Delafield, WI — The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) announced the release of a comprehensive Court Watch Spring Report on Thursday, bringing together twelve research briefs examining how the Wisconsin Supreme Court shapes the state’s government, economy, and civil society.

The updated collection includes a new executive summary and conclusion that provides readers with a concise overview of the key themes across the research briefs and the growing importance of judicial philosophy in shaping public policy.

IRG’s Court Watch initiative was established in 2025 to make judicial power more visible and understandable to the public. While legislative debates and executive actions often receive extensive public attention, court decisions can reshape policy, reinterpret statutes, and alter the balance of power among government institutions with comparatively little scrutiny.

“Courts play an enormous role in shaping the rules that govern elections, education, taxes, economic policy, and religious liberty,” said Jake Curtis, General Counsel and Director of the CIO. “Our goal with Court Watch is to help citizens understand how judicial philosophy influences decisions that ultimately affect every community in Wisconsin.”

The newly released Court Watch Spring Report brings together twelve research briefs examining areas where the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decisions have particularly significant and lasting impact. Topics include:

• Judicial philosophy and the role of courts in interpreting law
• Administrative power and the limits of bureaucratic authority
• Election law and voter integrity measures
• Civil justice and economic policy
• Religious liberty and parental rights
• School choice and K–12 education policy
• The future of Act 10 and its implications for taxpayers and schools
• Second Amendment rights and sportsmen protections

Together, the research briefs illustrate how a court’s approach to precedent, statutory interpretation, and constitutional principles can influence outcomes across multiple policy areas. The full Court Watch report is designed as a resource for policymakers, journalists, and citizens seeking a clearer understanding of how the judiciary affects Wisconsin’s governance and public life.