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Maxford Nelsen
Director of Labor Policy
Maxford Nelsen is the Freedom Foundation’s Director of Labor Policy.
In this capacity, Max regularly testifies on labor issues before local governments and the state legislature. Max's research has formed the basis of several briefs submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Max's work has been published in local newspapers around the country and in national outlets like the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Hill, National Review and the American Spectator. His work on labor policy issues has been featured in media outlets like the New York Times, Fox News and PBS News Hour. He is a regular guest on local radio stations like 770 KTTH and 570 KVI.
In 2019, Max received a presidential appointment to the Federal Service Impasses Panel, which resolves contract negotiation disputes between federal agencies and labor unions.
Prior to joining the Freedom Foundation in 2013, Max worked for WashingtonVotes.org and the Washington Policy Center, and interned with the Heritage Foundation.
Max graduated magna cum laude from Whitworth University with a bachelor's degree in political science. A Washington native, he lives in Olympia with his wife and son.
General Assembly extends collective bargaining to Colorado counties
In the final days of the 2022 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly passed SB 22-230 along party lines requiring most of the state’s counties to engage in collective bargaining with labor unions representing county employees. While it rewards unions, the bill will harm employees and taxpayers.
Complaint forces Washington Education Association to fix campaign finance disclosures
After discovering the political action committee of the Washington state teachers’ union didn’t disclose the sources of its contributions as required by law, the Freedom Foundation filed a complaint with the state, forcing the union to file the proper disclosures.
Congressional Republicans call on SBA to investigate how unions improperly received COVID relief
Citing Freedom Foundation research, the GOP leaders of four committees in the U.S. House of Representatives last week sent a …
Douglas County judge strikes down capital gains income tax
This week, the Douglas County Superior Court struck down the capital gains income tax passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2021. While not the last word, the ruling was a resounding early victory for the Freedom Foundation and all who value the state constitution and want to keep Washington income tax free.
Report: Labor unions received tens of millions in federal COVID relief they weren’t eligible for
Hundreds of labor unions — including numerous teachers’ unions — and related organizations received $36.7 million in federal funds through the federal Paycheck Protection Program for which they were legally ineligible, according to a new Freedom Foundation report released today.
Profiting from a Pandemic: How Ineligible Unions Collected Millions in Federal COVID Relief Funds
Between creation of the Paycheck Protection Program by Congress in March 2020 and passage of the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, as many as 226 forgivable loans totaling $36.7 million were provided to labor unions and related organizations that were statutorily ineligible for the funds.
Biden doubles down on illegal Medicaid payments to unions
The Freedom Foundation is pushing back against the Biden administration’s attempt to preserve illegal union dues deductions from Medicaid payments to home caregivers serving the elderly and those with disabilities.
PDC drops anti-speech component of 2022 legislative proposal
After opposition from the Freedom Foundation, the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has reworked a troubling provision of draft campaign finance legislation it intends to submit to state lawmakers during the 2022 legislative session in Olympia.
Stop the Spread: How the BBBA Seeks to Replicate Washington State’s Union-Dominated HCBS Model Nationwide
A Freedom Foundation report shows how Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation under consideration in Congress would send potentially billions of dollars in Medicaid funds to unions like SEIU with a track record of exploitative practices.
Washington teachers’ union jumps on the CRT bandwagon
The largest labor union in Washington state, the Washington Education Association, represents nearly 100,000 teachers and support staff in Washington’s K-12 system. It is also one of the biggest forces for transforming taxpayer-funded government schools into indoctrination and recruitment centers for leftist activism.
