Max Behlke, Deputy Director and Policy Director

Max Behlke is a strategic, results-driven public policy leader with deep expertise in state and federal tax policy, intergovernmental affairs, and regulatory strategy. Over the course of his career, Max has built a reputation for forming high-impact coalitions, navigating complex policy landscapes, and delivering pragmatic solutions to some of the most challenging issues facing state governments.

Max played a central role in the policy efforts surrounding the landmark South Dakota v. Wayfair decision, which fundamentally reshaped state authority to collect sales tax in the digital economy. His work helping states respond to the rise of e-commerce (and ultimately defend their taxing authority) has had a lasting national impact and continues to influence modern tax policy debates. Throughout his career, he has worked across both the public and private sectors, beginning in the Maryland General Assembly, advocating on behalf of states at the federal level, building the state public policy program of a multibillion-dollar company, and leading state government affairs for a national trade association.

Max’s expertise has been widely cited in major national and international outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, Reuters, CNN, NPR, CNBC, and The Associated Press. In 2018, Bloomberg Tax recognized him as a “State Tax Titan,” reflecting his leadership and influence in the field.

He currently serves as Deputy Executive Director of the Institute for State Policy Leaders (ISPL), where he develops and leads bipartisan, policy-focused programming for state lawmakers on issues including taxation, energy, financial services, and emerging technologies.

Max holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.