Institute Updates April 2009

Published on Wednesday, April 08, 2009
ARTICLES

ALABAMA

America faces serious challenges in the 21st Century, thus, more citizens must understand the principles upon which the American nation was founded, and the causes that made the United States of America the most secure and most prosperous free nation in history. To achieve this goal, the Alabama Policy Institute and Samford University, working in association with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, have established the Foundations for American Leadership, a program designed to provide grounding in the core principles essential for maintaining America's constitutional republic and free-market economy. The classes meet for breakfast each month. alabamapolicy.org

ALASKA

The Institute of the North recently hosted an ideal candidates' forum for the tech-savvy generation. An evening of mayoral speed-dating was organized by the Institute's Nils Andreassen, who put out notice through Facebook and nearly 100 young professionals signed up. "We've tried to figure out how we approach the political realm safely as young people," Andreassen says. "How do we navigate our way through the political morass without making one group mad or the other group mad? And, you know, just approaching it as honestly as we can, because we just want to know more. We want to be able to get to know candidates in a different kind of way." institutenorth.org

ARIZONA

Since 1972 America has gained one new local government every day. Now with more than 87,000 in existence, reining them in will take a massive effort. On March 11 the Goldwater Institute unveiled "A New Charter for American Cities: 10 Rights to Restrain Government and Protect Freedom." This pioneering roadmap to local government reform proposes judicially-enforceable individual rights designed to limit the power of local government. For example, the Right to Freedom from Favoritism bans municipal inequity by forbidding laws, taxes and actions that single out individuals for special privilege. The Right to a Presumption of Liberty ensures any new law is genuinely required for public health, safety or welfare. Each right is accompanied by thoroughly researched policy recommendations to enforce it. "A New Charter for American Cities" will transform the way cities operate and hold local elected officials accountable. goldwaterinstitute.org

ARKANSAS

The Arkansas governors' interest in the Murphy Commission, an Arkansas Policy Foundation project, is explored in a new Internet feature, part ofthe group's 15th anniversary celebration. The Foundation was established in 1995 as a market-based think tank. Gov. Mike Huckabee's first act as governor in 1996 was to issue an executive order instructing his department heads to cooperate withthe commission, a panel of more than 100 volunteers. The commission spent three years reviewing state government and its recommendations included cutting capital gains taxes, expanding charter schools and establishing performance pay for K-12 employees. In 1999 State Sen. Mike Beebe advanced performance-based budgeting and cited the Foundation's peer-reviewed research (2005) as attorney general. Beebe has said he supports endingthe state grocery tax,which he has already cut 50 percent. arkansaspolicyfoundation.org

CALIFORNIA

The Pacific Research Institute's latest book from Sally C. Pipes was reviewed by Thomas Sowell, who wrote: "Before you do anything else, make a note to read The Top Ten Myths of American Health Care ... It might literally save your life." It was also reviewed in The Washington Times by Doug Bandow. Adam Frey, PRI public policy fellow, wrote an analysis of Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposal to reform Medicaid in Louisiana in PRI's publication Health Policy Prescriptions. National Review's blog, "The Corner," cited Frey's piece as intellectual ammunition from the nation's leading think tanks. Also, Dr. Daniel Ballon, a fellow in technology studies, released the first Tech Policy Transmission, outlining a strategy for the Obama administration's transparency infrastructure, arguing that Google should not have unfettered authority for this initiative. pacificresearch.org

COLORADO

On Feb. 17, President Obama campaigned in Denver to promote and sign his $1.2 trillion "stimulus package." The Independence Institute, along with such organizations as Americans for Prosperity and Coalition for a Conservative Majority, decided not to take it sitting down, and instead stood on the steps of Colorado's Capitol, along with Michelle Malkin and hundreds of concerned citizens, to protest at our Anti-Stimulus Pig Roast. Festivities included both a full-size edible roasted pig and a very much alive pet pig brought by someone in attendance. Two hundred 2-by-4-foot checks were passed out for protestors to sign. The checks were imprinted with "pay to the order of United States Government," $30,000 each - the amount this one stimulus package will wind up costing every American family. i2i.org

CONNECTICUT

The Yankee Institute has launched a major effort to reduce municipal spending by partnering with taxpayer groups to create independent local auditing committees. Last fall, for example, the Institute helped the Redding taxpayer group send a flier to all the town's 4,500 homes, asking for volunteers with some experience in finance to design a 10 percent reduction in property taxes in 2010. So far, more than 30 residents - from company presidents to local shopkeepers - have joined the effort, sorting themselves into subgroups of 3-to-4 members to work on different parts of the town and school budgets. The goal is to have an alternative proposal for the May 2010 town budget referendum. "This approach gives cover to volunteers who don't want to be labeled anti-education," says Yankee's senior policy analyst Dr. Lewis Andrews. "They can work on the town administration, letting others tackle the school budget." yankeeinstitute.org

DELAWARE

The Caesar Rodney Institute will be using its Delaware Spends transparency project for its hard launch in early June. The Open Government Platform, developed and currently being used by the Empire Center for New York State Policy and the Maine Heritage Policy Center, will serve as the site's structure. In March both organizations sponsored a seminar for CRI and several other state think tanks in Manchester, N.H., where attendees heard presentations by WinXnet, the software developers, who discussed what was required to get started and go live. Break-out sessions covered techniques for obtaining data from state agencies, fundraising opportunities, forming alliances with other disparate special interest groups, and managing relationships with elected officials. caesarrodney.org

GEORGIA

The Center for an Educated Georgia at Georgia Family Council released "Return on Investment? Public Education in Georgia." The study by CEG director Dr. Ben Scafidi looked at the dramatic increase in education spending per pupil (119 percent) over the last 25 years and how the net result was a significant drop in graduation rates during the same time frame. The study calls for rethinking public education to include new methods of delivery and expanding education choice in the state. gafam.org

Washington may be growing the national economic crisis, but aspects of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation's stimulus package are bearing fruit with legislative initiatives on school choice, consumer-driven health care, tax reform and transportation: a universal voucher that would allow all state funding to follow all children in Georgia from a public school to another public or private school passed the Senate Education Committee; a bill that would establish a premium assistance program for all Medicaid- and SCHIP- eligible families passed the Senate Insurance Committee; and Legislators have vowed to balance the budget without a tax increase. In fact, one proposal would eliminate the state portion of the inventory tax and phase out the corporate income tax beginning in 2011. Also, the Florida House has approved a major transportation bill that includes many Foundation proposals. gppf.org

HAWAII

The first-ever "Hawaii Pork Report," released by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii in association with Citizens Against Government Waste, received some of the greatest media coverage and community response in the Institute's history. The press conference and man-on-the-street interviews may be viewed at GrassrootTV (www.youtube.com/user/GrassrootHawaii). The Hawaii ceded-lands case with an Institute amicus brief was argued in March before the U.S. Supreme Court, inspiring substantial coverage by national media. GRIH hosted several speaker events, including Cato Institute senior fellow Ilya Shapiro and Climate Strategies Watch director Paul Chesser. GRIH cosponsored Heartland's International Conference on Climate Change in New York, with policy analyst Pearl Hahn attending. GRIH's monthly liberty-oriented family movie nights, which featured The Singing Revolution in March, are popular events for homeschool students and their families. GRIH launched HawaiiVotes.org earlier this legislative session, and the online community is growing daily. grassrootinstitute.org

IDAHO

During its first three months of operation, the Idaho Freedom Foundation has had several high-profile successes. At a legislative hearing on a tax increase bill to fund substance abuse treatment, IFF produced an alternative to solve the funding issue without raising taxes. IFF's alternative was publicly praised by a legislator and the bill failed 13-5. The state's largest daily newspaper, the Idaho Statesman, agreed to publish a weekly Sunday column by IFF executive director Wayne Hoffman. Additionally, a weekly newspaper in Grangeville has picked up the column. IFF played a role in the adoption of a transparency resolution passed by one a city council. The resolution generated earned media in the Idaho Statesman and in a local weekly newspaper in Meridian. Now, IFF is working with local and state officials to promote transparency in government and obtain data for an information-rich transparency website. idahofreedom.net

ILLINOIS

This spring, the Illinois Policy Institute expanded its reach in the state capital, opening a new Springfield office. Kristina Rasmussen joined the Institute from the National Taxpayers Union. She'll serve as executive vice president. The Institute has added three new senior fellows:Don Soifer, Lexington Institute; Leonard Gilroy, Reason Foundation; and Andrew Busch, Bank of Montreal and CNBC. The Institute's Liberty Speaker Series continues in April, featuring Amity Shlaes, author of The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression. Our Liberty Leader volunteer team continues to grow - it's up to 200 so far - and to rack up policy wins across the state, 70-plus! The Institute's Reform Agenda for Illinois, which outlines policies essential for reform, continues to make traction in Springfield and beyond. illinoispolicyinstitute.org

INDIANA

Strip away a multiyear, bigwig publicity campaign, complete with unctuous news coverage and a last-minute statewide tour, and the premise of GOP Gov. Mitch Daniel's move to consolidate local government was just this: People in Indianapolis are smarter than the rest of us. The governor now says he is "embarrassed" for those in his party who blocked the plan in a senate committee (successfully, so far). The comment implied that they did not do their homework or that they were too dumb to understand economies of scale. The Indiana Policy Review Foundation responded that the committee was swayed by its comprehensive survey of the academic literature showing mixed results for consolidation of local governments plus a forensic accounting debunking savings promised by a typical consolidation campaign. In any case, Hoosiers seem to want a smaller, more accountable government - not a more consolidated one, however efficient. inpolicy.org

IOWA

Public Interest Institute announces the launch of http://www.iowavotes.org/ to join its original http://www.limitedgovernment.org/ and last year's addition of http://www.iowatransparency.org/. IowaVotes gives users access to concise, plain language and objective descriptions of every bill, amendment and vote that takes place in the Iowa Legislature. IowaVotes is unique because all legislative actions are described, not just those selected by an interest group. It is searchable by Legislator, keyword and subject categories, so users can create their own custom voting-record guide. IowaVotes also provides citizens with an on-line forum where they can exchange views with others about specific bills or other Iowa public policy or political issues. A "point of view neutral" blog invites users to post comments on issues of the day. IowaVotes empowers citizens to take a more active part in the democratic process, and hold their elected representatives accountable. limitedgovernment.org

KANSAS

The Flint Hills Center for Public Policy is making huge new strides. Dave Trabert, hired as president in January, hit the ground running. Trabert, a former television station general manager, is leading the charge for Proposition K, a legislative proposal to replace the appraisal system on real estate in Kansas. Since 1997, Kansas property taxes have increased 83 percent and residential property taxes have increased 119 percent. There simply is no good reason for these outrageous increases.If passed, this legislation will provide relief to taxpayers and make government budgeting more transparent.Flint Hills is also developing a new government transparency program, hiring an investigative reporter and expanding marketing capacity to increase the visibility and impact of the freedom philosophy and policy solutions.flinthills.org

KENTUCKY

The Bluegrass Institute is adding the voice of Jim Waters on Bluegrass Audio radio commentaries. Waters is a frequent guest host on Clear Channel's The Pulse on Lexington's WLAP-AM and The Values Coalition program on Louisville's WLLV-AM. Bluegrass hosted the Mercatus Center in Kentucky to promote Maurice McTigue, former member of the New Zealand Parliament, who helped turn around that country's economy. He provided testimony on transparency to the Legislature. The Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Internet freedom by striking down a county court's decision to allow the seizure of certain web domain names. The Poker Players Alliance, the Internet Commerce Association and Americans for Tax Reform partnered with Bluegrass in hosting an emergency media summit when the seizure was announced. bipps.org

LOUISIANA

The Pelican Institute for Public Policy continues to advance transparency. An important breakthrough occurred when the Orleans Parish School Board offered to provide contract and budget information to the Institute. "We commend the OPSB for providing us with the information needed to create a truly comprehensive and user-friendly transparency website," said Institute vice president Jeb Bruneau. According to new school board member Brett Bonin, "We are eager to demonstrate our commitment to open and accountable government. Working with the Pelican Institute makes sense for us and we encourage other school boards to do the same." Institute president Kevin Kane commented, "Many of the OPSB members campaigned as reformers. Opening their records to public scrutiny is evidence that they are serious about reform and we salute them for honoring campaign promises." pelicaninstitute.org

MAINE

The Maine Heritage Policy Center had more than a dozen stops on its Fiscal Sanity Tour, including a legislators-only dinner in Augusta attended by 41 lawmakers. Signatures were validated for two November ballot questions authored by the Center - a new TABOR and a 50-percent cut in Maine's high auto-excise tax, which also waives the state's five percent sales tax and the first three years of excise tax on hybrid/high-mileage cars. MHPC and New York's Empire Center co-hosted a seminar for think tanks using their Transparency Web platform. By year's end, citizens in more than a dozen states will be reviewing their governments' spending to the agency, person and penny! Visit the Center's transparency site, http://www.maineopengov.org/. mainepolicy.org

MARYLAND

"Not Just for Mother-in-law," an article urging a temporary federal tax credit for accessory apartments in owner-occupied homes, appeared in the Baltimore Sun in January. The credit is a far less expensive means of stimulating creation of low-cost, small-unit housing and construction jobs than the housing measures in the Obama administration stimulus package. Two Calvert Institute for Policy Research commentaries on the need for reform of thehealth program for retired state employees appeared in the Baltimore Examiner and Washington Examiner on Jan. 24 and 29, respectively. calvertinstitute.org

The Maryland Public Policy Institute hosted an economic policy forum Jan. 12 that featured two of its board members, former Governors Robert Ehrlich and Marvin Mandel, to explain why Maryland is the sixth-worst state in which to live or do business. Over 40 policymakers and opinion leaders attended and received copies of MPPI's study, "Improving Maryland's Economic Competiveness," which offers prescriptions for cutting government spending and lowering taxes to spur growth. The report examines the relationship between current state policies and economic performance and provides a brief tax and economic history to show how pro-growth tax polices can help Maryland. In addition, the Institute released "Government Transparency in Maryland," a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of Maryland's state and county websites in fostering transparency in government. mdpolicy.org

MASSACHUSETTS

Pioneer Institute has been at the forefront of the growing debate over "21st Century Skills." In December, Pioneer hosted E.D. Hirsch at an event where he lauded Massachusetts's academic content standards, which he believes should be copied by other states, not watered down by the inclusion of vague skills. Pioneer also recently released a report commenting on the state's 21st Century Skills Task Force Report. "A Step Backwards: An Analysis of the 21st Century Skills Task Force Report" highlights the few positives and many negatives in the Report and the possible consequences of applying the Task Force's proposals. In a sign of Pioneer's impact on the debate, a Boston Globe editorial lamented, "Teachers and parents across the state just don't know enough about 21st-century skills. The unnerving part is that the proponents don't seem to know much more." pioneerinstitute.org

MICHIGAN

Several years of research by Mackinac Center scholars was compiled into a pamphlet, "101 Recommendations to Revitalize Michigan," and distributed to policymakers and reporters at the beginning of the new legislative session. Divided into categories including spending, taxes, property rights and labor law, the compendium offers a synopsis of each suggestion and a Web address. The Center hosted "Beyond the Bailout," a panel discussion held during the North American Auto Show in Detroit, which featured Paul Ingrassia, former Detroit bureau chief, The Wall Street Journal; Andrew Grossman, The Heritage Foundation; and Sam Kazman, Competitive Enterprise Institute. Property rights champion Susette Kelo and author Jeff Benedict spoke at a forum in East Lansing, a city where takings issues have simmered for years. In February, director of advancement Justin Marshall was promoted to vice president of advancement. mackinac.org

MINNESOTA

Recent Center of the American Experiment publications include columns by president Mitch Pearlstein critiquing plans that would hold K-12 largely harmless (while slashing higher education) as Minnesota contends with a massive budget shortfall; a piece putting the state's budget crisis in historical context; a related one arguing that Americans have largely forgotten how to sacrifice; and a column about how Republicans in Washington voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act in higher proportions than Democrats. Policy Fellow Peter Nelson wrote about the state budget, including columns on "Green JOBZ" and "Politics of CO2 Regulation" as part of the Center's Policy in Detail series. Public programs included a Dinner Forum with Cato Institute chairman Robert A. Levy, discussing his new book, coauthored with William Mellor, The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom. americanexperiment.org

On Feb. 24, North St. Paul voters soundly defeated an $18.5 million telecommunications proposal. This taxpayer victory was due in part to groundbreaking research provided by the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota. PolarNet, as this government-run fiber-optic system was dubbed, sought to offer services already available from existing providers. PolarNet's price tag was three times the city's annual budget, or $4,000 for each of North St. Paul's 4,700 households. The Freedom Foundation documented how city leaders attempted to keep vital cost information from voters. The Foundation's Transparency Team utilized public information requests regarding the city's troubling lack of transparency and distributed key incriminating e-mails to the news media. "North St. Paul was a great victory for government transparency. Now more than ever, cities should focus on providing essential services, rather than risking valuable tax dollars on speculative projects," said CEO Annette Meeks. freedomfoundationofminnesota.org

MISSOURI

A new Show-Me Institute review of Missouri's state and local governmental structure applies various economic theories, as well as insights from the broader world of political science, to the state's present system of government and politics. Findings in "Government in Missouri" include proof of the economies of scale that occur when measuring spending within smaller Missouri counties. Show-Me initiated a news coverage contest for in-state high school and college students. Launched in conjunction with http://www.showmepolicypulse.org/,the Missouri Broadcasters Association and the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association, the contest encourages political participation through investigative research and creation of original written, audio or video stories. The contest aims to develop a more informed citizenry, while helping students learn how to research and communicate significant publicpolicy issues. showmeinstitute.org

MONTANA

The Montana Policy Institute's has opened its brand new office in Bozeman, and work continues on state government transparency by providing informational testimony on "Google for Government" legislation, and by launching http://www.schoolsopenmt.org/. Montana's major transparency bill is working its way through the legislature and has so far avoided the obstacles that have been put in front of it.MPI has begun to lay the foundation for moving transparency to the local and county level in anticipation of migrating success down to the trenches where people's lives are most closely affected by government actions.In late May MPI will co-host a "Lessons from History" seminar with the Foundation for Economic Education. montanapolicy.org

NEBRASKA

In February, the Platte Institute for Economic Research hired John S. McCollister as its executive director. McCollister recently completed his fifth term on the publicly-elected Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors, which provides natural gas and water to the Omaha area.In March, the Institute released the report "Commission of Industrial Relations: Wreaking Havoc on City Budgets and Governance in Nebraska." The Commission is the state administrative agency responsible for resolving all city employee salary disputes in Nebraska. The main problem with the CIR is that it fails to take into account a city's ability to pay before setting new - and higher - city employee salaries. platteinstitute.org

NEVADA

The Nevada Policy Research Institute's Education Policy Summit showed how businesses can drive educational reform. Several TV and news stories highlighted the Summit and the solutions it offered the lawmakers and business leaders in attendance. With the Nevada Legislature in session and considering raising taxes, NPRI has produced several studies showing how Nevada can save money and improve results. NPRI's reports have generated numerous TV and radio interviews and dozens of newspaper articles. An NPRI researcher recently won an 18-month-long lawsuit to gain access to school district records. This transparency victory will help NPRI expose government corruption and waste. Nevada's largest newspaper ran an editorial detailing NPRI's work and praising the ruling. NPRI has hired Victor Joecks as its deputy communications director. Joecks will direct NPRI's new media efforts, including running the Institute's new blog, http://www.writeonnevada.com/. npri.org

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Josiah Bartlett Center's stepped-up analysis of the growing budget debacle led the state's largest newspaper to editorialize that the legislature should invite the Center in so they can avoid the mistakes of the past. The Center's "Get Your Shovels Ready" analysis showed the projects proposed for receiving stimulus money diverged dramatically from pre-established legislative infrastructure priorities. In addition, JBC has published a town-by-town analysis of how much each town will lose under the suspension of revenue sharing and how much it will raise property taxes. Finally, the Center published an analysis of the $520 million in one-time money used to balance the budget and the structural deficit going forward. jbartlett.org

NEW MEXICO

The Rio Grande Foundation hired Jean Baugh as its vice president. Her primary duties will be fundraising and organizational development. Baugh has both fundraising and public policy experience. The Foundation recently released "The Government Gravy Train," a study which compared New Mexico's government bureaucracy to those in other states. The study, by Scott Moody and Wendy P. Warcholik, Ph.D., revealed state bureaucracy to be bloated and overpaid and was the topic of an hour-long segment on 770 KKOB AM, and discussed in both an op-ed and a favorable editorial in the Albuquerque Journal. The current legislative session is the first full session during which the Foundation's legislative tracking site http://www.newmexicovotes.org/ has been active. The effort has been used by newspapers in rural areas as a means of tracking voting records of their local legislators. riograndefondation.org

NEW YORK

Empire Center representatives appeared before two legislative fiscal panels and made a strong case against raising New York's income taxes. Center director E.J. McMahon told the committees that Albany can no longer rely on Wall Street to generate "high-octane revenues" for the state treasury. "Wall Street loomed larger in our budget and economy than oil and gas in Texas, or coal mining in West Virginia," he said. He rejected the proposed "fair share" tax, which would increase the state's top marginal tax rate of 6.85 on incomes of $250,000 or more. The tax plan, if enacted, could cost New York 22,000 private-sector jobs, according to a computer model prepared for the Empire Center. Jonathan Haughton, senior economist of the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University in Boston, explained the findings at a budget forecasting panel in Albany. empirecenter.org

NORTH CAROLINA

Local government planners tend to tout small, crowded housing developments near city centers. The John Locke Foundation's Carolina Journal recently highlighted the hypocrisy of that approach by exposing the suburban lifestyle of Raleigh's top planner. The Journal also broke the story of a state air quality official using his position and taxpayer resources to recruit businesses for a private climate registry tied to global warming alarmists. Speaking of warming, JLF co-hosted a climate debate in Hickory between a leading alarmist, William Schlesinger, and well-respected skeptic John Christy. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Winston S. Churchill helped JLF celebrate its 19th anniversary with speeches in Raleigh and Charlotte. Recent JLF research has targeted annexation reform, state and local government overspending, taxpayer election financing problems, and teacher pay myths. Kristina Mitten Sanders recently joined JLF as director of advancement. johnlocke.org

The John William Pope Civitas Institute has focused on the state budget as a shortfall in excess of $2 billion has wrecked state finances in North Carolina. Brian Balfour, Civitas' tax and budget analyst, has spearheaded the effort with various authored reports and media appearances on how the state can close the budget gap, areas where taxpayer resources are being allocated inefficiently and how lobbyists for state funded groups are beating the drum for higher taxes to enable the state to keep spending freely. In coming months, Civitas will focus on educating citizens on the "Card Check" efforts of organized labor. Civitas will also host Investigative Journalism Training and sponsor a Coastal Conservative Conference in Wilmington in May. As always, the Institute continues conducting monthly polls tracking voter sentiment regarding issues and politics in North Carolina. nccivitas.org

OHIO

The Buckeye Institute's 1851 Center for Constitutional Law recently scored a victory for educational freedom. After the Center employed a comprehensive "litigation through letterhead" campaign, the city of Toledo backed down from its attempt to use zoning laws as a back-door means to regulate the curriculum and facilities of private schools within its boundaries. "The High Cost of High School Dropouts in Ohio" chronicled the negative impact dropouts have on government services and welfare programs, and found dropout-recovery charter schools provide a net benefit of $44 million a year. In "Which Way for Higher Education in Ohio?," released in cooperation with the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, authors Dr. Richard Vedder and Marc Kilmer offered a critical analysis of the Ohio Board of Regents Strategic Plan for Higher Education. buckeyeinstitute.org

OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs recently published a study revealing the real cost of education in Oklahoma. OCPA research fellow Steve Anderson methodically compiled all the expenditures that would be included on a regular financial statement. He discovered that the real per-pupil cost in the state is $10,942 - some 60 percent higher than the official government figure. This research project combines education policy, fiscal policy and transparency, and OCPA encourages other state think tanks to consider it for their states. ocpathink.org

OREGON

This legislative session Cascade Policy Institute staffers have testified on dozens of bills and continue to push eight others. CPI's transparency bill, which would create an online, searchable state revenue and expenditure database, had its first public hearing in February. Chief sponsors include two Republicans and two Democrats. Cascade's investigative work uncovering voter fraud has led to an election-reform bill, currently working its way through the process. Four educational luncheons for lawmakers were held featuring Paul Di Perna, Friedman Foundation; Sally Pipes, Pacific Research Institute; and economists Eric Fruits and Bill Conerly. In March, Cascade hosted the Cato Institute's Patrick Michaels, who promoted his latest book, Climate of Extremes. With Friedman Foundation Innovation Grant funding, Cascade has launched the Oregon School Choice Video Contest, featuring a $10,000 prize for short videos from K-12 parents and students that promote school choice. cascadepolicy.org

PENNSYLVANIA

The Allegheny Institute's research into pension problems in Pennsylvania's largest cities shows serious funding shortfalls for several of these plans. The Institute recommends that new hires be enrolled in defined contribution plans, and the state should consider rewriting necessary statutes allowing bankruptcy for these municipalities as a last-resort option. Allegheny's prediction of skyrocketing costs for Pittsburgh's light-rail tunnel project has been borne out as leaders announced their desire for another $118 million for completion, which raises the price tag of this boondoggle from $360 to $553 million. With a cash-strapped state, county and city, proponents are hoping for federal stimulus dollars to fill the gap. Sadly, there never seems to be any accountability for those who engineer such outrages. alleghenyinstitute.org

The Commonwealth Foundation re-launched http://www.pleasenomoretaxes.org/ in January in preparation of upcoming budget battles. Faced with the largest deficit in decades, Gov. Edward Rendell hopes to raise taxes to plug the hole. In addition to identifying wasteful spending - upwards of $5 billion worth of corporate welfare and nanny-state spending - the Please No More Taxes educational campaign includes a video contest, a petition and a bumper sticker to help spread the message. In February, higher education reforms promoted by the Foundation were embodied in legislative proposals put forth by the Senate Education Committee Chairman, a school choice ally and enemy of the school employee labor unions. The reforms include redirecting state subsidies to students rather than institutions, withholding state subsidies if schools fail to restrain tuition increases to inflation, and requiring taxpayer-aided students to maintain a "C" average and graduate in four years. commonwealthfoundation.org

On May 5, the REACH Foundation will host its 8th Annual Educational Improvement Tax Credit Birthday Party at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. Last year's event saw more than 2,700 students, parents, teachers, administrators, and citizens in attendance - making it the largest to date. REACH expects another showing of strong bi-partisan support for the EITC program by legislators representing both sides of the aisle at this year's rally. REACH is also in the midst of its Visions of Choice campaign, highlighting individual students and families for whom school choice is a reality. REACH is working with legislators to revise provisions for the EITC program. These include raising the family income cap and making the program more accessible for special needs students. paschoolchoice.org.

RHODE ISLAND

The Ocean State Policy Research Institute has been productive with its Transparency Train project, http://www.transparencytrain.org/. School departments and municipalities have been increasingly cooperative. A new forthcoming section, RI Schools, will allow users to examine, compare and contrast school performance and employee contract data. The Rhode Island Treasury and Department of Administration have introduced corresponding Web sites offering access to their financial records. On Feb. 19, OSPRI cosponsored the kick-off event for the newly-formed Rhode Island chapter of the Federalist Society. The event featured University of California Berkeley School of Law professor John Yoo, an eminent Constitutional scholar on executive powers and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice. oceanstatepolicy.org

SOUTH CAROLINA

The South Carolina Policy Council released a state budget analysis during a joint press conference with Gov. Mark Sanford and State Senator Tom Davis that shows state spending is more than three times the amount publicly debated. The analysis examined how the $21 billion state spending is comprised of fine and fee revenue, plus federal aid, in addition to the state general fund. Prior debate over state spending had only addressed the $6 billion state general fund. Policy Council president Ashley Landess joined state Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom and Senator Kevin Bryant to announce an effort by officials to make Anderson County the state's first to voluntarily post county expenses and credit card statements online for public inspection. scpolicycouncil.com

TEXAS

More than 650 people attended the Texas Public Policy Foundation's 7th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature in January. Videos from the keynote events - including the eminent domain discussion with Susette Kelo, the immigration debate between Dr. Arthur Laffer and Mark Krikorian, and keynote speeches by Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst - as well as the audio and slides from the panel sessions are available online. Seven other research, business and taxpayer groups signed onto the Foundation's "Blueprint for an Effective Budget," an agreed-to set of guidelines for the Texas legislative budget process. TPPF is working to ensure the state rejects all funds in the federal stimulus package that would expand government programs and increase the state's future financial obligations. texaspolicy.com

VERMONT

Obama Stimulus Bill Creates a Job! Actually it's just a coincidence, but the Ethan Allen Institute is searching for a new president and CEO to replace its founder, John McClaughry, who will assume the revered status of fellow. The Board hopes to attract candidates who have experience in the free-market think tank world, especially in marketing ideas and building coalitions. For the full announcement of the position, go to http://www.ethanallen.org/. Meanwhile, EAI is hosting its 16th annual Jefferson Day dinner on April 14, featuring historian Dr. H. Nicholas Muller III, an expert on early Vermont and its famous Allen family. He'll discuss "Tom and Ethan," how the cerebral Mr. Jefferson and the rambunctious Col. Allen shared and acted to advance the same ardent libertarian philosophy.

VIRGINIA

An editorial board tour on school choice in black neighborhoods resulted in front page stories and an op-ed column in the Richmond Times Dispatch. Thomas Jefferson Institute released its updated fiscal analysis of a Pennsylvania-style corporate tuition tax credit. Legislative veteran Scott Leake has joined TJI as its director of government and public affairs, providing an effective full-time presence in Richmond. As part of its Energy Independence Project, TJI identified nearly 11,000 voters supporting off-shore drilling and issued a briefing paper to legislators and news media. And the Institute brought in former South Wales, Australia, Premier Robert Carr to meet with 12 legislators about public-private partnership transportation successes while he was Premier. Carr met with the House Speaker, House Transportation Committee chair, Minority Caucus chair and the Republican Senate Caucus. thomasjeffersoninst.org

Thanks to the efforts of the Virginia Institute for Public Policy and its affiliate organizations, Tertium Quids and the Tuesday Morning Group coalition, the Virginia General Assembly passed - unanimously - a budget transparency bill that will substantially enhance the type and amount of information available to the commonwealth's taxpayers. This is a big step forward for open government and VIPP intends to follow-up this important victory with additional reform measures in the 2010 session. Tertium Quids launched Freedom & Prosperity Radio - a weekly, 30-minute broadcast highlighting state and national issues from a free-market perspective. The show airs in Roanoke and Charlottesville and will be expanding to other markets in the near future. A podcast version of the show can be downloaded at http://www.tertiumquids.org/. virginiainstitute.org

WASHINGTON

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation celebrated the launch of its new Property Rights Center at a gala luncheon attended by 165 guests. It featured Susette Kelo, of Kelo v. City of New London fame, and Jeff Benedict, author of Little Pink House, which recounts her story. Facing a now $8 billion budget shortfall, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire scrambled for cost-cutting ideas only to then hide 87 of them from public scrutiny without legal justification. EFF made a public disclosure request for them, then, when it was refused on the grounds of "executive privilege," threatened litigation to force disclosure. The governor's office quickly saw the light and released the documents. "Grim Ferry Tales," a pamphlet detailing the many shortcomings of Washington State Ferries is now ready for guerrilla-style distribution to ferry patrons and public officials by EFF volunteers. Watch the fur fly. effwa.org

In February, The Washington Timespublished Washington Policy Center'scommentary,"The Key To Economic Stimulus Success: Focus on Long-Term Growth, Not Short-Term Jobs"and The Wall Street Journal quoted WPC transportation director Michael Ennis in a story on the stimulus money fight between states and cities. The WPC research staff has been actively involved in the legislative session and the governor has solicited our input on a number of issues. Lawmakers have invited WPC staff to testify at more than two dozen committee hearings, and staff has released17 Legislative Memos on a range of topics. On April 18 Dr. Samuel Staley of Reason Foundation will discuss land-use planning and transportation policy at a WPC-hosted dinner for the 2009 American Dream Coalition conference in Seattle. On June 3 Dr. Steven Eastaugh, President Obama's health care advisor, will keynote WPC's 7th Annual Health Care Conference. washingtonpolicy.org

WEST VIRGINIA

The Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia is pleased to announce the release of its newest book, The Rule of Law: Perspectives on Legal and Judicial Reform in West Virginia. Edited by Dr. Russ Sobel, and including a chapter by the Honorable Sandra Day O'Connor, the book describes a society that is governed not by people, but instead by established, fair and predictable rules of interaction. Policy prescriptions for tort reform, rights of appeal and the non-partisan judicial elections are highlighted topics to keep open dialogue on growth-oriented policy reform in West Virginia. The Rule of Law is available online. westvirginiapolicy.com

WISCONSIN

The MacIver Institute for Public Policy, a Wisconsin-based think tank that promotes individual freedom, limited government and personal responsibility, officially launched the first week in March. "We're confident the MacIver Institute will quickly become a respected source for timely research and innovative policy proposals," said vice chairman Steve Fettig. During its first week, the MacIver Institute released the results of a statewide poll that showed the people of Wisconsin disagree with Gov. Jim Doyle's handling of the current budget crisis: 83 percent of respondents believe the best way to balance the budget is to cut spending, and 78 percent say they oppose raising taxes by more than $2 billion. The Institute will advance its ideas through the traditional media and emerging social media networks. maciverinstitute.com

WYOMING

The Wyoming Liberty Group is very pleased to be receiving a grant for a health transparency project. In February, staff economist Sven Larson spoke on "Merits of Health Transparency for Understanding and Resolving Health Care Issues" during a dinner for Wyoming legislators and key lobbyists. In anticipation of the judicial accountability project the WLG is introducing this spring, legislators will get copies of Benjamin Barr's recently completed, first-ever comprehensive study of the Wyoming Constitution. Copies of Barr's amicus brief for the U.S. Supreme Court case, Citizens United vs. Federal Elections Commission will be available as well, accompanied by his explanation of the case. The state legislative session that ended in March was ably covered by staff members Charles Ware and Shane Scheid. wyliberty.org

NATIONAL

The Acton Institute's newly launched "Global Economic Crisis Resource Page" emphasizes its moral aspects. An organized collection of recent Acton articles, interviews and video that directly relates to the economic crisis, the page includes material that addresses the causes of the crisis, the government's responses and market-based solutions to the crisis. It also has a link to Sam Gregg's superb Acton Lecture Series video about the crisis. acton.org

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni recently published two new guides for trustees. "Measuring Up: The Problem of Grade Inflation and What Trustees Can Do" assesses the various strategies that universities across the country have adopted to rein in galloping A's. "The Higher Education Opportunity Act and You" helps trustees navigate through the 1,100-page law recently passed by Congress. Both were sent to the governing boards of more than 500 universities that are responsible for the education of nearly six million students. The guides are part of a series aimed at helping trustees to improve governance, raise academic standards and defend academic freedom. goacta.org

Smart Growth is coming to a city near you!The Obama administration'snew Office of Urban Affairs means the President is not limiting government intrusion to just the federal level. They've got their eyes set squarely on state capitals andmetropolitan areas, too. Those who defendfreedom will need new skill positions and different tactics to effectively fight back. So who is the urban analyst in your organization?Answer: The American Dream Coalition. As an associate member of SPN, the American Dream Coalition is here to help you help the people of your state, most of whom live in urban areas. Join us at the 2009 Preserving the American Dream Conference, April 17-19,in Bellevue, Wash. americandreamcoalition.org

American Legislative Exchange Council's latest Report Card on American Education, released for the 15th straight year, again shows spending does not correlate with student results. A majority of students in American public schools failed to meet proficiency levels in fourth- and eighth-grade mathematics and reading, and SAT and ACT scores stagnated, despite decades-long increases in public-school spending. Using nationally recognized test results, the ALEC Report Card on American Education ranked the 50 states and the District of Columbia accordingly, one being the best and 51 the worst. Minnesota placed first in the unique ranking, Washington, D.C. last. The full report is available at http://www.alec.org/.

Americans for Tax Reform recently overhauled its website. Everyone is encouraged to visit the new http://www.atr.org/, as well as join one of our groups on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The 2009 International Property Rights Index, released in February, is the first international comparative study that measures the significance of both physical and intellectual property rights.This Index provides the public, researchers and policymakers from across the globe with a tool for comparative analysis and future research on global property rights. The current study analyzes data for 115 countries, representing 96 percent of world GDP. Of great importance, the 2009 gauge incorporates data of rights protection from various sources, often directly obtained from expert surveys within the evaluated countries. In planning your next visit to the Wednesday Meeting, please note, ATR has moved and is now located at 722 12th Street NW, across from Metro Center.

America's Future Foundation continued its AFF on the Road program, working with SPN groups to host debates in major cities nationwide. In March, AFF hosted The Road Back to Capitalism debates in New York, Los Angeles and Denver. AFF is currently developing chapters in Minneapolis, Northern Virginia and New York. AFF would like to thank its SPN partners for their help as we work to identify talent in the states, inspire young leaders and contribute to the debate about libertarian and conservative ideas. To learn about AFF and its chapters, visit http://www.americasfuture.org/.

Atlas Economic Research Foundation has a new project on Sound Money, which aims to revitalize think-tank interest in an urgent topic that has been neglected for too long. Initially, Atlas is convening meetings of experts to develop a set of monetary policy recommendations that could be basis for futureeducational and advocacy efforts on Sound Money. Later, Atlas will be mobilizing think tanks to develop projects to raise awareness about the problem of inflation and the set of solutions that come out of the project's first phase. Atlas invites SPN members to: participate in a short survey that lays the groundwork for a future RFP on Sound Money, and publicize its Sound Money essay contest among young scholars. atlasnetwork.org

During a February legislative hearing in Albany, Beacon Hill Institute senior economist Jonathan Haughton warned that taxing New Yorkers who make $250,000 or more would further diminish the business climate and destroy jobs. Haughton told a panel the "fair-share" tax increase, backed by labor unions, would reduce private sector jobs by 22,000, according to a version of the Institute's State Tax Modeling Program developed for the Empire Empire Center for New York State Policy. Haughton said new taxes would encourage high earners to move. The Institute also released its economic analysis of the Western Climate Initiative's Cap-and-Trade Program. The Institute scored the effort proposed by seven states and four Canadian provinces to establish a permit system for carbon emissions. The study finds that the western plan overstates the benefits and inadequately measures the costs, particularly on manufacturers, as well as the effective new taxes on the energy and transportation sectors. beaconhill.org

TheBill of Rights Institute's Being an American Essay Contest culminated March 31 in Washington, D.C., where high school student winners and their teachers were honored and awarded nearly $200,000. Founded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, the contest prompted 31,000 students to write essays about what it means to be an American in today's society. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas delivered the keynote address at the Awards Gala. National Public Radio/Fox News commentator Juan Williams served as Master of Ceremonies. Since 2006, theessay contesthas been challenging high school students to reflect on American citizenship in light of our Founding documents and American civic values. Visit http://www.beinganamerican.org/ for more information. billofrightsinstitute.org

Nobel laureates Vernon Smith, Edward Prescott and James Buchanan were among the 300 economists who signed an open letter to President Obama opposing the stimulus spending bill. The advertisement, published in major newspapers nationwide, proved that not all economists support massive deficits and Keynesian-style "recovery programs." Nat Hentoff, one of the foremost authorities on the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights, has joined the Cato Institute as a senior fellow. The author of some three dozen books and countless magazine articles, Hentoff served as a Village Voice columnist for over 50 years. Noted columnist and television commentator Tucker Carlson has also joined the Cato Institute as a senior fellow, and will write a book on the state of the American polity. Don't miss the new Cato Handbook for Policymakers (7th Edition)! cato.org

The Center for Education Reform recently distributed to every federal and state lawmaker in the country "Mandate for Change," a monograph of recommendations that can help guide government leaders to improve our nation's schools. Such recommendations suggest a new role for the U.S. Dept. of Justice in policing school choice; a national imperative to have student-level data on a daily basis for every child; a rejection of the appalling performance of too many teachers; and a call for every school to abandon its central district and to behave like charter schools. This brief but commanding booklet argues that fixing public education is hands down the most leveraged domestic policy opportunity of our time. Download the monograph from mandate.edreform.com as well as monitor the ongoing discussion. edreform.com

Citizens in Charge Foundation is a transpartisan grassroots membership organization that educates the public about the benefits of the citizen ballot initiative and referendum & recall, and litigates to protect and expand those rights. This year, the Foundation has hosted successful events in Oklahoma and Missouri, and at the American Citizens' Summit in Colorado and CPAC and National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The Foundation's focus is citizen-led reform, government accountability and putting citizens back in charge using the I&R process. President Paul Jacob is celebrating 10 years of his daily Common Sense column, which draws on everyday American stories of citizens committed to individual liberty and limited government. The Foundation recently launched http://www.ballotboxnews.com/, a comprehensive newswire featuring the latest information on ballot measures with state specific RSS feeds. Visit the Foundation's interactive, multi-media web page and post your state news on the Citizen Blog. citizensincharge.org

Each month the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute co-hosts the Conservative Women's Network at the Heritage Foundation. This unique program is made up of more than 1,000 women in the Washington, D.C., area who range from stay-at-home mothers to students to organization presidents. These women gather to enjoy a free lunch, become informed on important issues, network with area professionals and hear from key conservative leaders. Upcoming speakers include NRA deputy executive director Andrea Cerwinske in April, and author Rebecca Hagelin in May. Email Camille Hart, chart@cblpi.org, for details. cblpi.org

The Claremont Institute is pleased to announce its dinner to celebrate the Claremont Review of Books. The event will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist and author George Will. The Claremont Review of Books, a quarterly journal of political thought and statesmanship, is the Institute's flagship publication. By engaging policy at the level of ideas, the CRB aims to reawaken in American politics a statesmanship and citizenship worthy of our noblest political traditions. Tickets are on sale now for this special event, to be held June 8 in Santa Monica. Reservations requested before May 29. claremont.org

The Competitive Enterprise Institute has some exciting new projects and opportunities. Bureaucrash, CEI's activist outreach project, unveiled its Revolution in a Box, a kit to empower activists on communicating freedom.Over a dozen free-market organizations contributed items to the project.Order kits at http://www.bureaucrash.com/.Don't forget to join the social networking site for free-market activists, social.bureaucrash.com. CEI is accepting applications for the next Warren T. Brookes Journalism Fellowship, which begins in the fall.Journalists with a free-market orientation may apply, contact chall@cei.org. CEI is all over new media!View CEI videos at http://www.ceiondemand.org/. Follow CEI on Twitter at twitter.com/ceidotorg.Visit CEI's blog at http://www.openmarket.org/.And look for CEI's fan page on Facebook. Book CEI policy experts through cei.org/speakers_b to talk at your next event. cei.org

"The Global ‘Go-To Think Tanks'," a study of 5,465 think tanks conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, ranks the Fraser Institute among the top 10 in the world in health policy, domestic economic policy and international economic policy. Fraser researchers are living up to this well-earned reputation, publishing timely commentaries examining the Obama administration's green energy policy, unbalanced labor policy, centralized health care policy and fusion foreign policy. Researcher articles and quotes have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Economic Affairs, The Financial Post, The American Legion Magazine, and the online editions of The Weekly Standard, The American and Doublethink. Fraser has released a Generosity Index (Utah ranks first) and Survey of Mining Companies (Wyoming is the highest-rated state). fraseramerica.org

FreedomWorks tapped into bailout outrage and tax-hike hostility to organize a 25-city Tea Party Tour. Taxpayers are angry their hard-earned money is being usurped by the government for irresponsible bailouts. The movement will show President Obama and Congress that their push towards socialism won't be tolerated. FreedomWorks has coordinated the national tour through its campaign website, IamWithRick.com.

Working with other groups and individuals within the free-market, limited-government community, FreedomWorks has coordinated events in Washington, D.C., Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, St. Louis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Monterey with more being added every day. On April 15, dozens of taxpayer tea parties will be held around the country, calling for tax reform on the streets and online at http://www.scrapthecode.org/. freedomworks.org

The Friedman Foundation staff has been busy in the halls of various state capitols, providing expert testimony in legislative committee and board hearings. Hearings on legislation creating tax credit programs for donations to scholarship-granting organizations were held in February by Montana and Indiana Senate fiscal committees, where Friedman Foundation experts explained how tax credit programs are successfully operating in several states. The Foundation also continued its successful Survey in the State series, releasing Vermont and Oregon polling results. Friedman program services director Paul DiPerna also spoke at public forums in both states discussing the survey results. In addition, a study examining the fiscal impact of a Montana tax credit program was also released, and Friedman staff spoke about the school choice movement at a symposium organized by the Montana Family Foundation. friedmanfoundation.org

The Fund for American Studies is Building Future Leaders one student at a time through expanded programs and a newly-renovated educational building. To help support its efforts, TFAS will host the 2009 Annual Donor Conference April 16-17 in Washington, D.C. Beginning with a reception at the Newseum, alumni and supporters will listen to invited guest speaker Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and other dignitaries discuss the value of teaching freedom, personal responsibility and limited government to America's next generation of leaders. TFAS and Fred Barnes will join supporters and friends for an Aug. 28-Sept. 5 In Defense of Freedom excursion to Britain and France. The delegation will explore the battlefields of WWII, focusing on two key figures in the U.S.-European relationship, Tocqueville and Churchill. To learn more about the Building Future Leaders campaign, annual conference or trip visit tfas.org

The Galen Institute continues to publicize the dangers of increased government control over the U.S. health sector, working with members of Congress and others committed to preserving private options for patients and doctors. Galen president Grace-Marie Turner found an audience energized about consumer-focused ideas at CPAC, where she spoke to a packed ballroom with Rep. Michael Burgess, a physician from Texas. Also, in March, in conjunction with the London-based International Policy Network, Galen hosted a major conference, Lessons from Abroad for U.S. Health Reform. Experts and physicians from Europe and Canada provided firsthand information about the dangers of government control over health care. See webcast at http://www.galen.org/. Follow Galen's activities on Twitter @galeninstitute and @aemenefee.

The Heartland Institute hosted a Telecom Forum in Ohio during February to hear from some of the nation's leading free-market experts on telecom reform. Elected officials, business leaders and Heartland donors and members gathered to address an important policy issue and to build stronger relationships between Heartland and state legislators and staff in Ohio. Speakers included Hance Haney, J.D., director and senior fellow of the Technology & Democracy Project at the Discovery Institute in Washington, D.C.; James G. Lakely, a research fellow at The Heartland Institute and managing editor of Infotech & Telecom News; Jerry Ellig, Ph.D., a native Ohioan, who has been a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University since 1996; Brandt Hershman, currently the majority whip in the Indiana State Senate. In 2006, he introduced legislation that revamped the state's regulatory framework for telecommunications. heartland.org

The Heritage Foundation produced 33 Minutes,its first full-length documentary film, which outlines the importance of deploying a vigorous defense against the growing threat of nuclear ballistic missiles. Visit http://www.33minutes.com/. Heritage engaged in the fight to protect the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program by sending a series of videos to President Obama featuring children currently benefiting from school choice in D.C. The Voicesof School Choice videos are available on the Heritage YouTube channel. Heritage health care experts' work has focused on the Obama Administration's effort to nationalize the U.S. health care system. The plan would expand health entitlements, consolidate power in Washington and result inlessprivate health care coverage. Heritage supports expanding consumer choice,giving state governments moreflexibility and making sure health IT enhancements are patient-centered and supportive of quality and value. heritage.org

Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options' main programmatic focus during the second half of 2008 was the organization of its First Annual Education Policy and Parental Choice Latino Democrat Elected Officials Seminar in December at Harvard University. This event engaged Latino Democratic officials on issues of education policy and parental choice. In partnership with the Program on Education Policy and Gov­ernance at Harvard, Hispanic CREO developed a dynamic and intense agenda where experts in their fields presented relevant data and case studies concerning the state of education for Latino students in the U.S. In 2009, Hispanic CREO will reinforce its involvement with Latino Democrat elected officials and Hispanic Business Leaders primarily in Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and New Jersey. hcreo.org

As Depression-era prescriptions abound during the economic upheaval, Independent Institute senior fellow Robert Higgs' expertise has been in high demand as the preeminent wartime economist. One of a few to question the enormous federal bailouts, he questioned the idea of government spending its way out of recession in a Christian Science Monitor critique, "Instead of Stimulus, Do Nothing - Seriously." Last month, his work attracted the attention of the top-rated Fox Business Channel, CBS News, New York Times and syndicated radio host Dennis Prager. During his in-depth interview with Prager, Higgs (author of Depression, War, and Cold War) showed how New Deal and World War II spending and controls prolonged and deepened the Great Depression, and drastically channeled resources away from productive use, with recovery only possible after the war when such policies were ended. Similarly, President Obama's spending mania will only be disastrous. independent.org

It shouldn't take seven years and a team of lawyers to open a small business. That is why the Institute for Justice filed a major federal lawsuit in Boston. This case has national implications and presents a crucial counter-narrative showcasing the necessity of economic liberty. IJ's launch video has over 5,000 YouTube views. Please watch and share: www.ij.org/video/errolltyler. IJ defeated eminent domain abuse in Nashville, achieved a campaign finance victory in Florida, is defending three school-choice cases in Arizona and continues the nationwide fight against the interior design cartel. IJ also freed Richard Epstein from a frivolous defamation lawsuit, produced an education tax-credits study with the Friedman Foundation and is representing the Independence Institute in an important free speech fight. The landmark Kelo case is now a major book, Little Pink House. Order a copy today! ij.org

The Institute for Policy Innovation kicked off 2009 by taking the free-market message nationwide. At a Washington, D.C., State of the Net conference, Internet Safety Task Force member Bartlett Cleland, along with other members, presented the final ISTF report announcing there is no technological substitute for parents and law enforcement in protecting kids online. In Atlanta, IPI president Tom Giovanetti testified before the Georgia Assembly on the benefits of video franchise reform. When State Farm announced its departure from Florida's property insurance market, Lawrence Hunter appeared in print and radio encouraging policymakers to lower insurance prices with deregulatory solutions. IPI's brand new weekly TexByte, commenting on Texas issues, has been featured in newspapers throughout the Lone Star State. And Peter Ferrara was showcased in both The Wall Street Journal and Fox News explaining "Reaganomics versus Obamanomics" - economic policy based on pragmatism versus ideology. ipi.org

This June The Jesse Helms Center will host two sessions of its annual Free Enterprise Leadership Challenge. The five-day, residential program is designed to teach rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors about free enterprise, ethical behavior in business and principled leadership. During the week students form companies that provide a product or service for other camp members using real dollars. Students also participate in speech and debate contests, character education games and listen to principled free-enterprise speakers. Program graduate Eric Harris, a current business owner, said, "I can attribute a lot of my passion to principles gained from my FELC experiences." Students from across the United States are eligible to attend the FELC; applications are available at the Center's website. jessehelmscenter.org

The Lucy Burns Institute isbuilding acomprehensive online calendar of state sunshine-related events: court rulingsthat affect the free flow of information from the government to the public; hearings and votes on statutory changes; dates of transparency website launches; and workshops, trainings and other events relevant to state sunshine. LBI also tracks transparency headlines with frequently updated articles for each of the 50 states.The calendar and headlines are available at http://www.sunshinereview.org/. The last week of every month in 2009, LBI is hosting hands-on workshops in wiki content creation at its office in Madison, Wisc. These 2.5 day classes are available at no charge to SPN member groups. wikifoia.org

Manhattan Institute scholars Paul Howard and James Copland respond to the recent Supreme Court case ruling in Wyeth v. Levine against FDA Preemption in their most recent paper, "The Case for FDA Preemption and Administrative Compensation." This report offers an original proposalthat would both protect innovation and offer real victims a remedy - an alternative compensation program forconsumers injured by unknown drug side effects. In April, the Manhattan Institute's Center for Energy Policy and the Environment will release an update of its 2007 report, "Energy & Environment: Myths & Facts." Written by Drew Thornley, this report measures the public perception of energy and the environment - what is fact and what is fiction. manhattan-institute.org

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University recently released the first-ever comprehensive ranking of American state policies affecting individual freedoms in the economic, social and personal spheres. "Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom," by Jason Sorens and William P. Ruger, examines state and local government intervention across a wide range of public policies from income taxation to gun control. State rankings are available at http://www.statepolicyindex.com/. The Mercatus Center state outreach team was proud to partner with the Beacon Hill Institute for the inaugural Capital Campus Massachusetts that hosted over 40 legislators and their staff to discuss budget, health care, education and property rights issues in Boston. It was a day of lively policy discussions between scholars and Massachusetts policy makers. mercatus.org

The Moving Picture Institute is pleased to announce the continuing success of Indoctrinate U, the acclaimed exposé of higher education's disrespect for free inquiry. Indoctrinate U aired on the Documentary Channel - which reaches 25 million homes - throughout the winter. In February, it screened at Liberty on the Rocks, the Independence Institute's monthly film series. MPI makes DVD copies freely available to campus groups and policy organizations wishing to arrange screenings. Nick Tucker's Do As I Say, a funny and timely film about the fiscal hypocrisy of America's progressive elite, is now an official selection of the 2009 Newport Beach Film Festival. View the trailer and sign up to bring the film to your area at http://www.doasisaymovie.com/. MPI is accepting applications for internships; the ideal candidate has an informed appreciation of American liberty and a demonstrable interest in film production. thempi.org

National Center for Policy Analysis president John C. Goodman has been named the Kellye Wright Fellow, continuing to promote a more patient-centered health care system. The NCPA reached agreement with Salem Communications for an exclusive partnership with The Mike Gallagher Show, which has produced extraordi­nary results already. NCPA ideas receive substantial exposure on Gallagher's radio program, his website, the Salem Radio News site and through mobile marketing and texting messaging mediums. Gallagher also features a special Wednesday program segment, "Where Policy Hits the Pavement," during which NCPA scholars discuss the most important domestic policy debates of today. ncpa.org

In theU.S. Supreme Court case Ysursa v. Pocatello Education Association, the Court agreed 6-3 witharguments filed by the National Right to Work Foundation. The Foundation- joined by the Sutherland Institute, Utah Taxpayers Association and the National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Legal Center - successfully argued that union officials have no constitutional right to use government resources to deduct dues from public employees' paychecks. The decision overturned a Ninth Circuit ruling and upheld an Idaho law banning payroll deductionof funds for narrowly defined union politicalexpenditures. The Court majority relied on the Foundation's Supreme Court Davenport v. WEA victory. The practical impactis limited because the Idaho law applied only toa portion of the union's political expenditures. To betruly effective,future lawsshouldonly be proposed in Right to Work states and should ban payroll deduction of all government union dues and fees. nrtw.org

The National Taxpayers Union is the first taxpayer advocacy organization to employ text messaging outreach. Text "Fight" to 54608 to fight big government with your mobile phone! NTU has continued to be a successful and influential proponent of state spending transparency. As of this writing, Democratic Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine was poised to sign a bill into law creating an online database of state expenditures, and bills in both Colorado and North Dakota have passed one house - thanks in part to commentaries, letters and testimony from NTU. Former government affairs manager Andrew Moylan is now director of government affairs. NTU and NTU Foundation will host the National Taxpayers Conference June 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, Va. Citizen activists and policymakers from around the country will gather for workshops on a host of important taxpayer issues. ntu.org

The Pope Center for Higher Education Policy has a twin mission: Promoting higher education reform and working with students and faculty to further free-market ideas on campus. The Center publishes three new articles online each week - not blog posts, but journalistic articles. Jenna Ashley Robinson consistently updates the Center's student webpage, www.popecenter.org/students/current, which lists resources and scholarships, as well as works directly with students. In February, she attended the Students for Liberty Conference and the Conservative Political Action Conference, both in Washington, D.C. The Center wants schools to increase transparency by requiring faculty to post their course syllabi on the Internet, with public access. Students should know what to expect when they sign up for a course. popecenter.org

The Prometheus Institute's first book,The American Evolution: How America Can Adapt to the Political, Economic, and Social Challenges of the 21st Century, is now available. Written byPrometheus director Matt Harrison and published by Prometheus Institute Press, the book can be viewed at http://www.readpi.org/ and http://www.americanevolutionbook.com/. The book applies evolutionary science, quantum mechanics, systems theory, and other emerging sciences to the pressing policy challenges of the day, from the economic crisis to terrorism. The American Evolutionexplains how the sciences of progress are now confirming the progressive value of human freedom. The bookhas already gained the praise of a diverse body of leaders on all sides of the ideological divide, and presents an engaging new perspective on how freedom can solve the difficult challenges our nation faces. theprometheusinstitute.org

Reason Foundation's continuing coverage of the financial crisis includes two new studies that examine the roots of government's spending addiction. The first study analyzes two decades of California budgets and finds spending has more than tripled. The second compares Japanese fiscal policy during the "Lost Decade" of the ‘90s to America's response to the current recession. Reason's coverage of the bailout and stimulus fiasco, featuring more than 100 articles and 20 videos, is available at www.reason.org/bailout. On March 13, ABC's 20/20 featured Reason.tv's Drew Carey Project in a John Stossel special inspired by six Reason.tv segments. Stossel turned a libertarian eye on medical marijuana, universal preschool, traffic congestion, eminent domain, immigration and the myth of the struggling middle class. Reason.tv's Ted Balaker sat down with Stossel to discuss the stimulus package, President Obama and more. Watch the interview at http://www.reason.tv/. reason.org

The Sam Adams Alliance is celebrating the success of its Sunshine Review project, http://www.sunshinereview.org/. In January the wiki-site surpassed the 1,000,000 page view and has been cited in numerous newspaper articles, blog posts and think tank reports as the source used by elected officials and activists when it comes to bringing open and honest government to the state and local level. The folks at the Sam Adams Alliance are getting ready for the Sammies Awards. The April 18 awards dinner and ceremony will be a red-carpet affair celebrating the hard and often unappreciated work of filmmakers, open records champions, bloggers and government watchdogs committed to advancing individual and economic liberty. Presenters will include Michelle Malkin, John Fund and Paul Jacob. Tickets are on sale now. samadamsalliance.org