Presidential Plans and Spending Restraint | Prosperity Pulse #12

Highlights on Trump's first 100 days in office, the CFPB's Section 1033 rule, and state spending.

Hello Friends!

I hope you're staying warm as you receive this February edition of the Prosperity Pulse!

I just returned from a productive trip in a chilly Washington, D.C.—if only Congress could freeze government spending as effectively as the city's temperatures!

My time in the nation’s capital focused on meeting with lawmakers to discuss how we can unleash America’s technology sector, as outlined in my recent Ginn Economic Consulting report in partnership with NetChoice.

A standout moment was a lively discussion with Tirzah Duren of the American Consumer Institute at the NetChoice event in the Capitol Hill Club, where we tackled the antitrust damage caused by the Biden admin and ways the Trump admin can improve it.

Another highlight was visiting John Cornyn’s office, which brought back memories of my time interning for him in Lubbock during Spring 2004.

There’s a lot happening in Washington these days, and it’s refreshing to see some disruption to business as usual. Now, let’s dive into the rest of this month’s work and the key highlights you won’t want to miss!

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Highlights from This Month

1. A Blueprint for Trump’s First 100 Days

• For America to truly prosper, Trump must advance a free-market agenda rooted in limited government, fiscal discipline, and economic freedom. I break it down at National Review’s Capital Matters.

  

• What will Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) look like as it audits government spending and operations? I discuss expectations with NTD.

• On tariffs and trade policy, I share what Trump should do with NBC News and The Nick Craig Show.

  

2. CFPB Section 1033 Rule

• My latest report at Americans for Tax Reform examines the CFPB’s Section 1033 rule, which mandates standardized financial data sharing across institutions, including fintech firms. While well-intentioned, the rule poses risks to privacy, national security, and competition—challenges better addressed through industry standards than government mandates.

  

3. Spending Cuts are Needed

• Lowering taxes is crucial, but true fiscal responsibility requires balancing the budget through economic growth and spending restraint. John Hendrickson and I make the case in The American Spectator.

  

4. Are Sovereign Wealth Funds a Good Idea?

• Trump’s proposal for a U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund and Texas’s push to lift the cap on its Economic Stabilization Fund are misguided. Instead of hoarding taxpayer money, I offer better solutions at Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.

  

5. State Budgeting and Spending

Federal overspending gets attention, but states must show restraint too.

• Texas boasts a strong labor market, but reckless government spending threatens its success. I analyze the budget atTexans for Fiscal Responsibility.

  

• Michigan has a chance to pass a Sustainable Michigan Budget, ensuring smarter fiscal decisions. I explain at Mackinac Center.

  

• Kansas can curb wasteful spending with Senate Bill 99, which eliminates vacant government positions and prevents bureaucratic expansion. I break it down at Kansas Policy Institute.

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What I’m Learning

• Forbes: Patrick Gleason on the power of interstate compacts.

• Taxpayer Protection Alliance Foundation: Fact-checking the harm tariffs inflict on consumers.

• Townhall: Andrew Ferguson’s roadmap for fixing the FTC post-Biden.

• Americans for Tax Reform: A roundup of positive impacts from banks and financial services employers thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

• Forbes: James Broughel on cutting red tape for AI-driven energy infrastructure.

• Georgia Public Policy Foundation: Kyle Wingfield on why now isn’t the time for Georgia to expand Medicaid.

Books I’m Reading:

• Currently reading Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland. It’s a fascinating look at Christianity’s impact on modern civilization.

  

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Let People Prosper Show Podcast

The Let People Prosper Show features deep discussions on hot topics:

• Episode 133 (Thursday):
  I was delighted to discuss liberty with a man who has been in the trenches of this work for years. Former U.S. Congressman Justin Amash shared his journey from his parents' immigrant experience to becoming one of the most principled voices for limited government and individual liberty.

• Episode 134 (Next Thursday):
  Don’t miss next week’s episode with former Texas Senator Don Huffines. We discuss the principles of liberty, the importance of faith and family, and bold policy solutions to major issues facing Texas.

• Did you miss This Week’s Economy episode 98?

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Quote of the Week

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Bible Verse of the Week

Thanks for supporting my mission to promote economic freedom and prosperity! I hope this edition of Prosperity Pulse keeps you informed, inspired, and ready for the week ahead.

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