Strategies for State Think Tanks May / June 2009
Strategies for State Think Tanks ––July / August2009
What Happens in Vegas
is Exposed in Vegas
BY ANdY MATTHEWS NPri sent the authority hundreds
of public-records requests, gaining
SPN member orgaNizatioNS access to thousands of pages of
that undertake government transpar- LVCVa financial documents. the
ency efforts can expect blowback from documents revealed a pattern of
vested interests. For example, board extravagant spending, lax accounting,
members might be pressured to resign shoddy oversight — and an alarmingly
from the organization or stop their cozy relationship with the authority’s
contributions. the South Carolina largest subcontractor, r&r Partners,
Policy Council experienced blowback, a private advertising and public-
as described by its president ashley affairs firm. Thousands of LVCVA financial documents, obtained through
Landess in the Jan./Feb. 2009 SPN public records requests, were the foundation for NPRI’s
News, when it simply sought to get How cozy? The LVCVa provided the work. Displaying the catch, from left, are NPRI’s Steven
Miller, vice president for policy; Sharon J. Rossie, president;
more legislative votes recorded. literal rubber stamp bearing its finance
and Andy Matthews, vice president for communications.
director’s signature to r&r so r&r
below is a brief recount of the blowback could approve expenses above $500 public-records reviews, published
the Nevada Policy research institute without LVCVa review, in violation of its first story on the subject Nov. 30.
experienced after probing a powerful the parties’ contract, not to mention This was the first of six news and/or
Las Vegas public entity. a summary common sense. opinion articles The review-Journal
of the lessons the institute learned would publish within a one-month
follows. What was learned might assist span during its first phase of coverage.
PubliciziNg the FiNdiNgS
your institute, whether the retaliation on Dec. 3, NPri posted its own full,
follows open-government efforts or to maximize impact, NPri released in-depth report to its website, and
general policy work. its findings through the Las Vegas issued a press release announcing the
review-Journal, the state’s largest report. The final weeks of 2008 saw
newspaper and one whose editor shares not only the aforementioned review-
INVESTIGATIoN LAUNcHEd
both NPri’s libertarian philosophy and Journal stories, but also coverage from
Last year, the Nevada Policy research its passion for open government. NPri all major Las Vegas television network
institute launched an investigation reasoned: an influential, hard news affiliates, several talk-radio hosts and
into the Las Vegas Convention and outlet could break the story and lend even the orlando Sentinel in Florida.
Visitors authority, a public entity it mainstream credibility that might
that exists nominally to promote be lacking if it came directly from a
oBSTAcLES To SPrEAdING
Southern Ne vada tourism. the center-right think tank.
THE MESSAGE
LVCVa receives hundreds of millions
of taxpayer dollars annually to The review-Journal received access generating media interest in the
accomplish this task while receiving to the LVCVa documents and, after story was easy, but a challenge arose
almost no genuine oversight. conducting its own interviews and continued on page 8
2020 North 14th Street • Suite 250 • Arlington, VA 22201 • Phone: 703-243-1655 • Fax: 703-740-0314 • info@SPN.org • www.SPN.org
SPN NEWS 1 JULY / AUGUST 2009
Linking Links and
online Marketing JulY / August 2009
BY NIcoLE WILLIAMS Vol 10 • Issue 4
SPN News reports on issues of importance to state-focused,
market-oriented, non-profit public policy research organiza-
maNy tHiNk taNkS have launched
tions. Drawing from current updates and events from within
new websites in the last six to nine the industry, the publication provides timely information on
months, with some institutes now .com .org .com 2 the most pressing issues facing public policy state think tank
overseeing 10 different sites. this executives. State Policy Network publishes SPN News six
times a year. individual copies can be ordered from the State
move toward specialized websites
Policy Network offices at 703-243-1655. All images used in
is an excellent way to reach specific this issue are owned by their respective copyright holders. All
audiences, as well facilitate better rights reserved.
.org 2 .com 3 .org 3
search engine optimization through
incoming and outgoing links. MIssIoN stAteMeNt
State Policy Network is the capacity building service
organization for america’s free market, state-focused
at this time, google and others rank a think tank community. We advance a free society by
page higher in a search result if there When trying to be in the top three providing leadership development, management training and
are numerous websites that link to it, as search results for a set of key words networking opportunities for think tank professionals and by
promoting strategic partnerships among market-oriented
well as many links on that web page to that support your work, such as “budget organizations.
outside resources. google, the market crisis” for your fiscal policy endeavors,
leader, sees both incoming and outgoing ensure that three to five outside sources stAte PolICY NetWoRK™
tracie Sharp, President
links as an indication that a web page link to your fiscal work. also ensure that
Jennifer butler, executive Vice President
is serving as an important resource to they use the targeted words “budget Denise Chaykun, Leadership and grants Specialist
potential online visitors. Therein lies the crisis” as the text that is linked. mark todd engler, assistant editor
importance of interlinking your group’s Daniel erspamer, Vice President of Development
multiple websites: your sites will rank if you are worried about driving people Holly m. Jackson, Director of external relations
higher in web searches. away from your website when linking to John LaPlante, blog editor
Caitlin mcgovern, Development assistant
external sites, pardon my english, get
erica mitchell, administrative and Web Site assistant
if you own multiple sites and multiple over it. Just have the link open in a new Daniel montgomery, graphic Designer
domain names, it is simple to link browser window for the user who clicks michelle Poehlmann, administrative associate
to your other sites within individual on the external link. Laurel J. tacoma, grants administrator
articles. Likewise, it is easy to get kurt t. Weber, Senior advisor
incoming links, from sites controlled by Link only to references or materials Nicole Williams, management and technology advisor
allies, so search engines will view your within your websites, or on external event management by Doner Fundraising:
kate Doner
work as an important resource. sites, if they are a logical fit. illogical
keaton benn, rachel Christ
links will ultimately drive readers, and
to accomplish the above, employ the likely google, away. BoARD oF DIReCtoRs
following basic linking strategies: Thomas a. roe, Founding Chairman (1927 - 2000)
incoming and outgoing links are one gaylord k. Swim (1948 - 2005)
When information on your state fits simple way to increase the google Theodore D. abram......american institute for Full employment
Whitney L. ball .......................................................... Donors trust
well with their content, work with ranking of online content. With the
Carl Helstrom (Chairman) ............................The Jm Foundation
ballotpedia.org, sunshinereview.org move toward multiple websites, as well gisèle Huff (treasurer) ....................Jaquelin Hume Foundation
or judgepedia.org to get your research as by tapping into other important barbara Wells kenney (Secretary) .......Lillian S. Wells Foundation
referenced on their pages. resources, it is simple to quickly move adam meyerson ................................... Philanthropy roundtable
tracie J. Sharp (President) ..........................State Policy Network
“up the charts” in a search rank. Stanford D. Swim .........................................The gFC Foundation
to increase the number of incoming links bridgett g. Wagner .............................. The Heritage Foundation
to your pages, freely link to resources on Nicole Williams is the Thomas Willcox ..................................... Thomas roe Foundation
websites, especially friendly websites, management and technology
2020 North 14th Street • Suite 250 • Arlington, VA 22201
advisor at SPN. reach her
owned by your organization or outside Phone: 703-243-1655 • Fax: 703-740-0314
at williams@spn.org.
of your organization. info@SPN.org • www.SPN.org
State Policy Network has a 4-star rating from charity Navigator,
America's largest independent evaluator of charities.
SPN NEWS 2 JULY / AUGUST 2009
don’t Mess with texas… or Kansas
or South carolina or Ohio …
BY JAMES QUINTEro in maine, the maine Heritage
Policy Center successfully used
FaCeD WitH FaLLiNg revenues the group’s research on its Fiscal
and sagging economies, it is easy to see Sanity tour.
how states were tempted into taking
Washington’s offer of “free” stimulus in kansas, lawmakers were treated to
money; but as everyone knows: there is a speaking engagement from Donna
no such thing as a free lunch. arduin – from the renown arduin,
Laffer, & moore econometrics – and
Stimulus funds, in many cases, came assured her that the state would reject
with strings attached which moved a portion of the stimulus funds. The Hon. Talmadge Heflin, director of TPPF’s Center
policy decisions from the state capitol for Fiscal Policy, announces the Foundation’s stimulus
to the nation’s capitol. Washington’s Political victories weren’t the only findings to a group of state and local media. Joining him are
more than a dozen state legislators, and representatives
approach was simply not correct. things to come out of the multi-state from Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics.
effort. The Foundation and its sister
to help educate and engage lawmakers organizations also took away some debate through newspaper op-eds.
across the nation about the true impact important lessons on the value of beyond that, consider focusing your
of the stimulus, the texas Public teamwork and leveraging resources to attention on editorial board outreach
Policy Foundation began a multi- be more effective. and talk radio.
state initiative – collaborating with
SPN member organizations in South below are five tips to help you get Keep Your Donors Up-to-Date.
Carolina, ohio, maine, New Jersey and the most out of your next multi-state Current and prospective donors are
kansas – beginning in march 2009. effort. eager to do something and/or find
someone who will. impress them by
Using research from Dr. arthur Laffer, Have a Clear Strategy in Mind. regularly showing them your work –
entitled “the economic impact of your goal should be to establish and therefore their investment – and
Federal Spending on State economic yourself as the leading voice and a the impact it is having on the debate.
Performance,” the Foundation and its respected authority on the issue. Find
allies found success in nearly every state. out what research can be produced Take Advantage of the Headlines.
internally, determine what events your Use the daily headlines in renewal
by the end of the campaign: organization can host to highlight the letters, supporting e-mail follow-up
battle, and figure out who your allies pieces and other marketing materials.
texas had rejected the $555 million are and know their strengths. remember to keep the information
portion of the Unemployment fresh and constant.
insurance (Ui) stimulus funds. Engage your Political Leadership.
reporters are much more likely to the ab ove tip s c an help your
South Carolina lawmakers were mak- cover and write about your issue organization and its partners make
ing a strong case against accepting any when the governor or a large group the most of your research and increase
Ui stimulus money, though several law- of legislators are standing with you. its impact. With as many crazy ideas as
suits were pending over that decision. Having an open line of communication there are floating around Washington,
with your allies in government will D.C. and the state capitals, SPN
ohioans were likely to accept the help them understand your value and members can greatly leverage their
Ui stimulus funds, but increased help you understand what activities resources through teamwork.
eligibility for the program was likely you can effectively pursue together.
to be refused. James Quintero is the
Speak, Write, Talk. our alliance, Texas Public Policy
Foundation’s fiscal policy
efforts in New Jersey were still and the Foundation in particular,
analyst. You can reach him at
ongoing. had considerable success framing the jquintero@texaspolicy.com.
SPN NEWS 3 JULY / AUGUST 2009
today’s Summer Fellow,
tomorrow’s center director
tHe 2009 SPN / iHS Charles g. koch
Summer Fellow program concludes
august 14 following a final week of
seminars in Washington, D.C. Three
short years ago, amber gunn was part of
the same program, undertaking various
research projects at the evergreen
Freedom Foundation in Washington.
today, gunn is the director of eFF’s
economic Policy Center.
She is part of a growing cast of former EFF Economic Policy Center director Amber Gunn, a former SPN / IHS Koch
Summer Fellow, energizes 5,000 Tea Party-goers in Washington state.
SPN / iHS koch Summer Fellows
who, once college degree in hand, When gunn’s not scuba diving, Harsh. “We offered her a full-time
have been hired by their former Host skiing or traveling, she serves as a position midway through the summer
institute or another SPN member. voting member on the american program.”
Joining gunn are: Justin owen, J.D., Legislative exchange Council’s tax and
tennessee Center for Policy research; Fiscal Policy task Force. She’s often toward year’s end, preparations will
matthew Piccolo, Sutherland institute; consulted by the media and legislative begin anew for the 2010 koch Summer
Hannah mead, mackinac Center; staff for policy analysis. “as a Summer Fellow program. SPN and the institute
benjamin Stafford, Foundation for Fellow, amber quickly displayed the for Humane Studies will again offer SPN
economic education; and, most ability to master complex issues and members the opportunity to nominate,
recently, Christina Pajak, Freedom offer plain-language market solutions host and help train tomorrow’s leaders
Foundation of minnesota. to them,” enthuses eFF Ceo Lynn for liberty.
SPN & Alec: A Model Relationship
SeVeraL yearS ago, SPN presi- the table, one of Williams’ colleagues, & Non-Profit relations: 202-466-3800
dent tracie Sharp and evergreen amber gunn, who is featured in the or ccirame@alec.org.
Freedom Foundation’s then-president above article.
bob Williams talked about getting
SPN members more involved in For her outstanding work, in July
the american Legislative exchange aLeC bestowed upon Sharp its 2009
Council. The purpose: to help develop Private Sector member of the year
model legislation. award. Sharp asserts, “this special
acknowledgement belongs to those
SPN secured funding for some of who have put in dedicated time and
its members to join aLeC; Sharp energy through aLeC.” Williams adds,
and Williams encouraged others to “This is a well-deserved award. Not only
join and have their staff participate have SPN members assisted legislators At its Annual Meeting in July, the American
Legislative Exchange Council presented
in aLeC’s various committees. The in drafting model legislation, they’ve
SPN president Tracie Sharp with its 2009
efforts have paid off: in 2009, 22 been key in killing some proposals by Private Sector Member of the Year Award.
state-focused think tanks are having ‘rent-seeking’ special interests.” Sharp, second from right, accepts the
Award along with the other recipients. From
a major impact. Their staff have been left: Pat Thomas, corporate vice president,
at the table with state legislators and SPN members are encouraged to join UPS; Meredith Melvin Weaver, director,
external affairs, Verizon Wireless; and Toby
other private sector members to draft aLeC. For more information, contact: Spangler, Altria Client Services, regional
model legislation. among those at Chaz J. Cirame, director of Corporate director of state government affairs.
SPN NEWS 4 JULY / AUGUST 2009
LE dErSHIP dEVELoPMENT INITIATIVE
book clubs Foster lasting change
BY ErIc d. dIxoN young activists
will likely retain
t i m ot H y L e e , SH o W- m e a lifelong passion
institute’s first editor, told me he was fo r l i b e r t y. th e
motivated to start the Smi-sponsored club is also a pool
book club because, “State-based think of budding talent:
tanks spend the bulk of their time Show-me has hired
talking about the nuts and bolts of two members as
public policy as it relates to current research assistants
legislative debates. That’s important, and another as an Some of the Show-Me Institute's book club participants
pause to pose after a recent meeting.
but i also saw a need for a program that intern.
would help young people understand won’t experience in the classroom:
the ideas of liberty from a more one reason for the club’s success: from Frederic bastiat to F.a. Hayek,
philosophical perspective.” Smi provides a place for active, John Stuart mill to thomas Sowell.
ongoing inquiry and discussion, the list is long — the club has read
Lee is right. today’s policy success targeting an age group that’s hungry 45 books so far, with no end in sight.
can be easily undermined tomorrow, for new ideas. (that, and the free Visit tinyurl.com/cd5zwa to review
but one way to foster lasting change burritos at each meeting.) although the books read to date.
is to spread knowledge about the we attracted initial participants
fundamental and philosophical by speaking at campus clubs, the book clubs are a way to spread
arguments for freedom. biggest source of growth has been good ideas that aren’t explicitly tied
an open-invitation policy, as existing to any particular ongoing policy
Since 2006, the institute has sponsored members bring their friends. debate, but that help shape people’s
a biweekly book club for college fundamental notions about whether
students who are interested in the club requires a relatively modest and why freedom is valuable in the
exploring a broad spectrum of the budget commitment – subsidizing first place. Ultimately, those cultural
ideas of liberty. although it started out the book s and food provides a assumptions determine whether
small, Smi now regularly hosts groups marginal incentive for increased practical policy success will last over
of 14 or 15, with 17 at one recent participation – and the time of at time.
Wednesday night get-together. least one staff member who has a
good grasp of the ideas of liberty and Eric d. dixon is the editor
Participants are not only absorbing is eager to learn more. with the Show-Me institute in
Missouri. Write him at eric.
the ideas of freedom, they’re also
dixon@showmeinstitute.org.
passing them on to friends who there’s a vast, rich library of freedom-
aren’t club members – and these oriented works that most students
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Montana Policy Institute president carl Graham places Made to Stick high on his recommended reading list.
he, along with numerous think tank peers, received the book courtesy of Joel bomgar, a Mississippi center
for Public Policy board member. graham notes, “this book offers a time-tested, six-point checklist for creating
messages that people will remember – simplicity, unexpectedness, concreteness, credibility, emotional, and
stories. the authors include good ideas, reinforced through good examples, for how to condense ideas into
memorable messages. The principles are as applicable to an institute’s commentaries and reports as they are to
short-message media formats such as twitter and Youtube. Made to Stick is not the be all, end all. Finding the
right words and the right channels to communicate your message takes thought. that said, the book has helped
MPi develop ‘sticky messages’ to present, /if not explain, complex ideas.”
SPN NEWS 5 JULY AUGUST 2009
Welcome New SPN Members!
SPN has grown steadily since the turn of the year with the addition of two state-focused think tanks and
11 associate members – and 2009 is far from over. you can expect to read about the SPN family growing in the
months ahead. take a moment to learn about these 13 organizations and perhaps send them a note of welcome.
Colorado idaHo TExAS
centennial Institute idaho Freedom Foundation Texas conservative coalition
John Andrews, director Wayne hoffman, executive director research Institute
303-963-3424 208-921-6749 John colyandro, executive director
centennialccu.org idahofreedom.net 512-474-6042
txccri.org
Minnesota
limited government Forum
Sean W. Page, Vice President Intellectual Takeout VirGinia
719-576-9055 dwight tostenson, ceO Bill of rights Institute
limitedgovforum.org 507-246-4028 Victoria hughes, President and
intellectualtakeout.org Founder
delaware 703-894-1776
new Jersey
Intercollegiate Studies Institute Inc. billofrightsinstitute.org
t. Kenneth crib, President Just Facts
302-652-4600 James d. Agresti, President citizens in charge Foundation
isi.org 973-539-5280, ext. 7 Amanda hydro, executive director
justfacts.com 703-492-1776
GeorGia citzensincharge.org
new york
Advocates for Self-government
Sharon harris, President Foundation for economic education wisConsin
770-386-8372 lee currie, executive director MacIver Institute for Public Policy
theadvocates.org 914-591-7230 brett healy, President
fee.org 262-617-2716
Hawaii maciverinstitute.com
Small business hawaii
Samuel l. Slom, President
808-586-8424
smallbusinesshawaii.com
ATTenTion freeMArkeTeerS!
/////
n e w M e d i a T V.O R G
coNGrATULATIoNS To
effective Blogging Fundraising Twitter
The Maine Heritage Policy center Facebook TrentTV NewMediaMania
for winning the SPNovation Award for its development program ask the exPeRTS
21st Maine Tune in!
Tuesday, august 11
21st Maine is an innovative development effort designed to provide a practical answer 12:00 p.m. eST
for supporters when they ask, “What else can i do to help?” 21st Maine members
“american idol:
agree to an $8 monthly pledge and to undertake a monthly action, such as writing their
Updating your Performance Review System.”
state legislator, which takes eight minutes or less to complete.
featuring
As an SPNovation winner, MhPc receives $500 plus travel costs for a staff member
Michael G. Smith
to attend the 2009 SPN Annual Meeting and discuss the 21st Maine on a panel about executive Recruiter, Smith Recruiting
innovation.
Reminder: Nominations for the next round of SPNovation Awards are due by Saturday, August 15.
Visit www.spn.org/about/spnovation-awards for details.
SPN NEWS 6 JULY / AUGUST 2009
Weed Out the big-government
Think Tank in Your Backyard
BY JoHN BArNES The WSb&PC cleverly released this
letter with the title “economists Urge
i CoULD teLL the reporter was Lawmakers to Consider all options
amused. His story on tax increases in addressing State Deficit,” giving the
referre d to Wa shing ton Polic y impression that all the letter signers
Center and a new Seattle group, the were in fact economists. However, the
Washington State budget & Policy text of the release said “over 20 leading There are State Fiscal Analysis Initiative-affiliated groups
Center. He seemed resigned to the economists and public policy experts in 31 states with seven more in planning stages.
fact that the two names would always sent a joint letter...” (emphasis added).
be confused. The media largely ignored the qualifier WPC encourages our fellow think
in the text and wrote headlines and tanks to do the following:
The humor in our counterpart’s name stories telling their readers that all the
choice aside, this story highlights a letter signers were economists. Visit the State Fiscal analysis
growing challenge for SPN groups: the initiative website (statefiscal.org)
rise of so-called credible state think Like you, Washington Policy Center to find out if one of these astroturf
tanks promoting bigger government. takes little at face value. So we did a bit think tanks operates in your state.
i say credible not because i agree of digging. it turned out nearly half of
with their positions, but because the initial signers were not economists. if it does, ensure that key staff
policymakers and the media take We posted this information on our blog members, academic advisors, adjunct
them seriously and they are well- and circulated it amongst media. We analysts and institute supporters are
funded. These are not crazy netroots pointed out the sloppy and misleading familiar with the organization.
or aCorN activists. work of our left-wing counterparts and
raised doubts about the letter in the if the group produces poor quality
the WSb&PC is part of the State public debate. policy work or false and misleading
Fiscal analysis initiative, coordinated public relations to push for bigger
by the Washington, D.C .-based We also responded with a letter of government and higher taxes in your
C e n t e r o n b u d g e t a n d Po l i c y our own, warning lawmakers that tax state, prepare a counter-analysis,
Priorities. there are SFai-affiliated increases would hurt the economy; 32 which explains the group’s research
groups in 31 states with seven more local and national economists signed deficits to the media.
in planning stages. it. every signer of our letter was a
credentialed economist. our goal if a group like the WSb&PC operates
Here’s how Wa shing ton Polic y was twofold: challenge the illusion in your state, it is working hard to
Center recently engaged WSb&PC. of consensus among economists gain media credibility and access to
Wa sh i n g to n, like mo st st ate s , that WSb&PC attempted to create, lawmakers with the appearance of using
has budget troubles because of and counter the momentum for tax fact-based research. Publicly scrutinize
overspending and a bad economy. in increases. We released the letter to and engage them, as Washington Policy
an attempt to build momentum for media and lawmakers, then took the Center does. remember they are
tax increases, the WSb&PC released idea one step further and purchased working just as hard as you reaching
a letter signed by more than 20 local full-page advertisements in the state out to media. Learn who else is paying
“economists and public policy experts” capitol newspaper and another large attention to them, and reach out
(most of whom are on the state payroll) daily. amusing headlines ensued: accordingly. in the end, don’t wear kid
telling lawmakers that budget cuts “dueling economists,” “our economists gloves when the other side is using
would devastate the economy. the can beat up your economists,” and so boxing gloves.
letter received widespread media on. Ultimately the legislature passed a
attention and many lawmakers used budget without raising taxes. John Barnes is the
it to call for tax increases. They said communications director at
Washington Policy center.
economists agree that now is the time odds are there is a group like the
Write him at
for tax increases. WSb&PC operating in your state. jbarnes@washingtonpolicy.org.
SPN NEWS 7 JULY / AUGUST 2009
exPoseD IN VegAs cONtiNued FROM PAge 1
quickly: getting reporters to cover the two NPri board members resigned, Finally, attempts to shift the focus
story on its own merit. citing an overload of commitments. to NPri, rather than rebut any of
its findings, amounted to a de facto
The chief reason for this is Las Vegas’ additionally, NPri’s offices were visited admission of the legitimacy of NPri’s
political culture. in many ways, multiple times by private investigators claims.
Southern Nevada politicians and claiming they’d been hired to represent
policymakers still operate within the “the other side” and demanding access Keep your board informed. if you
paradigms that dominated during the to NPri’s financial records. to ensure are based in a small state like Nevada,
mob-influence years beginning in the security, NPri’s data back-up system your board members likely will be
1950s. The LVCVa’s managers, and was enhanced and an office alarm approached, once the story goes public,
r&r’s, were therefore beyond simply system was installed. by the press and/or your investigation’s
annoyed upon being exposed — they targets. NPri kept its board members
were downright offended that anyone from being blindsided by informing
LESSoNS LEArNEd
had the chutzpah to scrutinize them them of relevant developments.
in the first place. Used to politicians Ultimately, the investigation was
ignoring or even encouraging dubious successful in two key respects. First, Nothing compels board members
behavior, the LVCVa’s managers it forced the LVCVa to undertake to discuss the project with the press
considered it out of bounds for anyone multiple reforms as to how its finances or anyone else. These decisions can
to question them. are overseen. Second, it raised public be made on an individual basis. but
awareness that the authority ’s telling them what’s happening, and
the deference many reporters still operations require greater scrutiny. working with them on how to respond
pay the old guard was reflected in Future LVCVa reform efforts, led to inquiries if they so choose, will make
their complacency about LVCVa and by NPri or others, now have a solid their lives — and yours — easier.
r&r efforts to make the story about foundation upon which to build.
NPri. Their strategy: label NPri as Talk to other SPN organizations.
right-wing zealots with a sinister additionally, NPri learned important Whatever project you’re tackling, one
agenda, and pawns for the Las Vegas lessons that SPN organizations can of your sister think tanks likely has
Sands Corp., which operates a private apply to transparency projects. undertaken something similar, or at
convention center that competes with least faced challenges similar to yours.
the LVCVa’s public convention center. Expect your targets to make the story NPri benefited greatly from, and is
The Las Vegas Sands’ then-president about you. Develop a counterstrategy grateful for, the advice and direction it
sits on NPri’s board. quickly. better yet, have one in place received from other SPN members.
before the story even becomes public.
often, the press took the bait. Thus, if you’re unprepared, you risk having Finally, the b est lesson of all:
after the initial wave, much of the your message drowned; reporters will organizations such as NPri and other
coverage focused not only on the demand to know who’s really behind SPN members do make a significant
LVCVa, but also on NPri’s supposedly your project. difference in the fight for more
questionable motives. accountable government. The odds of
NPri pressed three key points in success may seem long at times and,
combating this effort. First, NPri’s when it happens, the resistance can be
THrEATS ANd INTIMIdATIoN
report relied entirely on the LVCVA’s discouraging. Ultimately, perseverance
the challenges went be yond own documents, provided in response pays off: Dedication to a just cause is
media messaging. after the story to requests under public-records law. rewarded.
broke, the investigation’s targets this fact undermined attempts to
opened a new battlefront, aimed at question the report’s veracity. Andy Matthews is vice
intimidating NPri into halting the president for communications
with the Nevada Policy
LVCVa project. Several NPri board Second, NPri, unlike the LVCVa, is
research Institute. Write
members were approached with thinly funded privately and thus is not (and him at am@npri.org.
veiled, retaliatory threats aimed at should not be) subject to the same
their business interests over their scrutiny as public, taxpayer-funded
associations with NPri. Ultimately, entities.
SPN NEWS 8 JULY / AUGUST 2009
State UpdateS
Arkansas Policy Foundation. Dr.
Poole told undergraduate Hendrix
College students in april that market
discipline should be applied, and
large banks should “shrink if they
are inefficient.” “Centrally-planned
economies fail because they prop
up inefficient enterprises to the
exclusion of new firms serving
consumers,” he said. Poole, whose
remarks were reported by the
The Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore addresses an API luncheon. associated Press, said the monetary
base has expanded by more than
AlABAMA Canada, Finland and the United 100 percent since September, the
States, involved more than 200 ABC 20/20 co-host John Stossel largest expansion in the time series,
experts and 13 major workshops. joined more than 400 Goldwater which dates to 1918. Foundation
guests at a May luncheon
“it was a massive effort to provide where he explained the dangers
executive director greg kaza
Several proposals developed by a snapshot of arctic marine use of government bailouts and participated in a march 26 “Deficits,
Alabama Policy Institute to fight today and the plausible future of trumpeted the free market. Debt and Looming Disaster” forum
public corruption and increase arctic marine transport,” said ben announcements. in “Shameless sponsored by the St. Louis Fed.
transparency in state government Self-Promotion: How Politicians arkansaspolicyfoundation.org
were introduced during the 2009 Use your money to get re-elected,”
alabama legislative session. aPi Shawnna L.m. bolick exposes CAlIFoRNIA
vice president michael Ciamarra this wasteful practice for what
wrote ethics reform bills and a it is: taxpayer-funded backdoor
state expenditures checkbook electioneering. the Goldwater
transparency bill, which passed Institute scored a legal victory the Pacific Research Institute
on the last day of the session. This when a judge ruled the City of released its latest film, “Not as
major legislative accomplishment tempe was wrong to revoke a good as you Think: The myth of
Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment
will benefit citizens of alabama by couple’s business permit because the middle Class School,” featuring
lawfully requiring the creation of ellis, co-editor of the amSa 2009 of the “perception” that it would koret senior fellow and Pri
an online, searchable database of report and managing director of bring crime to the neighborhood. education studies senior director
all state expenditures, including the Institute of the North, “but a few weeks later, tempe asked Lance t. izumi. Pri president and
contracts and grants. on may 15, the real work is yet to be done. for a do-over, saying it wasn’t Ceo Sally C. Pipes and director
aPi hosted a luncheon in mobile the recommendations need to prepared the first time. award- of Health Care Studies John r.
featuring The Wall Street Journal’s be implemented.” through the winning journalist mark Flatten graham have been regularly
Stephen moore. assessment, the Council indicated joined the goldwater institute to discussing President obama’s
alabamapolicy.org member states will cooperatively expose government corruption and health care proposals with news
support efforts at the imo to waste. an investigative reporter media. Pri also released the 14th
AlAsKA streng then, har moni ze and for almost 30 years, Flatten has edition of its index of Leading
regularly update international published numerous stories that environmental indicators by Steve
standards for vessels operating in have exposed bad government Hayward. pacificresearch.org
the arctic. institutenorth.org policy and led to changes in law.
the arctic marine Shipping goldwaterinstitute.org
assessment, approved in april ARIZoNA ColoRADo
by the arctic Council ministers, ARKANsAs
calls for member states to enhance Former St. Louis Federal reserve
arctic marine safety, protect people Politicians spend millions in bank president William Poole
and the arctic environment and taxpayer dollars putting their criticized federal bailouts of banks The 7th annual alcohol, tobacco
build arctic marine infrastructure. names and faces on advertisements and forecast long-term inflation and Firearms Party became a two-
the four-year project, led by that they pass off as public service during forums co-sponsored by the day event. on Fri., June 19 an
SPN NEWS 9 JULY / AUGUST 2009
target date, in concert with its new geoRgIA
DelawareSpends.com website
going live. Due to a combinations
of factors – major staff reductions
at the only statewide newspaper,
shutdowns of Philadelphia regional the georgia Climate Change
PbS tV operations in Delaware, education Project, which the
no state transparency web site and Georgia Public Policy Foundation
the institute’s effective internet launched earlier this year, is gaining
and radio advertising campaign – momentum, bringing such noted
Cri experienced huge web traffic speakers as Chris Horner and
increases. DelawareSpends is now Lord Christopher monckton to
Independence Institute president Jon Caldara (left) with Joseph the transparency go-to source in the state, and highlighting the lack
Wurzelbacher, a.k.a. Joe the Plumber at II’s June 20 ATF Party.
The First State! of consensus and questionable data
all-star panel of civil libertarians t h a n k s yo u f o r S m o k i n g ” caesarrodney.org regarding global warming policy.
g athere d fo r at F / Fre e d o m documents how Connecticut spent State-level awareness is vital to
Underground, which included just $23 million of its $1.3 billion FloRIDA
lunch, an afternoon panel and in tobacco Settlement money on
dinner, followed by cocktails and anti-tobacco efforts. “a Look at
cigars. andrew breitbart was the Connecticut’s taxpayer Funded
dinner speaker. on Sat., June elections” shows the $17 million Hosting the beacon Hill institute’s
20, we gathered again to drink, effort is an incumbent Protection Paul bachman for legislative
smoke and shoot, celebrating what act. “How to Lower Property taxes meetings and policy presentations
freedoms we still have left with guest with Citizen audit Committees” springboarded James Madison
speaker Joseph “Joe the Plumber” is a how-to manual for municipal Institute into more work on
Wurzelbacher. this year’s atF officials and activists. “a Skeptical energy and climate change. The
Party broke all previous records, View of the Stimulus” discusses Heartland institute’s James taylor
GPPF exec. vice president Kelly
selling out a week in advance. one how only a third of Connecticut’s wrote an analysis of President McCutchen oversees SPN /
week later the institute welcomed $3.5 billion in stimulus money obama’s climate / energy agenda IHS Summer Fellow Danielle
Hudson’s research project.
Daniel Hannan, writer, journalist goes to stimulating things. to in Jmi’s latest The Journal, as well
and Conservative meP for South show U.S. House Speaker Pelosi it as a forthcoming white paper combating frightening federal
east england since 1999, as featured can be done, the yankee institute regarding oil drilling and energy missteps. the summer has been
speaker at a Denver event. Hannan published online every line item of policy. The institute also provided intense for the Foundation, including
recently rose to fame in the U.S. personal office expenditures for its comment on environmental the celebration of milton Friedman’s
after his fiery speech (available five congressional members, from issues, from the Clean Water birthday, the american Legislative
on youtube) addressing gordon payroll and franked mail to bottled restoration act for the U.S. Senate exchange Council convention in
brown as “the devalued Prime water. yankeeinstitute.org Committee on environment and town and the company of three
minister of a devalued government.” Public Works, to a stimulus- high-caliber SPN / iHS Charles
i2i.org DelAWARe funded “turtle tunnel” for a g. koch summer fellows. Danielle
statewide news ser vice. the Hudson, georgia State; Daniel
CoNNeCtICut summer features a big push on groce, mercer University; and Fred
Jmi’s Civics education initiative, barnet, Univ. of georgia, exemplify
on July 7, exactly 126 days after with judging at Florida’s State the great strides this program is
attending the maine Heritage History Fair, panels at girls’ State taking. The Summer Fellows are
the Yankee Institute recently Policy Center / empire Center and boys’ State, a Constitution writing excellent op-eds, letters to
published six studies in 10 weeks. fo r N e w yo rk S t ate Po l i c y Day event and current Journal the editor, updates to Foundation
“How Can you Soak the rich government transparency seminar articles on civics literacy and research and more. gppf.org
When they’re already Sopping in manchester, N.H., the Caesar economic literacy, including one
Wet?” reveals the top six percent of Rodney Institute combined its by former U.S. Supreme Court HAWAII
taxpayers provide 50 percent of state major launch into the public policy Justice Sandra Day o’Connor. The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
income tax receipts. “Connecticut arena, a month ahead of its original jamesmadison.org recently unveiled a redesigned
SPN NEWS 10 JULY / AUGUST 2009
transparency in government, tax those of Chicago Public Schools, and randal o’toole of a proposed
policy and private property rights. charters also perform impressively regional “high-speed” rail system
iFF used the columns to criticize in the rest of the state. The institute endorsed by republican gov. mitch
county officials who had refused continues to work for responsible Daniels; and a special issue of the
to disclose $162,000 in expenses solutions to illinois’s budget mess, quarterly journal, edited by Dr.
that should have been made public. which involves a multi-billion dollar Sam Staley, about market-based
additionally, iFF admonished a deficit fueled by out-of-control municipal policy.
school district which decided to spending. The institute’s “budget inpolicy.org
make the process of acquiring public Solutions 2010” was endorsed by
GRIH president Jamie Story is records difficult. The Foundation’s the Chicago tribune and gained IoWA
interviewed about Grassroot’s defense of private property rights attention across the state. the
“Trim the Fat from the Department
of Education” Contest.
compelled idahoans to turn out institute’s Liberty Speakers Series Public Interest Institute recently
for a city council meeting where continues to gain popularity: in published two new policy studies.
website and a new e-newsletter, policymakers were contemplating June, more than 160 guests attended “iowa’s State budget: Spending
“Fresh Cut,” both of which have a ban on smoking on private “an evening with P.J. o’rourke,” our Way to a Crisis again,” by
received rave reviews. in June, the property. The turnout of smoking co-hosted with the Heartland research vice president amy k.
institute co-sponsored the first ban opponents convinced the city institute, the Sam adams alliance Frantz, details iowa’s spending
D e p ar tment of council to reject the anti-private and america’s Future Foundation. spree under gov. Chet Culver and
education “trim property measure, which had The Liberty Leaders program also the iowa Legislature. the study
the Fat” contest. previously passed 3-2. Finally, continues to grow, with volunteers makes recommendations, such as
Hawaii residents, iFF is testing a new transparency across the state joining to work for implementing an expenditure limit,
many of them in government website, which it government transparency and more. to control spending and prevent
Pila Sunderland expects to launch this summer. illinoispolicyinstitute.org
Doe employees, another budget crisis in the future.
submitted more than 100 new idahofreedom.net research analyst John Hendrickson’s
and innovative ideas for cutting INDIANA “a republic if you Can keep it:
Doe costs. the contest, which IllINoIs Failing to teach First Principles,”
offered thousands of dollars in demonstrates that america is facing
prizes and was covered on all Indiana Policy Review Foundation a crisis in civic education, with
major local tV news stations, adjunct scholar Dr. eric Schansberg, students receiving college diplomas
also generated a number of this summer, the Illinois Policy working with the Laffer group and without adequate knowledge of
anonymous tips to investigate. Institute released two major the texas Public Policy Foundation, U.S. history, government and our
the institute will celebrate education studies highlighting the was the project manager of the fundamental institutions. The study
milton Friedman’s birthday July achievements of charter schools. Foundation’s effort to educate surveys the core curriculum of nine
31 with a luncheon featuring The studies found, illinois inner-city Hoosiers on the advantages of private and public colleges and
the goldwater institute’s Clint charter school graduation rates dwarf patient-centered health care universities in iowa and recommends
bolick as the keynote speaker. Pila systems. The project was to include solutions to improve civic education.
Sunderland, who brings a wealth a statewide media tour and a series limitedgovernment.org.
of private-sector experience, joins of articles distributed to the 25
griH as advancement director. daily newspapers subscribing to KANsAs
grassrootinstitute.org the Foundation’s indiana Writers
group. ongoing Foundation
IDAHo projects include: an assessment, Flint Hills Center for Public Policy
with the help of the american hired an investigative reporter,
Family business institute, of how Paul Soutar, who discovered that
many indiana jobs will be lost kansas schools have $1.36 billion
three idaho daily newspapers if the inheritance in unencumbered cash balances.
now run commentaries from the tax is reinstated; Schools across kansas ended Fy
Idaho Freedom Foundation on the aggressive 2008 with the money stashed away
a weekly basis, enabling iFF to In June, P.J. O’Rourke spoke on behalf distribution of in 27 different funds. most of the
of the Illinois Policy Institute, Heartland
engage more idahoans on issues Institute, Sam Adams Alliance and a critique by the money is in restricted funds that
Dr. Eric
including education reform, America’s Future Foundation. Schanberg Cato institute’s have accumulated from years of
SPN NEWS 11 JULY / AUGUST 2009
taking in more money than was but will benefit from a brand the baltimore Sun, Wall Street
needed. Some legislators cited the new tax on health claims. the Journal, Washington Post and
report as partial justification for a “Crisis to Cure” theme is being Washington times, reaching a
2.75 percent cut in state funding. used for a series of presentations combined circulation of 4.1 million
gretchen Colón, vice president and new research available at readers. moreover, the release
of advancement and marketing, www.MainePolicy.org. after of the beta version of the first
was hired to lead fundraising The Pelican Institute’s Kevin Kane, winning a fight to censor the state tax estimator, which is the
and implement new marketing left, and CAGW’s Tom Schatz on the Center’s transparency site, the first online tool to calculate how
State Capitol steps with PigFoot.
strategies. The Center also hired same maine Legislature recognized much residents pay in sales tax,
grace Harris to organize and grassroots activists and media w w w. m a i n e o p e n g o v. o r g property tax, as well as other direct
manage government transparency heard Herzlinger address health as a valuable service to Pine and indirect taxes by county, has
projects and data collection and care reform. the institute also tree State residents. Contact raised the institute’s profile among
analysis. flinthills.org released “Why Louisiana Should communications director policymakers, donors and the
Not build High-Speed rail,” a study martin Sheehan with questions, general public. mdpolicy.org
KeNtuCKY written by Cato institute scholar msheehan@mainepolicy.org.
randal o’toole. on June 1, the MAssACHusetts
Pelican institute made news when MARYlAND
PIONEER INSTITUTE
president kevin kane moderated the Free State Foundation’s PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH
Samantha raymer joined the a panel featuring Newt gingrich Len Lazarick took an in-depth the Pioneer Institute began
Bluegrass Institute in June. a and Senator David Vitter. over 200 look at gov. martin o’malley’s the summer months by issuing
second year law student at the people enjoyed a lively discussion performance-measurement a challenge to beacon Hill with
University of kentucky College about conser vatism’s future. program known as “StateStat,” Countdown to Fiscal Sanity, a series
of Law, with an economics and the institute published the first which had won widespread national of 10 emails that culminated in a
political science degree, raymer Louisiana Pork report, prepared recognition. Lazarick found that new policy brief, calling for $1.689
previously clerked at a department in association with Citizens against the elaborate data-based process, billion in recommended savings in
for public advocacy. She will be government Waste, and held a as a tool for effective and efficient order for massachusetts to meet the
looking for pork and questionable press conference for it on the State government, lived only partially up challenges of the Fy 2010 budget.
items in the latest state budget, and Capitol steps in baton rouge. to its hype. because of too much Next up for Pioneer, the annual
trying to see how budget allocations tea Party groups have requested indecipherable detail and an utter better government Competition
support any commitments to thousands of copies of the report lack of comprehensible analysis, awards Dinner. With Democratic
improved performance. gov. Steve for their events. StateStat doesn’t even come close health care legislation pending, the
beshear said he would only raise pelicaninstitute.org to delivering on its promise of Competition solicited ideas from
taxes as a last resort. instead, providing “open, transparent, across the country to seek ways
he’s raised taxes and is looking MAINe and timely information and data to reduce health care costs and
for more. The project raymer is on state government agencies.” highlight private sector alternatives.
aiding is intended to help identify Lazarick’s report was picked up The keynote speaker for this year’s
opportunities to reduce costs that The Maine Heritage Policy Center by in-state blogs and newspapers, Sept. 16 awards Dinner will be Dr.
gov. beshear and the legislators has been busy addressing health and the baltimore Sun ran his mark mcClellan, director of the
missed. the findings will be care reform, with a particular focus op-ed that highlighted StateStat’s engelberg Center for Health Care
contributed to biPPS’ freedomwiki on maine’s experience with the same deficiencies. reform at the brookings institution,
at Freedomkentucky.org. ideas being debated in Washington, freestatefoundation.org and former administrator of the
bipps.org D.C. today. guaranteed issue and Centers for medicare and medicaid.
Community rating wrecked a pioneerinstitute.org
louIsIANA thriving individual market, leaving
just one primary carrier and the Since January, the Mar yland MICHIgAN
nation’s second-highest health Public Policy Institute’s ambitious
in July the Pelican Institute hosted insurance costs. in a similar way, new marketing campaign has
a luncheon featuring manhattan the failed Dirigo experiment is placed more than 20 op-eds. Continued scrutiny of the michigan
institute scholar regina Herzlinger, a test-case for a “Public option,” in addition, the institute has Film initiative led to Mackinac
Ph.D. an audience of more than that has not met three percent been cited in prominent state and Center scholars testifying in april
100 business leaders, policymakers, of its goal after a five-year test, national newspapers including before the michigan Senate Finance
SPN NEWS 12 JULY / AUGUST 2009
Committee. investigative reporter and the Future of american one of the nation’s foremost experts alternative medicine community
kathy Hoekstra and senior legal education. Cae publications have on charter school performance. into the debate. (They’re afraid of
analyst Patrick Wright testified included columns by policy fellow Hoxby, the Scott and Donya government run health care, too.)
that the program was costly and Peter Nelson on state energy policy bommer Professor of economics Find out how it went in the next
unfair, and that the michigan and obamacare, and a column at Stanford University, spoke about newsletter! montanapolicy.org
Film office violated the law by by founder and president mitch “The Promise and Performance of
releasing an incomplete financial Pearlstein on gov. tim Pawlenty’s Charter Schools” during an event NeVADA
report – a point later confirmed decision to balance minnesota’s cosponsored by Smi and Saint
by the michigan attorney general. budget by unallotting $2.7 billion. Louis University’s John Cook
the Show michigan the money americanexperiment.org School of business. Hoxby is also
transparency juggernaut, headed a senior fellow of the Hoover in april, the Nevada Policy
by ken braun, continued to rack institution and director of the Research Institute released a line-
up successes as school districts, economics of education Program by-line alternative state budget
legislators and municipalities at the National bureau of economic that would have allowed Nevada
agreed to post spending details the Freedom Foundation of research. in the video, available to fund priorities and avoid the
online. The mackinac Center hired Minnesota is committed to training at www.ShowMeInstitute.org, need for tax increases or federal
three new first-rate employees: the state’s next generation of Hoxby explains charter school stimulus funds. The Freedom budget
michael Van beek, a former school conservative leaders. Students and benefits, outlines the challenges earned numerous op-eds, news
teacher and administrator, is the recent graduates are being actively they face, points out the reasons articles and radio
new director of education policy; recruited to assist in all aspects for success in many charters and interviews and was
Hannah mead, a former two-time of Foundation operations. on more. in addition to an ambitious presented to every
Center intern, is an associate June 1, four outstanding leaders slate of forthcoming studies, the state lawmaker.
editor; and Christopher Deming joined as research assistants. institute will again celebrate milton U n f o r t u n a t e l y,
Alexis K. Burke
will lead Students for a Free evan Paskach is a junior studying Friedman’s legacy of liberty in July, Nevada passed a
economy as director of campus political science at the University with an address by renowned large tax increase instead. NPri
leadership. mackinac.org of minnesota; Carrie zimmerman, school choice advocate kevin has hired alexis k. burke as its
a junior at St. olaf College; Jeremy Chavous. development and special events
MINNesotA kienitz, a returning student at coordinator. burke previously was
metropolitan State University; and MoNtANA editor of Nevada business magazine.
aaron ackerman, a recent graduate on Sept. 23, karl rove will keynote
any recitation of recent highlights of middlebury College. each of NPri’s 18th anniversary Celebration.
starts with Charles krauthammer’s these young men and women Visit NPri’s blog, writeonnevada.
brilliant keynote presentation at the work on current research projects: Montana Policy Institute got com, and follow NPri on twitter,
Center of American Experiment’s tracking minnesota property taxes the summer off to a sizzling start @NevadaPolicyri. npri.org
2009 annual Dinner. The Center and how they relate to increases by exposing one city’s practice of
has hosted a remarkable roster in city spending; investigational allowing senior employees to take NeW MexICo
of national and world leaders at research on how a new law allows local lunches on the taxpayer’s
these spring events, but rarely has some to bypass the lowest bid for dime and refusing to put a credit
a speech been as well-received city contracts; and developing card policy in place. the story
as Dr. krauthammer’s review FFm’s new local government was picked up around the state
of the first several months of transparency website. with several local newspapers Jim Scarantino, the Rio Grande
the obama administration. as freedomfoundationofminnesota.com and tV stations deciding to run Fo u n d at i o n’s i nv e s t i g at i v e
for first-rate autumn events, their own investigations. News journalist, continues to rattle
S t e v e Fo r b e s w i l l k e y n o t e MIssouRI was also made with stories about cages in Santa Fe. in one recent
american experiment’s 2009 Fall traffic fines and tax revenues, story, he drew attention to the
briefing. other public programs and got off to a great start with State investment Council’s failures
have included a Luncheon Forum mPi’s new investigative reporting in two of its primary missions:
with political scientists terry moe arm. a one-day health care forum creating jobs for New mexicans
and John Chubb discussing their The Show-Me Institute recently in august concentrated on market and generating a reasonable return
seminal new book, Liberating posted a video of a lecture by and approaches, and also tried to on its investments. in another
Learning: technology, Politics, interview with Dr. Caroline Hoxby, bring the natural foods and story, Scarantino detailed how
SPN NEWS 13 JULY / AUGUST 2009
an investment in earthstone NoRtH CARolINA
international was politically-
motivated by gov. bill richardson,
who controls the Council, thus years of work from the John Locke
dooming the “investment” to Foundation’s Carolina Journal
failure. in early June, the Foundation newspaper staff bore fruit in recent
hosted John Charles from oregon’s months, as federal investigators
Cascade Policy institute to discuss started issuing subpoenas in
the flaws inherent in Portland’s connection with their inquiries into
transit system and the state’s former North Carolina gov. mike Buckeye Institute summer interns, from left: Scott McClure, Charles Couger,
Greg Kimball and Nathan Dronen.
government-managed land use easley. The investigation paralleled
model. Later in June, the rgF CJ coverage of easley’s questionable the loss of support from her base. that would have allowed trial court
hosted a lecture by Victor bruno, a land deals, the governor’s taxpayer- Civitas’ 4th annual Conservative judges to rewrite interest rates and
prominent New mexico real estate funded and private air travel, and Leadership Conference is Sept. principal due on mortgage contracts.
broker and Foundation board the arrangement that led to a 11-12 in raleigh, featuring national buckeye also stopped the City of
member, on the intersection of six-figure public university job speakers, investigative journalism Cincinnati from blocking petitioners
public policy and commercial real for easley’s wife. meanwhile, JLF’s and grassroots training, and panels who were gathering signatures to
estate in the albuquerque area. N.C. History Project continued of interest to North Carolina defeat a $200 million, government-
riograndefoundation.org to highlight the state constitution conservatives. nccivitas.org run trolley system. Finally, along with
with a June 8 public forum on the tax Foundation, buckeye filed an
NeW YoRK property rights inside the historic NoRtH DAKotA amicus brief in the ohio Supreme
State Capitol. recent JLF research Court to stop the application of
has targeted a proposed statewide the Cat tax to food. The institute’s
a Public Payroll Watch report smoking ban, eminent domain The North Dakota Policy Council Liberty in Learning Center remains
released in June by the Empire abuse, the recent glut of non- recently held its 2nd annual Free active in the education policy debate.
Center for New York State classroom staff in North Carolina’s market Forum. guest speakers The Senate education Committee
Policy exposed nearly 100 public public schools, state budget bloat included thomas Woods of the chairman asked buckeye to provide
pension sweeteners working their and local governments’ misguided mises institute and best-selling information about its plan for child-
way through the New york State entry into the fiber-optic cable author of The Politically incorrect centered funding, as he and several
Legislature. Despite a $45 billion business. johnlocke.org guide to american Histor y; House members view child-centered
drop in the state pension fund and a robert murphy of the institute funding as a viable and less-costly
crushing recession, state legislators for energy research; and michael plan to the governor’s albatross.
weren’t deterred from introducing LaFaive of the mackinac Center. Finally, buckeye welcomed four
dozens of bills designed to enhance John William Pope Civitas a huge success with more than summer interns into its ohio
retirement benefits for state and policy director brian balfour 60 freedom-lovers in attendance, Future Leaders internship Program.
local government employees. The recently issued a “Job-killing the forum included lectures buckeyeinstitute.org
most expensive measure would tax increase” fact sheet that was and discussions on a rationally-
have altered the formula used to used during the N.C. House of based energy policy, free-market oKlAHoMA
calculate automatic cost of living representatives tax and budget economics and the real government
increases for older retirees by debate. a proposed income tax policy failures responsible for
removing a 50% cap on inflationary hike would raise the state’s highest causing and prolonging the great
increases. The first year cost of that marginal tax rate to 8.5 percent, Depression. View Forum videos at in april, Oklahoma Council
sweetener was a cool $760 million. tying it for the seventh highest in policynd.org. of Public Affairs vice president
SeeThroughNy.net, the Center’s the nation – not to mention put brandon Dutcher spoke at one
transparency website, netted North Carolina’s top marginal rate oHIo of the many tea Parties hosted
its 1 millionth unique visitor in head and shoulders above others in around the state. oCPa took
June. With nearly five million pages the Southeast. Civitas continued advantage and distributed its “No
of data downloaded in less than a its monthly polling and senior Socialism Permitted” bumper
year, SeeThroughNy has become legislative analyst Chris Hayes The Buckeye Institute’s 1851 Center stickers at the rallies. in June, oCPa
a valuable tool for New yorkers explained how gov. bev Perdue’s for Constitutional Law recently teamed up with the Friedman
statewide. empirecenter.org decline in popularity was tied to helped defeat a provision in Hb3 Foundation to release a study
SPN NEWS 14 JULY / AUGUST 2009
urging state legislators to give more moses has been named health care
choices to parents of special-needs policy fellow. moses influenced
students. also in June, former state the content and passage of the
auditor tom Daxon, author of the Deficit reduction act of 2005,
oCPa study “enhanced Financial which discouraged medicaid
reporting for State government: planning abuses and unleashed
Comparing Cost to Performance,” the LtC Partnership programs.
discussed issues surrounding the He is cre dite d w ith hav ing
so-called stimulus package on local “forged the framework” for the
news stations. ocpathink.org omnibus budget reconciliation
act of 1993, which closed many
oRegoN medicaid eligibility loopholes. ken
malloy has been named energy
policy fellow. malloy was the
U.S. Department of energy’s lead
C a s c ade Pol ic y Institute’s career official on policies relating
government transparency Website to competition, regulatory reform,
bill won bipartisan support in the and industry restructuring over
Legislature. The institute also played CF president Matt Brouillette next to Gov. Rendell’s bus, Commonwealth One, three administrations (1987 to
critical roles in this year’s state between dueling press conferences he and the governor held on the state budget. 1996) and was deputy executive
legislative session director and general counsel of the
passing a home double. the institute’s work on the press in every media market illinois Commerce Commission,
moving-industry city-county mergers has been to report the other side. Shortly director and assistant director of
deregulation bill, very influential in changing the thereafter, CF announced winners the predecessor of FerC’s office of
and stopping a debate from one of combining of the Please, No more taxes! video economic Policy, and staff attorney
Karla Kay disastrous cap- Pittsburgh and allegheny County contest, and presented the Please, in FerC ’s office of general
Edwards
and-trade bill. governments to one of merging No more taxes! petitions, bearing Counsel. oceanstatepolicy.org
major events included hosting Cato duplicative services. institute thousands of signatures, to rendell
institute’s Dan mitchell, speaking on president Jake Haulk participated and legislators. in other news, CF soutH CARolINA
the economy, and a July 31 milton in a merger roundtable sponsored held policy forums on natural gas
Friedman birthday celebration. by the University of Pittsburgh’s extraction and prevailing wage
Cascade also provided speakers institute of Politics, which also laws, each of which featured a state
for several tea Party events, and is included members of city and senator. CF also welcomed two the S outh Carolina Polic y
providing intellectual ammunition county government. new koch associates and three Cou nc il held a j oint pre ss
to a coalition working to refer alleghenyinstitute.org interns to its staff. in august, CF conference June 24 alongside
two big legislative tax increases will launch a redesigned website. more than a dozen elected officials
to the voters, who will hopefully commonwealthfondation.org from the Upstate region to call
reject them in January. Cascade on municipal governments to
welcomed karla kay edwards as RHoDe IslAND voluntarily place government
its new rural policy analyst. She’ll The Commonwealth Foundation spending records online. a 2008
focus on natural resource and was on the front line of Policy Council study found that
economic development issues in Pennsylvania’s budget battle as Ocean State Policy Research agencies demanded thousands of
rural oregon, as well as outreach gov. edward rendell embarked Institute welcomes two new dollars in fees prior to complying
and advocacy in the state capitol. on a bus tour across the state in scholars who bring experience with Freedom of information act
cascadepolicy.org June to mislead Pennsylvanians from the national stage. Steve requests. that financial hurdle
into support of a tax hike (with effectively bars citizens from
PeNNsYlVANIA falseho o ds ab out e ducation obtaining information they are
th e A l l e g h e ny I n s t i t u t e ’s funding in the goP-led Senate’s legally entitled to receive. Since the
updated, more interactive, user- budge t prop o sal). much to study’s release, six South Carolina
friendly, research-consolidating rendell’s chagrin, CF president mu n i c i p a l i t i e s h av e p l a ce d
website has seen its daily hit rate matt brouillette tailed him and got Steve Moses Ken Malloy spending online and three other
SPN NEWS 15 JULY / AUGUST 2009
local governments have committed texAs
to doing so. greenville County based on warnings by the state
Councilman Willis meadows c o mp t r o l l e r, t h e e co n o m i c
said, after speaking with officials downturn may result in the second
in transparent counties, he is texas budget crisis this decade.
convinced placing records online in preparation for a possible
saves time and money. as of July budget fight in the 2011 legislative
1, three mayors of Upstate cities session, the Texas Conservative
publicly opposed calls to place Coalition Research Institute
records online. will launch two task forces to
scpolicycouncil.org propose fiscal policies that limit
government spending to avoid tax
teNNessee increases and prevent withdrawals
TPPF’s Center for Fiscal Policy director The Hon. Talmadge Heflin
from the economic stabilization speaks at Gov. Rick Perry’s bill signing for the small-business tax cut.
fund. Previous efforts by tCCri
as the tennessee general assem- in 2002-03 helped the Legislature texas motorists as much as $21 Lake Chamber of Commerce and
bly scurried to trim the state successfully eliminate a $10 billion billion during the next decade; Sutherland institute, developed
budget, the Tennessee Center deficit without raising taxes. in expansion of charter schools to facilitate constructive and
for Policy Research released September, tCCri will convene and the nation’s largest teacher civil dialogue about complex and
its fourth annual tennessee a State budget task Force and a merit pay program; eminent sometimes controversial issues
Pork report, giving lawmakers government reform task Force domain reform; and defeat of all pertaining to Utah’s economy.
a template for reducing wasteful to propose program reductions global warming regulatory bills. sutherlandinstitute.org
spending. The Pork report, pub- and cost savings, as well as reform texaspolicy.org
lished in conjunction with Citi- of the civil service that has been VeRMoNt
mired in controversy. txccri.org utAH
Pork
Pork relevant, comprehensive making its appearance in may
research paired with significant The belief among many Utahns is was a dazzling new four-color
TCPR
released its legislative engagement resulted that government-managed health Ethan Allen Institute brochure,
The book Nashville doesn’t want you to read.
CITIZENS
AGAINST
2009 Pork in legislative victories for the care is a big step in the wrong captioned “is Vermont on the
Report
GOVERNMENT
Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Tennessee Center for Policy Research WASTE
direction. So, if government right track… for prosperity,
zens against government Waste, these included a tax cut that health care is not the answer, re s p o n s i b i l i t y a n d l i b e r t y.”
exposed nearly 100 examples of removed 40,000 small businesses what’s right for Utah? to address (apparently not.) the Vermont
waste, fraud and abuse of tax dol- from the state’s margins tax, this question, U.S. Sen. orrin legislature ended its 2009 session
lars at a cost of more than $500 and a 2010-11 state budget that Hatch, State rep. brad Daw and by overriding – by one House vote
million to taxpayers. to celebrate increased less than population Sutherland Institute president – a first-time-in-the-state’s history
the release of the Pork report and growth plus inflation, while state Paul mero will be the featured gubernatorial veto of the Fy 2010
generate greater awareness of the general revenue spending actually speakers at the aug. 26 session budget bill. the Legislature’s
problem of government waste declined and the $9 billion in the of the Utah Prosperity Forum. version, which became law, points
in tennessee, tCPr launched a economic Stabilization Fund was The presenters will examine free- to a $207 million deficit over
Pork tour. The tour visited six not tapped. other positives for market approaches to Utah’s the next two fiscal years, and
cities across the state, offering texas coming out of the session health-care needs, including raises estate, tobacco, alcohol,
more than 1,000 attendees copies were: a rejection of $555 million health savings accounts and video and capital gains taxes.
of the Pork report, a free pork in federal stimulus funds that problems with guaranteed issue. the institute released an anti-
bbQ lunch from whole roasted would have led to permanent Sen. Hatch will focus on the business scorecard chronicling
pigs and the opportunity to learn increases in unemployment taxes national debate, while rep. Daw the Legislature’s performance. eai
how they can help reduce waste- paid by texas businesses; denial of and mero will address state and also announced its third annual
ful government spending. “local option” transportation tax local dimensions. The Forum is milton Friedman Day dinner in
tennesseepolicy.org legislation that could have cost a collaborative project of the Salt barre on July 31, on the theme
SPN NEWS 16 JULY / AUGUST 2009
of “Strengthening Faith based as a reporter for the Chicago Sun- ben Chavis, the take-no-prisoners
education.” The board has selected times. both the institute and its former principle of the award-
eai’s new president and Ceo, 501(c)(4) affiliate, tertium Quids, winning, innovative american
who’ll be formally announced in are mobilizing support against indian Public Charter School of
august. ethanallen.org the cap and trade and health care oakland, Calif. Chavis will attack
measures pending in Congress. the myths and sacred cows of
VIRgINIA Through blog, op-eds, policy studies public education. effwa.org
The Thomas Jefferson Institute and the radio show, the free-market At the 2009 Reed Irvine AIM Awards,
from left: author M. Stanton Evans,
expanded its emphasis on energy case for reform is being taken to all WYoMINg
AIM chairman Don Irvine and capital
independence with a cap-and- corners of the commonwealth. June 29 was eagerly awaited as the markets expert Karl Denninger
trade conference that attracted virginiainstitute.org date the U.S. Supreme Court would
more than 50 business leaders and rule on Citizens United v. Federal point saying that a “conservative
garnered key media news stories. WAsHINgtoN Elections Commission, a free speech journalist” is almost as much of
the Virginia Science museum case in which Wyoming Liberty an oxymoron as a “Senate ethics
sought tJi’s help in the design of Group sponsored a strongly- Committee.” Denninger, who
its new Climate Change exhibit – worded amicus brief. instead, received the grassroots Journalism
ensuring that free-market facts will the Court, in an unorthodox award for his reporting at market-
be available to the public, especially early ticket sales are strong for the decision, scheduled a special ticker.org, a website he founded,
the schoolchildren for whom the Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s hearing for Sept. 9. The Justices delivere d p owerf ul remark s
museum is a frequent field trip. take the Field, its Sept. 26 event at request further briefs to be condemning the national media
Front-page coverage in the capitol Safeco Field in Seattle featuring submitted by July 31, specifically for obscuring the truth about the
city newspaper resulted from glenn beck. eFF takes the mystery addressing Austin v. Michigan financial crisis. the awards are
the institute’s annual economic out of paying state and local taxes State Chamber of Commerce, named in honor of reed irvine,
Forecast, released at the Virginia with www.taxSleuth.com, where which was decided in 1990. The who founded accuracy in media in
Chamber of Commerce’s offices Washington state taxpayers can hope is that the Court, upon 1969 and was america’s first media
– also with an emphasis on the see all of their tax rates in one looking more thoroughly into watchdog. aim.org
economic effects of command and place. the state claimed a one- Citizens’ United, will rein in the
control climate change “solutions.” FeC. meanwhile back home, as The American Council of Trustees
tJi’s activities are trumpeted the only non-governmental group and Alumni recently launched a
in its popular e-zine, bacon’s to attend all scheduled legislative national campaign to reinvigorate
rebellion – now reaching nearly interim committee meetings, open and diverse intellectual
14,000 subscribers. The institute’s WLg has become savvy to agendas discourse on campus in and out of
School board training Program for the upcoming 20-day January the classroom. Protecting the Free
attracted 30 prospective school 2010 Session. wyliberty.org exchange of ideas highlights best
board candidates. practices from 40 institutions that
thomasjeffersoninst.org N At I o N A l are part of a growing movement
to make sure students are exposed
to a wide range of subject areas
and viewpoints. it was featured
Virginia Institute for Public Policy Glenn Beck wants you to attend the Accuracy in Media presented in USa today and is being sent to
EFF Sept. 26 event at Safeco Field.
senior fellow adam Schaeffer’s new m. Stanton evans and karl S. the individual board members of
study, “Public education tax Credits stop-convenience like this couldn’t Denninger with reed ir vine nearly 600 institutions responsible
in Virginia: The Way Forward on be done for less than millions of accuracy in media awards in a for the education of more than six
School Choice,” could help shape dollars and dozens of employees. ceremony at this year’s Conservative million students. With employers
the gubernatorial contest, as both Par for the course, eFF beat the Political action Conference. evans, consistently saying critical thinking
the republican and Democratic state to the punch spending way the recipient of the award for is at the top of the list of skills they
candidates have made education less and using a handful of staff investigative journalism, recently prize, aCta’s campaign aims
reform central to their campaigns. to accomplish the task. in July, authored blacklisted by History, to help universities challenge
The institute welcomed investigative eFF will launch Skooled by Dr. the authoritative book on Senator students and sharpen their ability
reporter Paige Winfield, a graduate ben, a weekly Web video series Joe mcCarthy. He had the crowd to think for themselves.
of Wheaton College who worked featuring politically-incorrect Dr. rolling with laughter, at one goacta.org
SPN NEWS 17 JULY / AUGUST 2009
signed aFP’s No Climate tax Pledge, Citizens in Charge team across
refusing to sign any bill that results the country. Whether you apply to
in an energy tax for the american become a citizen state coordinator
people. aFP welcomed amy menefee or subscribe to Common Sense
as communications director, with Paul Jacob, it is time to start
spearheading health care efforts putting citizens back in charge of
including Patients First, advocating From left, Frank Conte, Beacon your state. citizensincharge.org
real reform with patients and Hill Institute; Ted Tripp, North
Andover Taxpayers Association;
doctors making decisions, not SPN / IHS Koch Summer Fellows in June, the Cato institute hosted a
Washington bureaucrats. rallies in Andrew Dabrowski and Alex one-day conference on the summer’s
Weckenman; and Chip Faulkner,
multiple states drove citizens to sign Citizens for Limited Taxation
hottest topic, health care reform,
a petition rejecting legislation that which brought together experts
would delay and even deny patient system would serve as an excise tax from a wide range of disciplines
care. Sign it at www.joinpatientsfirst. on production. if the U.S. were to cut to discuss how this crucial area of
The AFP Hot Air Tour stops com. americansforprosperity.org emissions alone, with no cutbacks public policy can be improved. a
in Little Rock, Arkansas.
by other countries, it would bear the special “emergency” state health
on June 24 Americans for Tax full cost of abatement while reaping policy summit for state-based health
What will the obama Reform held a Capitol Hill briefing few benefits. overall Waxman- policy analysts will be held aug. 7-8
administration’s plans for High on health care reform. at the markey would cost the U.S. $154 in Washington, D.C. to arrange
Speed rail cost you? The American briefing S.C. Sen. Jim Demint billion by 2020 and $1.318 trillion michael tanner or michael Cannon
Dream Coalition has the answer introduce d his Health Care by 2050. bHi re-entered the debate as a speaker on this topic, contact
in a new report. the american Freedom act. atr supports the over the detrimental effects of tax Diane morris, dmorris@cato.org.
Dream Coalition is the go-to Healthcare Freedom act, which increases in Pennsylvania with a in celebration of Constitution
source for metropolitan issues lowers health care costs, provides new report, “StamPing out the Day, Sept. 17, Cato will conduct
like housing and transportation more choices and doesn’t raise Nonsense from our Critics.” The a conference on “the Supreme
policy, property rights and eminent taxes. Congressman tom Price battle against junk economics Court: Past and Prologue – a Look
domain abuse. it exposes the (r-ga), Dr. Doug Holtz-eakin moved to the domain of green at 2008 and october 2009 terms.”
central planning doctrine called and other health care experts also jobs with the institute puncturing Save the date: Cato’s biennial dinner
Smart growth that is gaining participated in the event. atr the myth that these prospective for the milton Friedman Prize for
ground all across the country. has launched a new website to “new” jobs are a benefit to the advancing Liberty will be held may
aDC promotes freedom, mobility highlight and combat threats to U.S. economy. instead they’re a 13, 2010. cato.org
and affordable homeownership e-commerce. Stopetaxes.com considerable cost. beaconhill.org
and is fighting wasteful and fights efforts to tax digital and The Clare Boothe Luce Policy
ineffective government policies real goods purchased online. Institute kicked off summer
in metropolitan areas. aDC’s in addition to raising taxes on Citizens in Charge Foundation is with its annual Conservative
2010 annual conference consumers, efforts by states to a national transpartisan voter rights Leadership Seminar on
will be held in orlando, Fla. tax online purchases impede group dedicated to protecting and Capitol Hill. each year at this
americandreamcoalition.org interstate commerce; put states at expanding the ballot initiative and seminar the institute presents
a competitive disadvantage with referendum process. The objective its Conser vative Leadership
Americans for Prosperity is busy other states; encourage online is to empower grassroots activist award to one woman who has
working to stop the largest energy black-market s and threaten leaders who care about making
tax in our nation’s history, cap- property rights; and hamper a elected officials responsive to
and-trade, and a life- and liberty- growing free-market. atr.org citizens, and who wish to be the
threatening government takeover of voice of citizens in their state.
health care. With the launch of aFP’s Beacon Hill Institute executive good government starts with the
Hot air balloon tour earlier this director David g. tuerck addressed people. Want to see citizens in
summer, folks across the country a Worcester tea Party on June 20. charge of their government and
have submitted letters to their bHi released a 19-state analysis help protect our First amendment
senators urging them to vote no of the Waxman-markey climate rights to initiative and referendum?
on the Waxman-markey bill. more change bill. the institute noted, Then declare your independence Liz Cheney addresses CBLPI’s 2009
than 200 lawmakers have already the so-called market-based trading by joining the ever-growing Conservative Leadership Seminar.
SPN NEWS 18 JULY / AUGUST 2009
shown exceptional leadership must close the achievement gap. on July 2, FreedomWorks joined they are able (62 percent v. 44),
and commitment to promoting Join Jeb bush and the Foundation with other national grassroots and that public school teachers
conservative values. This year’s for Excellence in Education for organizations including tea are much more likely to say they’ll
award winner, Liz Cheney, is the the second annual excellence in Party Patriots, the 9/12 Project leave teaching as soon as they are
Left’s worst nightmare: a smart, action, a powerful national summit and resistNet to demonstrate eligible for retirement (33 percent v.
articulate, conservative woman on education reform, oct. 8-9 in against the government takeover 12). The report, Free to teach, is at
unafraid to stand up to the obama Washington, D.C. reform-minded of health care at congressional www.friedmanfoundation.org.
administration on critical issues. local, state and federal policymakers district offices around Florida.
on aug. 10 in Washington, D.C. will leave excellence in action the groups first teamed up in “busy ” is an understatement
the institute will present Phyllis armed with the tools and knowledge april to take part in tax Day tea for 413 students who traveled
Schlafly with a Clare boothe Luce needed to dramatically alter the Parties and have continued their to Washington to live, learn
Lifetime achievement award. if future of education in america. This cooperation. Part of an ongoing and intern through one of five
you know a student interested uncommon conference annually nation-wide campaign against summer institutes sponsored by
in attending this lunche on, serves as a catalyst for energizing and government-run health care, the The Fund for American Studies.
please visit www.cblpi.org for accelerating the reform movement efforts of the Florida protestors on top of 30-hour workweeks and
registration information. across the nation. be there or be left were bolstered by strategic office courses at georgetown University,
behind. excelined.org visits and phone calls around the student s sp ent eight we ek s
the Competitive Enterprise country to targeted legislators, juggling site briefings at the State
Institute celebrated its 25th which are continuing through Department, World bank and U.S.
anniversary in June with its annual the summer. With hundreds Capitol. Law students enrolled
dinner. bb&t Ceo John allison more tea Parties held July 4, the
gave the keynote address about movement is making itself hard to
the banking crisis and the value the Fraser Institute recently ignore. Thousands are expected
of capitalism. in may, policy vice r e l e a s e d i t s a n nu a l g l o b a l to descend on Washington, D.C.,
president Wayne Crews published Pe t r o l e u m S u r v e y, r a n k i n g Sept. 12 for a national taxpayer
his annual snapshot of the regula- jurisdictions around the world on march, just as many of today’s
tory burden on american taxpay- policies that encourage oil and gas hottest political issues will be
ers, “ten Thousand Command- exploration and development. This coming to a head in Congress. Visit
Students attending the Institute on
ments.” Follow updates @ twitter year’s survey shows that nine of the 912dc.com for more information. Business and Government Affairs,
.com/10kC. bureaucrash has a top 10 jurisdictions are in the U.S. freedomworks.org sponsored by TFAS, meet U.S. Sen.
Jon Kyl during a June award dinner.
new crasher-in-chief, Lee Doren, Find out where your state ranks at
who replaces Pete eyre, who has www.fraseramerica.org. the the latest research report from in the Legal Studies institute
moved on to a new project. a institute also has launched a the Friedman Foundation for visited the Supreme Court for
recent law school grad, Doren number of education projects Educational Choice has found an exclusive session with Justice
also started the popular youtube thi s summer, including the that public schools do not provide antonin Scalia, and participants
channel HowtheWorldWorks. first in a series of report cards the best working environment for in the institute on business and
get to know Doren and other o n s c h o o l s i n t h e s t at e o f teachers. Private school teachers government affairs attended a
activists on bureaucrash Social: Washington, www.washington are much more satisfied with their dinner honoring arizona Sen.
social.bureaucrash.com. Watch .compareschoolrankings.org , jobs; have much more control over Jon kyl. Sens. Lamar alexander
Cei’s 1984 video starring al gore a n d a n i nte r a c t i v e w eb s i te what they do in their classrooms and Pat roberts also delivered
(cei.org/1984). Cei is accepting dedicated to profiling innovative and much more influence over remarks. aspiring journalists
applications for the next Warren “school chains” from around the important school policies; are attending the institute on Political
t. brookes fellowship, which world, schoolchains.org. Fraser better empowered to keep order Journalism participated in a
begins in the fall. Journalists with researchers also published cogent in the classroom; enjoy more press conference at the National
a free-market perspective may comment ar ie s thi s summer support from administrators Press Club where tFaS awarded
apply by contacting chall@cei on government expansion, and peers; suffer less burnout; prizes amounting to $25,000 to
.org. cei.org health care and energy in the and are safer than their public outstanding journalists. tfas.org
Washington Post, Detroit News school counterparts. The findings
The race for knowledge – and the and Sacramento bee. Stay abreast indicated private school teachers Congress is writing health reform
prosperity that comes with it – does by signing up for our newsletter at are much more likely to say they legislation that contains many
not end at the U.S. borders. america insight@fraserinstitute.org. will continue teaching as long as of the changes implemented by
SPN NEWS 19 JULY / AUGUST 2009
massachusetts when it passed its of the U.N.’s intergovernmental the measure would be a $2 mil- economist george Selgin, won
reform law in 2006, but the state’s Panel on Climate Change, on lion tax hike for Louisianans. iPi a bronze medal in the iPPy
experience so far shows that which the obama administration president tom giovanetti testified category of finance / investment /
Washington, D.C., should proceed and many in Congress rely for their before the state’s Senate Com- economics. independent.org
with great caution. implementa- regulatory proposals. The authors merce Committee, and the legis-
tion of the bay State’s reform cite thousands of peer-reviewed lation was unanimously rejected at the beginning of 2009, the
plan continues to pose many research papers and books that during the hearing. in the national Center of the american experiment
challenges. The Galen Institute were ignored by the iPCC, plus discussion on broadband expan- spun off Intellectual Takeout. as a
has produced a major new paper, additional research that became sion, iPi advocated consideration standalone 501(c)3 institution, it’s
“massachusetts’ Health reform available after the iPCC’s deadline. of broadband enterprise zones in mission is to develop and support
Plan: miracle or muddle?” that the 880-page book is available comments to the FCC. Creation of an online community of students by
details many of these challenges, at amazon.com for $154. For these zones would allow govern- providing them with the intellectual
including rising costs, shortages more information, or to download ment to leverage existing private
of doctors, increased use of hospi- the book in PDF format, visit infrastructure, and further incen-
tal emergency rooms and burden- nipccreport.org. heartland.org tivize broadband deployment in
some mandates on employers and a competitive, market-friendly
individuals. more massachusetts t h e H e r i t a g e Fo u n d a t i o n manner to bring high speed inter-
residents are insured, but three continues to produce health care net to unserved areas and ensure
out of five are receiving taxpayer- reform research, and launched as many americans as possible
subsidized policies. before copy- www.fixhealthcarepolicy.com to gain broadband access. ipi.org
ing this experiment nationwide, impact the debate. The spring issue
lawmakers should heed the prob- of The insider magazine highlights the Indep endent Institute One of IT’s youngest supporters
lems facing this laboratory of the negative consequences of continues to build upon its turned out at the Tax Day Tea
Party in St. Paul, Minnesota.
democracy. galen.org government-run health care with track record of award-winning
articles from Sally Pipes, Peter J. publications and has recently groundwork necessary to preserve
o n Ju n e 2 Th e He a r t l a n d Pitts and Helen evans. Download added three brand new awards and promote a free society built
Institute published “Climate insideronline.org. Heritage’s Center to its repertoire. twilight War, by on the principles of individual
Change reconsidered,” the 2009 for Data analysis produced a study research fellow mike moore, which liberty, limited government and
report of the Nongovernmental of the Waxman-markey energy tax examines the crucial need for free market economics. it’s aim
international Panel on Climate legislation to show the economic is to kick off the fall semester with
Change, to coincide with the harm by Congressional District, an aggressive viral and guerrilla
third international Conference and Heritage collected 29,989 marketing campaign. thus, 25
on Climate Change held in comments against ePa’s economy student researchers from around
Washington, D.C. Co-authors S. crippling proposal to regulate the nation are working hard at
Fred Singer, Ph.D., and Craig idso, Co2 at www.StopePaagain.com. Good Money building content for the site,
Ph.D., and 35 contributors and Heritage has scheduled more than by George featuring the work of many SPN
Selgin
reviewers present an authoritative 200 screenings in 41 states of its institutions. if you think you
and detailed rebuttal of the findings pro-missile defense documentary, peaceful space development, has have material that would be a
33 minutes. Visit 33minutes.com won both the benjamin Franklin good fit with our mission, let it
and sign up to host a screening. award for Political and Current know. intellectual takeout would
heritage.org events from the independent love to partner with your group
Publishers association and the to get its ideas to young people.
Silver medal iPPy award in Science intellectualtakeout.org
from independent Publishing
When the Louisiana House passed magazine. the second winning For the last two weeks of June,
a bill potentially making the state book, good money, especially the Jesse Helms Center hosted
the first in the nation to tax the timely now with the deepening the Free enterprise Leadership
internet, Institute for Policy economic recession, describes how Challenge, an intensive summer
Innovation’s bartlett Cleland was free-market money and banking program for high school students,
interviewed by numerous televi- can resolve financial crises. good on the c ampu s of Wing ate
sion and radio outlets, warning money, by research fellow and University, just outside Charlotte,
SPN NEWS 20 JULY / AUGUST 2009
N.C. more than 200 students officers to notify federal authorities .org. City Journal contributing won the audience award at the
from 11 states and eight countries when they arrest a person for editor and French economist guy Hoboken international Film
attended FeLC, which focuses various narcotics offenses whom Sorman released a new book in Festival, and has screened at the
on promoting an understanding they suspect to be an alien, legal or July, economics Does Not Lie: a Jersey Shore Film Festival and
o f f re e e nt e r p r i s e t h r o u g h illegal. judicialwatch.org Defense of the Free market in a Philadelphia international Film
experiential learning, with students time of Crisis (encounter books). Festival. Featuring interviews with
starting for-profit businesses that manhattan-institute.org major school choice advocates
provide products or services to alongside the moving stories of
the campus community. Lectures, The Mercatus Center at George parents, children and teachers,
as well as essay, speech and Just Facts, a nonprofit institute Ma son Univer sit y re cently The Cartel can do for education
and new SPN associate member, launched a new podcast focused reform what no op-ed or white
is dedicated to researching , on state issues, hosted by the paper can. to bring the film to your
documenting and publishing Center’s economic education area, please contact rob@thempi
verifiable facts on the critical director Jim musser. the State .org. thempi.org
public policy issues of our time. and Local Policy Podcast is a
building on a base of 500,000 resource for policymakers, the
unique website visitors in 2008, media and others
Just Facts has aggressive plans to with an interest investor t. boone Pickens told a
cover more issues and pioneer a in state issues National Center for Policy Analysis
FELC student Riziki Omonde delivers new initiative to provide custom and innovative Living Legend Series audience that
a speech on capitalism during a research services for non-profit solutions to the america’s energy situation must
contest among program members.
organizations, corporations and issues facing all states. each week be addressed, especially because
debate contests, promoted the private individuals. This research features new conversations with our market-ba se d e conomy
cause of freedom. Participating includes policy facts and data policy scholars, legislators and must compete with state-owned
students returned home with an analysis, scientific and technical others. bridging the gap between companies, like China’s. Stephen
appreciation of their free enterprise research, Freedom of information policy theory and policymaking is moore of The Wall Street Journal
opportunities and as determined act requests and investigative the objective, as well as providing told an exclusive NCPa gathering in
defende r s o f o u r c ap i t a l i s t journalism. justfacts.com state policymakers with scholarly march that current levels of federal
heritage. jessehelmscenter.org analysis on the potential outcomes spending will prolong the current
in June and July, David gratzer, of legislative and regulator y financial crisis and will generate a
in June 2009, Judicial Watch m.D., made multiple trips from reforms. This podcast is available massive amount of debt for future
released a special report on Judge Canada to Washington, D.C., to in rSS and on itunes. also, check generations of americans. Phil
Sonia Sotomayor’s connection provide testimony on Capitol Hill out new podcasts on: transparency, gramm told an NCPa audience
to the leftist Puerto rican Legal as an expert witness on the perils disaster preparedness, budget best that President obama currently
Defense and education Fund and of a government-run health practices and lessons to be learned has the national “microphone”
held an education panel to inform care system. gratzer and Paul from the New zealand reforms in and the media will only go so far
the public of its findings. in may Howard also met privately with the 1990s. mercatus.org in criticizing his programs. the
2009, Judicial Watch forced the Congressional leaders, and hosted second annual i Debate leadership
obama administration to release a Hill briefing and media dinner to camp, cosponsored by the general
documents about the oct. 13, 2008, educate policymakers, the media tommy Franks Leadership institute,
treasury Department meeting and public about why obamaCare oklahoma Christian University and
indicating that former treasury is the wrong prescription for the NCPa, will be held July 12-17 at
Secretary Hank Paulson told U.S. health care. on July 7, the “reading about it is one thing. oCU. ncpa.org
bank Ceo’s they must allow the Manhattan Institute hosted a Seeing it makes you want to yell
government to take equity stakes conference devoted to a special at the screen.” Critics adore The The National Taxpayers Union
in their institutions. in october issue of City Journal, “Ne w Cartel, a new Moving Picture and Fou nd ation re ce ntl y
2008, a California appellate court york’s tomorrow,” which lays out Institute documentary about how completed its biennial National
ruled in a Judicial Watch taxpayer dozens of policy prescriptions america’s public schools waste taxpayers Conference, a gathering
lawsuit that the San Francisco that would make New york’s billions each year while children of taxpayer activists from around
Police Department must comply tomorrow brighter. read the learn less and less. a compelling the country. The 2009 conference
with a state law requiring police entire issue at www.city-journal case for school choice, The Cartel featured speakers such as U.S.
SPN NEWS 21 JULY / AUGUST 2009
Sen. John mcCain, U.S. rep. He is the author of the Pope begin work on her masters in
mike Pence, John Stossel, WSJ’s C e n t e r ’s r e s e a r c h p a p e r, public affairs at indiana University.
Stephen moore, and a host of “academic Freedom: What it is, (best wishes, tonya!) the tax
policymakers, think tank leaders What it isn’t, and How to tell the as the country is subjected to Foundation has actively followed
and citizen activists. N tU Difference.” in the paper, Downs unpre ce dente d gover nment the state budget debates this
welcomes Jordan Forbes as its clarifies what is meant by the intervention, the Sam Adams summer. Foundation economists
new federal government affairs term “academic freedom” and to Alliance is hard at work Setting have analy ze d the trend of
manager, who is responsible whom it applies. on June 25, the brushfires of Freedom with the so-called “millionaires’ taxes”
for lobbying the U.S. House Pope Center hosted a roundtable use of New media tools to promote which have already been enacted
and Senate, conducting policy discussion at the Cato institute transparency, accountability and in California, Hawaii, maryland,
research and analysis, assisting in Washington, D.C., on its latest free-market solutions. The Saa maine, New Jersey and New york.
in taxpayer education efforts, research paper, “the revenue-to- government transparency wiki- Similar proposals are pending
and formulating reports and Cost Spiral in Higher education,” project, Sunshine review, just in Connecticut and oregon. tax
opinion pieces. Forbes previously by robert e. martin, professor celebrated its two-millionth page Foundation experts also recently
worked as a legislative assistant emeritus at Centre College in viewed and is currently conducting testified in rhode island and New
to former U.S. rep. tom Davis Danville, ky. martin’s research transparency evaluations for each york. taxfoundation.org
and, most recently, as an analyst shows that incentives inherent school district website in the
for a political consulting firm. in the nature of higher education country. the Sunshine review Young America’s Foundation
cause costs to rise. community has implemented a hosted its 12th annual National
popecenter.org new grading system, making it High School Leadership
easier to understand and improve Conference. The conference was
Reason Foundation recently the level of openness of state and attended by 120 student activists
released a “taxpayer’s guide to local government. recently, the from 28 states. Participants heard
the Stimulus,” which breaks down Sam adams alliance unveiled from Congressman Paul ryan,
each section of the american a new website and has placed a WSJ’s Stephen moore and Dr.
recovery and reinvestment act greater importance on messaging, Walter Williams, among others.
to explain how the money is being which includes the educational meanwhile, the Foundation
spent and what the stimulus project Health rations and you. unveiled its annual survey of
means in layman’s terms. the With government determined to commencement speakers, which
guide and reason Foundation’s take away health care choice, Saa showed that for the 16th year in
23rd annual Privatization report is gearing up to give free-market a row, liberal speakers dominated
are both available at www.reason advocates the tools to combat this graduation exercises. of the
.org. reason magazine’s latest cover unparalleled intrusion on freedom. top 100 universities, there were
U.S. Sen. John McCain addresses story, “illegal. illiberal. ill-fated,” samadamsalliance.org five recognizable conservative
attendees at the opening night
reception of the 2009 National examines how Washington’s auto speakers, as opposed to the scores
Taxpayers Conference. bailout makes a mockery of the rule the Tax Foundation welcomes of noted leftists, including barney
of law, is fundamentally unfair and is kail Padgett as its newest staff Frank, Desmond tutu and rahm
Join NtU’s grassroots mobile doomed to failure. This fall, reason. economist. Padgett works primarily emanuel. at the Foundation’s
membership by texting “FigHt” tv goes to Drew Carey’s hometown with the Center for State Fiscal West Coast facility, the reagan
to 67292. Follow NtU on twitter, of Cleveland to diagnose and fix the Policy on the State business tax ranch Center, the yaF organized
(@ntu). ntu.org problems facing the “mistake on the Climate index as well as developing the Summit on radical islam,
lake” and scores of other declining other measures for the economic an intensive student seminar
on may 5, the Pope Center for american cities. in a multi-episode incidence of particular taxes. discussing strategies on defeating
Higher Education co-hosted series, reason.tv brings market- Previously, Padgett spent a year at terrorism in the age of President
a lecture with the manhattan driven, freedom-friendly solutions the Charles g. koch Foundation. obama. Speakers included rep.
institute, “threats to academic to shoddy public education, tonya barr, state tom tancredo, robert Spencer
Freedom: Do Campuses and runaway municipal spending, relations manager, of “Jihad Watch,” and Dr. J. mike
Courts Care?” Donald Downs, “edifice-complex” redevelopment, concludes her two- Waller of the institute of World
professor of political science, law, urban depopulation and more. The year tenure at the Politics. yaf.org
and journalism at the University original videos will be available at tax Foundation
of Wisconsin-madison, spoke. www.reason.tv. Kail Padgett in early august to
SPN NEWS 22 JULY / AUGUST 2009
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