The State Policy Network (SPN) is a web of right-wing think tanks in states across the country.

Wisconsin is home to two SPN right-wing think tanks: the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI) and the MacIver Institute for Public Policy. While WPRI and the MacIver Institute claim to be focused on issues important to the people of Wisconsin, both push a right-wing agenda dictated by their right-wing funders and partners, such as the Bradley Foundation.

The MacIver Institute and WPRI collaborated with Governor Scott Walkers unprecedented attacks on Wisconsin workers in 2011. WPRI is an outspoken opponent of collective bargaining rights and labor unions, claiming in one Wisconsin Interest Magazine article that unions are the barrier to innovation. The MacIver Institute is well known for supporting Gov. Walker in his 2012 recall, spurred by Walker stripping collective bargaining rights, by spending $3.7 million with Americans for Prosperity to promote Walkers policies. MacIver was an initial supporter of Act 10, the bill that stripped collective bargaining rights, and has released several reports supporting the measure since it became law. In April 2011, Mother Jones reported MacIver even cut a video that dismissed the pro-labor protesters at the Wisconsin capital as radicalized communists and socialists.

Defund and privatize Wisconsins public schools Attack workers rights and support Gov. Walkers extreme effort to repeal to collective bargaining rights Block access to affordable healthcare for Wisconsin families Support voter suppression measures such as voter ID laws Oppose the use of renewable energy Oppose minimum wage laws

WPRI, accessed 11/4/2013 MacIver Institute, accessed 11/4/2013

- The Capital Times [11/28/2012]

Neither WPRI nor MacIver voluntarily discloses its donors. However, publicly available documents show the Bradley Foundation has funneled over $11 million to WPRI since 1987 and $635,000 to MacIver since 2001. Known for leading efforts to privatize public education, Bradley has also funded many other SPN think tanks, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Americans for Prosperity, and the Heartland Institute. Other known WPRI funders include the California-based Jaquelin Hume Foundation, the Koch-funded Donors Trust (known as the dark money ATM of the conservative movement), the State Policy Network, and the Roe Foundation. The MacIver Institute also been funded by the Koch-funded Donors Trust and Donors Capital Fund, the Walton Family Foundation (of Walmart), and the State Policy Network.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Director Mike McCabe