STRATEGIES FOR STATE THINK TANKS – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015

IN MEMORIAM Whitney Ball Page 9 Always be recruiting and the talent multiplier

BY JOHN TILLMAN Then Kristina mentioned in passing that “You have assembled a great team.” she was exploring options with a well-known company. Despite the low balance in our bank Perhaps nothing more important can be said to accounts, despite the fact we had no budget for a an organization leader than those six words. The new position, I knew she was a difference-maker, hard truth is that all results are derivative of the so taking a calculated risk I said, “Come work with quality of the talent you recruit to your team. me instead.” That’s why I was so disappointed when the That began a six-month courtship that resulted in amazing Jonathan Ingram notified us he was Kristina joining us in April of 2009. The progress we “If you want to leaving. Then it got funny. I learned that it was have made in Illinois would never have happened Tarren Bragdon who stole, er…I mean recruited, if not for that chance encounter we had—with me be great, you Jonathan. I’ve tried to recruit him back to no avail, in “always be recruiting” mode. From passing over have to be a but I never give up. (Jonathan, give me a call, let’s 40 pieces of legislation; to creating an environment talk! Be part of climbing the highest mountain! receptive to a reform candidate for governor; to great recruiter of Really, call me!) helping to recruit and unleash additional, amazing superior talent.” If you want to be great, you have to be a great talented people; we would be a shadow of what we John Tillman, recruiter of superior talent (and not necessarily are if not for Kristina. Illinois Policy Institute from fellow think tanks!), and you have to provide With Kristina joining the team, I transitioned into a canvas that is rewarding for them to paint on. If a strategic fundraiser rather than an operations- you don’t, you will lose your best people. Being a focused CEO, and our transformation began—in great recruiter also means doing great work so you funding, in size, and, most importantly, in results. can retain them. Exponential impact. (Don’t even think about calling Perhaps the most transformational person I ever her to poach—everyone has already tried!) recruited was the incredible Kristina Rasmussen, our As noted, when you assemble a great team EVP. We were talking at the SPN Annual Meeting in of people, others will notice and pursue them. Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2008. The Illinois Policy Institute However, please bear in mind that it would be was on the verge of going broke. We were just over better for all of us in the movement (me included) a year into our re-launch when the financial crisis to poach less and recruit more from outside the accelerated. Our fundraising ground to a halt. continued on page 26

1655 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 360, Arlington, VA 22209 703-243-1655 Fax: 703-740-0314 [email protected] SPN.org @statepolicy SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 VOL 17 / ISSUE 5 Attributes SPN News reports on issues of importance to state-focused, of a Stellar market-oriented, nonprofit public policy research organizations. Drawing from current updates and events from within the industry, Communications the publication provides timely information on the most pressing issues facing public policy state think tank executives. State Policy Network publishes SPN News six times a year. Individual Director copies can be ordered from the State Policy Network offices at 703-243-1655. All images used in this issue are owned by their 5 respective copyright holders. All rights reserved. MISSION STATEMENT BY MEREDITH TURNEY advice: “What you should look for is not State Policy Network is the capacity building service organization A stellar communications director can only someone who can do the job well, for America’s free market, state-focused think tank community. transform a public policy organization. but who will have the personality and We advance a free society by providing leadership development, attitude to fit into your organization’s management training and networking opportunities for think tank He or she serves the invaluable role professionals and by promoting strategic partnerships among culture and add to it in a really positive of advocating for the target audience market-oriented organizations. that the think tank must persuade way. You want to hire people you can STATE POLICY NETWORK™ in order to advance policy reforms trust, who you will enjoy seeing on a daily basis, and who will live up to your Tracie Sharp, President and CEO and build demand for freedom. This Alexis Baker, Donor Relations Manager own high standards day in and day out.” unique position keeps the audience’s Crystal Bouziden, Donor Relations Manager perspective front and center of all 3. THINKS STRATEGICALLY Teresa Brown, Director of Leadership Development messaging and determines how best to Rebecca Bruchhauser, Director of Donor Relations engage them. Communications directors often end Jennifer Butler, Vice President of External Relations up on a hamster wheel. With so many Starlee Coleman,* Consultant In searching for a stellar Todd Davidson, Policy Specialist demands on their limited time, they Daniel Erspamer, Vice President for Strategic Partnerships communications director, there are five become reactive and spend most of attributes that should top your list. Rebecca Feldman, Manager of Foundation Relations their time on day-to-day tasks. But Sarah Ferrara, Coalitions Manager is all this work actually productive? 1. IS CREATIVE AND Brad Gruber, Director of Operations ALWAYS LEARNING Will it make a difference? A stellar Lynn Harsh, Vice President of Strategy communications director avoids this Spencer Hughes, Manager of Development Operations Executive coach Dr. De Hicks advises cycle by stepping back and thinking Cindy Kilduff, Donor Relations Manager communications professionals to only about the desired results. From that Sharon Milhollin, Executive Assistant Kristina Mitten Sanders, Development Specialist schedule around 80% of their work perspective, every communication Daniel Montgomery,* Newsletter Designer product or method can be evaluated for time: “Creativity results most often in Kathleen O’Hearn, Director of Coalitions its effectiveness and the old or useless an environment where there is capacity Rebecca Phillips, Communications Manager to think. Create a margin in your can be discarded, freeing space for Michelle Poehlmann,* Administrative Assistant innovation. calendar of about 20%...unstructured Denise Stevenson, Office Manager Betsy Thraves, Executive Assistant time and you’ll be surprised at the 4. BUILDS TALENTED TEAMS Meredith Turney, Director of Strategic Communications results.” While keeping projects on Maura Weber, Donor Relations Assistant Illinois Policy Institute’s vice budget and on time is important, so Tony Woodlief, Executive Vice President is thinking outside the box and seeing president for communications, Diana *Independent contractor the big picture. Attending conferences Rickert, says their organization BOARD OF DIRECTORS embraces the phrase, “always be like SXSW or even SPN’s webinars Thomas A. Roe, Founding Chairman (1927–2000) or trainings provides opportunities recruiting:” “We’re always on the Gaylord K. Swim (1948–2005) Whitney L. Ball (1962–2015) to learn about innovative marketing lookout for new talent, and thinking Theodore D. Abram...... American Institute for Full Employment strategies and acquire new skills in this expansively about how talented Carl Helstrom (Chairman)...... The JM Foundation people could help the Institute. If rapidly evolving industry. John W. Jackson...... Adolph Coors Foundation there is someone who is talented and Adam Meyerson...... Philanthropy Roundtable 2. IS A GOOD CULTURE- passionate, we think about how that Tracie J. Sharp (President)...... State Policy Network AND-CHARACTER FIT person could help the organization— Stanford D. Swim...... The GFC Foundation John Kramer, vice president for even if there isn’t necessarily a job Bridgett G. Wagner...... The Heritage Foundation Thomas Willcox...... Thomas Roe Foundation communications at the Institute for description or posting out at the 1655 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 360, Arlington, VA 22209 Justice, has a history of finding and moment.” A stellar communications Phone: 703-243-1655 Fax: 703-740-0314 continued on page 8 cultivating quality talent. Here’s his [email protected] SPN.org twitter.com/statepolicy facebook.com/statepolicy SPN NEWS 2 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015

® Direct Care is an innovative alternative model of providing medical care that eliminates the middle man, creates affordable and predictable healthcare cost, and facilitates a direct relationship between patients and doctors. Under Direct Care, medical practices have an agreement with patients to cover a set of services through a fee or monthly membership that can be paid directly to the doctor by the patient or through their employer’s health insurance plan. In doing this, Smith and Lantier became early adopters in what is now a national movement by setting out to create a completely new type of health care facility where quality care is coupled with transparent pricing. This innovation has led to their facility, The Surgery Center of Oklahoma, being recognized both nationally and internationally as a place to find surgeries performed at one-sixth to one-tenth of the cost Cared For of typical hospitals in America. The stories of lives that Smith, Lantier, and their partners have saved through better health care and have (Not Just Covered) rescued from insurmountable medical costs grows each day. By Jonathan Small Having witnessed the savings that individuals and families experienced through the Direct Care concept, we at OCPA There is a crisis facing Americans. Individuals, their families, and employers feel promoted this model as a health care solution overwhelmed by our current health care system. The system treats patients as in our 2015 Freedom Agenda for Oklahoma. if they are a number and not a name. Despite the Affordable Care Act, which was sold as the antidote for the major problems with health care in the United Just like most states and employers, state States, health care costs are rising and threatening families and their livelihoods. and local government in Oklahoma are Several media outlets, including www.CNBC.com and www.foxbusiness.com, experiencing sharply rising health in online articles have noted that medical bills are the biggest cause of care costs. Given the proven track U.S. bankruptcies. Of total bankruptcies in the U.S., 60 percent are caused by record of Smith, Lantier, and their unbearable medical debt. Worse, of medical bankruptcies, 78 percent of those partners, we worked to educate individuals had major medical health insurance. Clearly the problem is not lack the public and lawmakers about Jonathan Small is the the savings that government executive vice president for of coverage for patients who need care. the Oklahoma Council of employees would experience by Public Affairs. Write him at The stories of Oklahomans suffering from health care burdens inspired the embracing the concepts of Direct [email protected]. Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs to seek a state solution based in free- Care in government employee market principles. Much to our surprise, a health care movement was gaining health plans. Those who benefit momentum in our own backyard. from gouging consumers on Many are now learning of the work of Oklahoma’s Dr. Keith Smith and his health care costs don’t want to see the benefits partner, Dr. Steve Lantier. These doctors are anesthesiologists who were tired and popularity of Direct Care spread. They are of seeing the practice of medicine become increasingly opaque to the patient working quietly to ban the private purchase and the doctor, resulting in shoddier care and skyrocketing costs. Embracing a of health care. In Oklahoma, OCPA worked concept which has become known as Direct Care, Smith and Lantier began to with lawmakers, consumer advocates, and even post complete, bundled prices for their health care services. continued on page 27

SPN NEWS 3 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 Champions Corner

Helen Krieble An Unsung Hero for Freedom

“Freedom is so important,” Helen Krieble says passionately—her voice catching as she muses on a lifetime spent in the fight—“because we’re losing it.”

Inspired by the Founding Fathers and the academy, she served as CEO their timeless design for freedom, of three major art galleries and was Helen Krieble’s life has been dedicated Curator of Education at the Wadsworth to protecting and upholding this Atheneum. Until recently, she also precious framework. “This country owned and operated the Colorado was founded on self-reliance and it’s Horse Park, an international equestrian important American citizens understand and events center. To Helen Krieble, winners of the Unsung Hero their responsibility to uphold Award are prime examples of how citizens Helen credits her parents for her should fulfill the responsibilities of American freedom. Everyday there’s another citizenship. That is why Helen Krieble is our involvement today in public policy. Her encroachment on our liberty. It’s under kind of hero, patriot, and freedom game- the radar with new laws and new rules.” father, Robert Krieble, was a chemist changer! To you, Helen, for all you do for who co-founded the Loctite Corporation freedom, we offer a heartfelt thank you from all Helen believes one of the greatest in 1953 with his father, Vernon K. of us at State Policy Network. obstacles to freedom is the Krieble, also a chemist. Robert Krieble fundamental failure in education served on the board of The Heritage today. She feels Americans neither Foundation alongside SPN’s founder understand nor value their citizenship, Thomas Roe. and their growing dependency on government is devastating and Philanthropy has been a part of her life detrimental to the freedom framework. since age 30, when she became active with her family’s Krieble Foundation. By Helen becomes tearful when she 1985, along with the rest of the Krieble Steve Schopp (2011) imagines a world where American family, she helped found the Vernon exceptionalism is lost. “There is nothing K. Krieble Foundation (VKK), a private Jason Moore (2012) more valuable for the quality of human foundation dedicated to funding public existence than the exceptionalism of policy projects, serving as its inaugural the founding documents and the need president. to keep them alive.” As if artist, leader, philanthropist, and Raised in Connecticut, Helen is a equestrian weren’t enough, Helen renowned art historian and former can also add public policy expert to assistant professor of art history at her list of credentials. As a business Hartford College for Women. Outside continued on page 8

SPN NEWS 4 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 JMI interns, past and present, including those who have become full-time members of the JMI team, gathered at the JMI Annual Dinner with EVP and intern program director, Becky Liner (center).

everywhere they go and in everything they do, and they are great recruiters! Whether it is at a work-related event or meeting, volunteering in the community, participating TALENT SHOW in a sport or hobby, or just running errands, we make an effort to meet new people and learn their stories. At a grocery store one weekend, JMI’s How To Find And Keep president struck up a conversation with the young man assisting customers in line. Great People For That informal conversation turned into interest in JMI and later an internship with Your Organization the Institute. One of our vice presidents, a tennis enthusiast, has helped recruit By Becky Liner interns, staff, and even board members and donors through conversations on the tennis “Great vision without great people is irrelevant.” courts. We routinely find interns through —Jim Collins, author Good to Great and Built to Last our participation in student-centered events like Boys State and Girls State, as well as One of the greatest challenges for any organization is finding, and keeping, the staff affiliations with campus groups such right employees. As businessman and author Lawrence Bossidy put it: “I am as political clubs and Greek organizations. convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing We’ve located employee candidates through people. At the end of the day, you bet on people, not strategies.” our staff’s involvement in civic groups, alumni Given the think tank world’s passion for engaging in the battle of ideas and organizations, religious institutions, and even focusing on the critically important policy issues of the day, we might find it through our children’s schools. a struggle to allocate enough time to the practical matter of recruiting and In addition, our staff routinely utilizes their retaining talent. But by employing the best and the brightest talent around own personal social media accounts the country, state think tanks have armed their organizations with formidable to alert their networks of any JMI weapons in winning those battles. job openings or opportunities. While The James Madison Institute (JMI) experiences the same challenges Many of our most recent job hires Becky Liner is the as our sister organizations do in finding and keeping the right people, we have have resulted from our staff’s executive vice president developed several strategies that have allowed us to expand our sphere of outreach on social media. Your of The James Madison Institute. Contact her at influence and achieve success in the policy arena and beyond. In addition to current team members are often [email protected]. applying these strategies to the recruitment and retention of our permanent your best recruiting tools for staff, JMI has used them to maintain a vibrant internship program, a diverse locating talent! young professional network through our Leaders Fellowship program, and a THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX campus representative program at 11 colleges and universities in Florida. When recruiting new talent, we try to be NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK open-minded about resumes and qualifications. We encourage our staff to make networking a priority 24/7 year-round While we expect certain competencies and and emphasize forming long-lasting connections. Our staff represents JMI continued on next page

SPN NEWS 4 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 SPN NEWS 5 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 TALENT SHOW FROM PAGE 5 some positions require specific backgrounds and experience, would complement our leadership team and fit effortlessly we are willing to entertain the unique and unexpected. into our established culture. Several years ago, a young woman approached JMI, When it comes to retaining talent, we have focused on looking for an internship related to her major in hospitality creating an environment where people enjoy working and management. Like most think tanks, many of the interns where they would like to stay. We seek to provide a safe who come to us major in economics, political science, and nurturing learning environment, which we believe public policy, or related fields. Hospitality majors? Not so is one reason our interns often opt to stay with us longer much. But since we host several events throughout the year, than the one semester their majors require. Many of our we decided to create an internship for her. She interned former interns stay in contact with JMI long after they leave with JMI one semester and completed a more extensive us—letting us know where they are working, attending practicum with us the following semester. She taught us JMI events around the state, participating in our Leaders things about event management we had never considered Fellowship program and Boards of Advisors, and becoming before, and she made a significant and positive impact on dues-paying JMI members. We believe this environment is our events. At the end of her practicum, realizing what we also why former interns want to work here when a full-time had been missing before she got here, we created and funded staff position opens up. In fact, four of our permanent staff the new position of events coordinator. That position has members were once JMI interns. now grown and evolved into our current director of events We have sought to create a culture where we take our and logistics. work seriously, but not always ourselves. We celebrate Although some may find our method for talent recruitment important personal milestones—graduations, weddings, a bit unorthodox, we strongly believe that not every position babies—and we make it a priority to provide fun requires an employee who is in complete understanding, or opportunities for staff interaction, including holiday- even agreement, with JMI’s political philosophy. We are open themed luncheons, Friday happy hours, team bowling to hiring students who may not think just like us or whose competitions, Wear Your College Colors Day and Team political ideologies are not yet formed, believing we can help JMI community service projects. We believe that in order shape how they look at the issues. to retain talent, it is important to create a culture where the For permanent staff, there are some positions, such as staff enjoy working with each and feel valued and supported. policy and development, where being a passionate supporter Most importantly, our leadership team strives to provide of the liberty movement is critical. However, we have found employees the freedom to be creative and the funds to fuel that hiring professionals trained in their specific fields, the innovate efforts of each department. but not in the ways of the movement necessarily, has been We are proud of the team of brilliant, talented, and a driving force in our success. They bring fresh ideas and passionate people working in our movement. Offering a strategies not shaped by the choir, and this is winning positive work environment helps retain that talent amidst over JMI supporters en masse. By being welcoming of the inevitable job offers they may receive as others notice diverse views and backgrounds, we are better positioned to their skill and professionalism. The challenge all of our assemble a truly effective team that can utilize new tactics organizations face is hanging on to the current staff while and messaging to reach untapped populations and build a at the same time recruiting fresh talent to grow and expand lasting legacy. our efforts. Jim Collins, the author of Good to Great and CULTURE IS KEY Built to Last, sums that challenge up like this: “If I were running a company today, I would have one priority above Our fearless leader is fond of saying “Hire for attitude. all others: to acquire as many of the best people as I could Train for competency.” When hiring new talent, we focus because the single biggest constraint on the success of my on attitude and culture fit with the organization rather than organization is the ability to get and to hang on to enough of on the “bells and whistles” of the resume. During the final the right people.” stages of the hiring process for one senior-level position, we had three final candidates: one from a Florida university, By making talent recruitment and retention as important one from an Ivy League university, and one from a well- as providing thoughtful and accurate research on the issues, respected private university in Virginia. While all three we can ensure even greater success for our organizations had the core competencies and impressive resumes, the and for the liberty movement. candidate from the Florida university had an attitude that

SPN NEWS 6 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 the visit. It’s every bit as important as your plan for getting the gift. Use the best person and contact possible to make the appointment and open the door. Always remember: Getting the appointment is 85 percent of getting the gift.

2) The commitment regarding the major gift will likely not be made on the first visit. If it is, there’s a good possibility you’re leaving money on the table. The reason we call a large sum a stop-and-think-gift is because the stretch gift requires time to come to a resolution. This being the case, spend most of your time during the first call selling the drama, the power, and the excitement of the program. Tenets to Raise 3) A person with no experience in giving will rarely make a major first gift. Giving is a habit. The fact that a person has (Big) Money great resources offers no assurance that a gift By Jerold Panas will be made. I’m talking about a large gift. How often have you heard: “She has enough money to fund the whole campaign.” But she Many state think tanks are developing, or have developed, direct mail programs, won’t, not if she hasn’t had the experience an important step in building a broad base of support—and to meet the IRS’ and exhilaration of giving in the past. It’s like Public Support Test. As such efforts take root, organizations would do well to getting the first olive out of the jar. also develop a program for raising significant funds from individuals who have the capability—and desire—to give substantially. Make the call anyway. You can’t win if you don’t begin. Be satisfied with a smaller gift For my book, Mega Gifts: Who Gives Them, Who Gets Them, I spoke with than you had hoped for. Show appreciation, more than 50 men and women who had made gifts of $1 million or more. I also cultivate, recognize. Call again for a gift. collected data from more than a thousand fundraising professionals. In addition, And again. Gradually, that smaller I have over 40 years experience in this magnificent business of helping others first gift will grow into a much undertake consequential acts of kindness and generosity. larger one. What I’ve discovered is there are clearly factors and forces that motivate large Jerold Panas is an gifts. The proof is irrefutable. There is more commonality in the factors than 4) The staff is singularly executive partner of one there are differences. And as extraordinarily unique as people are, the drive and dominant in motivating of America’s leading fund-raising firms, a consideration that propels them to a major gift is very much the same. the mega gift—particularly popular speaker, and During the preparation of Mega Gifts, I combined all I’d learned from my the CEO. author. Write him at [email protected]. donors and all I could read on the subject. I mixed this generously and openly It is critical to have the Chief with my own feelings and attitudes. What evolved are 62 “rules” that I’m Executive Officer involved convinced guide, shape, and determine the success of securing the mega gifts. in some significant way in Below are seven that I share with you. developing the solicitation strategy and actually making the call for a large gift. It pays proper 1) It’s harder to get an appointment than it is to secure the gift. respect to the donor and is immensely effective More intensive planning and innovation may be required to get the in influencing the gift. For the solicitation, have appointment than is needed to sell the program. Develop a strategy for securing continued on page 27

SPN NEWS 6 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 SPN NEWS 7 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 COMMUNICATIONS FROM PAGE 2 HELEN KRIEBLE FROM PAGE 4 director is keenly aware of areas That’s why Helen and the Vernon for growth on their team and, if K. Krieble Foundation launched a unable to hire a full-time staffer to partnership with SPN to honor an fill a void, has a rolodex of reliable, Unsung Hero each year at SPN’s talented contractors or vendors to Annual Meeting with an opportunity to call upon. tell his or her story, as well as an award of $25,000. It’s become one of the most 5. IS AUTONOMOUS inspirational events at SPN’s Annual AND BOLD Meeting. She appreciates how SPN

In the same vein as building Jennifer Parrish (2013) leverages its thriving interstate network talented teams, good CEOs of leaders and organizations in all fifty recognize what they don’t know states to identify everyday citizens who and are humble enough to hire are making a potent impact. It’s Helen’s talented staff. Rickert cites this vision that one day, inspired by the leadership approach as one national award, each state may honor significant reason for Illinois their own unsung hero so even more Policy Institute’s success: “As leaders can be inspired to action. CEO, John Tillman provides a Helen acknowledges the important role vision and charts a course for SPN plays in the freedom movement. the organization. Then he hires She recognizes the power behind state- talented people to execute. He Patti Morrow (2014) based freedom centers and their ability trusts the people he hires—he is to mobilize a network to launch ideas not a micromanager. He believes owner, she struggled finding workers into action. “SPN doesn’t just talk the very fervently in giving people for her horse park and was motivated talk, but they do what they say they are autonomy, freedom, and a path to create a private sector solution to going to do,” says Helen. She describes to rise—regardless of age or immigration reform. She’s become a SPN as the shepherd and connector background. The culture here noted leader in the national debate on of the free-market, state-focused think is to unleash people’s talents immigration policy and the architect and tanks. “The reputation of SPN in every and potential, and allow them author of The Red Card Solution. Prior one of its endeavors—it’s not just empty to think big.” An empowered to turning her attention to immigration rhetoric. It’s working through: How communications director also has policy, Helen spent years advocating can we help you? How can we get this the freedom to challenge the status on behalf of strategic missile defense done? How can we highlight this to quo within an organization. As the reform. Today, she focuses most of her double the impact?” advocate for the audience, they energy on developing her innovative will push for clarity, even when it “Lens of Liberty” campaign—a program In her lifelong dedication to protecting could be uncomfortable. designed to grow freedom through and upholding the freedom framework, Like so many positions in an better awareness of the responsibilities Helen is proud to stand alongside SPN organization, there’s no such thing of American citizenship through and work to inspire more leaders to as the “perfect” communications neighborhood grassroots coalitions. action. director. But a stellar employee with these five attributes will help Throughout all of this work she’s Helen has done more to fuel the transform your organization’s developed a deep admiration for those freedom movement than most people communications and have lasting individuals who have the courage to will ever know. From missile defense to impact on public policy in your stand up against invasive government immigration to citizenship, she’s often at state and beyond. and say “no.” That’s her definition the forefront of these policy battles with of an unsung hero: those countless her principled ammunition. By her own Meredith Turney is director of individuals who disrupt the status quo definition, we see Helen Krieble as an strategic communications at State Policy Network. Write and go up against the behemoth of unsung hero. her at [email protected]. government while often sacrificing so much both personally and financially. In Memoriam: Whitney Ball By Carl Helstrom

State Policy Network lost a faithful friend when Whitney Ball’s long battle with cancer ended on August 17, 2015. She fought that fight the same way she defended freedom, with remarkable grit and determination—and an indomitable sense of humor.

I learned so many important lessons about life and leadership from Whitney. It would take many conversations over many glasses of wine to share them all. Perhaps most important for the future of SPN and the community it serves is that Whitney succeeded in a movement dominated by men, and she proved by her example that we should have more smart, committed women like her in decisive positions.

I deeply mourn her passing, but I cannot think of Whitney without smiling. She was fun, irreverent, and full of passion for our cause even as the end of her life approached.

Our careers started in different places, but our paths crossed early and often. I recall that first conversation during a public policy conference. She was quietly looking for a new job, and a mutual friend told her I might be able to help. Indeed, I knew of a new effort to counter the considerable clout of the Council on Foundations, then an 800-pound, pro-government gorilla in philanthropy and politics. Kim Dennis, the president, needed an executive director, and Whitney was perfect for the role. She interviewed, got the job, and went on to be “She was fun, irreverent, and full of essential in developing the Philanthropy Roundtable. Today the Council is a mere shadow of what it once was, passion...” while the Roundtable shines as an advocate of freedom and free enterprise.

Whitney was also well known for the entrepreneurial magic she worked with Donors Trust, the community foundation that progressives love to hate. Unable to stymie its success, critics resorted to name-calling and attacking Whitney personally, none of which downgraded Donors Trust from its position of value with donors. Along with the Roundtable, Donors Trust fights effectively for donor intent and private giving, cornerstones of Carl Helstrom is chairman of SPN’s a free society. Both are generous supporters of the state think tank community. board of directors. When we lose someone like Whitney, we miss them terribly. The sad truth is there are too few like her. Let’s remember her by fighting for the things she loved.

SPN NEWS 9 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 STATE POLICY NETWORK UPDATES STATE POLICY NETWORK UPDATES

ALABAMA universal school choice. About 30 people Policy Foundation executive director attended their Friedman Legacy Day event Greg Kaza noted in National Review to discuss the film, A Right Denied, and Online. As the 25th state to adopt school partake of some great chili. In August, the choice, Arkansas became the tipping point Forum went on the road with United For in the national debate about the issue. On June 4, the Alabama Legislature Liberty and briefed seniors in six senior Hillary Clinton’s leadership of the Arkansas adjourned, ending its regular session a centers on the impact Medicaid expansion Educational Standards Committee in the few days early. The legislature passed would have on Medicare. In Alaska, mid-1980s is another reason national five bills backed by the Alabama Policy Medicaid reimburses 31 percent more policymakers should heed Arkansas’ Institute, including charter schools than Medicare, so Alaskan seniors will be school choice experiment. Clinton’s authorization, comprehensive prison crowded out of doctors’ offices by single, panel advanced a sales tax increase to reform, and judicial pension reform. The able-bodied folks, some of whom choose fund education, yet the state took over legislature will reconvene in August for not to work. alaskapolicyforum.org the Little Rock School District after six a special session to address the state’s schools were declared in academic budget shortfall. API will be on hand to ARKANSAS distress. Kaza challenged liberals in an promote cost-saving reforms to counter Arkansas Democrat-Gazette column to Republican Governor Robert Bentley’s meet the center-right halfway on the issue strong push for tax increases. On July 21, as Bill Clinton did with charter schools in API hosted a debate entitled, “Fat Cats The Advance Arkansas Institute recently the mid-1990s. The Policy Foundation is and Philanthropists: How the IRS Governs released three new research reports. celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015 Your Charitable Giving.” With a large crowd The first describes the consequences of with multiple victories, including income in attendance, Hans Von Spakovsky of The a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, tax cuts and private school choice. Heritage Foundation and Craig Holman of North Carolina State Board of Dental arkansaspolicyfoundation.org Public Citizen discussed the proposed IRS Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission rule to categorize the activities commonly (How the U.S. Supreme Court Empowered CALIFORNIA undertaken by 501(c)(4) organizations as Political Accountability and Economic “political.” Implementation of the rule would Growth in Arkansas). The second have severe implications for tax exemption analyzes Arkansas’s pending move from and donor disclosure. alabamapolicy.org a hybrid health insurance exchange to a state health insurance exchange (A Pacific Research Institute launched the ALASKA State Obamacare Exchange: Arkansas’s California Prosperity Agenda—a 12-point, Worst Option). The third explores one multi-year plan that reflects the best of Arkansas’s most counterproductive thinking of PRI researchers and think tanks corporate welfare programs (The Folly of nationwide on how to restore freedom and Film Subsidies in Arkansas). Shortly after opportunity to Californians. This agenda these reports were published, several recognizes and identifies California’s Two special legislative sessions focused legislators asked AAI president Dan serious challenges: the poor performance on Medicaid expansion and the budget Greenberg, who authored the first report, of its schools, the deterioration of its public this summer. Currently, Alaska’s budget coauthored the second, and edited the services, the unsustainability of public has a $4 billion shortfall due to the third, to testify on related topics before pensions, the squeezing of family incomes low price of oil which provides 90% of multiple committees of the General and budgets, the dearth of jobs, and the the state’s general fund. The Alaska Assembly, including the Health Care Task Policy Forum hosted a local talk show Force and the Joint Performance Review addressing Medicaid expansion and the Committee. advancearkansas.org federal overreach of Waters of the United States. The Forum is working with the local chapter of the NAACP to improve literacy Ayaan Hirsi Ali will for minority and low-income students. They be Pacific Research Institute’s Annual Gala also presented to a group of 25 home Arkansas’ enactment of a school-choice featured speaker and schoolers on the legislative process and voucher law is “highly symbolic,” Arkansas award recipient.

SPN NEWS 10 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 STATE POLICY NETWORK UPDATES

flight of employers to other states. CONNECTICUT concerned about the quality of Delaware’s In October, PRI is pleased to announce public education system and who would like Ayaan Hirsi Ali will be this year’s featured to see serious reforms. caesarrodney.org speaker and award recipient at its annual Yankee Institute is hosting a “Shirt Off FLORIDA Sir Antony Fisher Gala. Ms. Hirsi Ali My Back” tour, with at least five dates received this year’s Bradley Prize for her scheduled across Connecticut. The initiative devotion to freedom, human rights, and is designed to build on popular discontent the protection of women. She was also with the tax increases in the recently-passed named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 state budget. It will consist of spirited town More than 114,900 people live in poverty Most Influential People” and Reader’s hall meetings complete with a free t-shirt for in the Big Bend area where the James Digest European of the Year for 2005. This anyone who provides contact information Madison Institute headquarters is located. Of those, 29,400 are children. Summer is event takes place Wednesday, Oct. 21, to Yankee. The first event, featuring Joe a critical time for children who depend on 2015, at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. Scarborough along with media personalities and policy experts, will take place on Aug. free or reduced-price school lunches. When pacificresearch.org 20 at Fairfield University. On Sept. 26 in school is out, many of these children do New Haven, the Institute will convene the COLORADO first annual Connecticut Future of Freedom Summit. This event, held in partnership with the National Review Institute and the Reason Foundation, will educate and organize college students, aspiring activists, and young professionals seeking change. Earlier this year, the Steamboat Springs Other events this fall include the release City Council voted to declare its vibrant, of Yankee’s long-anticipated study on the tourist-destination downtown as “blighted.” disparity between public and private sector The blight designation was necessary to compensation in Connecticut. The study’s form an Urban Renewal Authority (URA) author, Andrew Biggs of the American James Madison Institute staff helped assemble and authorize use of corporate welfare in Enterprise Institute, will join the Institute food for families in need at “A Full Summer.” the form of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for a series of events throughout the state. not have a reliable source of food. More for downtown redevelopment projects in the yankeeinstitute.org than 280 volunteers, including JMI staff mountain ski town. This was a pitch-perfect and interns, gathered to assemble 60,000+ DELAWARE example of local government abusing meals to deliver to families across the Colorado’s urban renewal law, originally Big Bend area in an event called “A Full passed to help address legitimate slum and Summer.” The 2015 legislative session in blight, and now used to pick winners and Florida was certainly unique. The biggest Caesar Rodney Institute is pleased to losers in the economy by diverting tax dollars win was the successful blockage of Medicaid announce the Longwood Foundation expansion under ObamaCare with the help away from schools, parks, and other pubic has given them a grant to hire a new of JMI and others. The Institute recounts its uses to help fund private development. State president who will continue moving the policy priorities and progress in a wrap-up, taxpayers are often asked to backfill the lost organization toward sustainable growth. which can be read here: http://bit.ly/ schools revenue. Independence Institute’s Outgoing president Dr. John Stapleford has 2015SessionWrapUp jamesmadison.org Local Colorado Project teamed up with some retired to spend more time with his family. concerned Steamboat citizens, publishing CRI appreciates Dr. Stapleford’s work in providing CRI with the leadership necessary op-eds by both a local city council member to set their objectives and obtain a consistent and elected school board member opposing source of funding so CRI can move ahead the URA and spreading the word through with their two main policy objectives: Seeing targeted social media. In June, the city Delaware pass Right to Work and an The Foundation for Government council reversed itself, voting to kill the URA/ Education Savings Account law. CRI’s new Accountability partners with governors, TIF scheme they had only months earlier president, Chuck Daniel, will also focus on legislators, and leaders across the overwhelmingly approved. i2i.org efforts to connect CRI with Delawareans country, providing them with the tools,

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knowledge, and expertise to improve the forfeiture. Benita Dodd also joined about lives of millions of Americans by limiting a dozen SPN colleagues to volunteer in the welfare state. The FGA is committed to August at a Remote Area Medical program proving that individuals and communities in East St. Louis, Mo. The Foundation’s can play a greater and more effective role Sixth Annual Georgia Legislative Policy in supporting those in need than many Forum takes place Oct. 15 (Information: government services. In line with their http://bit.ly/1oJq9vN), with the theme, commitment to strong communities, FGA “Wisdom, Justice and Opportunity,” a play is working to provide tangible incentives on the state motto of “Wisdom, Justice, to health care providers (doctors, nurses, Moderation.” The focus is economic pharmacists, dentists, and so on) who opportunity; the keynote speaker is Arthur Laura Baston, a home day-care provider in southern Illinois, fought to free thousands of volunteer their time to provide charity care Brooks of the American Enterprise Institute. Illinoisans from forced unionization. to our neediest neighbors. FGA also helps georgiapolicy.org freeing tens of thousands of Illinoisans leverage the power of local organizations from forced unionization. To educate to reach out into their communities and IDAHO aid families in crisis. Their Safe Families providers on their rights and to help them program connects volunteer host families opt out of the union, the Institute launched with those in need, giving them much http://careforillinois.com. More than 3,600 day-care providers have opted out of the needed support and kindness. thefga.org Work by the Idaho Freedom Foundation’s news website www.IdahoReporter.com, Service Employees International Union, or GEORGIA which exposed mutliple fees for the same SEIU, this year alone. In just six months, concealed carry permit, prompted Teton SEIU has seen a decrease of more than County, Idaho, to lower its license costs. $3.3 million to their bottom line. The Illinois IdahoReporter.com’s reporting on an Idaho Policy Institute continues to show that Transportation Department’s regulation the more Illinoisans are free to spend mandating the hours auto dealerships are their hard-earned money and associate open caused the agency to reverse course with the groups they choose, the better. The annual Friedman Legacy Day for on the issue. News outlets throughout illinoispolicy.org Freedom was celebrated in Savannah, the state lauded IFF for its efforts to Georgia, in July with keynote speaker Dr. end a lucrative retirement perk for state INDIANA Ben Scafidi, a Senior Fellow at the Georgia legislators, allowing them to dramatically Public Policy Foundation and Friedman increase their pensions. Two newspapers Foundation. In August, Benita Dodd was a condemned the practice. Two new state panelist at Red State Gathering in Atlanta, laws worked on by the IFF took effect July joining Marc Levin of the Texas Public 1. One law requires open meetings during The fall issue of Indiana Policy Review Policy Foundation to discuss civil asset labor negotiations. The other orders state Foundation’s The Indiana Policy agencies to track and report the grants Review explores line-by-line the plan of received from the federal government. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard to “save” idahofreedom.org young black men. The so-called Young Lives Matter (YLM) project is a less than ILLINOIS comprehensive approach that offers only unsatisfying recommendations to urgent issues. The YLM task force provides only vague commonsense recommendations, Illinois Policy Institute is championing leaving the serious reader hard-pressed workers as they take on the state’s most to find any new ideas or innovative powerful government unions. The Institute recommendations anywhere in the 49-page supported Laura Baston, a home day- report. In other projects, the Foundation care provider in southern Illinois, as she is raising money to fund research on the Keynote Dr. Ben Scafidi (left), Friedman Foundation senior petitioned then-Gov. Pat Quinn to apply the effectiveness of Tax Increment Finance fellow, catches up with John McRae before the the Georgia districts cropping up throughout the state. Public Policy Foundation’s Friedman Legacy for Freedom groundbreaking Harris v. Quinn decision Day event in Savannah. to home day-care workers. Quinn agreed, inpolicy.org

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IOWA MAINE Christopher B. Summers, president of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, was appointed to the Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission this summer.

the process of redrawing electoral district The Electoral College is one of the least Maine Heritage Policy Center celebrated boundaries to equalize district populations. understood elements of the United States Friedman Legacy Day on July 31 at a Sadly, entrenched politicians in Annapolis luncheon with Vicki Alger, Ph.D., one of the Constitution. For many Americans it is a have resorted to what the Washington nation’s school choice experts. Dr. Alger mystery, and it is often viewed as anti- Post calls “bald-faced gerrymandering” of democratic and archaic. This is especially discussed the benefits of school choice and electoral districts in order to consolidate true in recent years when the Electoral outlined how Education Savings Accounts their power and disempower voters. College has come under fire, and with the can allow for greater educational freedom Summers looks forward to working with approaching 2016 presidential election, calls and achievement. Policy analyst Patrick fellow commissioners to ensure the to reform or abolish the Electoral College Marvin conducted several presentations public interest never takes a backseat to will once again become prevalent. Rejecting on MHPC’s latest report, which detailed politicians’ interests. mdpolicy.org the direct popular election of the president, the dramatic differences between Maine the Framers of the Constitution looked to and New Hampshire with regard to taxes MASSACHUSETTS a more improved way to select a president and spending. The report explored the by ensuring the protection of the states and expenditure and revenue systems of each PIONEER INSTITUTE providing every citizen with an equal vote. state and offered recommendations for PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH lawmakers on how to lower Maine’s tax Public Interest Institute’s John Hendrickson Pioneer Institute’s 24th annual Better examines the Electoral College and why burden. MHPC will soon issue the first Government Competition focused on it must be preserved in his policy study, component of its four-part series on welfare criminal justice reform. The winner, the San Understanding a Constitutional Mystery: reform in Maine. This series will explore the Francisco-based Five Keys Charter School, A Defense of the Electoral College. Read positive transformation of Maine’s welfare targets adult inmates and has significantly this study at www.limitedgovernment.org/ system and offer a plan to build on the reduced recidivism. Pioneer held member publications.html. limitedgovernment.org reforms Governor Paul LePage has made. events with the Weekly Standard’s William mainepolicy.org Kristol and AEI’s Tom Stossel, and a forum KANSAS on teaching World War II with Pulitzer MARYLAND Prize-winning historians David Kennedy and Rick Atkinson. Governor Charlie Baker and the legislature embraced key Pioneer recommendations to reform the state’s mass Federal mandates that states and localities A study by Maryland Public Policy transit system, creating a control board spend money via Maintenance of Effort Institute, Wall Street Fees and Investment and advancing privatization of services. (MOE) requirements are known but too often Returns for 33 State Pension Funds, shows Two Pioneer health care reports received misunderstood. Kansas Policy Institute that state pension systems that pay the national press coverage. One revealed that scholar and former state budget director highest Wall Street money management state officials fraudulently misrepresented Steve Anderson published a soup-to-nuts fees get poor investment returns relative the status of the state’s Affordable Care review of MOEs that equate them to to their peers. The study contradicts the Act website to the federal government, software “worms.” The Great Society is the assumption that Wall Street advice helps and the other focused on health care cost gift that keeps on giving as MOEs now infect state pension systems achieve superior transparency. Pioneer’s campaign against nearly every federal program that touches returns. On August 4, the Wall Street Common Core saw the number of states a state. Anderson’s paper led to two pieces Journal article “For Pensions, Higher Fees participating in PARCC tests decline from 26 of model legislation at ALEC and highlights Don’t Pay Off” highlighted the Institute’s to 7. pioneerinstitute.org several things states can do to push back study. In August, Governor Larry Hogan on the Feds. Commitments made by one appointed Institute president Christopher MICHIGAN legislature bind the hands of future officials, Summers to the Maryland Redistricting the 10th Amendment is eroded, and states Reform Commission, which is tasked are unable to respond to new priorities and with identifying solutions to Maryland’s challenges. Check out KPI’s homepage for politicized redistricting process. Embedded In June, the Mackinac Center hosted an an electronic copy. kansaspolicy.org in the U.S. Constitution, redistricting is Arthur N. Rupe Foundation Debate on

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campaign finance disclosure, featuring helped stop many bad ideas from moving Rich Robinson, executive director of the forward. This is an excellent start for CAE’s Show-Me Institute welcomes Michael McShane as director of Michigan Campaign Finance Network, and ongoing project, especially considering that education policy. Brad Smith, a former commissioner on the liberals control Minnesota’s Senate and Federal Elections Commission. The League Executive Branch. The next phase of the of Women Voters and the Federalist project is to strategically advance issues as the director of education policy. A Society co-sponsored the event. On July through updated research, building larger native of Kansas City and a former high 10, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a coalitions, and stronger messaging. CAE’s school teacher, Mike comes from the law eliminating Michigan’s film subsidy hard work has earned meaningful praise American Enterprise Institute where program. Since 2008, the taxpayer-funded from lawmakers who regularly thank them he was a research fellow in education program had doled out almost half a billion for their solid research and help developing policy studies. McShane’s analyses and dollars to the movie industry, while the policy, drafting bills, and providing expert commentary have been published widely number of film jobs in Michigan fell. Also testimony. americanexperiment.org in the media, including in the Huffington Post, National Affairs, USA Today, and the Washington Post. What does he plan to do? He will wage “a relentless fight to expand the number of quality schooling “Leading with Principle over Politics” options that families, particularly low- was the fourth annual Family Leadership income families, have across the state.” Summit held recently in Ames, Iowa. The showmeinstitute.org summit hosted nearly 3,000 conservative activists and featured 10 Republican NEBRASKA presidential candidates as well as remarks from notable conservative leaders.

Mackinac Center’s Rupe Foundation Debate A constant theme throughout the day on campaign finance disclosure featured Rich was how conservatives can influence Robinson (standing), Brad Smith (seated left), In August, the Platte Institute hosted public policy based upon the principles and Kyle Melinn (seated center), editor of MIRS its 2015 Medicaid Reform Summit, Newsletter and moderator of debate. established by the Founding Fathers. featuring keynote speaker Moise Annette Meeks, CEO of the Freedom Brutus. A triple-amputee and Medicaid in July, the Mackinac Center unveiled F. Foundation of Minnesota, was an patient, Brutus shared his story of how Vincent Vernuccio’s “Timeline of Labor invited speaker at this nationally televised market-oriented Medicaid reforms in Reform in the States,” detailing labor forum. Her presentation was about the his home state of Florida enabled him reforms in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota coalition that succeeded in to access higher-quality prosthetics Missouri, and Indiana and the results of the advocating bipartisan legislation that and achieve his goal of becoming a elections that followed. The timeline shows rolled back the authority of the Minnesota collegiate cyclist. He visited Nebraska that the lawmakers and parties who vote for lottery to expand state government labor reform nearly always get re-elected. coffers via online sales. The anti-Internet as the Platte Institute released its new mackinac.org gambling coalition brought together a policy study by James C. Capretta, wide variety of Minnesota organizations which reviews the state’s Department MINNESOTA all opposed to online gambling whose of Health and Human Services (DHHS) profits would have been used to increase and Medicaid program. While DHHS the size and scope of state government. is Nebraska’s largest program and freedomfoundationofminnesota.com spending on Medicaid continues to Center of the American Experiment’s increase, serious concerns about poor Minnesota Policy Blueprint project, an effort MISSOURI health outcomes and accessibility for to create and market a prosperity agenda Nebraska’s Medicaid patients persist. for Minnesota, is having a measurable In October, the Platte Institute will host impact. The 2015 legislative session its annual Legislative Summit in Lincoln saw over 200 bills that followed their to engage policymakers on legislative recommendations. The House or Senate approaches to Medicaid reform and other passed 69 of these bills, and 14 are now Show-Me Institute continues to grow policies in the 2016 legislative session. law. And just as important, the Center with the addition of Michael McShane platteinstitute.org

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NEVADA NORTH CAROLINA

Civitas Institute now has its own radio Nevada Policy Research Institute is outlet. A weekday talk show, What Matters pleased to announce that Sharon J. Rossie with Chad Adams, features commentary has returned to NPRI to serve as president. by Adams, long a highly respected radio Rossie replaces Andy Matthews, who host in North Carolina, plus interviews stepped down to pursue a bid for U.S. 2015 job creation in “Right to Work” states far with newsmakers and Civitas experts. Congress after leading NPRI for almost outstrips job creation in “forced unionism” states. It appears online at the Freedom Action four years. Rossie previously served as Network (www.freedomactionnetwork.com). and beyond. The Foundation recently NPRI president from 2006 to 2011. Rossie Civitas also sponsored original research on provided testimony to an interim legislative said she is excited to return to the Institute the links between an expanding economy committee in support of Governor Becky after Nevada became the first state to and a growing number of school choice Susana Martinez’s proposal to reimpose adopt near universal school choice and options in the town of Wake Forest, N.C. work, volunteer, or education requirements as NPRI celebrates its 25th anniversary Presenters at a June discussion of the for able-bodied, adult food stamp in 2016. NPRI has taken the lead in research included Lt. Gov. Dan Forest; recipients. Lastly, research director Dowd helping families learn about Nevada’s new John Allison, former CEO of BB&T and Muska published a policy brief, Throwing Education Savings Accounts. NPRI has former CEO and president of the Cato Taxpayers Under the Bus, in response to Institute; Professor Bartley Danielsen Sharon J. Rossie the City of Albuquerque’s plans to obtain of North Carolina State University; and returned to NPRI in July $80 million from the federal government Professor Nathan Gray of Young Harris to serve again as its and spend an additional $20 million of city president. During her College in Georgia. nccivitas.org previous years as NPRI’s tax dollars to build a new “bus rapid transit” president, Rossie grew system. riograndefoundation.org NPRI’s staff from three to 12 and helped create its Center for Justice and NEW YORK Constitutional Litigation. Thanks to reporting from the John Locke Foundation’s Carolina Journal reached thousands of parents through After four years of litigation, the Empire (CJ), two African-American heirs finally informational meetings and community and Center forced the New York City firefighter won a settlement with the state of North back-to-school events. Institute staff has pension fund to release retiree names Carolina over ownership of property near even held application workshops to walk and pension amounts. The Empire Center a beachfront state park. CJ also exposed parents through the process of applying drew widespread media coverage of its problems with plans to install toll lanes for ESAs. In August, NPRI unveiled finding that firefighter pensions have NevadaESA.com, a one-stop information averaged more than $100,000 a year hub for ESAs. npri.org for new retirees since 2007. As the New York Post editorial page put it, “Now we NEW MEXICO know why the unions fought so hard to keep it a secret.” The Center’s research documenting the effectiveness of the property tax cap was widely cited ahead of a legislative vote to extend the cap Using data from Site Selection magazine, through mid-2019, frustrating union efforts the Rio Grande Foundation has been to weaken it. The Center’s analysis of the tracking 2015 job creation numbers in Metropolitan Transit Authority revealed one “Right to Work” and “forced unionism” in four employees was paid over $100,000 Reporting from the John Locke Foundation’s states. Through June more than 76,000 and reminded riders and taxpayers that Carolina Journal helped John Hurst and his sister jobs had been created in the former with the MTA’s generous contracts have lead resolve a long-running legal dispute with North Carolina state government over property near only 17,000 in the latter. The Foundation to higher fares and additional taxes. Hammocks Beach State Park. plans to keep a running tally through 2015 empirecenter.org Photo by Don Carrington

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on Interstate 77 north of Charlotte and hosted a luncheon featuring Mark Skousen highlighted the ties between big business discussing the hidden forces behind and solar subsidies. A yearlong, first-of-its- economic growth and higher standards of kind JLF research study showed that N.C. living. cascadepolicy.org counties promised $284 million in targeted incentives over five years. Other JLF PENNSYLVANIA reports offered an alternative state budget, called for repeal of the state’s Map Act and certificate-of-need law, and dissected a faulty analysis of the economics of Commonwealth Foundation’s long, hard renewable energy mandates. More than work has begun paying off abundantly: 170 people helped JLF commemorate for the first time this year, Pennsylvania’s Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary. General Assembly passed a budget with C-SPAN2’s Book TV recorded a JLF no new taxes, complete privatization speech from Garland Tucker, author of the of Pennsylvania’s state-owned liquor new Conservative Heroes. johnlocke.org The Advance Center for Free Enterprise, a 6,500 monopoly, and real, meaningful pension square-foot event center, opened on the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs campus. reform. Union-friendly Gov. Tom Wolf OHIO vetoed all three, and the stage is now the opening of the Advance Center for set for a major showdown between Free Enterprise, a 6,500 square-foot government union interests holding multipurpose facility. The new center on to their power and the rising tide of provides a place for discussion on free free-market reform, the likes of which enterprise and limited government, as hasn’t been seen before in Pennsylvania. well as a venue for OCPA and other local The Buckeye Institute achieved several CF doesn’t yet know the final outcome, organizations to hold events for up to 350 policy wins over the past few months. but they do know that the unions’ era people. Currently, a 6th–12th Christian A first-in-the-nation health care waiver of “business as usual” is over for good. Classical school uses the facility daily. The was inserted into Ohio’s recently passed commonwealthfoundation.org biennial budget. This waiver will exempt new center extends the voice of liberty and Ohio from many of the regulations of expands the footprint of freedom across RHODE ISLAND the Affordable Care Act and give Ohio Oklahoma and the nation. ocpathink.org the opportunity and flexibility to create a better health care system. The Buckeye OREGON Institute accomplished this victory by Rhode Island Center for Freedom and working closely with Senate Majority Prosperity continued its fight for private Whip Larry Obhof and sharing with him property rights and the sovereignty of local the idea of using a waiver, as well as Cascade Policy Institute president John governance by opposing RhodeMap RI, supporting information on how the waiver Charles served on a land use panel with the first of dozens of HUD-funded local would work. The Buckeye Institute is Rep. Ken Ivory (R-UT) at the Second “sustainable development” plans to be proud to have created this sensible and Annual Rally Around the Flag conference officially adopted by a state government. innovative solution to enable states to look in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Analyst Steve One of their bills to mitigate the state at alternatives to Medicaid expansion even Buckstein led a Policy Picnic for donors mandates passed the House; the Center in states where Medicaid expansion was and supporters on Right to Try legislation. is opposing another bill that would accepted, as it unfortunately was in Ohio. Cascade’s team of summer interns advance a dual-tiered property tax buckeyeinstitute.org researched and published papers on “carrot and stick” scheme. The Center timely state and local issues as the 2015 also continued its “Bright Today” school OKLAHOMA Oregon Legislative Session concluded this choice initiative with May hearings in both summer. Their work includes a forthcoming the House and Senate on Democrat-led, research paper on the current fiscal crisis bi-partisan legislation. Expanding on a regarding Oregon’s State Trust Lands. strong research and legislative focus this Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs Interns also enjoyed a private lunch with year, 2016 will focus on raising public recently expanded its campus with Larry Reed of FEE. In August, Cascade awareness and coalition-building, Finally,

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the Center is fighting against Governor TEXAS Raimondo’s new trucker toll scheme to raise additional funds to repair long- neglected bridges and roads. The Center is The 2015 legislative session began by suggesting specific spending cuts so that Texas Public Policy Foundation Gov. Nikki Haley proposing an increase repairs and upgrades are funded through launched the Interstate Power Compact, in the state’s gas tax. The new revenue existing general revenues. rifreedom.org would supposedly go to road maintenance, an agreement between participating but South Carolina Policy Council’s states to prevent the federal overreach SOUTH CAROLINA analysis made overwhelmingly clear that of the Clean Power Plan. Right on Crime S.C.’s road funding system doesn’t need and Center for Effective Justice Director more money; it needs more accountability. Marc Levin testified on criminal justice It was a tough fight—most state house reform before the U.S. House Committee politicians wanted a tax hike—but in on Oversight and Government Reform. the end SCPC’s analysis, promoted The Foundation released a number of June 17, 2015: an unforgettable day aggressively through op-eds and social statements regarding the latest Supreme that saw nine black Charlestonians media and radio and TV interviews, won Court of the United States rulings, over enough lawmakers that the measure hatefully murdered in their church. Yet including King v. Burwell, Obergefell v. died in the Senate. Meanwhile, The Nerve, out of tragedy came hope, expressed in Hodges, and Michigan v. EPA. Center SCPC’s investigative news site, caught the forgiveness extended by the victims’ for the American Future director The former Speaker of the House Bobby families to the killer of their loved ones. Honorable Rob Henneke joined a coalition Harrell, convicted on ethics charges last led by former Texas Comptroller Susan year, trying to pay probation fines with Combs that filed a petition to have the a campaign account he was required to forfeit as a part of his plea deal. State golden-cheeked warbler removed from law enforcement followed up on the story, the endangered and threatened species and the shady transaction was voided. list. Center for Local Governance director scpolicycouncil.org James Quintero published a policy brief calling for better management of TENNESSEE local retirement systems under state governance. texaspolicy.com

VERMONT Palmetto Promise Institute offered this humble During a busy summer, Beacon Center attempt to capture both the essence of the tragedy published its 10th annual Pork Report, and the only hope for the future. which exposed $763 million in wasteful government spending at the state and There is hope that, through the power of The Vermont legislature left town last local levels. The report garnered nearly 50 love, Americans can reverse the cycle of May having raised $63 million in new major media hits all across the state. The destruction and mistrust that is ripping Center also briefed Tennessee legislators taxes but failing to deal with a structural communities apart. Much hard work on the implications of the EPA’s latest $70 million deficit for 2016. One remains to overcome inertia, personal power grab—the new regulations on power possibility for another new tax to fill agendas, and political grandstanding. plants and water—so that they have the that hole is expanding Vermont’s sales Palmetto Promise Institute is committed tools to fight back against the EPA and tax to cover services. In order to pay to overcoming this poisonous culture radical environmentalists. They are very for the subsidization of a renewable of cynicism. By determining to love its excited to welcome Naomi Lopez Bauman energy mandate of 75 percent by 2032, neighbors, the Institute is freed to engage to their team as a senior fellow. Naomi legislators also laid the groundwork last in authentic conversation with people serves as the director of health care policy session for a $500 million Carbon Tax. who might disagree and is compelled to for the Goldwater Institute and previously The Ethan Allen Institute is working to fight for the chance of every individual to served as the director of research and educate the public about the disastrous realize their fullest God-given potential. the director of health policy at the Illinois implications of these policies for its small palmettopromise.org Policy Institute. beacontn.org state. ethanallen.org

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VIRGINIA Anniversary of Kelo v. City of New London.” WISCONSIN He addressed the grassroots and political response to Kelo. Jeremy is a board member of Tertium Quids, the Virginia Institute for Public Policy’s sister 501(c) More than 140 of Northern Virginia’s top (4), and is the author of the Institute’s As Wisconsin’s oldest and most respected business and association leaders gathered report, The Real Story of Eminent free-market think tank, the Wisconsin at George Mason University to attend the Domain in Virginia: The Rise, Fall, and Policy Research Institute has been a Thomas Jefferson Institute’s Leadership Undetermined Future of Private Property thought leader in the Badger State for 28 Roundtable on “Virginia’s Economic Rights in the Commonwealth. Copies of years. So far, 2015 has been a bellwether Future.” Seven speakers, including the U.S. the report, the impetus for an eminent year for WPRI in leading the policy debate Chamber of Commerce’s chief economist, domain reform statute and constitutional on Right to Work legislation and reforming reviewed the outlook for Virginia’s amendment being passed in Virginia, Wisconsin’s antiquated, anti-market economy and analyzed the state’s key were distributed at the conference. In July, prevailing wage laws. WPRI released industries, the obstacles standing in the Freedom & Prosperity Radio, the Institute’s the first credible poll of 2015 showing way of growth, and the policy changes that syndicated radio program, was represented that Wisconsinites strongly supported a should be considered. Two major columns at FreedomFest in Las Vegas, where show worker’s right-to-choose. WPRI’s in-depth by Jefferson Institute president Mike host Joe Thomas conducted interviews with reports The Economic Impact of a Right- Thompson, focused on health care reform John Goodman, Eamonn Butler, Stephen to-Work Law on Wisconsin and Real-World and the need for eliminating Certificate Moore, Allen West, and many others. Impacts of Prevailing Wage were presented of Public Need laws, were published by virginiainstitute.org before crowded hearing rooms this major papers across the state, including legislative session by WPRI President Mike the capitol city’s Richmond Times-Dispatch. WASHINGTON Nichols. In both instances, WPRI’s impact The columns stirred interest from top on Wisconsin public policy was reflected in legislative leaders. Attendees of the SPN Wisconsin becoming the 25th right-to-work Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids should state in the nation and in the elimination watch for their invitation to the Jefferson- of prevailing wage requirements on local hosted “State Policy Energy Summit” During the 2015 legislative session, the governments in the Badger State. wpri.org Monday night and Tuesday morning before Washington state legislature followed the conference. thomasjeffersoninst.org several of Washington Policy Center’s WYOMING recommendations. No new capital gains tax or income tax were created, and the legislature passed a transportation Jeremy Hopkins, partner with Waldo & package, which included four top WPC The Wisconsin Supreme Court accepted Lyle, P.C., spoke at the Cato Institute policy recommendations, designed to the Wyoming Liberty Group legal team’s conference, “Property Rights on the 10th reduce costs and improve service to the public. WPC also released the annual brief in its decision in the “John Doe” Public School Achievement Index results cases. This ruling is an important milestone for the 2013–2014 school year, ranking for free speech, but it indicates just how every public school in Washington state. In far some reformers will go to silence August, WPC Young Professionals held its politically engaged citizens. Free speech summer social event, drawing legislators is an issue in the education system in and young professionals, including its Wyoming, as well. WyLiberty has exposed University of Washington club members, public meetings designed to stifle open alike in a fun, casual setting to network and discussion on the Next Generation Science hear from WPC’s policy experts. WPC also Standards. What do the people of Wyoming announced its featured speakers for its think about the state’s corporate welfare Annual Dinner events this fall in Bellevue schemes? WyLiberty will present its survey and Spokane: South Carolina Governor results during the Sept. 10 Liberty Forum Nikki Haley and former U.S. Ambassador in Cheyenne. Topics will include how to Jeremy Hopkins, author of the Virginia Institute’s prevent a run up in government spending eminent domain reform study, spoke at a Cato to the United Nations John Bolton. conference on property rights. washingtonpolicy.org during the next resource revenue boom.

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WyLiberty successfully argued before page will continue to be a helpful resource learn more or email Janine.Nichols@AEI. the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation on faith and environment issues. acton.org org. aei.org Commission that landowners should have the right to waive oil and gas well setback provisions without second-guessing by state regulators. wyliberty.org Accreditation reform has been front and America’s Future Foundation looks to center at American Council of Trustee partner with think tanks in order to identify, Alumni. ACTA recently testified before educate, and develop young professionals

ASSOCIATES the Senate Health, Education, Labor and who will become lifelong advocates for free Pensions Committee and the U.S. Civil markets in the states. Recent partnered Rights Commission on the need to replace events with the Texas Public Policy a failing accreditation system with a Foundation, The Buckeye Institute, and consumer-friendly alternative to ensure others have brought young audiences to institutional financial stability and academic learn free market ideas in state capitals. In The 1851 Center for Constitutional performance. This fall ACTA will release Washington, D.C., AFF alumna and former Law is engaged in a class action lawsuit its annual What Will They Learn? report board member Kristen Soltis Anderson to force an Ohio school district to return on general education at nearly 1,100 discussed her new book, The Selfie Vote, $5 million in unlawful taxes (a prior 1851 colleges and universities. Policymakers which examines how millennials perceive case found the tax to be illegal). The and consumers can use www public policy. To learn about how to partner 1851 Center prevailed in holding the .whatwilltheylearn.com to compare schools with them to reach young professionals Secretary of State personally liable for and to view information on graduation in your state, please visit their website. violation of Ohioans’ political association rates, assessments, and speech codes. americasfuture.org rights; the issue of “qualified immunity” Come celebrate ACTA’s 20th anniversary is now before the Sixth Circuit Court of at the ATHENA Roundtable in Washington, Appeals. The 1851 Center is using the D.C., on October 16. goacta.org Fourth Amendment to stop inspections and licensing of Ohio rental homes Freedom movement peers had the and landlords, and also to stop Ohio’s opportunity to get to know each other better warrantless “anytime-anyplace” searches at Speed Networking sponsored by Atlas of retail stores’ business records. Network during SPN’s Annual Meeting in American Enterprise Institute president ohioconstitution.org Grand Rapids. Don’t forget to register for Arthur Brooks’ newest book, The Atlas Network’s annual Liberty Forum & Conservative Heart, was released this Freedom Dinner, Nov. 11–12, in New York summer and has since become a New City. Get to know the many faces of freedom In June, Pope Francis released his highly York Times Best Seller. Drawing on years working to advance liberty worldwide. Listen anticipated environmental encyclical, of research on the sources of happiness to some of the movement’s thought leaders Laudato Si, generating the biggest religious and the conditions of human flourishing, like Charles Murray and Randy Barnett; cheer news story of the year. The Acton Institute Brooks presents a social justice agenda for on the Think Tank Shark Tank contestants anticipated the tremendous news coverage a New Right. He extols the four “institutions as they vie for $25,000 in seed funding; and this document would generate and created of meaning”—family, faith, community, watch the winning Lights, Camera, Liberty an online resource page for religious and work; lays out the kind of constructive film festival videos. RSVP: AtlasNetwork.org/ leaders, the media, and anyone interested in government safety net that lifts people LFFD15. atlasnetwork.org understanding the free market response to up; and designs a policy agenda of true Pope Francis’ economics and the encyclical: hope through earned success. Brooks www.blog.acton.org/pope-environment. argues that it is time for a new kind of This page houses videos, commentaries, conservatism—an inclusive, optimistic critiques, and summaries, and it is constantly movement with a positive agenda to help being updated. With plans for Francis to visit people lead happier and more fulfilling The Bastiat Society is an international the United States in late September, the lives. Check out www.ArthurBrooks.com to network of business people committed to

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defending liberty. Being natural problem patient relationship as the primary means of liberal policy and philosophy. In August, solvers, many of their members have delivering quality medical care, empowered Sen. Tim Kaine participated in a policy asked what they can do to promote the by a robust free enterprise system, which forum examining “The Fight with ISIS: One ideas of free markets and individual fosters innovation and reduces costs. Year (and Counting) of Unauthorized War.” liberty. They want to do more, and The BRI is engaging with its Student Leaders In the fall, Cato will host the 14th Annual Bastiat Society is excited to present them as never before by giving them pre- Constitution Day symposium. To be held with some suggestions through their new packaged, hands-on material to increase Thursday, Sept. 17, this event will examine Advocacy Initiative. Let’s be clear—this chapter effectiveness and streamline their decisions from the most recent Supreme isn’t about writing checks to politicians. operations. BRI closed out the year with Court term and look ahead to the next term. This effort is about investing time and 22 chapters holding over 50 events and Watch online at www.cato.org/live. cato.org using the influence that business leaders 6,000+ views of online BRI lectures and possess to secure a freer society for debates. Ten Student Leaders received generations to come. Contact them to scholarships to attend Free Market Medical learn more. bastiatsociety.org Association’s Second Annual conference in August 2015. benjaminrushinstitute.org Center for Competitive Politics filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in CCP v. Harris, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Ninth Circuit decision forcing In July, The Beacon Hill Institute the disclosure of the Center’s private hosted a contingent of European Are politicized, open-border nonprofits donor list—a case with exceptionally journalists assembled by the U.S. State in your state reaping tax dollars serving harmful ramifications for the privacy of Department and World Boston to discuss immigrants? Capitol Research Center’s donors to 501(c)(3)s. The Center released the Transatlantic Trade and Industry July Foundation Watch tracks how money a two-pager explaining three prominent Partnership now under consideration flows across America from government legislative and regulatory threats to between the European Commission and programs and left-wing foundations the privacy of supporters of 501(c)(3) the United States. BHI project manager (including George Soros’s) to numerous organizations. CCP President David Frank Conte explained in detail how nonprofits and their well-paid leaders. Keating spoke on a panel overviewing trade and openness to investment are Do environmentalists in your state state efforts to mandate the disclosure of measured in the Institute’s widely- smugly seize the moral high ground with contributors to nonprofit groups—including circulated State Competitiveness Index. doomsday prophecies? CRI’s August 501(c)(3)s—at the American Legislative He also fielded questions about the Green Watch thoroughly debunks some Exchange Council’s Annual Meeting. Massachusetts economy and the state’s of the most famous Green predictions of campaignfreedom.org trading partners, the value of immigration, all time and also describes the suffering and the consequences of excessive they have caused the poor. Do you hope regulation. The Institute also released labor reforms come to your state? CRI’s a study on the state’s tax holiday for June and July Labor Watch describe August 2015. The study was instrumental how Gov. Scott Walker won his victories. in the passage of the holiday by the capitalresearch.org Ceterus is thrilled to have Carl Oberg Massachusetts legislature. join the team as Client CFO, assisting our beaconhill.org non-profit clients to keep their finances in order, working through (c)(3)/(c)(4) issues, and generally helping them stay compliant. Carl was most recently COO at FEE and In July, the Cato Institute celebrated a has also worked with the Charles G. Koch new class of graduates of Cato University. Charitable Foundation, and Americans for Benjamin Rush Institute has redoubled Attendees of this week-long event heard Prosperity. You can contact him at carlo@ efforts to focus on what matters most: from distinguished scholars and participated ceterusinc.com. Promote solutions that protect the doctor- in topical conversations about classical ceterusinc.com

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with notable speakers and authors who who objected to the union taking and will discuss important issues affecting our using their money. The union has refused country. This year’s event will be held at to release their fees to charities of the

In June, Citizens’ Council for Health the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel in teachers’ choice, as state law requires. Freedom president Twila Brase and Charleston, S.C., Nov. 5–8. Confirmed They claimed that these charities staff were in Washington, D.C., talking speakers include Jonah Goldberg, Katie (including a scholarship to help kids study to national leaders about the dangers Pavlich, David Horowitz, Congressman the Constitution) were “too political!” threatening patient privacy. In July, Brase Louis Gohmert, Andrew McCarthy, Bruce Now, Jane and Chris will have their day spoke at the Let My Doctor Practice: Thornton, Thomas Lifson, Gordon Chang, in court—where the union will have to Summit at the Summit. The conference Robert Spencer, Pat Caddell, Heather publicly defend its abusive practices. asked doctors if they were satisfied with McDonald, Richard Baehr, Charlie Kirk, fairnesscenter.org the health care environment. Coming and Daniel Pipes, with many more to in October, CCHF will host their annual follow. The David Horowitz Freedom dinner, Reclaiming Health Freedom, Center invites you to register and find featuring former secret service agent and more information about the weekend author, Dan Bongino, and special guest, at www.restorationweekend.org. Rich Weinstein, “Father of Grubergate.” horowitzfreedomcenter.org Foundation for Economic Education For more information or to sign up for the is happy to announce the release of a weekly CCHF Health Freedom eNews see new book entitled Excuse Me, Professor: their website. cchfreedom.org Debunking the Myths of Progressivism, a joint project with Young America’s Foundation. Edited and co-authored by

What is a charitable lead trust? What FEE president Lawrence W. Reed, the book compiles over 50 essays on topics should a donor expect if they open a from education to anti-trust for college donor-advised account? DonorsTrust’s I, Whiskey: The Spirit of the Market is students. It was featured as the top story new blog, part of a broader update a forthcoming Competitive Enterprise on the Fox News website the week of its to www.donorstrust.org, will look at Institute documentary sequel to the release (at.fee.org/1Ip7eVo). More info: questions such as these. DonorsTrust successful I, Pencil animated short film. FEE.org/ExcuseMe. FEE’s latest essay hopes the articles and insights will be Share a dram, view the trailer, and donate series is entitled Real Heroes, profiling a resource for development staff and via Indiegogo to http://iwhiskeymovie. the unsung heroes of freedom: FEE.org/ organizational leaders, offering material org! How much is your state giving away RealHeroes. fee.org both to learn from and to share with to labor unions through “release time”? donors. There is also a “For Non-Profits” CEI labor policy expert Trey Kovacs has page with more information on what they reports on Missouri and Texas. View the do and how they can partner. Go there reports at www.cei.org and see which to sign up for updates relevant to the states are next. Other recent CEI report As the Foundation for Excellence work you do. The more everyone works topics include: Dodd-Frank, EPA Clean in Education’s flagship initiative, the together, the more the freedom movement Power Plan, transportation funding, and the National Summit on Education Reform can grow. donorstrust.org “Beepocalypse.” Tweet @ceidotorg. cei.org annually convenes the best and brightest from around the world to share strategies to improve the quality of education for all children. This one-stop shop of policies and practices offers an opportunity for lawmakers, policymakers, and advocates For over 20 years, David Horowitz’s The Fairness Center won its second to learn the nuts and bolts of reform. Restoration Weekend has been one legal victory. A judge ordered that one of Attendees leave the National Summit of the nation’s premiere events where their lawsuits can proceed and refused armed with the knowledge and networks conservatives can gather with like-minded to dismiss it as the union had demanded. to advance bold education reform in Americans for a weekend of socializing Jane and Chris are public school teachers their states. This uncommon conference

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annually serves as a catalyst for energizing website this summer and hopes users will and accelerating the reform movement find its new features useful: 1. The School across the nation. Registration closes Choice in America Dashboard features a soon. Sign up today! excelined.org In July, The Free State Foundation held a data center and interactive map allowing seminar titled “Implementing Real Regulatory you to create custom, downloadable Reform at the FCC.” FCC Commissioner reports with private school choice program Michael O’Rielly delivered an important participation, eligibility, and funding data; Over the past year, the Franklin Center keynote address setting forth his ideas. A 2. The Program Eligibility Tests now offer families a tool to determine their school has added a team of policy reporters who panel discussion followed with reactions choice program eligibility. Parents will specialize in prioirty issues and leverage from Richard Wiley, former Chairman, learn whether their family might qualify the work of our state-based reporters to Commissioner, and General Counsel of and receive options for next steps. draw together national narratives. Our the Federal Communications Commission; 3. The School Choice How-It-Works Videos largest policy reporting initiative covers Justin (Gus) Hurwitz, University of Nebraska provide more information about how education reform and school choice College of Law; and Daniel Lyons, Boston school choice, ESAs, vouchers, tax-credit College Law School. Professors Lyons and and includes one national reporter and scholarships, and individual tax credits/ Hurwitz are members of FSF’s Board of three hyperlocal reporters, in Milwaukee, deductions work. edchoice.org Academic Advisors. FSF President Randolph Wisconsin, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May testified before both House and Senate and Washington, D.C. The team also committees on FCC reform issues in May includes reporters covering energy and and June. freestatefoundation.org natural resources and technology policy, and we are currently recruiting for a regulatory policy reporter. To apply for the After the Supreme Court’s tortured position, please contact Mary Ellen Beatty decision on ObamaCare in King v. Burwell, at [email protected]. the Galen Institute is turning the page to the 2016 debate over fresh ideas to franklincenterhq.org. Since its inception in 2006, Free To Choose advance patient-centered health care Network’s educational initiative, izzit.org, reform toward more choices of plans, has been membership-driven and aimed at portable coverage, and true protection educators. Currently 300,000+ classroom against major medical costs. The Institute teachers and homeschoolers employ the is working with the Conservative Action videos, teaching units, and fresh ideas Project to get signatures on a memo F.A. Hayek is considered one of the most from the website to generate stimulating, describing Ten Principles for Patient- important economic thinkers of the 20th meaningful classroom and at-home dialogue. Centered Health Reform to guide the 2016 century. But unlike two other economic However all izzit.org teaching unit videos debate, and they continue their non-stop giants of his day, Milton Friedman and are now being offered for free viewing on educational efforts with policymakers in John Maynard Keynes, Hayek did little YouTube. While many of the teacher benefits Washington and the states, candidates, to make his work accessible to average (quizzes, lesson plans, study guides, etc.) and the public. Visit their dynamic citizens. The Essential Hayek—a new will remain as a subscriber benefit only, www.ObamaCareWatch.org website for the book by Donald Boudreaux, Fraser the videos and the messaging contained latest news and developments. galen.org Institute senior fellow and George Mason in them are too important not to share with the largest audience possible. Visit izzit.org University economist—rectifies this. The today for more information. book explains Hayek’s 10 most profound freetochoosenetwork.org economic insights in plain language and is accompanied by a dedicated website and series of videos. Visit www.essentialhayek. The Heritage Foundation released its org to download the book or watch the 2015 Index of Culture and Opportunity, videos. Subscribe to Insight, the Institute’s which tracks 31 social and economic U.S. newsletter, at http://tinyurl.com/ The Friedman Foundation for factors to give a snapshot of the cultural lfk4fp6. fraserinstitute.org Educational Choice launched its new ecosystem needed to sustain freedom.

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Their Center for Health Policy Studies’ are looking for experts on any policy area, reports outlining how states and the federal email: [email protected] or see their government should start planning now for website: http://theihs.org/find-scholars. the post-ACA world have sparked interest theihs.org among legislators in preparing for a health The Jesse Helms Center completed the care marketplace after ObamaCare is 20th year of its highly successful Free repealed. Heritage co-hosted Education Enterprise Leadership Challenge. Over Reform Roundtables in Nevada and Iowa 8,300 high school students have graduated that highlighted the benefits of education After the Supreme Court’s disappointing from this innovative, educational program. savings accounts. And a redesigned www ruling upholding ObamaCare’s federal Multiple sessions were held on the .InsiderOnline.org site will be released this subsidies, Institute for Policy campuses of Wingate, Palm Beach Atlantic, fall—so stay tuned! heritage.org Innovation’s Dr. Merrill Matthews and Campbell Universities. Also, the appeared in the media explaining that the Center introduced a new MOOC (massive decision paves the way for the people open online course), Free Enterprise Now©, to students and teachers this and Congress to appropriately have the summer. Developed by Dr. Peter Frank, This spring, The Independent Institute final say on changing the health care law. Helms Center free enterprise fellow, Free launched two, very timely, short, and After repeatedly affirming the benefits of Enterprise Now© teaches students about accessible booklets by Senior Fellow Trade Promotion Authority, IPI experts the free enterprise system through short, Robert Higgs, War and Peace and The were delighted to commend lawmakers for interactive videos. To learn more about Threat to Liberty, introducing Higgs’s successfully moving forward on a long- Free Enterprise Now©, visit the website penetrating analysis to new audiences and stalled trade agenda, essential to economic www.freeenterprisenow.org. current issues. More recently, Independent growth and global competitiveness. IPI jessehelmscenter.org released the new Higgs book, Taking a invites you to join them in Dallas on Sept. Stand: Reflections on Life, Liberty, and the 25 as they feature three policy perspectives Economy, featuring 99 short, accessible on what actions, if any, the U.S. should chapters on political economy, society, and take regarding climate change. ipi.org liberty. With a foreword by Judge Andrew On July 31, The John W. Pope Center for Napolitano included, this book will educate Higher Education Policy hosted an event and inspire readers on individual liberty, celebrating the life and legacy of economist entrepreneurship and innovation, peace, Milton Friedman on his 103rd birthday economic growth, personal responsibility, in Pinehurst, N.C. Isaac M. Morehouse, Intercollegiate Studies Institute wrapped civic virtue, and the rule of law. Get your founder and CEO of Praxis, gave a talk up a successful summer of conferences copy today! independent.org entitled “Competition Makes Everything for its top student leaders. At eight Better: Innovation Beats Politics in Higher conferences held across the country from Education Reform.” Over 40 professors, Portland, Ore., to Washington, D.C., more policymakers, and citizens gathered to hear than 500 students representing dozens of Morehouse explain how many universities No scholars, no research, no change. That’s colleges learned more about the principles fail to provide what students really need— why the Institute for Humane Studies has of freedom and how to defend them and the opportunity for entrepreneurs developed Find Scholars—a free service against the abuses of the campus Left. to offer true choice in higher education. that connects liberty-based organizations to Highlights included two week-long Honors popecenter.org experts who can help advance their goals. Conferences for top undergraduates, the The Find team has successfully connected Collegiate Network Editors Conference for credible academic experts to engage in aspiring student journalists, and a brand- research, op-eds, media comments, and speaking opportunities with organizations new conference on How Markets Work. Judicial Watch continues to fight for such as the Platte Institute, Coalition to To learn more about other upcoming ISI accountability in the Benghazi scandal, Reduce Spending, Mackinac Center, and events and how to get involved, please visit forcing to light documents which prove the Commonwealth Foundation. If you their website. isi.org Hillary Clinton’s public response to the

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Benghazi attack was set by the White news web show aimed at millennials. The The National Center for Public Policy House. JW is also working to force the series will launch in 2016, but watch vlogs Research also published a new book, State Department to disclose emails that, now and subscribe at www.YouTube. Medicare’s Victims: How the U.S. for the first time, directly tie Clinton to the com/WeTheInternetTV. MPI-supported Government’s Largest Health Care now-debunked Benghazi talking points. documentary The Immortalists is now Program Harms Patients and Impairs In response to a JW lawsuit, a federal available on Netflix. FI$H: How an Economy Physicians, by policy analyst Dr. David judge ordered the State Department Grows, an animated educational series based Hogberg. nationalcenter.org to begin turning over records about on the bestseller How an Economy Grows Clinton’s use of an iPhone and iPad and Why it Crashes, will launch in 2016. Visit while Secretary of State. Judicial Watch their website, www.MovingPictureInstitute. released documents which show the IRS, org, to learn about their films and talent Department of Justice, and FBI shared development programs. Contact info@ Bill and Hillary Clinton pushed for a 1.25 million pages of confidential taxpayer thempi.org to arrange screenings and $10 million loan from the Overseas Private information and conspired to prosecute recommend filmmakers for fellowships, Investment Corporation (OPIC) to Clinton conservative political non-profit groups. grants, and internships. thempi.org Foundation donor Claudio Osorio, who The IRS was ordered to begin producing now sits in a federal penitentiary, serving Lois Lerner’s “lost” emails. Judicial Watch a 12-year term for an unrelated fraud. challenged unconstitutional gerrymandering Proceeds of the loan were supposed to in federal court with an historic lawsuit. be used to build houses in earthquake- On Oct. 2, television and radio talk show judicialwatch.org ravaged Haiti; instead, they were used to host Glenn Beck will discuss “What the fund Osorio’s lavish lifestyle. Based on American Dream Means to Me” at a documents and information provided by National Center for Policy Analysis the National Legal and Policy Center, Hatton W. Sumners Distinguished Lecture the Washington Free Beacon detailed Summer means relaxing, but Mercatus Series luncheon in Dallas. The event also the Clintons’ role in advancing the scam Center scholars were not on sabbatical. kicks off the annual Sumners Scholars on July 17. NLPC is requesting a formal Eileen Norcross’ breakthrough study, Policy Seminar weekend. The Seminar investigation by the OPIC Inspector Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition, provides opportunities for thought- General. nlpc.org appeared across the 50 states and fueled provoking discussions between policy fiscal reform conversations in many experts and undergraduate students on capitals. Robert Graboyes presented a the most pressing, topical policy issues. live telemedicine demo with Doctor on Experts will address economic challenges This term the Supreme Court will Demand at the American Legislative to the American dream, higher education hear Friedrichs v. California Teachers Exchange Council’s Health and Human vs. workforce development, American Association. Building on Foundation-won Task Force to educate attendees on the energy policy, Fourth Amendment rights precedents in Knox v. SEIU (2012) and potential for better health for more people in the digital age, health care policy, Harris v. Quinn (2014), Friedrichs directly on the innovation frontier. Scholar Robert entitlements policy, domestic terrorism, and challenges the constitutionality of public Krol found that current transportation homeland security. ncpa.org sector forced-union dues. A victory in infrastructure spending policies lead to inefficient decisions and are often driven Friedrichs would end mandatory union by political forces in his paper, Political dues and fees, ensuring Right to Work Incentives and Transportation Funding. protections for all government workers. mercatus.org Nearly five years after passage of the First Following up on the brief filed encouraging Lady’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of the Court to take the case, National Right 2010, mounting evidence suggests that to Work Legal Defense Foundation staff the law may not be achieving either goal. attorneys are filing an amicus brief in the Senior fellow Jeff Stier’s presented this case highlighting the ineffectiveness of conclusion in a Wall Street Journal op-ed current precedent in protecting the First The Moving Picture Institute is pleased that contributed to changes in the law Amendment rights of public employees. to introduce We the Internet, a comedy passed by the House of Representatives. nrtw.org

SPN NEWS 24 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 STATE POLICY NETWORK UPDATES

win since the organization began working with state and national think tanks on strategic marketing, communications, Now in its 15th year, Property and and messaging. They look forward to Environment Research Center’s continuing the fight for limited government D.C.’s interns were exposed to topics on Enviropreneur Institute empowers and personal responsibility. Fall is quickly liberty this summer, thanks to The Fund environmental entrepreneurs in the approaching, and that means the calendar for American Studies’ Capitol Hill Lecture application of property, contracts, and is filling up with exciting ArrowHead Series held in cooperation with Sen. markets to enhance environmental assets. messaging projects on the following policy Rand Paul and sponsored by the Einhorn Building on 35 years of research exploring topics: jobs, education reform, and federal Family Foundation. Attendance averaged how property rights and markets can be lands. If you would like assistance with more than 150 interns and Congressional harnessed to resolve environmental conflict, marketing, branding, or communications, staffers, as well as many of the 400 the Enviropreneur Institute helps people turn email the Spark Freedom team at info@ Amstudents attending TFAS summer ideas into action. PERC scholars explore the sparkfreedom.org. sparkfreedom.org programs. Speakers included AEI president frontiers of free market environmentalism Arthur Brooks, Reason magazine editor with original research on emerging markets Matt Welch, and Cato Institute EVP David for conservation. PERC’s enviropreneur Boaz. TFAS also offered 12 academic alumni work in communities across the courses to college students this summer country to address problems ranging from with faculty including Randy Barnett, pollution and drought to threatened species. State Budget Solutions has been Christopher Coyne, Jason Brennan, Nikolai Together they are working to foster a culture calling further attention to the dismal Wenzel, and Adam Martin. tfas.org of enviropreneurship. perc.org health of state pensions, which are now in a collective $4.7 trillion hole. A new report by senior fellow Sarah Curry examines state pension reform efforts around the country—from incremental measures to comprehensive solutions. In July, the Wisconsin Supreme Court In May, Reason Foundation presented the On the Federalism In Action (FIA) front, ordered that the nearly four-year-long inaugural Savas Award to Purdue University the transfer of public lands remains secret John Doe investigation into president Mitch Daniels in recognition of his a top concern. FIA co-published a fundraising and alleged coordination exceptional work advancing privatization. booklet with the American Lands between Governor Scott Walker’s In July, Reason science correspondent Council, summarizing the plight of campaign and conservative organizations Ronald Bailey released his new book, The Western states where over 50 percent be shut down. The Wisconsin Institute End of Doom: Environmental Renewal of land is federally controlled. Local for Law & Liberty filed an amicus brief in the 21st Century. In the same month, stewardship would allow for improved on behalf of the Center for Competitive Reason’s Matt Welch spoke at Rand Paul’s fiscal performance and environmental inaugural lecture series “Free Markets, health (www.FederalismInAction.org). Politics, former FEC Chair Brad Smith, and Individual Liberty, and Civil Society.” Paul statebudgetsolutions.org a local advocacy organization. WILL argued said of libertarianism, “I think it’s come to that Wisconsin law was overly broad be a word that maybe people find inviting and could not be applied to the alleged who don’t feel perfectly at home in either of conduct. Litigation brought by WILL’s work the parties. But Matt does a better job than led to the invalidation of two provisions of anybody else of talking about it.” Contact the Tax Foundation for their new Wisconsin’s campaign finance law last year reason.org report on state estate and inheritance alone. will-law.org taxes, Texas reducing their business tax rate, and Connecticut raising theirs. Also keep an eye out for new books on Louisiana tax reform and North Carolina Spark Freedom is proud to announce this tax reform coming soon! summer marks the team’s 150th policy taxfoundation.org

SPN NEWS 24 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 SPN NEWS 25 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 TALENT MULTIPLIER FROM PAGE 1 movement. We need to add to our talent pool, not treat “The progressive movement is recruiting talent like trading cards. some of the country’s top talent in politics, Our top policy VPs, Ted Dabrowski and Michael Lucci, came from the private sector. Ted came from banking. He in policy, in technology, in leadership, in had worked in Mexico and Poland (Ted is half Polish and grassroots organizing, in fundraising, half Ecuadorian). He transformed our world by becoming a pension expert on the most important issue facing our in media, in donors, and more.” state, developed and professionalized our policy shop, and became a key spokesman, often replacing me in the We all submit to the organization’s vision Chicago media market. Ted is fluent in Spanish, so we 3. Manage egos. and mission. It is the leader’s job to harmonize egos to also gained access to the Hispanic market. Exponential mission. impact. (Ted is so happy he won’t talk to any recruiters any more so don’t bother calling him—right, Ted?! Right, 4. Let people go. Move people on to their next career Ted? Ted?) opportunity when they and the organization’s needs no longer match. Then add to the top (see below). Michael Lucci worked all over the world, including China and Korea before becoming an options trader in 5. Add to the top. Your job is to “move the mean up.” Every Chicago. Michael took over our jobs and growth portfolio new hire should be a top 25 percenter. Your mean talent and defined the terms of debate during the gubernatorial level should always be rising. battle in 2014. He controlled the narrative arc with his 6. Individualize incentives. Most talented people are work on unemployment and labor data by turning that driven by far more meaningful things than money. data into great stories on the failure of the status quo. Take the time to learn and understand those drivers. Exponential impact. (He is currently being recruited by When I asked Matt Brouillette of the Commonwealth several private sector companies. He wonders why I keep Foundation to explain the impact of Charles Mitchell, last hiding his phone.) year’s Overton Award winner, he said, “Where I am weak, It’s been said many times that talent is the great he is strong, and vice versa. I’m the visionary and salesman, equalizer. That understates its impact. Talent is the great while Charles is the engineer who charts our course. He multiplier. Superior talent is an exponential multiplier. excels at keeping the trains running on time while I get Your results come down to several variables in the success people excited to ride them.” Together, they have begun equation, including vision, strategy, operations, and transforming Pennsylvania into a purple state with tinges of talent. Talent is the most red. We must face a truth—we have a talent deficit compared important variable in the to the other side. The progressive Equalizer Multiplier Exponential results you achieve. movement is recruiting some of the Vision 100 100 100 country’s top talent in politics, in If we could quantify the Strategy +100 +100 +100 policy, in technology, in leadership, in impact of talent (c’mon, Operations +100 +100 +100 grassroots organizing, in fundraising, we are data people, aren’t Talent +100 x100 x1002 in media, in donors, and more. we?) by using an arbitrary number of 100 to equalize Results 400 30,000 3,000,000 Are we good enough all the variables, here is when it comes to recruiting talent? Our country’s future what the impact of talent looks like: ▴ depends on the answer being yes to that John Tillman is CEO of Illinois Policy Institute. Key Lesson: Look for exponential talent, and you will get question. Twenty years from now we’ll know Write him at jtillman@ exponential results. the answer. What role will you have played illinoispolicy.org. Guiding principles to recruit great talent: in recruiting the talent required to achieve a freer, more prosperous America? 1. Have a big vision. Talented people want to change the

world—help them.

2. Strive for operational excellence. Operational dysfunction slows your superstars down; excellence unleashes them.

SPN NEWS 26 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 SPN NEWS 27 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 DIRECT CARE FROM PAGE 5

employee unions to push against the crony capitalist interests in her husband flew to Oklahoma for the procedure. Her husband health care and enact protections in state law so that people can was so pleased with the experience that he took out an ad in the negotiate prices for health care outside of an insurance plan. local newspaper for the Oklahoma Surgery Center. Direct care is working for patients and doctors all over the country just like it Many medical operations have begun to embrace this new did for this woman in Alaska. method of delivering health care. In Oklahoma and across the country, doctors are creating Direct Primary Care Arrangements Promoters of free-market solutions in health care have a with their patients to cover all family practice costs at just $50 a genuine opportunity to improve Americans’ quality of life by month. advancing the Direct Care model. OCPA found Direct Care to be an important element of a proactive agenda to advance health The impact is real and widespread. Smith likes to share the care solutions for Oklahoma citizens, and this year, 12 states have example of a middle-aged woman in Alaska who sought his help joined Oklahoma in taking legislative steps to allow Direct Care to repair a ventral hernia. She had first gone to her local hospital, practices to flourish. While the Affordable Care Act continues where her son was a board member, and they quoted her $60,000 to break promises, Direct Care is emerging as a transformative in just facility fees for this relatively simple procedure. With solution that will allow Americans to once again trust they will be doctor’s fees included, the cost would have been even higher. cared for, not just covered. She then discovered the Oklahoma Surgery Center’s website. Their price? $5,700, including doctor’s and facility fees. Despite her family ties to the hospital and its board, the woman and

(BIG) MONEY FROM PAGE 7

the CEO make the call with a high ranking volunteer—and you 7) For many, campaign literature creates the same have a magic partnership. boom as the sound of one hand clapping. Often, campaign material is a turnoff. A negative. And the 5) Those who will give to you in the future are men and women who have given to you in the past. fancier the material, the more objectionable it is to donors. The majority of serious donors much prefer a strong and Your best prospects for a gift are those who have already given compelling oral presentation, substantiated by simple written to you. This tenet is flawless, even if a sizable gift has just been documentation. made to your organization. Say, for instance, you’re very near the completion of your campaign—the bottom half of the ninth Campaign literature can help influence smaller and medium- inning! But you still haven’t reached your goal. sized gifts. It can also provide aid and comfort to the solicitor. You evaluate the prospects who still haven’t committed to But for the really large size gift, use a different approach. the program. You make a careful examination. The appraisal Try the three-ring binder, replete with enticing photographs. looks promising, but it still doesn’t appear you’ll be able to Nothing is more effective. reach your goal. Direct mail efforts are important to the lifeblood of an What to do? Should you call on those who have already given organization. So is a program to approach and cultivate to the campaign—but haven’t done as much as they could have relationships with individuals of means who care about the or you expected? No! Don’t call on them. Instead, call on those principles you work to advance. Thus, the question: Have you who have already made a very large and generous gift. They will developed, are you developing, a program to reach them? If not, do more. And they will be pleased you asked. why not? This article was originally published in the January/February 2012 issue of 6) Big givers refer to one quality in particular they feel is SPN News. It’s just one example of the transformative best practices for most important in the person making the call: integrity. fundraising Jerold Panas has shared with SPN. We were pleased to feature him as a speaker in the 2015 Annual Meeting development track. Access the They must respect the person and hold him or her in high online version of the article at www.spn.org/publications/detail/tenets-to-raise- regard and esteem. This is true whether the solicitor is a staff big-money-by person or a volunteer. As far as a staff person is concerned, large givers list integrity Use this QR code for quick access first. Then they talk about the three Es. What they like to see in to the online version of this article. the staff person is Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

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