

Housing Affordability

Chicago’s Latest Housing Ordinance Will Make Affordability Worse
Illinois Policy

Even Liberal Cities Are Taking Steps to Boost Housing Construction
Pacific Research Institute

Back to Topics

Jobs and State Economies

It’s Official: Minnesota Is Now a Below Average GDP per Capita State
Center of the American Experiment

Accounting for Growth: Human Capital and ‘Raw’ Labor
Center of the American Experiment

We Can Do More to Help Hawaii Businesses Rebound
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Illinois Drivers Face Some of Nation’s Highest Costs, Expected to Grow
Illinois Policy

Illinois Tipping Bill Could Cut Earnings for Restaurants, Servers
Illinois Policy

Google’s $32 Billion Wiz Bid: A Test of Conservative Antitrust Philosophy
James Madison Institute

A Timely Pivot: Reassessing the CFPB’s Overdraft Fee Rule
James Madison Institute

Carded at Every Click
James Madison Institute

Lawmakers Pitch Ban on Wisconsin Land Sales to Foreign Investors
MacIver Institute

Whitmer’s Plan for Licensing Deserves Action
Mackinac Center

Historical Domestic Migration Patterns: Putting Massachusetts in Context
Pioneer Institute

Not Extending Trump Tax Cuts Could Cost CT Families Nearly $3,400, 14,000 Jobs
Yankee Institute

Back to Topics

State Budgets

Gov, Senate, and House Budget Proposals Miss the Mark
Center of the American Experiment

Feds Cancel MN Pandemic Grants Funding Renovations, Other Projects
Center of the American Experiment

Capitol Watch: Legislative Leaders Agree Not to Balance the Budget
Center of the American Experiment

Josh Shapiro’s Taxpayer-Funded Self-Promotional Horror Show
Commonwealth Foundation

Tax Season Reminds Minnesotans What They Already Know… and Feel
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

Illinois Townships Vote to Fix Pensions, Gerrymandering and Unfunded Mandates
Illinois Policy

Survey: Illinoisans to Pay Over 10% of Incomes to State, Local Taxes in 2025
Illinois Policy

Illinois Governors Abuse Budget Projections, Leaving Taxpayers Damaged
Illinois Policy

Stein’s Budget Proposal: Billions in Tax Increases and Elimination of School Choice Program
John Locke Foundation

Part 1: What Maine’s 2024 Audit Reveals About Government Oversight and Corruption
Maine Policy Institute

Part 2: How Maine’s Bureaucracy Enabled Mismanagement
Maine Policy Institute

Part 3: How Lawmakers Should Respond to the 2024 Audit
Maine Policy Institute

Marklein: No Real Budget Action ’til mid-May
MacIver Institute

Wimberger: Federal Spending Audit Shows “Clear Need for Improvement” in Wisconsin
MacIver Institute

Return to Work Legislation gets First Hearing in Wisconsin Assembly
MacIver Institute

Income Tax Elimination is a BIG Win for Freedom!
Mississippi Center for Public Policy

Arizona’s Income Tax Drops to 2.5%—Is a Full Phaseout Next?
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Competition Drives Push for Income-Tax Elimination
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

State Budget Watch: Lawmakers Should Heavily Scrutinize LA’s Wildfire Funding Ask
Pacific Research Institute

No Tax Bill Is Perfect. But This One Nearly Is. Here’s Why…
Palmetto Promise Institute

Discriminatory Taxes Make Unreliable Revenue Sources
Platte Institute

Another Crack at the Income Tax
Show-Me Institute

Spending More, Getting Less — Connecticut Near Bottom in Taxpayer ROI
Yankee Institute

Back to Topics

Workplace Freedom

Unions Are Failing to Protect the Privacy of Members from Hackers
Commonwealth Foundation

Freedom Foundation Supports Executive Order to End Collective Bargaining with Federal Unions
Freedom Foundation

Open Letter to Union Township Board of Trustees
Mackinac Center

Back to Topics

Other

Shedding Light on Governor Walz’s ‘Shadow Government’ Dream
Center of the American Experiment

NYS List of State Boards and Commissions Appointees
Empire Center

Court Watch: Text, History, and Tradition versus Values and Feelings
Institute for Reforming Government

Back to Topics | Back to Top

The Network in the News

In the Savannah Morning News, the Georgia Center for Opportunity’s Buzz Brockway notes Georgia should do more to fully fund Promise Scholarships for all students.

At USA Today, the Foundation for Government Accountability’s David Craig criticizes Democrats’ selective outrage.

At Governing, the Foundation for Government Accountability’s Hayden Dublois notes Medicaid needs to be both cut and reformed.

At Florida Politics, the Goldwater Institute’s Brian Norman encourages Florida lawmakers to pass Right to Try.

In the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois Policy Institute’s Paul Vallas notes the decline in Black teachers has nothing to do with CPS’ evaluation system.

In the San Francisco Chronicle, the Independent Institute’s Christopher Caltonpoints out that regulation that limits construction of new housing is the cause of housing shortages — not immigrants.

In her column for Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes points out price controls won’t end global pharma freeloading.

In The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz highlights how excessive regulations can often face resistance efforts when efforts are made to reduce such laws.

At National Review, the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s Douglas Carswell highlights Mississippi’s income tax win.

In The Center Square, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Sebastain Griffin notes that the economic climate in Washington is becoming unsustainable for innovation.

At Forbes, the Pacific Research Institute’s Wayne Winegarden notes Louisiana is litigating away its economic prosperity.

In his recent column, John Hood encourages North Carolina to get ready for the looming budgetary storm.

The post Week in Review: April 4, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.

Week in Review: March 28, 2025

Ladan Nowrasteh — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:35:56 +0000

Announcements
Freedom through the Courts
Success Stories
This Week’s Policy Briefs

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

Announcements

Center of the American Experiment released a dedicated website for a key growth accounting exercise it has been conducting. Although the Center’s John Phelan has published an extensive report using this analysis, Accounting for Growth, which measures the sources of per capita economic growth at the state level in Minnesota, he also has announced the he is looking for Network partners in other states so that he might apply this analysis specifically for states outside of Minnesota in a shorter, more reader friendly format.

Independence Institute’s Kathleen Chandler of the organization’s Citizen Involvement Project (CIP) hosted a class on how to serve on a local board or commission. To date, Kathleen and CIP have placed over 400 people on boards and commissions statewide.

Institute for Reforming Government’s IRG Action Fund released a series of ads as a part of its grassroots campaign to educate over 175,000 targeted Wisconsinites on issues pertaining to K-12 education and State Courts. The Institute also was cited in the Wall Street Journal discussing the upcoming state Supreme Court Election’s potential impact on Wisconsin’s tort law and local businesses and released another Court Watch primer that details how our supreme court is becoming more political under the current liberal majority.

Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation hosted its annual Tax Day lunch, where Keynote Speaker Vance Ginn highlighted some of the great accomplishments that Iowa has achieved in tax and fiscal policy.

John Locke Foundation announced that it won this year’s Ultimate North Carolina Politics Showdown, an annual March Madness-style bracket for state politics. In addition, the Foundation’s Dr. Andy Jackson was on Spectrum News discussing Locke’s recent report on reforming the General Assembly.

Palmetto Promise Institute’s President & CEO Wendy Damron was appointed by the US Commission on Civil Rights to the advisory committee for the State of South Carolina.

Washington Policy Center released a series of videos that highlight areas where legislators could cut costs to decrease the budget shortfall, and another video that shows how lawmakers and bureaucrats are making decisions at odds with the data and the will of the citizens of Washington State.

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

The Buckeye Institute filed its latest union wage theft case against the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for their refusal to stop taking money out of the paychecks of public employees who are not members of the government unions. The Buckeye Institute filed Chandler v. OAPSE on behalf of Kevin Chandler, Amy Clark, and Charles C. Perry, Jr. Buckeye also filed amicus briefs in two important cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. In Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Buckeye called on the court to stop the federal government’s attempt to create an independent agency without complying with the U.S. Constitution, and in Lozman v. Riviera Beach, Florida, called on the court to hear the case and tell the government it cannot deny an owner any economically viable use of their land without compensation.

Goldwater Institute filed an amicus brief urging a federal appellate court to strike down a Tennessee law that requires government permission in order to work as an auctioneer. Goldwater also announced that it is going to the Arkansas Supreme Court, the seventh state high court where it’s defended constitutional rights, to defend a business owner’s right to earn a living. In addition, the Arizona Republic reported on Goldwater’s lawsuit on behalf of two homeschool moms, who are challenging a new burden that has blocked their purchases of everything from kids’ books to the Constitution under Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. Finally, Goldwater called on SCOTUS’ to enforce the Janus decision in a case challenging an unconstitutional Oregon law.

Institute for Free Speech filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court, arguing that the 1954 precedent of United States v. Harriss no longer reflects modern First Amendment jurisprudence and fails to protect the right to speak anonymously about matters of public policy.

Liberty Justice Center’s Federal Complaint from March 18 compelled the Department of Education to launch an investigation into Title IX violations at Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois Department of Education. The Center also continued its fight for free speech on behalf of Dr. Eric Cubin, a Wyoming radiologist forced to resign after supporting a ban on “gender-affirming” care for minors, by filing an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed a Title IX complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and with US Attorney General Pam Bondi against Westosha Central High School for endangering the safety and privacy of multiple female students.

Success Stories

Arizona: A victory for taxpayers, the Arizona Supreme Court struck down Pinal County’s illegal transportation excise tax, whose burden primarily hurt lower- and middle-income taxpayers (Goldwater Institute).

Mississippi: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed legislation that phases out the state’s income tax — a historic move that makes Mississippi the first of the lower 48 states to pass a law that does so (Empower Mississippi and the Mississippi Center for Public Policy).

Tennessee: Residents with rare diseases can now seek cutting-edge personalized treatments after the Volunteer State adopted the landmark Right to Try for Individualized Treatments (Goldwater Institute).

Wisconsin: Under threat of legal action after eight months of inaction, the Department of Public Instruction finally released records revealing key information about the extent and source of the ongoing finance crisis in Milwaukee Public Schools (Institute for Reforming Government and Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty).

Solutions from the States: This Week’s Policy Briefs

Caesar Rodney Institute posted briefs that urge Delaware lawmakers to end the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, noting it raises energy costs while achieving only minimal carbon reductions which are offset globally in just seconds by countries like China, and to stop relying on flawed air quality data that exaggerates pollution levels and instead focus on the real public health threat—ensuring a reliable electric grid.

Common Sense Institute released a groundbreaking report on the economic impact of water in Arizona which found that the state’s water challenges aren’t about scarcity; they’re about infrastructure and ingenuity.

Goldwater Institute launched a new policy report, Removing Barriers for Associate Physicians to Expand Healthcare Access, in conjunction with the Beacon Center of Tennessee.

Mountain States Policy Center issued briefs that examine a recently released Idaho tax burden study, expose how Washington and Wyoming lawmakers have proposed billions in new tax increases, break down the rankings of Reason Foundation’s 28th Annual Highway Report, and suggest ways to improve tax transparency and competitiveness for Montanans.

Sutherland Institute released a brief containing research on parent-driven education across the country, finding that America has a long-history of parent-driven education, and its benefits for students are not new.

Washington Policy Center published briefs that question if one should fear the end of the Department of Education, highlight bad legislation moving forward which would give striking workers access to Washington state’s unemployment fund, and issue a challenge to opponents of cutting the carbon tax in the state.

Tracking Positive Reforms: Updates from Network Affiliates

Arizona: The Senate took a significant step toward improving healthcare accessibility, passing a bill which expands pharmacists’ scope of practice to more effectively address the healthcare needs of Arizonans with wide bipartisan support (Goldwater Institute).

Arkansas: Representative Lundstrum proposed a government transparency bill that would require public entities to post video of all meeting online. In addition, Representative Cavenaugh proposed a bill which would repeal the state’s franchise tax (Opportunity Arkansas).

Georgia: The House adopted legislation that addresses several aspects of tort reform. The Senate concurred with their changes and the bill is now headed to Governor Kemp for his signature. The legislature also approved two tax relief measures, sending them on to Gov. Kemp. (Georgia Public Policy Foundation).

Idaho: Representative Harris introduced a school budget transparency bill which requires money distributed to school districts or charter schools to be spent where they are supposed to be spent. In addition, lawmakers proposed a limited government bill which takes steps to ensure that bureaucrats in the state avoid unnecessary guidelines in the name of “falling sky” events (Mountains States Policy Center). Finally, the Senate passed a common sense bill which would expand the definition of indecent exposure to protect children (Idaho Freedom Foundation).

Kansas: Lawmakers in the Senate Committee on Government Efficiency (COGE) have an opportunity to fix the state’s broken budget process and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and heard powerful testimony that emphasized the need to stop excessive government growth, enforce strict spending limits, and hold agencies accountable (Kansas Policy Institute).

Minnesota: The Legislature is considering bill which repeals Minnesota’s K-12 liberated Ethnic Studies mandates enacted in 2023 and suspends implementation of the Minnesota Department of Education’s new Social Studies standards — which include Ethnic Studies (Center of the American Experiment).

Nevada: Lawmakers introduced several bills to make it easier for health care workers licensed in other states to work in Nevada (Nevada Policy).

New Hampshire: Lawmakers moved 15 housing bills in one day in effort to address the states housing shortage (Josiah Bartless Center for Public Policy).

Ohio: The General Assembly passed sweeping reforms to the state’s higher education system, which would increase the accountability of Ohio’s public universities. The Buckeye Institute-championed Senate Bill 1 bans DEI in recruiting, training, and scholarships; bans faculty strikes; requires annual reviews and post-tenure reviews for faculty; bans universities from taking positions on controversial beliefs or policies, such as climate policies, politics, foreign policy, DEI programs, immigration policy, marriage, abortion, etc.; requires professors to post their syllabi online for students, parents, and the public to review; requires students to complete a three-credit hour course on American civics literacy to graduate; and bans gifts and new partnerships with China.

Oklahoma: Members of the House voted to phase out the state’s personal income tax by a margin of more than three to one. The bill now proceeds to the Senate. In addition, members of the Senate passed legislation that would prevent “jackpot” awards in Oklahoma courts while still allowing victims to receive full payment for medical treatment and lost income when injured due to another’s neglect (Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs).

South Carolina: In a stunning move, Speaker Smith rolled out a bill which would bring about a tax cut ten years in the making. In addition, a bill to restructure South Carolina’s fragmented health agencies passed through subcommittee in the House (Palmetto Promise).

Texas: Lawmakers proposed a bill that would lift hurdles that cities put in place concerning housing occupancy (Texas Public Policy Foundation).

Virginia: Governor Youngkin vetoed outright a series of unwise energy bills and offered changes to others that remove the harm they would do (Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy).

Policy News from the States

Topics:

K-12 Education
Energy and Environment
Healthcare
Housing Affordability

Jobs and State Economies
State Budgets
Workplace Freedom
Other

K-12 Education

Trump’s Education Smackdown: Shutting Down the Department of Education
California Policy Center

New Letter to USDOE: Title IX Does Not Permit California’s Bait and Switch to Female Students
California Policy Center

Education Funding Should “Follow the Child” When Parents Choose Oregon Charter Schools
Cascade Policy Institute

Gov. Walz Doubles Down on Going After Private Schools
Center of the American Experiment

Aaron Withe Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order to Eliminate Education Department
Freedom Foundation

Block Grants Could Help Rural Areas That Welcome Education Choice
James Madison Institute

Statement on Dismantling the Department of Education
John Locke Foundation

Universal Open Enrollment Can Help Students and School Districts
Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy

Legislative Update: Key Public School Changes
Libertas Institute

Report: Charter Schools Outperform Public Schools
MacIver Institute

How Michigan Schools Can Thrive as US Department of Education Evolves
Mackinac Center

Study: School Choice Doesn’t Increase Homeschool Regulation
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

South Carolina Among Lowest in the Nation in Education Freedom – Come Learn Why
Palmetto Promise Institute

Preventing a De Facto Ban of Charter Schools
Show-Me Institute

How to Leverage Local School District Policy to Improve Education
Sutherland Institute

Grading the Graders: Unmasking Texas’ Accountability Crisis
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Virginia is Ready to Take Full Control of Education
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy

Press Release – Education to the States
Virginia Institute for Public Policy

On ‘Apples to Apples’ Assessment, Private and Charter Schools Outperform Their Public Counterparts
Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty

Back to Topics

Energy and Environment

Delaware Continues to Meet Federal Air Quality Standards
Caesar Rodney Institute

Ignoring Role of Bass in Salmon Decline is Negligence
California Policy Center

Revive Nuclear Energy in America
California Policy Center

EPA’s House Cleaning Scraps Unworkable GHG Emissions Standards
Center of the American Experiment

Minnesota Power for Sale
Center of the American Experiment

Hochul Pushes New Energy Tax Past Next Election
Empire Center

Sec. Bessent: ‘There is Not a Clean Energy Race. There is an Energy Race’
Freedom Foundation of Minnesota

Colorado Utilities Signal Pain Ahead for Energy Transition
Independence Institute

Can We Recover from the ‘Most Significant Climate Change Law Ever’?
Mackinac Center

Oklahoma’s Anti-Energy-Discrimination Law Needs to Be Allowed to Work
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Commentary: Free Market Solutions for SC’s Energy Future
Palmetto Promise

Going Radioactive with Texas Nuclear Alliance President Reed Clay
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Back to Topics

Healthcare

My 2020 Pandemic Predictions, 5 Years Later
Mackinac Center

Will Trump’s Anti-DEI Order Cure the Woke Flu Infecting U.S. Medical Schools?
Pacific Research Institute

Imposing Price Controls on U.S. Drugs Won’t Level the Playing Field
Pacific Research Institute

Bill Analysis: HB 4504/SB 1318
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Back to Topics

Housing Affordability

Tanking Commercial Property Values in Downtown Minneapolis Push Up Residential Property Taxes
Center of the American Experiment

Reporting on Housing Fails to Ask Basic Question
Show-Me Institute

Back to Topics

Jobs and State Economies

Ending Homelessness
California Policy Center

Quantifying the Variables that Determine Our Prosperity
California Policy Center

Lahaina Future Brighter, But Keep Pedal to the Metal
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Illinois Loses Jobs in January, Metro Areas Lag US Job Growth
Illinois Policy

Freedom V. Efficiency: Hangzhou’s City Brain Can Improve Efficiency, But Raises Many Questions
Pacific Research Institute

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2: Driving Greater Economic Prosperity for Louisiana
Pelican Institute

New Report: Connecticut Lost People Due to High Taxes
Yankee Institute

Back to Topics

State Budgets

We’re Living in Topsy Turvy World: A Comparison of Alabama Tax Plans
Alabama Policy Institute

Stopping the Fraud
Center of the American Experiment

Walz’s Budget Plan Ignores Minnesota’s Long-Term Fiscal Challenge
Center of the American Experiment

What They Make 2024
Empire Center

Conservatives Are Correct to DOGE and Vote Down Enhancement Budgets
Idaho Freedom Foundation

Bensenville Asking Voters About Grocery Tax; What’s Your Town’s Plan?
Illinois Policy

The Statehouse: Our House of Mirrors
Indiana Policy Review Foundation

Taxpayer Frustration Fuels Push to Rein in Local Government Budgets
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

DOGE Exposes Waste and Constitutional Drift
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation

Click, Stream, Talk, Pay – Florida’s Communications Tax Reality
James Madison Institute

LFB Budget Report: Gov. Evers’ Budget Adds $2.7 Billion in Taxes, Fees
MacIver Institute

How Mississippi Eliminated the Income Tax
Mississippi Center for Public Policy

Mississippi Is Phasing Out Its Income Tax
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Fix Nebraska’s Truth in Taxation Timeline and Tax Rate Rollback
Platte Institute

Release: SCPC Strongly Supports Tax Reform Plan
South Carolina Policy Council

TPPF Releases a New Research Paper Shedding Light on Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
Texas Public Policy Foundation

Back to Topics

Workplace Freedom

Data Breach Exposes PSEA’s Incompetence
Freedom Foundation

New York: Choosing Freedom One Opt-Out at a Time
Freedom Foundation

Utah’s Public Labor Union Bill Should Be a Model for the Nation
Libertas Institute

Back to Topics

Other

Be Outraged at the Things You Control
Frontier Institute

Alien Enemies, Alien Friends, and the Concept of “Allegiance”
Independence Institute

Lawless: The Miseducation of America’s Elites with Ilya Shapiro on April 10
Show-Me Institute

Back to Topics | Back to Top

The Network in the News

In Crain’s Cleveland Business, The Buckeye Institute’s Rea S. Hederman Jr. urged Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly to fix a faulty quirk in the state’s tax code.

In the Mercury News, the California Policy Center’s Will Swaim points out banning rent software won’t make housing more affordable.

In the Minnesota Star Tribune, Freedom Foundation of Minnesota’s Annette Meeks calls for Governor Walz to return to Minnesota and seek bipartisan solutions.

In City Journal, the Georgia Center for Opportunity’s Josh Crawford explains why kids join gangs—and how to stop them.

In his recent column, the Georgia Public Policy Foundation’s Kyle Wingfield notes the work is only halfway done on Georgia’s efforts to curb abusive lawsuits.

In the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii’s Ted Kefalas encourages policymakers to end school impact fees.

At Civitas Institute, the Independence Institute’sRob Natelson discusses the battle over Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy.”

At Civitas Institute, the Independence Institute’s Rob Natelson opines on what the Founders meant by “high misdemeanor.”

In the American Spectator, the Independent Institute’s Lloyd Billingsley examines the ongoing exodus from California to states with more economic freedom.

In the American Spectator, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation’s John Hendrickson points out DOGE is exposing constitutional drift.

At Florida Politics, The James Madison Institute’s William Mattox notes education block grants could help rural areas that welcome education choice.

At Florida Politics, The James Madison Institute’s Edward Longe highlights the problems with device filtering legislation.

In an op-ed for the Detroit Free Press, the Mackinac Center’s Jarrett Skorup highlights how Michigan businesses are using government power to block Sheetz from entering the state.

In his column for The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Mike Reitz points out that crisis fatigue can deplete urgency.

In a piece for City Journal, the Mackinac Center’s Jarrett Skorup argues federal workers shouldn’t have collective-bargaining rights.

In The Detroit News, the Mackinac Center’s Jarrett Skorup argues Michigan’s flawed teacher certification system is hurting education.

In The Center Square, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Sam Cardwell considers the findings of the Idaho State Tax Commission’s latest annual tax burden study.

In The Center Square, the Mountain States Policy Center’s Jason Mercier highlights how Washington lawmakers are proposing billions in new taxes.

In the Washington Examiner, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes points out big savings can be found in improper Medicare spending.

In her column for Newsmax, the Pacific Research Institute’s Sally Pipes notes Democrats in California are putting the healthcare of illegals first.

In the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Pacific Research Institute’s Kerry Jackson notes San Diego is still reeling from the CA Supreme Court’s block of pension reform.

In The Center Square, the Pelican Institute’s Jordan Richardson highlights his new study on improving public safety in Louisiana.

In The Hill, State Policy Network’s Jane McEnaney makes the case for transferring educational authority from the federal government to the states.

In Governing, Sutherland Institute’s William Duncan highlights Utah’s new app store law for minors.

In his recent column, John Hood considers the policies driving North Carolina’s population boom.

The post Week in Review: March 28, 2025 appeared first on State Policy Network.