THEY SAY THEY ARE:
Independent think tank
WHO THEY REALLY ARE:
A front group for out-of-state right wing billionaires pushing an anti-worker, anti-government, privatization agenda
THEY SAY THEY ARE:
Funded by “individuals, corporations, and foundations.”
THE REALITY:
Their funding is secret. Their 990s do not disclose where their money comes from. But they are part of the State Policy Network that receives large contributions from billionaires like the Koch Family, the Bradley Foundation, Betsy DeVos.
THEY SAY THEY ARE:
An Ohio-based think tank
WHO THEY REALLY ARE:
A part of the State Policy Network like the Buckeye Institute in Ohio, the Mackinac Center in Michigan, and the Palmetto Policy Promise in South Carolina. The State Policy Network funds these organizations then uses them as front groups to push their anti-worker, pro-privatization agenda.
THEY SAY THEY ARE:
A diverse organization
WHO THEY REALLY ARE:
Mostly white, mostly male with no diversity among their staff
THEY SAY THEY ARE:
Non-lobbyists. They do not have a single person from the Buckeye Institute registered as a lobbyist.
THE REALITY:
Their staffers roam the Statehouse halls, regularly meet with lawmakers, correspond with the Executive and Legislative branches of government and testify in committee. They also boast in press releases and public announcements of their triumphs in influencing the legislative and executive processes.
THEY SAY:
They conduct “timely and reliable research on key issues”.
THE REALITY:
They release pre-determined, biased “research” that fits into their cookie-cutter narrative.
