Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions

Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions
AbbreviationBIPPS
Formation2003[1]
FounderChris Derry[2]
Type501(c)(3)
HeadquartersBowling Green, Kentucky
Chief Executive Officer
Caleb O. Brown[3]
President
Jim Waters[4][5]
BudgetRevenue: $287,000
Expenses: $138,000
(FYE December 2024)[6]
Websitebipps.org

The Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions (BIPPS) is a libertarian think tank based in Bowling Green, Kentucky.[7][8] BIPPS is a member of the State Policy Network.

Leadership

In May 2025, Caleb O. Brown was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Bluegrass Institute.[9] Brown previously served as director of multimedia at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C., where he hosted the Cato Daily Podcast for nearly 18 years, producing over 4,000 episodes.[10] He holds a master's degree in economics from George Mason University.[11]

Brown previously worked with the Bluegrass Institute in 2005, directing the KentuckyVotes.org project, which successfully convinced the Kentucky legislature to publish bill summaries and voting records online.[12] He has also been involved in education policy advocacy, serving as a volunteer coordinator for the Kentucky School Choice Coalition from 2017 to 2025.[13]

Jim Waters continues to serve as president of the organization.

Activities

In 2005, BIPPS launched KentuckyVotes.org, a website which provides information about Kentucky General Assembly bills, amendments and roll-call votes.[14] The website was launched after BIPPS successfully pushed the state's Legislative Research Commission to post legislative roll call votes online.[15]

Policy positions

Minimum wage

BIPPS has argued that an increase in the federal minimum wage would disproportionately harm Kentucky as well as young, low-skilled workers.[7]

Education

The organization has cautioned against the use of certain performance testing ideas in public school assessment programs.[16][17] BIPPS opposes the Common Core State Standards Initiative.[18]

The organization advocates for school choice policies, including support for educational options such as school vouchers and charter schools.

Public pensions

The organization has blamed the Kentucky General Assembly for the state of Kentucky's public pensions, which are among the worst-funded in the country.[19]

References

  1. ^ "Phil Moffett will head conservative institute". Lexington Herald-Leader. August 2, 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  2. ^ Maples, Liz (March 25, 2005). "Think tank working to post Kentucky voting records online". Central Kentucky News. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Bluegrass Institute announces Caleb O. Brown as Chief Executive Officer". Bluegrass Institute. April 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Staff". Bluegrass Institute. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  5. ^ Kirby, Katie (November 2, 2012). "Jim Waters named Bluegrass Institute interim president". BeechTree News. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Bluegrass Institute For Public Policy Solutions Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. 9 May 2013.
  7. ^ a b Bowling, Caitlin (February 17, 2015). "Study finds minimum wage increase 'harms young, low-skilled workers'". Louisville Business First. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  8. ^ Goodnough, Abby (February 12, 2015). "Study Backs Kentucky Medicaid Expansion". New York Times. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Bluegrass Institute announces Caleb O. Brown as Chief Executive Officer". Bluegrass Institute. April 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Bluegrass Institute in Kentucky Welcomes Caleb O. Brown as CEO". State Policy Network. April 26, 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Caleb O. Brown". Cato Institute. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Caleb Brown". Competitive Enterprise Institute. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Caleb Brown". LinkedIn. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Bluegrass Institute to launch voter-education Web site". Louisville Business First. July 8, 2005. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  15. ^ Crowley, Patrick (October 3, 2005). "Roll call votes going on Net". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  16. ^ "Bluegrass Institute report offers 'rest of the story' on Ky. education testing". Nelson County Gazette. March 2, 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  17. ^ Warren, Jim (September 10, 2013). "Kentucky's proposed science standards for schools face another hurdle". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  18. ^ Ujifusa, Andrew (May 6, 2013). "Kentucky Common-Core Testing Snafus Upset Lawmakers". Education Week. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  19. ^ Colston, Kenny (June 11, 2012). "Bluegrass Institute Blames Lawmakers for Struggling Pension Systems". WKMS. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
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