State Policy Network’s mission is to catalyze thriving, durable freedom movements in every state, anchored with high-performing, independent think tanks.
Arlington, VA
Joined April 2010
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Most election coverage this fall is focused on Congress. Meanwhile, 36 states are electing governors, and at least 19 will see new leadership by early next year.
In a new op-ed for Governing, Ray Nothstine, senior writer and editor for American Habits, sees real opportunity in that turnover. Governors can test ideas, learn from one another, and act faster than a gridlocked Congress. That is how states earned their reputation as laboratories of democracy, and a new class of governors can show what that looks like in 2027. governing.com/politics/will-…
Kansas has seven DSA chapters. Idaho has four. Florida has the second-most DSA organizations in the country, behind only California. SPN's new special report maps the network state by state.
spn.org/spn-special-report-s…
Congratulations to The Buckeye Institute(@TheBuckeyeInst) on getting their case on the Supreme Court docket! We’re proud to see an SPN affiliate standing up for Americans who want to distill spirits at home, and we look forward to following the case.
This is a huge case! Congratulations to @TheBuckeyeInst for getting on the SCOTUS docket!
apnews.com/article/supreme-c…
How did DSA grow into a nationwide movement?
A new report traces how socialists used opposition to Trump to fuel their expansion. SPN’s Brooke Medina(@Brooke_Medina_) joined Georgia Howe(@GeorgiaMaeHowe) and John Bickley(@jtbickley) on @MorningWire to break down the findings and what DSA’s electoral gains could mean for the midterms.
dailywire.com/episode/mrn-26…
State Policy Network retweeted
"Guidance" should never be binding, but agencies often treat it that way. This mass of material is created in the shadows, outside any formal process. A report by @PacificLegal and @StatePolicy makes the case for curbing the abuse of agency guidance: pacificlegal.org/research/go…
DSA went from 21 chapters in 2013 to 204 today, with growth in states like Florida, Texas, and Kansas.
Our own Brooke Medina(@Brooke_Medina_) joined Rob Bluey(@RobertBluey) on Midterm Report to explain what’s driving it and why it matters for state and local politics. Socialism’s next foothold is closer to home than most people think.
200+ DSA Chapters: Inside Socialism’s Rapid Rise in America
Socialism is gaining ground in America, particularly among younger voters. But what’s driving its rise, and what could it mean at the ballot box?
On this episode of "Midterm Report," Rob Bluey (@RobertBluey ) examines the political and economic forces behind the socialist movement with Brooke Medina (@Brooke_Medina_) of State Policy Network (@StatePolicy) and Dr. Charles Steele of Hillsdale College (@Hillsdale).
Medina reveals the dramatic expansion of the Democratic Socialists of America, from just 21 chapters in 2013 to 204 today, including growth in states such as Florida, Texas, and Kansas. She explains how affordability concerns, community organizing, and younger voters are helping fuel the movement and why DSA influence increasingly extends into state and local politics.
Then Steele explains why he believes socialist policies would fail to solve Americans’ economic concerns. He makes the case for free markets and entrepreneurship, tackling health care costs, government spending, inflation, and even the dramatic decline in the cost of reaching space under more market-oriented approaches. He also offers an optimistic message to young Americans who question whether the American dream is still within reach.
State Policy Network retweeted
The state of Wisconsin gets 30% of its state budget from the federal government.
In 13 states, federal funds now bring in more revenue than the state’s own tax collections. Louisiana leads the nation at 51%, followed by Alaska at 49% and Arizona at 46%. How much control do states truly have over budgets built on someone else’s money? spn.org/washingtons-favorite…
State Policy Network retweeted
200+ DSA Chapters: Inside Socialism’s Rapid Rise in America
Socialism is gaining ground in America, particularly among younger voters. But what’s driving its rise, and what could it mean at the ballot box?
On this episode of "Midterm Report," Rob Bluey (@RobertBluey ) examines the political and economic forces behind the socialist movement with Brooke Medina (@Brooke_Medina_) of State Policy Network (@StatePolicy) and Dr. Charles Steele of Hillsdale College (@Hillsdale).
Medina reveals the dramatic expansion of the Democratic Socialists of America, from just 21 chapters in 2013 to 204 today, including growth in states such as Florida, Texas, and Kansas. She explains how affordability concerns, community organizing, and younger voters are helping fuel the movement and why DSA influence increasingly extends into state and local politics.
Then Steele explains why he believes socialist policies would fail to solve Americans’ economic concerns. He makes the case for free markets and entrepreneurship, tackling health care costs, government spending, inflation, and even the dramatic decline in the cost of reaching space under more market-oriented approaches. He also offers an optimistic message to young Americans who question whether the American dream is still within reach.
Six Iowa school districts left more than $81,000 in federal special education funds unclaimed. That’s one of dozens of stories from across the SPN network in this week’s Week in Review.
spn.org/week-in-review-octob…
State Policy Network retweeted
From Cascade's founding to building a national powerhouse!
Tracie Sharp helped launch Cascade Policy Institute in 1991 as its founding executive director before transforming State Policy Network into a nationally influential network of state-based policy organizations.
A remarkable legacy of leadership and impact! We were honored to welcome Tracie back to Portland as a featured speaker at Cascade's 35th Anniversary Dinner, celebrating the ideas and vision that continue to shape the future of public policy.
@StatePolicy
ALT A person stands at a podium with a Cascade Policy Institute sign, delivering a speech. Behind them are two banners and an American flag. The setting is a formal event space with large white columns.
In 13 states, federal funds now bring in more revenue than the state’s own tax collections. Louisiana leads the nation at 51%, followed by Alaska at 49% and Arizona at 46%. How much control do states truly have over budgets built on someone else’s money? spn.org/washingtons-favorite…
State Policy Network retweeted
"States can accept grants without fully understanding the costs and commitments they are taking on, leaving taxpayers responsible when federal support falls short," writes @andrew_dunn for @StatePolicy. buff.ly/iXauzCF – at Troy, MI
State Policy Network retweeted
Over the past century, Rep. Rob Hall argues that political power in America has moved in two important directions: from the states toward Washington, and from legislatures toward executive agencies and the judiciary.
State Policy Network retweeted
State policymakers: Reduce your dependence on the federal government ASAP.
Is your state one of the best equipped to protect its own decisions from federal overreach? The 2026 Federalism Scorecard ranks all 50 states. Find out if yours made the top of the list.
spn.org/federalism-scorecard…
Is your state one of the best equipped to protect its own decisions from federal overreach? The 2026 Federalism Scorecard ranks all 50 states. Find out if yours made the top of the list.
spn.org/federalism-scorecard…
Does your state rely on Washington for more than a third of its budget? The second edition of Washington’s Favorite Dependents from SPN’s Center for Practical Federalism breaks down federal reliance in all 50 states. See where yours ranks.
bit.ly/4hTrwMC
State Policy Network retweeted
How well is your state set up to keep decisions closer to home? @statepolicy’s 2026 Federalism Scorecard ranks Utah first, Alaska last. More states require lawmakers to approve major rules, but none fully count grants’ hidden costs. See your rank: federalismscorecard.com/
Every week, organizations across the SPN Network are making news and advancing policy in the states.
Week in Review helps you see it all in one place.
Read the latest and subscribe:
spn.org/category/week-in-rev…
State Policy Network retweeted
How State Think Tanks Are Approaching Gas Tax Relief - @StatePolicy @andrew_dunn: spn.org/state-think-tanks-ga…
The national debt has reached $40.26 trillion, with a $1.97 trillion deficit for fiscal year 2026. The ITR Foundation(@ITRFoundation) explains why fiscal restraint can’t wait, and this week’s Week in Review has more from the network.
spn.org/week-in-review-octob…
