RESEARCH

To further enhance Tennessee's economy, lawmakers should look at implementing additional tax reforms. READ MORE

With Blue Oval City on the horizon, it is more important than ever for local policymakers to review and reform outdated and arbitrary zoning laws. READ MORE

In the coming months, county commissioners will be taking up school board budgets. These discussions and votes are an annual occurrence, though this year’s discussion may have a different tone than years past. Billions of federal relief dollars are set to expire in September 2024 coupled with the state witnessing declining enrollments and increased staff,... READ MORE

Beacon’s newest report, “A Dose of Free Market Medicine” compares Tennessee’s laws and regulations around pharmacists and compares it to recent reforms in other states such as Florida, Iowa, Kansas, and most notably Idaho. READ MORE

Over the past few years, educational choice programs that allow students to use a portion of their education dollars to attend schools that best fit their needs have experienced sweeping changes. By 2023, dozens of states had educational choice programs and ten states enacted universal or near-universal universal choice legislation, affording educational options to every... READ MORE

Have you ever put on a jacket or pair of pants and found a $20 bill in the pocket? Or got to the end of the month and realized you have more money left than you thought? It’s a great feeling isn’t it? You feel like you have the freedom to go and spend it... READ MORE

For at least a decade before the pandemic, Tennessee leaders have practiced conservative budgeting, keeping increases in state spending below population growth plus inflation. This saved Tennessee taxpayers billions of dollars, allowing for further pro-growth tax cuts. As the state is finally spending the last of its federal relief funds, it is more important than... READ MORE

To explore our interactive zoning map of Middle Tennessee, click here. It seems not a day goes by without another news story showcasing how housing is becoming unaffordable, especially in Tennessee. And it’s not surprising. In 2020, Tennessee became the number one state for in-migration for the first time, according to U-Haul.1 Ever since, the... READ MORE

It is absolutely imperative that parents have options for their children when it comes to public education and this report shows the benefits of charter schools in Tennessee and across the country. READ MORE

Over the past 10 months, the Beacon Center has traveled the state to listen to our fellow Tennesseans about the challenges they face. This blueprint for restoring Tennesseans’ freedoms is a direct result of that listening tour. The listening tour was comprised of multiple components, including numerous and diverse community visioning panels, focus groups, and... READ MORE

Healthcare can be expensive and complex. But Tennessee’s rules and restrictions are making it worse, often for those who can least afford care. Adopted in the 1970s, certificate-of-need (CON) laws require a government permission slip before providing most healthcare services, such as opening a new hospital or purchasing high-tech medical equipment. Imagine if every new... READ MORE

An Economic Development Roadmap from the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Council of the Beacon Center of Tennessee READ MORE

Today, the Beacon Center released its most famous annual publication, the Pork Report. As always the report shed light on hundreds of millions of dollars of wasteful spending in Tennessee. Examples in this year’s report range from the state’s no-bid contract for contact tracing given to a company with no previous experience to the unused homeless pods the city of... READ MORE

Other than “tax increase,” few terms rile up Americans more than “red tape.” READ MORE

The cost of higher education has been a topic of debate for decades, yet the discussion has never held more of a policy focus as it does now. On August 24, 2022, President Joe Biden announced canceling $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 a year, and up to $20,000 for... READ MORE

Conservative budgeting would allow state policymakers to implement more permanent tax cuts, providing relief in a time of rising prices and fostering further economic growth and prosperity. READ MORE

Today, after months of research and open records requests, the Beacon Center released a new report showing how local school districts in Tennessee are budgeting and spending federal COVID dollars through the ESSER program. Congress allocated over $4 billion in federal taxpayer money to Tennessee school districts to address the pandemic. The data suggests that Tennessee public schools have budgeted or spent millions... READ MORE

What are the requirements for occupational licenses in Tennessee, and are they becoming more or less onerous over time? READ MORE

In direct response to students and parents who felt they had no voice in public education, nearly half of all states created, expanded, or improved educational choice programs. READ MORE

While Tennessee is generally considered a more free-market-oriented state, one area it regulates more heavily is in occupational licensing, essentially a government permission slip to do a job. READ MORE

The Beacon Center is proud to release its “recipe book” themed Tennessee Pork Report, revealing hundreds of millions of dollars in government waste, fraud, and abuse. This year’s infamous Pork of the Year “winner” was Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). MNPS entered into an $18 million no-bid contract with Meharry Medical College Ventures which produced... READ MORE

As we have witnessed with Nashville Mayor Cooper’s recent faux pas, a misunderstanding of the state’s Truth in Taxation law can at best create confusion among taxpayers, or at worst, be used to deceive them. Additionally, while the law does prevent Tennesseans from automatically paying higher property taxes, it has clearly provided little defense against... READ MORE

If Tennessee is investing more each year in education funding, yet nearly half those dollars do not make it to the classroom, it begs the question of how public education is funded in the first place. READ MORE

If Tennessee lawmakers do commit and embark on creating the most free and innovative economy the nation has ever seen, who knows? Someday soon the Tennessee Valley will be the new Silicon Valley. READ MORE

For several decades and under the control of both Republicans and Democrats, Tennessee has been known for its fiscally conservative budgeting. Years of limited spending and low taxes have kept hundreds of millions of dollars in the pockets of Tennessee taxpayers that might otherwise have gone to government bloat. In fact, according to the Tax... READ MORE

The report examines the ways Tennessee is currently spending money and where improvement is needed. READ MORE

The Beacon Center has released a brand new research report measuring the economic and health impacts of the COVID policies of four different states. The states measured were Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Michigan and were chosen to see how states that imposed tougher economic restrictions in the name of public safety fared compared to states... READ MORE

There is hope on the horizon for rural education. READ MORE

From Memphis to Johnson City, there is no shortage of government waste in Tennessee this year. READ MORE

Since the Right to Earn a Living Act was passed in 2016, Tennessee has eliminated several licenses, but additional opportunities for reform still exist. READ MORE

School districts and educators should celebrate with parents the fact that the state is providing another educational opportunity for children in their district. READ MORE

Checks and balances should exist in order to protect citizens' liberty, even in times of crisis. READ MORE

Every year, thousands of people across the United States move to Tennessee. While their reasons may vary, many choose to live here due to state-level policies such as the lack of a state income tax, low taxes per capita, and low levels of debt. These policies are well known and their benefits well documented. While... READ MORE

State lawmakers have a unique opportunity to build on Gov. Lee’s overall deregulatory approach by codifying many of the reforms from his recent executive orders. READ MORE

This report offers the following solutions to get Nashville’s fiscal house in order: 1. Reform the Pension System 2. Reform Healthcare & Post-Employment Benefits 3. Rightsize the Government Workforce 4. Renegotiate & Reign in Corporate Welfare Deals 5. Enact a Spending Cap READ MORE

On April 13, 2020, Gov. Bill Lee announced an extension of Tennessee’s Safer at Home Order until the end of April. In addition to this extension, Gov. Lee announced the creation of the Economic Recovery Group, tasked with formulating a plan to reboot the state’s economy and put Tennesseans back to work, all while balancing... READ MORE

Today, the Beacon Center released a brand new package of 20 policy solutions focused on what policies the state of Tennessee should and shouldn’t enact moving forward when it deals with COVID-19. The suggestions relate to both public health and the economy. In terms of health, suggestions include ways to increase the number of medical professionals in the state, expand access to... READ MORE

This marks the 14th year of the Beacon Center’s Pork Report, our annual report exposing government waste, fraud, and abuse. While the Pork Report is a fun and creative outlet for our team to expose the top 25 most ridiculous instances of government spending in the past year, it is also a call to action... READ MORE

While there is no one silver bullet to improve opportunities in rural communities, this package of policy solutions is a great start to making rural communities stronger and more competitive. READ MORE

Reform of public benefit systems is a perennial topic, but often seems too big to tackle. Before we can successfully reform public benefits in Tennessee, we need to better understand who is currently receiving support in our state and more importantly, why. What changes can be made to remove barriers for Tennesseans to successfully transition... READ MORE

The American criminal justice system rests on the familiar canon that everyone is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In Tennessee, absent a first-degree murder charge, every defendant has a constitutional right to bail. This is set forth in Article I, Section 15 of the Tennessee Constitution, which provides “[t]hat all prisoners shall... READ MORE

Today, the Beacon Center of Tennessee released a new report on the state of Tennessee’s economic incentive programs and exposed major issues with many of the subsidies. Below are some of the findings discovered by the Beacon Center: Many companies that receive taxpayer money are not required to hire the number of workers promised. In fact, all 25 FastTrack agreements reviewed... READ MORE

Every child is unique, and allowing parents to customize the education best tailored for their child not only benefits that child but society as a whole. READ MORE

This brief shows that, despite calls from some for more education spending, our current priorities are completely out of line. READ MORE

On the eve of the series finale of the show Nashville, which has been canceled twice in three years and cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, the Beacon Center released a new report showing the ineffectiveness of film incentives in Tennessee. READ MORE

Today, the Beacon Center of Tennessee released its long-awaited alternate transit plan for Nashville. READ MORE

Currently, prisons and probation departments are funded by headcount, creating a perverse incentive to keep as many people in the system as possible. Restructuring funding based upon outcomes would reverse this incentive. READ MORE

This update addresses the problems with the juvenile justice system in the state of Tennessee and offers reasonable and helpful solutions. READ MORE

We can either eliminate barriers that keep them from becoming productive, taxpaying citizens, or we can leave those barriers up and risk them turning back to a life of crime. READ MORE

Advancing Sensible Justice Reform package. READ MORE

Tennessee prides itself on being a state that values smaller government, less regulation, and respect for individual liberty. Yet, while we have made significant progress in a number of critical policy areas, the Volunteer State’s regulation of its workforce continues to be among the most burdensome nationwide. In particular, Tennessee requires a government license to... READ MORE

The Pork Report Exposes Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Tennessee government. READ MORE

Read our 2017 Education Package. READ MORE

Read our 2017 criminal justice package. READ MORE

The Beacon Center of Tennessee and National Federation of Independent Business released a how-to guide to help lawmakers determine which licensing laws are necessary and which should be cast aside. READ MORE

Check out this year's version of our most famous annual publication! READ MORE

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Tennessee Pork Report, a publication of the Beacon Center of Tennessee. We have spent the last decade thoroughly researching and reporting government waste, fraud, and abuse. Fittingly, this milestone year has uncovered that state and local government officials squandered a record-breaking $763 million in taxpayer money. The report highlights this mismanagement of taxpayer... READ MORE

Click here for the 2016 Legislative Guide on Education READ MORE

Make sure to take a look at our new, comprehensive package on education reform in the state of Tennessee. READ MORE

"It is time that Tennessee legislators repeal the tax, return peace of mind to the thousands currently saddled with the punitive penalty." READ MORE

"The Beacon Center's Healthcare Reform Package for 2015 is our roadmap for legislators" READ MORE

"...but when that same program leads to significant loss of income, puts Tennesseans out of work, and diminishes opportunities to find new jobs, the program has failed." READ MORE

Take a look at our brand new school choice options booklet “Allowing Children to Dream Big.” READ MORE

The Beacon Center just released a brand new study on the effect of vouchers on public education. READ MORE

Our brand new 2014 Pork Report is out, check out all the waste we found this year. READ MORE

Watch our new inspiring video covering our school choice rally featuring over 1,000 people from across the state. READ MORE

Beacon's new Faces of Freedom report, "Our State, Our Future," showcases how Tennesseans are harmed by the income tax on stocks and bonds. READ MORE

Beacon releases a new infographic on President Obama's failed Pre-K proposal READ MORE

Beacon proposes new calculations for the state spending limit known as the Copeland Cap. READ MORE

Beacon releases its roadmap to freedom, providing one freedom-oriented idea for each remaining legislative day of the 108th General Assembly. READ MORE

Beacon's releases its annual rankings of the state's 50 most populous cities based on their business climate. READ MORE

A new Beacon Center report analyzes how many tax dollars go into the classroom and the impact spending has on student performance. READ MORE

Beacon has published a new infographic exposing the pitfalls to government picking winners and losers in business. READ MORE

Beacon's most famous annual publication comes packed with government pork in 2013. READ MORE

Each year, the Beacon Center ranks the 50 most populous cities in Tennessee based on their business climate. Beacon analyzes data from a range of sources to give each city a score in three categories: business tax burden, economic vitality, and community allure. Below are the most recent rankings. 2013 Business-Friendly City Ranking 2012 Business-Friendly... READ MORE

At the beginning of each Tennessee General Assembly every two years, Beacon published a comprehensive Legislators’ Guide to the Issues. The guide covers a range of policy issues, offering free market reforms in each area in a concise, one-page format. A complimentary copy of the guide is provided to every state legislator. In the second... READ MORE

The Tennessee Pork Report is the Beacon Center’s most famous annual report. In its 11 years of publication, the Pork Report has exposed more than $2 billion in government waste, fraud, and abuse by state and local governments. Below are links to each annual Pork Report. 2020 Pork Report 2019 Pork Report 2018 Pork Report 2017 Pork... READ MORE

A new Beacon policy brief calls for immediate reform to Tennessee's civil asset forfeiture laws. READ MORE

Beacon has published a new policy infographic explaining why expanding Medicaid in Tennessee is unaffordable and immoral. READ MORE

A new report examines how school choice has changed lives, while other families struggle to find educational options for their children. READ MORE

The third edition of the publication offers lawmakers a roadmap to freedom and prosperity in Tennessee. READ MORE

ChooseMeTennessee.com will provide parents with an opportunity to become engaged in the school choice discussion. READ MORE

Economists, researchers, and professors analyze various tax policies that lead to a freer, more prosperous Tennessee. READ MORE

The Middle Tennessee city takes the top spot in Beacon's seventh annual ranking of local business climates. READ MORE

In a new policy report, Beacon puts forth state-led healthcare solutions to fix Washington's botches and outlines how Tennessee should reject the Affordable Care Act. READ MORE

Beacon released a policy report today analyzing various solutions to meet the growing need for transportation funding that do not involve a gas tax increase. READ MORE

Beacon calls on state lawmakers to enact welfare reform to prevent abuse of taxpayer money. READ MORE

The Beacon Center releases its seventh annual report exposing government waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money. READ MORE

Beacon and the Friedman Foundation release a poll confirming Tennesseans' support for parental choice in education. READ MORE

Nearly seven in ten Nashville voters are against Mayor Karl Dean's proposed 13 percent property tax hike. READ MORE

Beacon releases a portion of a poll showing that voters overwhelmingly oppose Mayor Dean's 13 percent tax increase. READ MORE

In a new policy brief, Beacon offers alternatives to Mayor Dean's proposed budget and property tax increase. READ MORE

Beacon puts out an infographic on the budget of Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, which includes a 13 percent tax hike. READ MORE

As lawmakers set to discuss repealing the state death tax, Beacon releases a report telling the stories of farmers harmed by the tax as part of its "Faces of Freedom" series. READ MORE

Beacon teams up with the Laffer Center for Supply-Side Economics to publish Dr. Art Laffer's study on the economic harm caused by Tennessee's death tax. READ MORE

As discussions begin about setting up a state health exchange, the Beacon Center has published a policy insight outlining the myths vs. facts of the issue. READ MORE

The Beacon Center releases its second pamphlet offering one free market idea for each remaining day of the 107th General Assembly READ MORE

Justin Owen joins Grover Norquist, Dick Patten, Duane Parde, and Tim Phillips in a letter urging the governor to support repealing the death tax. READ MORE

Farragut takes the title as Tennessee's Most-Business Friendly City in the Beacon Center's annual ranking of city business climates. READ MORE

A new report by TCPR shows how stringent rules harm many local small business owners. READ MORE

Senior fellow and former state Rep. Donna Barrett outlines a proposal to more accurately determine the impact of state legislation. READ MORE

TCPR and CAGW team up to release Tennessee's only publication detailing government waste, fraud, and abuse. READ MORE

The new Focus577 campaign shows that Tennessee could create 577 jobs every week by enacting lawsuit abuse reform. READ MORE

A new study released by TCPR and the Foundation for Educational Choice shows a stark contrast in two state's education results. READ MORE

TCPR launches a campaign to encourage Governor Bill Haslam to join the Florida legal challenge to ObamaCare. Make your voice heard! READ MORE

TCPR rings in the 107th General Assembly with a second edition of its free market policy guide. READ MORE

TCPR's releases its annual report ranking the business climate of the state's 50 most populous cities. READ MORE

TCPR research fellow Allyn Milojevich shows the damaging impact cap and trade could have on the Tennessee economy. READ MORE

Every week this summer, TCPR will launch a series of "Mini Pork Report" videos at tennesseepolicy.org. READ MORE

The 2010 Tennessee Pork Report, released today, provides nearly 100 examples of wasted tax dollars. READ MORE

TCPR released a policy report today on public transit in conjunction with transportation expert and author Randal O’Toole. READ MORE

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research encourages the enactment of a parental choice scholarship program to benefit low-income families in Memphis. READ MORE

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research today released a policy brief in response to the governor’s proposed 2010-2011 state budget. The release, titled Attaining a Balanced Budget for the State of Tennessee, applauds many of the steps taken by the governor, but calls for additional cuts, fewer tax increases, and the privatization of various government services. READ MORE

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research today made available in electronic version its most recent publication, An Idea a Day: 45 Ideas for a Prosperous Tennessee. The pamphlet offers one innovative free market idea for each remaining legislative day of the 106th General Assembly. Each idea is surmised in one brief sentence, followed by a link to original work published by TCPR on the issue. READ MORE

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research today released a policy brief examining the education reform proposals currently sought by Governor Phil Bredesen. The governor issued a proclamation last Thursday calling a special session of the General Assembly to address certain education laws so that the state could seek nearly $500 million in federal “Race to the Top” education funding. The special session will begin on Tuesday, January 12. READ MORE

Both the House and Senate bills expand Medicaid eligibility, potentially devastating Tennessee’s budget. As a result, TennCare—the state’s Medicaid program—could become the health insurance option of nearly one in four Tennesseans. READ MORE

Shipping giant United Parcel Service (UPS) is fighting hard to change the rules around how its chief competitor, FedEx, does business. FedEx is one of Tennessee’s largest employers and taxpayers, so the move could not only impact the company but the entire state of Tennessee. READ MORE

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research today released a brief titled Implementing State-Based Healthcare Reform in Tennessee. The brief offers five solutions to reducing the costs of and expanding access to insurance for Tennesseans. READ MORE

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research today released a report exposing that local governments in the state have spent $5.3 million on high-profile lobbyists to influence the state and federal government. The report, titled The Dangerous Cycle of Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying, looks at lobbying expenditures made by cities, counties, school boards, and other local public entities... READ MORE

Based on a compilation of independent sources, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has analyzed President Obama’s September 9th speech to a joint session of Congress outlining his new healthcare plan. READ MORE