Approaching Tax Day Calls for Greater Tax Relief | Prosperity Pulse #16
What can policymakers do to help people prosper in the midst of uncertainty?
Hello Friends!
Like the stock market, many of us who support free trade are reeling from the latest wave of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Now more than ever, we should be pushing for policies that make America more competitive—not taxing hardworking Americans through protectionist measures. I’ve been busy making sure that message is heard across the media this month.
As Americans rush to file their taxes ahead of the April 15th deadline, it’s a timely reminder of the urgent need to extend the Trump-era tax cuts that expire at the end of this year. Not extending them will mean tax hikes on nearly all Americans, thereby adding to their struggle with rising costs of goods and services.
One of the highlights of the month was attending the Pelican Institute’s annual Solutions Summit. I had a fantastic trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where I heard from some of the brightest voices working on meaningful policy solutions.
At the conference, I had the pleasure of moderating a thoughtful discussion on AI policy and age-verification challenges with the remarkable Jennifer Huddleston, Shoshana Weissmann, Taylor Barkley, and David McGarry. These leaders are doing impressive work in the tech space, and it was a privilege to moderate the conversation.
As the policy landscape continues to shift, we must stay focused on advancing solutions that promote freedom, innovation, and prosperity for all Americans.
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Highlights from This Month
1. Trade Wars and Tariff Tax Hikes
With major tariffs imposed this month, many are asking what the economic fallout will be. I was honored to join C-SPAN’s Washington Journal this week to discuss how these tariffs are likely to affect our economy—and how we can address the uncertainty they create.
Tariffs act as a tax on Americans and fuel economic uncertainty. Rather than raising taxes, we should be extending the tax cuts that are set to expire soon, as I explain at CBS News.
Are these tariffs really putting America first? I argue that these harmful protectionist policies are doing the opposite in my conversation with Emily Jashinksy on UnHeard.
Instead of tariffs, we need to pursue trade deals and policies that actually make America more competitive. We're already seeing negative market reactions to these misguided policies—I lay out a better path forward in my new commentary on X and Substack.
There are more effective ways to address our trade challenges with China. I discuss this in more detail with Lars Larson on his recent show.
Nick Craig and I also had a great conversation on this topic, especially about the so-called “Liberation Day” tied to the new wave of tariffs.
2. Big Budgets
Check out my discussion on the latest vote by the U.S. House to pass the Senate amendment for the resolution to advance the discussion on spending cuts and permanent of the Trump tax cuts.
It was disappointing to see Texas continue to spend like California rather than embody the fiscal responsibility expected of a red state. The passage of the 2026–27 proposed biennial budget is troubling. I offered an in-depth analysis of the unsustainable spending patterns in this plan over at Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.
3. Anti-Innovation State Policies
Legislation under consideration in the Texas Senate (SB 6) would weaponize energy regulation against data centers—posing a serious threat to Texas’s economic leadership, Trump’s innovation agenda, and America’s digital infrastructure. I break down the consequences of this policy in RealClear Policy.
Meanwhile in Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a bill that would have created a regulatory sandbox—allowing innovators to test new products and services free from outdated regulations. At Kansas Policy Institute, I urge the Legislature to override this veto and unlock new opportunities for Kansas businesses.
3. More Encouraging News for Tax Relief
Kansas made a big move toward sustainable tax reform with the passage of Senate Bill 269, a forward-thinking law that rewards responsible budgeting with gradual income tax reductions. The Legislature rightly overrode Governor Kelly’s veto. At Kansas Policy Institute, I explain how this policy—if implemented well—could reshape Kansas’s tax code and fiscal outlook.
4. Texas School Choice
The passage of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2 (CSSB 2) by the Texas House Public Education Committee is a long-awaited step toward educational freedom. This bill would create an ESA program starting in the 2026–27 school year, backed by $1 billion in funding in the second year of the state budget. While this is progress, more must be done for Texas to lead on school choice, as I explain on X.
What I’m Learning
Archbridge Institute and Pelican Institute: Important new report by Justin Callais examining the current state of economic mobility in Louisiana.
The Dispatch: Strong piece by Shoshana Weissmann making the case for occupational licensing reform to help meet the growing demand for electricians in AI-powered data centers.
The Mercatus Center: A compelling report outlining why Congress must rein in the Federal Reserve—not just on monetary policy, but on its expanding regulatory reach as well.
Net Choice: New polling reveals that 79% of voters believe U.S. tech companies are essential to maintaining America’s global leadership.
Forbes: James Broughel offers sharp insight into why AI is being wrongly blamed for rising rent prices.
Cato: Jeremy Horpedahl and Phillip W. Magness provide a clear explanation of how so-called “reciprocal” tariffs amount to hidden taxes on Americans.
Independent Women’s Forum: Gabrielle Hoffman argues that Congress should make the 2017 tax cuts permanent and repeal the Inflation Reduction Act through reconciliation.
Forbes: Norbert Michel presents a strong case for why the CFPB’s new overdraft rule should be overturned.
Tax Foundation: Valuable data highlighting how tax policy is driving out-migration trends across states.
Upcoming Events
Join me for a school choice debate on Monday, April 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mel’s Diner in Mingus, Texas, hosted by the Palo Pinto County Conservatives. I’ll be on a panel with Lynn Davenport and Evelyn Brooks of the Texas State Board of Education. Hope to see you there!
I will be speaking at the Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association’s Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 24 in State College, PA.
Books I’m Reading:
Currently working my way through Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress and How to Bring it Back by Marc J. Dunkelman. It’s an interested take on how progressive’s fear of “The Establishment” stifles progress.
Let People Prosper Show Podcast
The Let People Prosper Show features deep discussions on hot topics:
Episode 143 (Thursday):
Can the government really protect consumers better than markets? I explore this and other questions with Tirzah Duren, president of the American Consumer Institute, who brings a unique background in anthropology and economics to public policy. We explore the future of antitrust regulation, the consumer welfare standard, and how artificial intelligence and content moderation intersect with politics, tech, and personal freedom.
Episode 144 (Next Thursday):
Don’t miss next week’s episode with Joel Griffith who is Senior Fellow at Advancing American Freedom. We will discuss policy and current economic events from free trade to property taxes.Did you miss This Week’s Economy episode 106?
It was a special episode with Americans for Tax Reform’s Patrick Gleason.
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