The Mackinac Center for Public Policy joined with the James Madison Institute and DonorsTrust to host nearly 80 friends of liberty at a January luncheon in Naples, Florida.
Bridge to Freedom, a conversation about policy initiatives that could return government to its constitutionally limited role, covered opportunities to expand freedom at the state level, as well as the need for a nationally coordinated plan to curtail the power of organized labor.
Event host Bob Levy opened the discussion by mentioning two consequential Supreme Court decisions. The Citizens United decision of 2010 and the Janus decision of 2018 fortified First Amendment protections for all Americans. By removing unconstitutional restrictions on citizens’ freedom of speech and association, these cases opened the window to reform, and states such as Florida are seizing the opportunity.
Dr. J. Robert McClure, CEO of the James Madison Institute, and Mackinac Center President Joseph Lehman highlighted policy reforms their donors have made possible, especially in Florida. The two organizations provided Florida lawmakers with several labor policy recommendations.
By enacting these policies, Florida has restored political power to the people and their elected representatives while putting the pinch on public sector union coffers. Unions’ political spending has wreaked havoc in Michigan, Florida and other states. Reducing that power remains an essential goal of the freedom movement.
The blueprint for success is open for all to follow. The James Madison Institute and Mackinac Center are engaging leaders and philanthropists across the nation to replicate these popular reforms.
“We won’t solve the union problem anywhere unless we address it everywhere,” Lehman said. “Union compulsion converts workers’ paychecks to political support for destructive policies such as blocking education reforms. The Mackinac Center is a national leader in state labor reforms.”
As a new presidential administration focuses the country’s attention on Washington, D.C., the Bridge to Freedom event was a reminder that significant wins for freedom are often achieved closer to home.
Generous donors help make these gains possible, but union advocates and others are working to undermine their privacy. DonorsTrust protects the privacy of those who give, ensuring that public debate remains vigorous and open to all. DonorsTrust shares your commitment to liberty and invites you to visit www.donorstrust.org to learn how you can make a positive, principled impact in a private, tax-friendly way.
