Off to a Fast Start: CEO Update
The year is off to a fantastic start, with more to come.
Just one month into 2026, the ALEC team has already hit the ground running. Like I told a member of our staff earlier this week: I like to think we’re firing on all cylinders!
I hope you had a chance to read our 2026 ALEC Index of State Education Freedom, which we released just a few days ago. The U.S. Department of Education shared the report in honor of National School Choice Week, and conservative leaders like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, and Utah Congressman Burgess Owens gave shoutouts to the report, which once again ranked Florida #1 in the nation. Our friends in Texas jumped 15 spots to #9 thanks to the creation of their universal education freedom account program and key virtual school reforms. Additionally, just this month, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a comprehensive education freedom package that would dramatically improve their #28 ranking if approved by the Mississippi Senate and signed into law.
And, as of this writing, 28 states have opted in or intend to opt in to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s federal tax-free education freedom scholarship donation program. In fact, just this week I met with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon at the White House to discuss this incredible program. With proponents of school choice in the White House, the Department of Education, and in so many state houses across the country, we have much to celebrate as we close National School Choice Week.
I’ve also been doing some traveling to promote ALEC’s work, most recently at Run GenZ’s Ladies Who Lead E(xx)change and 1 Generation Summit in Clearwater, Florida!
When I began at ALEC in 2014, I undertook an initiative to grow the next generation of leaders. Twelve short years later, ALEC is made up of members across generational lines who are enacting free market, limited government policies throughout the country – including our 50 Under 50 awardees and the millennial and Gen Z legislators on the ALEC Board of Directors. All of us have a responsibility to educate the next generation on leadership and sound policy. During the 1 Generation Summit, I sat down with National Review discuss how vital this is for the future of our movement.
Switching gears, according to RMG Research, 84% of Minnesotans believe fraud in state government is a serious problem, and 54% favor pausing social services while the scandal remains under investigation. This is why we created the ALEC Government Efficiency Coalition to share best practices on eliminating fraud and burdensome regulations as legislators began their own state DOGE efforts across the nation. It’s also why the One Big Beautiful Bill Act implemented work requirements for certain able-bodied Medicaid recipients beginning next year. After all, an America’s New Majority Project poll found that 78% of Americans support such requirements.
Last week, the Census Bureau released its latest population estimates, and the numbers are clear: Americans are flocking to states that prioritize lower taxes and smaller government. Also, according to U-Haul’s latest Growth Index, states with no income tax or lower, flatter tax burdens continue to lead the nation in inbound growth.
By contrast, the new trifecta in Virginia appears poised to follow other blue states down the path of higher taxes and rising costs. Already, lawmakers have filed bills to tax car repairs, home maintenance, gym memberships, dry cleaning, and more. The same U-Haul Growth Index shows California—home to the highest income tax rate in the nation—leading in population loss in 2025. New York, with the nation’s third-highest income tax rate, also experienced significant losses. These trends reaffirm what ALEC has said in the past 18 editions of Rich States, Poor States: lower taxes drive economic growth.
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Common Sense Comeback of the Month
Last year, I spoke often about the “Common Sense Comeback,” and a recent announcement from JPMorgan Chase suggests that momentum is carrying into 2026. The firm revealed it would be cutting ties with its proxy-advisor firms—groups that operate largely in the shadows and too often prioritize political ideology over shareholder value. I look forward to more companies following JPMorgan Chase’s lead and distancing themselves from these backroom activist groups. Speaking of common sense—I hope you’ll take a look at our statement on how free market principles, not price controls, will keep our already strong economy growing.
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The incredible team here at ALEC has been crisscrossing the country, testifying on our model policies and actively recruiting new members. Our staff has already visited at least nine states since the new year started, and as legislative sessions kick-off or continue, they’ll be visiting even more. Remember, our staff is here to be your resource, so please reach out to us if we can help at all.
The year is off to a fantastic start, with more to come. Stay tuned as we announce our plans to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence soon! I’m thrilled to see the work that we can accomplish together across the nation. See you in the states!