State Policy Network’s mission is to catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing, independent think tanks.
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This week across the SPN Network:
Public safety research in Mississippi.
Chronic absenteeism in New Jersey.
Free speech litigation in Kansas.
New research on property taxes, healthcare, and housing.
Catch up:
spn.org/week-in-review-septe…
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Flock cameras are appearing along roads across America, giving law enforcement a powerful new tool to track vehicles. But who decides how that data can be used, stored, and shared?
States are beginning to answer those questions.
From Virginia to Montana and Arkansas, lawmakers are developing safeguards designed to give police useful tools while protecting Americans' privacy and constitutional rights.
See how states are leading:
spn.org/flock-cameras-privac…
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Some of the most important work in the freedom movement happens behind the scenes.
SPN’s 2026 Philanthropy Impact Award recognizes Alex Steadman of the John Locke Foundation for the daily excellence that helps turn philanthropic support into lasting impact.
spn.org/2026-philanthropy-im…
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“If ideas alone were going to win the battle, we would have won a long time ago.”
At SPN Annual Meeting, leaders from across the Network shared why lasting victories require persistence and Durable Freedom Infrastructure.
spn.org/spn-keynote-disrupti…
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What if some of America’s political dysfunction comes from asking Washington to settle too many of our disagreements?
At SPN Annual Meeting, Yuval Levin argued that modern government has blurred the constitutional lines between the states and federal government. The result can be less accountability, more national conflict, and citizens who struggle to know which level of government is responsible when something goes wrong.
Federalism offers a different approach.
Giving states clearer responsibility allows different communities to pursue different policies, lowers the stakes of national politics, and creates room for Americans with profound differences to coexist.
If you missed this conversation at Annual Meeting, read the full story:
spn.org/how-federalism-can-h…
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Congratulations to Alex Steadman of the John Locke Foundation, recipient of SPN’s 2026 Philanthropy Impact Award!
Alex’s leadership, stewardship, and commitment to strong donor relationships demonstrate the impact great development professionals make every day.
spn.org/2026-philanthropy-im…
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“Federalism is the great tool of liberty that is too often left in the toolbox.”
At SPN Annual Meeting, Jason Miyares challenged states to understand their authority and be prepared to use it.
spn.org/former-virginia-ag-u…
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Big wins rarely happen overnight.
Freedom Foundation(@FreedomFdtn) spent years researching, building coalitions, educating lawmakers, and making the case for reform.
In 2026, Idaho passed HB 516.
See how they did it:
spn.org/case-study-keeping-e…
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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.
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Your property taxes. Your kids' school. Your energy bill. Your right to speak freely.
Government is making decisions that affect all of it — and most of it is happening at the state level, not in Washington.
We want to know where it's hitting hardest in your state. Take the Freedom Index Survey and tell us which fights should come first.
spn.org/spn-survey/
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Winning a policy battle sometimes means stopping government from exceeding its authority.
When Arizona officials imposed a new water rule that effectively halted home construction across the Phoenix area, the Goldwater Institute was ready to act.
Representing the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Goldwater challenged the rule and argued that state officials had bypassed the proper rulemaking process. In April, the court agreed, declared the new requirements invalid, and stopped the agency from using them.
The victory protected the rule of law while clearing a significant barrier to new housing in one of America’s fastest-growing regions.
It’s also why the Goldwater Institute(@GoldwaterInst) was named SPN’s 2026 Bob Williams Guardian of Liberty Award winner.
spn.org/case-study-championi…
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Did you miss Chris Dauer’s keynote at SPN Annual Meeting?
His message to the Network was clear: Disruption creates opportunity. The freedom movement has the ideas, infrastructure, and people to seize this moment.
spn.org/spn-keynote-disrupti…
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Idaho education dollars belong in Idaho classrooms.
After a years-long campaign led by the Freedom Foundation, HB 516 is now law, ending taxpayer-funded subsidies and special treatment for teachers unions.
spn.org/case-study-keeping-e…
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Did you miss Jason Miyares at SPN Annual Meeting?
The former Virginia attorney general challenged state leaders to rediscover one of America’s most powerful tools for protecting liberty: federalism.
spn.org/former-virginia-ag-u…
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For years, the Center of the American Experiment(@MNThinkTank) sounded the alarm about fraud in Minnesota.
They investigated the Feeding Our Future scandal. They exposed abuses of Medicaid. They worked with local informants and government whistleblowers. And they relentlessly brought their findings to taxpayers, lawmakers, and national audiences.
But they didn’t stop at exposing the problem.
Heading into the 2026 legislative session, American Experiment turned its investigative work into a campaign for reform. Their policy experts advised lawmakers, testified before legislative committees, tracked legislation, and pushed for stronger safeguards against fraud.
The result was Minnesota’s most significant anti-fraud legislation to date.
Read the full case study:
spn.org/case-study-uncoverin…
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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
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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
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