We work extensively on both state and national policy, focusing on issues that other groups tend to neglect. Our specialty is in tackling issues that are complex, but don’t necessarily grab major headlines. These are the areas where we think we can have a real impact.
State Policy
The Issue
Publications
In Lame Duck, Congress Should Avoid Shutdown and Pass Targeted COVID Relief
Jonathan Bydlak
From National Taxpayers Union:
In recent months, NTU has advocated for the Treasury Department to disclose more data on PPP[10] and for states and municipalities to fully report on how they spend…
Michigan Senate approves criminal justice, occupational licensing reform for veterans
C. Jarrett Dieterle
From The Center Square:
The bills would help military families who often face barriers to work when frequently moving around the country, Jarrett Dieterle, the director of commercial freedom at…
California OKs Jobless Pay for Inmates
Steven Greenhut
The California Democratic supermajority’s agenda rests entirely on the belief in the need to expand state power to “help” the public — and its concurrent distrust of the “greedy”…
Youth probation reform can help Texas teens, save the state money
Emily Mooney
While the economy and the pandemic remained of primary importance in many individuals’ vote for president and the Senate, Texas exit polls suggest crime and safety were the most important issues…
Joe Biden and Work Policy
Steven Greenhut
From Issues & Insights:
The cost of doing business under the strain of AB5 was estimated to grow by $1.3 billion to nearly $7 billion a year for the companies that fell under the law,…
Please, not another election
Marc Hyden
If you’re sick of campaign season and dread the thought of more elections, then you’re not alone. Georgia was recently thrust into the spotlight due to our newfound importance in the national…
Despite election wins, the California GOP needs a makeover
Steven Greenhut
Before you lash out at me for picking on the California GOP, please keep in mind that most of my writing over the past 22 years has chronicled the myriad ways that the state’s union-controlled…
Iowa has a plan to fix policing, but is it enough?
Arthur Rizer & Casey Witte
By all accounts, 2020 has been a watershed year for policing. Now more than ever, Americans are looking at how police go about keeping the peace — and they are asking questions. The deaths of…
Kentucky Is Succeeding in Keeping Youth Out of the Juvenile Justice System
Nila Bala & Emily Mooney
From Urban Institute:
To be clear, disparities persist and are significant. But many think that diversion reforms are key to improving equity (PDF), and our project lends some support to that…
Video: How Maryland Treats Justice-involved Kids: 2020 Nat’l State Ratings Report on World Children’s Day
Emily Mooney
From People’s Commission Decrim Maryland:
Webinar presented by People’s Commission to Decriminalize Maryland and Maryland Youth Justice Coalition.