James Madison Institute
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| James Madison Institute | |
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| Established | 1987 |
| Chairman | L. Charles Hilton, Jr., |
| President | J. Robert McClure III |
| Faculty | 8 |
| Staff | 9 |
| Budget | US$1.1 million[1] |
| Location | Tallahassee, FL |
| Address | 2017 Delta Boulevard |
| Website | www.jamesmadison.org |
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The James Madison Institute is a free-market think tank headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida in the United States. It is a member of the State Policy Network.
Their views are that "the Institute's ideas are rooted in a belief in the U.S. Constitution and such timeless ideals as limited government, economic freedom, federalism, and individual liberty coupled with individual responsibility."
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[edit] Mission
The Institute's mission is to keep the citizens of Florida informed about their government and to shape our state's future through the advancement of practical free-market ideas on public policy issues.
The Institute achieves its mission through research, conferences and seminars, and a variety of publications.
Since its inception in 1987, the Institute has remained independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan. It makes no attempt to aid or hinder the passage of legislation, nor does it accept government funds or respond to special pleadings from any sector.
[edit] History
The Institute was founded in Tallahassee, Florida in 1987 by Dr. J. Stanley Marshall , a former President of the Florida State University The Institute is named after James Madison, the fouth President of the United States, Third Secretary of State, Author of the U.S. Constitution and co-author of the Federalist Papers. Notable contributions to the institute have been made by former Governor Jeb Bush.
[edit] Publications
The James Madsion Institute publishes the periodicals The Journal, Backgrounders, Madison Policy Digest, Florida Education Monthly, and Policy Briefs, as well asQuarterly Newsletters.
- The Journal is a quarterly magazine provided to members and supporters of The James Madison Institute, to members of the Florida legislature, and to others who share the Institute’s conservative philosophy. The Journal is intended to keep Floridians informed about their government, to help advance practical public policy solutions, and to recognize individuals who exemplify civic responsibility, character, and service to others in their lives.
- The Backgrounder series evaluates government policies in Florida and offers solutions for reform.
- Madison Policy Digest is a free, weekly e-newsletter that summarizes Florida’s top policy headlines from around the state, complete with topical research and comment by The James Madison Institute.
- Florida Education Monthly is an e-newsletter that highlights the latest education news from the Sunshine State and around the nation. Each issue will be packed with best practices, insightful research, and engaging examples on the power of choice in education.
- The Point of View series consists of short, topical op-ed pieces distributed to newspapers throughout Florida and nationwide.
- The Messenger is a periodic newsletter that chronicles Institute members and activities.
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[edit] Principles
The James Madison Institute's work is rooted in the classical liberal tradition of James Madison and Adam Smith.
The Jeffersonian philosophy that animates JMI's work has increasingly come to be called "libertarianism" or "market liberalism." It combines an appreciation for entrepreneurship, the market process, and lower taxes with strict respect for civil liberties and skepticism about the benefits of both the welfare state .[2]
[edit] JMI positions on current political issues
[edit] Education Reform
Whether the issue is curriculum, the school attended, the quality of the faculty, or academic standards and accountability, the Institute believes that parents should have the freedom to make decisions in the best interests of their children.
[edit] Energy and the Environment
The Institute believes that a cleaner environment and economic liberty are not mutually exclusive goals. Through private property rights and market incentives, we can encourage good stewardship of natural resources and protect environmental quality.
[edit] Health Care
The Institute believes that direct personal responsibility for health care controls costs and provides individuals with incentives to make healthy choices. JMI supports market-based, consumer-driven reforms such as health savings accounts (HSAs) as a way to improve the quality of health services and increase access to the uninsured.
[edit] Property Rights
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees that property rights are as basic to freedom as any of the other fundamental rights; yet, the rights of landowners are often trampled by overzealous government regulations and eminent domain abuses. The Institute believes that “property” does not simply mean “land” and maintains that all forms of self-ownership should be preserved.
[edit] Taxation/Budget
Various Institute studies have shown that economic growth varies inversely with tax growth and that, dollar-for-dollar, private sector activity is more productive than public sector activity. Since taxes crowd out the more productive market activity, JMI supports reforms that emphasize low tax rates and less government spending.
[edit] Constitutional and Legal Issues
The Institute believes in James Madison’s greatest legacy—the U.S. Constitution—and its ideas of limited government, enumerated powers, minority rights, and the dangers of faction.
[edit] Other Issues
The Institute champions limited, representative government as a way to protect individual freedom. JMI works to combat the influence of career politicians and regulatory constraints that corrupt Florida’s political process
Following its motto, The James Madison Institute advocates policies that advance "individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.” JMI scholars advocate individual responsibility in their policy positions, typically advocating diminished government intervention in domestic, social, and economic policies.
[edit] Funding
The James Madison Institute is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization under U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The Institute performs no contract research and does not accept government funding. For revenue, the Institute is largely dependent on private contributions.
[edit] Corporate support
Like many think tanks, JMI receives support from a variety of corporations, but corporations are a relatively minor source of support for the Institute. In fiscal year 2007, for example, corporate donations accounted for only three percent of its budget.
[edit] Associates in the news
[edit] Scholars and Staff
[edit] Policy Scholars
- Robert Sanchez, Director of Public Policy
- J. Robert McClure III, President and CEO
- Tanja Clendinen, Director of Communication
- Thomas Perrin, Director of Public Affairs
- Amar H. Ali, Senior Resarch Associate
- Richard Benson, Policy Analyst
[edit] Research Advisory Board
- Dr. Susan Aud, Research Associate, Milton and Rose Friedman Foundation
- Dr. Michael Bond, Professor of Economics, Cleveland State University
- Dr. Thomas DiBacco, Professor Emeritus of History, American University
- Dr. James Gwartney, Professor of Economics, Florida State University
- Dr. Wynton Hall, Professor of Speech Communication, Bainbridge College
- Dr. Randall Holcombe, Professor of Economics, Florida State University
- Dr. Barry Poulson, Professor of Economics, University of Colorado
- J.B. Ruhl, J.D., Professor of Law, Florida State University College of Law
[edit] Board of Directors
As of January 2008:
- L. Charles Hilton, Jr., Chairman Businessman and Civic Leader, Hilton Enterprises, Inc., Panama City
- J. Stanley Marshall, Vice-Chairman Founding Chairman, The James Madison Institute, Tallahassee
- J. Robert McClure III, Ex-officio President and CEO, The James Madison Institute, Tallahassee
- Allan G. Bense, Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Panama City
- Norman Braman, Business Leader, Miami
- T.E. "Tommy" Bronson, Business Leader, Brooksville
- J.F. Bryan, Business Leader, Jacksonville
- Rebecca Walter Dunn, Civic Leader, St. Petersburg
- K. Earl Durden, Chairman, CEO and Director, Rail Management Corporation, Panama City
- Robert R. Feagin, III, Attorney, Holland Knight,Tallahassee
- George W. Gibbs III, Chairman and CEO, Atlantic Marine Holding Company, Jacksonville
- John Hrabusa, Vice President, Human Resources, Publix Super Markets, Lakeland
- John F. Kirtley, Co-founder, FCP Investors, Tampa
- Bill McCollum, Attorney General of Florida, Tallahassee
- Susan Story, President and CEO, Southern Company, Pensacola
- Jeffrey V. Swain. Owner, Performance Video, Tallahassee
[edit] Famous staff and faculty
- Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida
- J. Stanley Marshall, founding Chairman and Former president of Florida State University
[edit] References
- ^ Cato Institute 2006 Annual Report, p. 46
- ^ Cato on "How to Label Cato". The Cato Institute. Cato Institute. Archived from the original on 2007-08-22. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
