Members

Membership in State Policy Network is voluntary and by invitation-only. SPN's mission is to provide its members with capacity-building services. SPN neither directs nor manages its members' programs or activities. SPN members pride themselves on their independence and relevancy to their respective states and/or areas of public policy research.

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Tax Foundation Speakers Bureau
Tax Foundation
Posted on February 17, 2010

The Foundation's staff members produce the latest research in many areas of federal, state and local taxation and are available for speaking engagements on a variety of tax topics. The presentations are available to all organizations, whether the members are business leaders, taxpayer watchdogs, policy experts, interested citizens or students.Honoraria are not charged for speakers.

Michigan Capitol Confidential
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
Posted on February 15, 2010

Michigan Capitol Confidential has begun reporting news online daily. MCC notes, due to dwindling state capital news coverage, outside scrutiny of elected officials and government bureaucracies has become more important. Among the stories MCC has covered: filmmaker Michael Moore's request for $1 million in tax subsidies for his movie "Capitalism: A Love Story," in which he decried the government bailout of Wall Street executives.

Your Land Is My Land: Property Rights in Montana
Montana Policy Institute
Posted on February 12, 2010

On Feb. 18, MPI will host a public form about the state of property rights. Policies such as The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, The Clean Water Restoration Act and local growth management initiatives threaten The Treasure State's traditional way of life and make no economic sense. MPI and co-host PERC will bring together national, state and local experts to discuss these issues and provide practical alternatives to help restore property rights.

The Myth of the Compact City
Cato Institute
By Randal O'Toole
Posted on February 10, 2010

Every American should be free to choose his or her lifestyle. But urban planners, who seek to cut carbon emissions, want to force their preferences upon everyone through "compact-city policies." The proposed policies, based on faulty assumptions and incomplete data, are an infringement of property rights, personal freedom and mobility. Further, as the study concludes, compact development is an ineffective way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Oregon.gov Publishes State Workers’ Salaries
Cascade Policy Institute
By Jacob Szeto
Posted on February 8, 2010

In an effort to meet requirements for a legislature-required transparency website, Oregon has made available some 32,620 state workers' salaries. Numerous public employees, however, are not included, such as those in the Oregon University System. The mean salary for all listed workers: $51,442. The mean for all Oregon workers, public and private: $41,430. The state workers' mean salary exceeds Oregon's mean salary by $10,000, or 24 percent.

The 3rd Annual Sammies – $20,000 in Awards
Sam Adams Alliance
Posted on February 6, 2010

Fast approaching entry deadline: Feb. 17! Cash prizes totaling $20,000 will be awarded to individuals who made significant contributions to the advancement of economic and individual liberty. The six Sammie categories are: Blogger, Video, Watchdog, Town Hall, Tea Party and Modern-Day Sam Adams. The theme of this year's Sammies, "We Are All Activists Now." Winners will be flown to Chicago in April and recognized at a red-carpet event.

Putting Principals in Charge Can Improve Schools in Washington
Washington Policy Center
By Liv Finne
Posted on February 5, 2010

President Obama's Race to the Top program offers Washington education leaders powerful incentives to change. However, these would only be first steps. Real reform would transfer school decision-making from legislatures and school districts to school principals. Putting principals in charge of their budgets, and teachers, raises student achievement wherever it is tried, across the country and around the world.

Milwaukee Public Schools: The Escalating Cost of Retiree Health Insurance
Wisconsin Policy Research Institute
By Don Bezruki
Posted on February 3, 2010

The cost of health insurance for retirees has become a burden for the Milwaukee Public Schools budget and, absent serious reforms, the problem will only grow. The unfunded liability for these health-care costs now stands at $2.6 billion, more than double the district's entire annual operating budget. These costs will ultimately be borne by Milwaukee taxpayers, and, because of the state school funding formula, taxpayers statewide.

Government Doesn't Just Levy Fees, it Taxes Them Too
Independence Institute
By Todd Shepard
Posted on February 1, 2010

In Colorado, an unfortunate byproduct of TABOR is the growth of government "fees." One of which is the tire disposal fee of $1.50. Interestingly, the fee is assessed before the subtotal, thus making it subject to sales tax. In sum, the state is taxing a fee. A state department of revenue FYI memo notes, "Effective August 5, 2009, the waste tire recycling development fee is considered part of the purchase price and is subject to sales tax."

Public School Results at Elite Prep-School Prices
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
By Steve Anderson
Posted on January 29, 2010

The Oklahoma Education Association calculates spending at $7,615 per pupil in the state. But, a comprehensive examination of public-school spending during the 2007-08 academic year produces an estimate of $10,257 per pupil. To calculate that figure, Anderson measured every cost involved in funding and operating the public education system, using common-sense guidelines with an independent referee - the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.

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