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Reports of the Death of American Capitalism have been greatly exaggerated

by API NewsUncategorized

Op-Ed by Stephanie Smith, President/CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – August 3, 2026 

While headlines and recent low-turnout primary victories might suggest a growing ideological shift in America, recent polling data from the Napolitan Institute reveals that public support for socialism is not actually increasing.

Over the past decade, the percentage of nationwide voters with a favorable opinion of socialism has remained remarkably flat, holding steadily between 30% and 35%, and sitting at 31% today. In contrast, capitalism/free markets, defined as an economic system based on supply and demand with limited government control or intervention, where private individuals and businesses freely exchange goods and services, continue to enjoy widespread backing.

Overall, 59% of voters hold a favorable opinion of free markets, including a majority of both Republicans at 67% and Democrats at 56%. Furthermore, voters show much stronger enthusiasm for free markets than for socialism, with 27% holding a very favorable view of free markets compared to just 12% who say the same for socialism.

A closer look at voter attitudes demonstrates that much of the apparent interest in socialism stems from a lack of ideological consistency rather than a desire to reject traditional commerce. Among the 31% of voters who view socialism favorably, nearly three-quarters, 74%, also hold a favorable view of free markets, and only 34% believe that increased regulation and government involvement are actually good for the economy. Perhaps those favoring socialism are confused about what socialism actually is.

Across the entire electorate, 36% of voters like free markets but dislike socialism, 23% report liking both systems, and a mere 8% prefer socialism while rejecting free markets. Ultimately, when socialism is clearly understood in its traditional sense, as a system characterized by high taxes and extensive central government control of the economy, only 12% of voters who recognize this reality view it favorably.

Despite the noise surrounding high-profile primary wins in navy blue states, the broader American electorate remains firmly grounded in its support for a capitalistic free market system.

About the Alabama Policy Institute

The Alabama Policy Institute (API) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit research and education organization dedicated to strengthening free markets, limiting government, and supporting strong families across Alabama.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact: admin@alabampolicy.org

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Alabama Policy Institute earns national Ed-Prize for school choice initiative- Yellowhammer News

by Uncategorized

The Alabama Policy Institute has been awarded the 2026 Ed-Prize by the State Policy Network, a national organization of state-based public policy groups, in recognition of its Opportunity Anchors Initiative, an effort designed to expand educational options for Alabama families ahead of universal CHOOSE Act eligibility in the 2027-28 school year.

The Ed-Prize recognizes organizations developing innovative K-12 education initiatives that create practical alternatives and expand learning opportunities. This year’s recipients were the Alabama Policy Institute and Eastside Academic Studies. Grants range from $20,000 to $75,000 and include a 12-month collaboration with State Policy Network staff to help recipients strengthen their projects.

According to the Alabama Policy Institute, its Opportunity Anchors Initiative was selected for its strategy to address what the organization describes as the implementation gap in Alabama’s school-choice landscape. While the CHOOSE Act established education savings accounts for eligible families, API said expanding the number of available learning environments is the next challenge as eligibility is scheduled to become universal during the 2027-28 school year.

Rather than building new schools from the ground up, API said the initiative is designed to help communities transform existing assets into educational opportunities. The organization plans to work with churches, ministries, synagogues, homeschool leaders and community organizations to develop micro-schools, homeschool cooperatives and satellite learning programs.

API said many of those organizations already have classrooms, meeting spaces and deep community relationships but need assistance navigating the legal, operational and administrative steps involved in launching education programs. Through the Opportunity Anchors Initiative, the organization said it will provide a statewide support system to help those groups establish and sustain new educational offerings.

“Passing the CHOOSE Act was a monumental achievement for Alabama families, but a policy on paper does not create a seat in a classroom,” Stephanie Smith, president and CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute, said. “Through the Opportunity Anchors Initiative, we are helping focus on the practical reality of school expansion. We are honored to receive this Ed-Prize, which will allow us to turn community assets into thriving educational hubs.”

API said the initiative is intended to broaden the range of educational options available to Alabama families so that when universal CHOOSE Act eligibility takes effect, parents have access to meaningful choices that best meet their children’s needs.

The State Policy Network said the Ed-Prize supports “bold, scalable innovations” that improve K-12 education across both traditional and alternative learning environments.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

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Alabama Policy Institute Awarded 2026 Ed-Prize for Innovative Opportunity Anchors Initiative

by Uncategorized

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – July 20, 2026 – The Alabama Policy Institute (API) is proud to announce that API has been named a recipient of the 2026 Ed-Prize by the State Policy Network (SPN). This prestigious award recognizes API’s commitment to bold, scalable innovation in K–12 education through its Opportunity Anchors Initiative.

The Ed-Prize is awarded to organizations that are actively building practical alternatives to traditional education models. API was selected for its strategic approach to closing the implementation gap in Alabama’s school-choice landscape.

While the passage of Alabama’s CHOOSE Act represented a historic victory for school choice, establishing refundable education savings account tax credits for families, API recognizes that policy reform is just the first step. With eligibility for the CHOOSE Act scheduled to become universal in the 2027–28 school year, the state faces a critical challenge: ensuring there is a sufficient supply of diverse, high-quality learning environments to meet the coming demand.

“Passing the CHOOSE Act was a monumental achievement for Alabama families, but a policy on paper does not create a seat in a classroom,” said Stephanie Smith, President/CEO of the Alabama Policy Institute. “Through the Opportunity Anchors Initiative, we are helping focus on the practical reality of school expansion. We are honored to receive this Ed-Prize, which will allow us to turn community assets into thriving educational hubs.”

The Opportunity Anchors Initiative is designed to assist churches, ministries, synagogues, homeschool leaders, and community organizations in transforming existing spaces into vibrant educational environments, including micro-schools, homeschool cooperatives, and satellite learning programs. Many of these local institutions possess the necessary infrastructure, such as classrooms, meeting spaces, and deep community relationships, but lack a clear roadmap for navigating the operational, legal, and administrative hurdles of launching a formal education program. The Opportunity Anchors Initiative will provide a statewide support system to help these leaders navigate school formation and sustainability.

By fostering this diverse marketplace of options, API aims to ensure that when universal eligibility takes effect, Alabama families have access to meaningful, varied choices that best serve their children’s unique needs.

You can find more information about the SPN Ed-Prize here: https://spn.org/ed-prize-civics-prize-winners-2026/

About the Alabama Policy Institute

The Alabama Policy Institute (API) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit research and education organization dedicated to strengthening free markets, limiting government, and supporting strong families across Alabama.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact: admin@alabampolicy.org

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Alabama Policy Institute Launches Landmark Alabama Tax Relief Report: A Multi-Phase Roadmap for Economic Growth and Fiscal Discipline

by Uncategorized
Alabama Policy Institute Launches Landmark Alabama Tax Relief Report: A Multi-Phase Roadmap for Economic Growth and Fiscal Discipline

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Alabama Policy Institute (API) today announced the official launch of its highly anticipated publication, the Alabama Tax Relief Report: Next Steps. The comprehensive research report arrives at a critical juncture for the state’s fiscal future, serving as a data-driven guide for lawmakers to enact meaningful, long-term tax reductions without shifting financial burdens onto families or businesses.

The report highlights that while Alabama has made significant strides over the last decade, such as cutting the state grocery tax, increasing standard deductions, instilling strict budget guardrails, and implementing targeted business privilege tax exemptions, the state risks falling behind regional competitors if it continues to rely on temporary tax holidays and narrow carveouts.

API’s newly unveiled framework proposes a Zero-Increase Tax Relief Roadmapthat rejects all state tax increases, hidden base expansions, or state/local mandates, financing permanent tax cuts entirely through disciplined spending restraint and robust recurring revenue growth.

“Alabama is currently locked in a fierce regional race for population growth, remote workers, and capital investment, and standing still means falling behind,” said Justin Bogie, Sr. Director of Fiscal Policy for Alabama Policy Institute. “Our budgets have grown substantially over the past decade, proving that our state government has more than enough revenue capacity to provide sustainable tax relief.”

The report outlines a suggested Phase One legislative package for the 2027 legislative session, which includes:

Permanently eliminating the remaining 2% state grocery tax, saving families roughly $244 million annually.

Reducing the individual income tax top rate, saving taxpayers up to $320 million per year.

Lowering the corporate income tax rate, addressing one of Alabama’s most distinct regional disadvantages.

Centralizing local sales tax administration to directly resolve critical compliance complexities for local businesses.

Making property tax assessment protections permanent by removing current sunsets.

A cornerstone of the report is its realistic perspective regarding long-term goals. While moving toward a 0% individual income tax could be an ultimate aspirational target for some candidates and lawmakers, the report details exactly why immediate elimination is unworkable, as income tax currently comprises over 68% of Education Trust Fund receipts. Instead, API urges the well-reasoned approach of utilizing population-plus-inflation spending caps and automatic revenue triggers.

“True fiscal conservatism requires bold vision backed by realism,” stated Stephanie Smith, President of the Alabama Policy Institute. “Eliminating major revenue streams overnight without equivalent spending discipline is not tax relief, it is an empty promise that forces a dangerous tax shift onto sales or property taxes. By implementing a population-plus-inflation spending cap, we can slow the growth of state government, protect the private sector, and trigger permanent, durable rate cuts over time.”

The Alabama Tax Relief Report is available for immediate download. Citizens, community leaders, and policymakers are invited to view the research and analysis by visiting: https://alabamapolicy.org/research/alabama-tax-relief-report-july-2026/.

About the Alabama Policy Institute
The Alabama Policy Institute (API) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit research and education organization dedicated to strengthening free markets, limiting government, and supporting strong families across Alabama.FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact: admin@alabampolicy.org