Today, we mourn the lives lost on September 11 and honor the Americans who answered with courage and sacrifice. On this 25th anniversary, we are reminded that freedom endures only when people are willing to defend it, serve others, and sacrifice for something larger than themselves. We will never forget.

Thank you for an incredible SPN Annual Meeting. Over the past three days, more than 1,500 professionals representing all 50 states came together in Orlando around a shared commitment to expanding freedom and opportunity across the country. Thank you to everyone who made this week possible, and safe travels as you head home from Orlando. The work continues in all 50 states. #spnam

Congratulations to Center of the American Experiment, winner of the 2026 Bob Williams Award for Securing Durable Freedom! Through two years of relentless investigative reporting, American Experiment exposed more than $9 billion in fraud across Minnesota’s social-service programs, bringing national attention to a story that demanded accountability. Their reporting reached millions, helped prompt congressional hearings, and contributed to a major policy victory: the creation of Minnesota’s first government-wide Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud and pursue criminal prosecutions. Congratulations to the entire American Experiment team! @MNThinkTank #spnam

Congratulations to the Freedom Foundation, winner of the 2026 Bob Williams Award for Biggest Win for Freedom! After a three-year effort, Freedom Foundation helped secure a major victory in Idaho, ending roughly $4.4 million a year in taxpayer-facilitated dues deductions for more than 5,000 teachers. The effort began with comprehensive research into how public dollars supported union operations and activism. It continued through three legislative sessions, a statewide grassroots campaign, and a difficult legislative fight before the bill was finally signed into law in April. Congratulations to the entire Freedom Foundation team! @FreedomFdtn #spnam

Congratulations to the Goldwater Institute, winner of the 2026 Bob Williams Award for Guardian of Liberty! When sweeping water restrictions threatened housing development across fast-growing Maricopa County, Goldwater took action. Representing the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, the Institute challenged rules imposed without legislative authorization or formal rulemaking. In April, a judge struck down the restrictions, restoring the lawful approval process and protecting property rights and housing opportunity for Arizonans. The victory also reaffirmed a principle that reaches far beyond Arizona: Government agencies must follow the law, and not make it. Congratulations to the entire Goldwater Institute team! @GoldwaterInst #spnam

We have a 5K for Freedom winners! Congratulations to Corey DeAngelis(@DeAngelisCorey) and Kelly Needham, winner of this year's SPN Annual Meeting 5K for Freedom! And thank you to everyone who got up bright and early to run, walk, and start our final day in Orlando together. What a way to kick off Day 3. #SPNAM

Day 3 of #SPNAM is here, and we’re starting bright and early in Orlando. We kick things off with the 5K for Freedom before heading into breakfast conversations on AI, competition, government surveillance, regulatory reform, welfare, and education freedom. At 10 a.m., Yuval Levin joins SPN President & CEO Chris Dauer for our featured keynote, “Can the Constitution Unify Americans?” They’ll explore whether a better understanding of our constitutional system can help recover the meaning of unity in a free society. The conversations continue throughout the afternoon, with sessions tackling healthcare, energy, affordability, education, federalism, AI, communications, leadership, donor development, and more. Then tonight, we turn our attention to the people and organizations making an impact across the Network at the Celebration of Success: Annual Awards Dinner and Presentation. It’s a day to learn, connect, and celebrate what this Network is accomplishing across the country. Let’s make the most of Day 3. #spnam

STATE NIGHT UPDATE: We’re moving the fun inside tonight! State Night: The Flavors of Florida will now take place inside the air conditioned Ritz Ballroom. The full event begins at 6:30 p.m., with the VIP reception in Ritz Ballrooms 1 & 2. The live band, Fresh From Florida chef, cigar roller, alligator and snake handler, Florida cuisine, signature cocktails, and more are ready to go. Tango & Amelia, our flamingos, will even be waiting on the covered terraces for visits and photos. The dress code hasn’t changed, so wear your Florida apparel and come ready for a fun evening with friends from across the Network. Same Florida spirit. Now with air conditioning! See you at 6:30 p.m.! #spnam

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 SPN Communication Excellence Awards! Excellence in Storytelling: Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty for “Classrooms in Crisis” @WILawLiberty Innovation in Marketing: Mississippi Center for Public Policy for CompareMySchool.com @mspolicy Marketing Campaign of the Year: Mackinac Center for Public Policy for “Exposing SNAP Fraud” @MackinacCenter These organizations are raising the bar for communications across the Network by telling powerful stories, finding innovative ways to reach new audiences, and building campaigns that move ideas forward. Congratulations to all three winners! #spnam

How are you supposed to choose? At 2:30 p.m. attendees can dig into the lessons from more than 1,500 state AI bills, learn how organizations are winning policy fights in difficult political environments, explore the new federal scholarship tax credit, sharpen their YouTube strategy, or make new connections at speed networking. At 3:30, we’re back at it with conversations on flexible work, Medicaid, education freedom, energy security, disability policy, and the debate over kids and Big Tech. There’s a lot happening in Orlando this afternoon. #SPNAM

We have a full Tuesday ahead at SPN annual Meeting! First up is our Breakfast Keynote, “Building a Freedom Movement in Every State,” looking at how state leaders are thinking bigger about the infrastructure needed to advance and sustain freedom. Throughout the day, dozens of conversations will tackle the issues shaping the states, including AI and technology, education freedom, housing, energy security, legal strategy, fiscal policy, fundraising, communications, flexible work, healthcare, and more. At 1:30 p.m., don’t miss our featured conversation with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares on federalism, constitutional freedom, and the power of state leadership. And at 6:30 p.m., we’ll close out the day with State Night: The Flavors of Florida, featuring Florida cuisine, local experiences, and another chance to connect with friends from across the Network. Make the most of Day 2 in Orlando. #spnam

Good morning from Orlando and #SPNAM. More than 1,500 professionals from all 50 states are coming together for SPN’s 34th Annual Meeting to learn from one another, sharpen their strategies, and build the relationships that make this Network stronger. Monday’s conversations will cover everything from human flourishing, workforce reform, and school choice to AI, energy, environmental policy, federalism, and the future of American innovation. The Connections Lounge opens this afternoon, followed by receptions and opportunities to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones from across the Network. We’re glad you’re here. Let’s make it a great first day.

The Declaration's soaring language about rights and equality can overshadow its list of grievances against the Crown. But those grievances were also a protest against distant, unaccountable power, and Ray Nothstine(@RayNothstine) argues that lesson still applies today. In his essay for the latest SPN News, Nothstine connects Justice Clarence Thomas's recent warning about America's 250th anniversary to his own reporting for American Habits, where he has interviewed state lawmakers pushing back against federal overreach and administrative fraud. From Michigan's food stamp fraud to Minnesota's welfare scandals, he points to a pattern of government growing too distant from the citizens it is meant to serve. His conclusion: The renewal of self-government will not come from Washington. It will come from the states, and from citizens willing to do the work of self-government where they live. Read the full essay here: spn.org/spn-news-summer-2026…

On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a declaration that would echo for generations: that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights, not privileges. Now, 250 years later, we celebrate the enduring promise of that vision. Happy Fourth of July!

The organizations that thrive in the AI era will be the ones that combine AI efficiency with trusted expertise, strong brands, local knowledge, and real relationships. This webinar explores how policy organizations can do exactly that. Watch: piped.video/v50qaVeGzcg

The Thomas A. Roe Award honors leaders who leave a lasting mark on the freedom movement. Watch why Robert Alt is this year’s recipient.

Independent work is a critical part of the American economy, supporting freelancers, small business owners, caregivers, and skilled professionals across a wide range of industries. For many, it offers flexibility, autonomy, and a path to entrepreneurship that traditional employment cannot provide. But that flexibility depends on clear and predictable rules. When federal policy blurs the line between employee and independent contractor, it creates uncertainty that discourages businesses from offering contract work and limits opportunities for workers. That is why 100 state leaders from 25 states have come together to urge Washington to adopt a clearer standard. Their message is direct. Federal rules should make it easier, not harder, for independent work to thrive. Read how this proposal could impact workers and businesses across the country: spn.org/state-leaders-urge-w…

Registration is open for #SPNAM! Make your plans to join us Aug. 24–27 in Orlando for SPN’s 34th Annual Meeting. Early bird savings are available through June 15. Secure your spot: spnam.org/

Registration opens Thursday for this year's SPN Annual Meeting in Orlando. This year’s keynote lineup includes: Jason Miyares — Federalism and the Power of States Yuval Levin — Can the Constitution Unify Americans? 👉 Sign up now to be notified when #SPNAM registration launches: spnam.org/

How do younger audiences actually fit into your long-term strategy? Most organizations wait too long, after opinions are already formed. This piece explains why the real window for influence opens much earlier. spn.org/the-strategic-case-f…

Annual Meeting in Orlando is just 136 days away!🎉 Don't worry we've invited him, and he says he's very excited to make a contribution to your organization. Happy Florida Man Friday!

Annual Meeting in Orlando is just 143 days away!🎉 Don't worry none of the iguanas at Annual Meeting will be frozen! Happy Florida Man Friday!

Annual Meeting in Orlando is just 150 days away!🎉 Don't worry we've reached out to the Wizard about giving a Keynote. We'll keep you updated. Happy Florida Man Friday!

We talk about Durable Freedom Infrastructure all the time, but what is it?

Annual Meeting in Orlando is just 157 days away!🎉 Don't worry we'll have plenty of bagels!

Annual Meeting in Orlando is just 164 days away! Don't worry there will be plenty of parking!

Our very own @Brooke_Medina_ joined @ScottJenningsKY to break down NYC Mayor Mamdani's budget proposal. A 10% property tax hike, a city budget $10 billion larger than all of Florida's, and 55% of NYC's revenue subsidized by American taxpayers nationwide. Rural America is footing this bill.

SPN's Pathways Prize is open. It is a competitive grant program supporting innovative, market-based solutions to poverty, with awards ranging from $20,000 to $75,000. We are especially looking for projects focused on workforce development, social safety net reform, and child welfare. SPN affiliates, partners, and community organizations are all encouraged to apply. Partnerships between think tanks and local community organizations are strongly welcome. If you are doing promising work on poverty in your community, we want to know about it. Learn more and apply at spnlaunchpad.org/pathways-pr…

AI and technology policy in 2026 will be shaped by uncertainty over the appropriate division of authority between federal and state governments. In the absence of comprehensive federal standards, state lawmakers are increasingly pursuing AI frameworks that address transparency, accountability, and consumer protection. These efforts allow states to signal leadership and establish guardrails, even as questions remain about long-term regulatory preemption or alignment with future federal action. Election-year incentives are likely to accelerate this trend, as candidates seek to demonstrate responsiveness to public concerns about job displacement, data privacy, and the use of AI systems affecting children and families. For policy organizations, the challenge will be balancing precautionary approaches with flexibility that allows innovation and economic growth.

Sustainable reform is rarely driven by a single organization or ideology. It comes from building broad coalitions, finding common ground, and empowering people to act locally. This message is not about changing party labels or national politics. It is about helping individuals understand how freedom applies in their own communities and giving them the confidence to lead. Often, the most effective leaders are closer than we think.

Here's why every states needs a think tank.

Policy expertise often works quietly, far from the spotlight. Until it does not. When catastrophic wildfires in California raised urgent questions in Washington, the White House sought an explanation beyond the headlines. That inquiry led to Ed Ring, whose years of research on forest management, water policy, and energy regulation offered a clear account of how bad policy decisions compounded the crisis. It is a reminder that sustained, credible policy work matters. Sometimes it takes years of preparation for a moment when decision-makers are finally ready to listen.

Read the Winter issue of SPN News to learn why we're hosting the next SPN Annual Meeting in the mountains of Antarctica. Plus, a full recap of last year’s SPN Annual Meeting. spn.org/spn-news/

States play a central role in determining whether energy systems are affordable, reliable, and resilient. Through utility regulation, permitting authority, energy mandates, control over state-owned resources, and participation in regional compacts like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, states shape nearly every aspect of energy production and delivery. Governors further influence outcomes through executive orders, agency leadership, and emergency powers. While federal policy sets broad rules, it cannot override a restrictive or unpredictable state policy environment. Infrastructure projects rise or fall based on state permitting decisions. Energy prices reflect state utility regulation and market structure. Reliability depends on state-approved investments and planning priorities. When energy systems fail, the cause is often governance at the state level. Understanding where authority truly lies is essential for any serious discussion about improving energy affordability and reliability.

As the year wraps up, we’ve been looking back at the work that happened across our network and the people who made it possible. From advancing state-based policy solutions to supporting leaders on the ground, this year was about showing what consistent, serious work can achieve. The progress highlighted here came from sustained effort, collaboration, and a shared commitment to strengthening states and communities. We’re proud of what was accomplished this year, and even more focused on what lies ahead. There’s more to do, and we’re ready to keep going.

Congratulations to Dann Mead-Smith, @stevemgordon67, and the entire Project 42 team on receiving the Ronald Reagan Coalition Building Award. We are glad to celebrate this recognition of their hard work and impact. Well done to everyone involved.

Friday Fun! Where are you sitting and why!

Sometimes the most dangerous proposals sound the most harmless. In Arkansas, the so-called “Educational Rights Amendment” was sold as a way to help students. In reality, it threatened to undermine school choice, force private schools to follow impractical public school rules, and saddle taxpayers with billions in new costs—without any plan to pay for it. At first, the amendment drew little pushback. That changed when Opportunity Arkansas stepped in. They quickly built a campaign to explain the risks, creating videos, mailers, and a microsite that reached tens of thousands of Arkansans. Their “Blank Check” video alone was viewed nearly 50,000 times. The result? Amendment backers fell 20,000 signatures short of qualifying for the ballot. What could have been a lasting blow to education freedom in Arkansas was stopped in its tracks. For this decisive campaign, Opportunity Arkansas (@OppArkansas) earned the 2025 Bob Williams Award for Best Issue Campaign.

Education debates often focus on how much money is spent, not whether students are actually learning. In Iowa, spending has gone up, but results have lagged—71% of 4th graders are below proficient in reading and 73% of 8th graders are below proficient in math. Parents and school board members needed better information to push for change. That’s why Iowans for Tax Relief created the ITR Report Card, an interactive online tool that provides fiscal and academic profiles for all 327 school districts. It shows how dollars are spent, how students are performing, and where improvement is most needed. The report card quickly became a resource for school board members, parents, and taxpayers across the state. Within its first eight weeks, it reached over 5,600 unique visitors and helped nearly 100 new community members get more engaged in education reform. For making education data accessible, and using it to spark real conversations about student outcomes, Iowans for Tax Relief (@ITRFoundation) earned the 2025 Bob Williams Award for Most Influential Research.

At SPN’s 33rd Annual Meeting in New Orleans, we were proud to honor Jonathan Small, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (@OCPAthink), with the 2025 Thomas A. Roe Award for Excellence in Leadership. Jonathan’s peers call him a “secret weapon” for liberty in Oklahoma. Under his leadership, OCPA has become the state’s most trusted policy voice—driving reforms in education freedom, judicial accountability, tax policy, and more. His quiet resilience, vision, and grit have made OCPA a model for durable, state-level change that is inspiring leaders nationwide. Watch below to see why Jonathan Small is this year’s Roe Award recipient.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at SPN annual Meeting this year! Wishing you safe travels home as you head back to your states. #SPNAM We’re already excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to see you next year in Orlando! ✈️☀️

Congratulations to Beacon Center of Tennessee (@BeaconTN), winner of the 2025 Bob Williams Award for Best State-Based Litigation! Their successful lawsuit against Nashville’s unconstitutional stormwater fee delivered justice for hundreds of homeowners and set a critical precedent for property rights across the state. #SPNAM

Congratulations to Beacon Center of Tennessee (@BeaconTN), winner of the 2025 Bob Williams Award for Best State-Based Litigation! Their successful lawsuit against Nashville’s unconstitutional stormwater fee delivered justice for hundreds of homeowners and set a critical precedent for property rights across the state. #SPNAM

Congratulations to Palmetto Promise Institute, winner of the 2025 Bob Williams Award for Biggest Win for Freedom! After South Carolina’s education savings account program was struck down, @PalmettoPromise raised $2.5 million, mobilized parents, and helped pass a new law—restoring school choice for 10,000 students. #SPNAM

Empower Mississippi (@EmpowerMS) and Mississippi Center for Public Policy (@mspolicy) are the winners of the 2025 Bob Williams Award for Biggest Home State Win! Their joint efforts led to the passage of the Build Up Mississippi Act, setting the state on a path to phase out its income tax and return millions to taxpayers. #SPNAM

The 2025 Bob Williams Award for Best Issue Campaign goes to Opportunity Arkansas (@OppArkansas)! Their rapid response campaign stopped a harmful ballot initiative before it could threaten education freedom in the state—protecting Arkansas families and preserving school choice. #SPNAM

The 2025 Bob Williams Award for Most Influential Research goes to Iowans for Tax Relief (@ITRwatchdog)! Their creation of the ITR Report Card gave Iowans a powerful new tool to uncover how education dollars are spent and why outcomes are falling short. The data is already shaping local decisions in school districts across the state. #SPNAM

We are proud to have the winners of the 2025 Pathways to Prosperity Prize with us at this year’s SPN Annual Meeting—True Change and the Illinois Policy Institute’s Center for Poverty Solutions. These organizations are advancing real, local solutions to poverty by preparing young people for meaningful careers and connecting families to work that restores dignity and opportunity. Their leadership is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities are empowered to lead. #SPNAM

The 2025 Ed-Prize highlights bold solutions to today’s toughest education challenges—and this year’s winners are leading the way. American Experiment North Dakota (@NDthinktank_) laid the groundwork for a thriving charter school movement. California Microschool Collective equipped school founders and families in states with limited education options. And Outschool. org unlocked new possibilities within ESA programs by connecting families to untapped public-school resources. We’re excited to recognize their work at the SPN Annual Meeting and support their vision for student-centered learning. #SPNAM

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year's 5K for Freedom! Thank you to Vulcan Technologies for sponsoring this morning’s race. #SPNAM

We need to see Forrest Gump running the 5k next year, Jared!!!

Meet the 2025 Generation Liberty Fellows. These rising leaders from organizations across the country are here at SPN Annual Meeting to grow their networks, sharpen their skills, and explore solutions that advance freedom in their home states. #SPNAM