Institute for Reforming Government is rated Right-Center with Mostly Factual factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate the Institute for Reforming Government Right-Center biased based on advocacy for lower taxes, deregulation, school choice, and limited government policy reforms. We also rate them Mostly Factual due to generally sourced policy analysis and public-record-based reporting, while noting ideological framing and limited donor transparency.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.6)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Institute for Reforming Government is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit policy organization located in Delafield, Wisconsin. According to its mission statement, IRG focuses on reducing government barriers, bureaucracy, and “red tape” at the local, state, and federal levels. The organization promotes policies intended to make government more efficient and responsive, with emphasis on tax reform, education policy, legal reform, and government oversight. Its staff includes CEO CJ Szafir, COO Chris Reader, General Counsel Jake Curtis, and Senior Research Director Quinton Klabon. Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is listed as National Honorary Chairman Emeritus.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
Institute for Reforming Government is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. While it solicits donations on its website, it does not disclose the names of individual donors, thereby limiting transparency. According to InfluenceWatch, it is affiliated with the State Policy Network (SPN), a coalition of conservative think tanks funded by organizations such as DonorsTrust, the Walton Family Foundation, and the Bradley Foundation. SPN members have been linked to opposition to climate policy and national deregulatory campaigns.
Analysis / Bias
The Institute for Reforming Government advocates for limited government, lower taxes, deregulation, school choice, and reduced bureaucracy, which aligns with right-center to conservative policy positions. For example, its income tax elimination proposal supports eliminating Wisconsin’s personal income tax and replacing revenue through a higher sales tax while maintaining exemptions on items such as groceries, rent, medical expenses, and childcare. This reflects a free-market, tax-reduction policy approach commonly associated with conservative fiscal policy.
IRG’s education coverage also reflects conservative priorities, particularly support for school choice and scrutiny of university diversity and hiring programs. In its K-12 and higher education section, IRG highlights criticism of COVID relief spending and a report alleging that a University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty hiring program was unconstitutional. These positions are policy-driven and ideological, but they are generally presented through reports, public records, and legal arguments.
Coverage of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and state bureaucracy demonstrates right-leaning framing. In “Evers’ professional service veto panned as ‘defending’ bureaucracy”, IRG republishes a Center Square article featuring criticism of Evers’ veto from business and policy groups, including an IRG representative who argues the governor was protecting bureaucracy. The wording is somewhat loaded, particularly terms such as “protecting government” and “what are they trying to hide,” but the article includes direct quotes, named sources, and policy context.
Overall, IRG is an advocacy-oriented policy organization rather than a neutral news outlet. Its factual basis is generally good, with reliance on public records, policy papers, legal analysis, and named sources. However, because its coverage is consistently framed through a limited-government and conservative reform perspective, readers should recognize its ideological purpose.
Failed Fact Checks
- There are no direct failed fact checks of the Institute for Reforming Government. However, its association with the State Policy Network, which has supported climate denial and anti-regulatory lobbying, raises concerns about the selective use of evidence and ideological framing.
Overall, we rate the Institute for Reforming Government Right-Center biased based on advocacy for lower taxes, deregulation, school choice, and limited government policy reforms. We also rate them Mostly Factual due to generally sourced policy analysis and public-record-based reporting, while noting ideological framing and limited donor transparency. (D. Van Zandt 06/17/2026)
Source: https://reforminggovernment.org/
Last Updated on June 17, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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