James Madison Institute

The James Madison Institute is a free-market American think tank headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida in the United States. It is a member of the State Policy Network.

The organization states 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."^[1]

History

JMI was founded in Tallahassee, Florida in 1987 by J. Stanley Marshall, a former president of Florida State University. JMI is named after James Madison, the fourth 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.^{[citation needed]}

Publications

JMI publishes the following periodicals and 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 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.

• Policy Briefs are a series that takes an in-depth look at critical public policy choices and exacts their impact on the state.

• 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.

JMI positions on current political issues

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, JMI 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.

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

In the news

• Vice President Dick Cheney has been one of JMI's guest speakers. Cheney spoke to JMI in Orlando on June 14, 2004, a week after President Ronald Reagan's death.^[2]

Notable staff and faculty

• Jeb Bush, ex-board member, former Governor of Florida,
• J. Stanley Marshall, founding Chairman and Former president of Florida State University
• Randall Holcombe, member, Research Adivsory Council
• Bruce L. Benson, former member, Research Adivsory Council

References

External links

• The James Madison Institute's official website
• Project on Social Security Choice
• State Policy Network