State Policy Network’s mission is to catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing, independent think tanks.
Arlington, VA
- Tweets 10,192
- Following 163
- Followers 7,440
- Likes 2,163
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…
1
111
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…
3
226
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…
1
136
“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…
1
188
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…
2
204
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…
7
244
Fraud thrives in the dark.
The Center of the American Experiment worked with whistleblowers, investigated government programs, and brought Minnesota’s growing fraud crisis into the national spotlight.
spn.org/case-study-uncoverin…
1
170
“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…
1
3
155
Washington has been hoarding power that was never meant to be theirs.
The decisions that shape your daily life — your taxes, your kids' education, your community's future — belong closer to home. SPN is fighting state by state to take that power back.
Tell us where the fight is most urgent in your state.
spn.org/spn-survey/
1
201
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…
3
5
203
State Policy Network retweeted
@NCStateAuditor reports the @nclottery is transferring less, as a percentage of sales, to public education than state law requires. But, the lottery is paying more in prizes & their promotions are working to build popularity. @Brooke_Medina_ of @StatePolicy explains the dynamic...on State Lines on @mypbsnc. #ncpol
2
6
464
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.
2
8
177
Too many taxes. Too little school choice. Energy costs through the roof. Free speech under attack. Red tape strangling small businesses.
Pick your fight. SPN's Freedom Index Survey asks you to rank the issues doing the most damage in your state — so we know exactly where to focus.
spn.org/spn-survey/
1
131
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/
2
197
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…
1
2
399
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…
3
201
“Unity does not mean thinking alike. Unity means acting together.”
Yuval Levin’s SPN Annual Meeting keynote offered a hopeful case for how federalism can help Americans live together despite profound differences.
spn.org/how-federalism-can-h…
1
184
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…
2
5
242
State Policy Network retweeted
#NukeTheMandate @MNThinkTank @StatePolicy @AlwaysOnEnergy
Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), where nuclear is:
26% less expensive than combined cycle;
59% less expensive than coal;
68% less expensive than natural gas;
87% less expensive than wind;
92% less expensive than solar.
americanexperiment.org/nuke-…
2
3
141