Springing into Action for a New Revolution | Prosperity Pulse #15
Spring coincides with ends of many state legislative sessions, but more work to do!
Hello Friends!
Spring is here, and many states are wrapping up their legislative sessions. These final moments present a crucial opportunity for states to pass much-needed pro-growth reforms in areas like tax codes, school choice, and spending.
For example, Iowa has significant potential to reform spending and property taxes. I just returned from speaking at a Tax Day luncheon in Des Moines, hosted by Iowans for Tax Relief and NFIB. I shared some of the bold steps Iowa has taken toward pro-growth reforms, and discussed key improvements. Watch the full event or my speech starting around minute 20.
Another recent stop in the Midwest took me to Kansas, where I testified on behalf of Kansas Policy Institute before the Kansas Senate Committee on Government Efficiency about the state’s budgeting process. Check out this picture with my friend and President of Kansas Policy Institute, James Franko, inside the Kansas Capitol.
Conservative policymakers at all levels of government are now presented with an opportunity for a new revolution towards pro-growth, free-market reforms. I had the privilege of speaking about these opportunities on a panel at The Philadelphia Society meeting in Dallas, Texas. There, I encouraged classical liberal and conservative leaders to reclaim the spirit of liberty championed by Jefferson and the other Founders, urging a new revolutionary moment. You can read my remarks at this link on X.
Next up, I’ll be heading to Baton Rouge, LA, to moderate a panel on the challenges and opportunities of AI and technology. If you’ll be attending the Pelican Institute’s Annual Solutions Summit, let me know—I’d love to connect!
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Highlights from This Month
1. Texas Considers Harmful Energy & Tech Bills
My latest piece for The Dallas Morning News explores how Senate Bill 6 threatens to undermine data mining centers by driving up costs, increasing regulatory uncertainty, and introducing more unnecessary government control into Texas’ energy market.
In my quote in The Houston Chronicle, I argue that we should instead look at energy abundance and how to unleash energy across Texas.
I specifically comment on the bill’s expansion of government control on energy consumers in my quote at Fox News. I urge Texas to focus on ensuring absolute energy abundance and a thriving economy instead.
Texas lawmakers have also explored harmful regulations that could hinder the artificial intelligence revolution. While the legislation discussed in my piece with Logan Kolas of the American Consumer Institute at The Center Square is no longer moving forward (we killed it!), a new TRAIGA bill (HB 149) has emerged. While some improvements, it still includes overly broad language regarding discrimination and imposes excessive regulation. The better bill is HB 3808, the Texas AI Freedom Act.
2. What Tariffs And Tax Day Have in Common
Tariffs are a tax on purchases made from abroad by American consumers. In my recent interview on NTD News, I discuss how these policies could affect American families who are already struggling to put food on the table and face other rising costs.
I had a great discussion on the downsides of tariffs and the need for better trade policy with AIER’s Peter Earle on NTD News.
Americans will see the cost of vehicles increase as auto tariffs are imposed. This will effectively act as a tax on car prices and hit dealerships hard I said at KXAN Austin.
Speaking of taxes, I call for making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent and other factors in Trump’s economic plan in a great discussion on The Joe Pags Show.
3. State Government Improvements
At The Philadelphia Society's Spring 2025 Meeting in Dallas, I discussed how America's revolutionary spirit can guide states forward. I urge a passionate recommitment to freedom, limited government, and personal responsibility, ensuring our children inherit a nation that remains vibrant and prosperous. Read my remarks shared on X.
New economic data paints a troubling picture of slow job growth, stagnant income gains, and ongoing migration in Louisiana. Urgent pro-growth reforms are needed to create jobs, attract investment, and make the state more competitive. I share my recommendations at the Pelican Institute.
Kansas lawmakers have a unique opportunity to fix the state's broken budget process and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively. I offered key recommendations in my testimony to the Kansas Senate Committee on Government Efficiency and in a commentary at the Kansas Policy Institute.
Kansas lawmakers should avoid corporate welfare schemes like House Bill 2308, which creates the Aviation and Innovative Manufacturing in Kansas (AIM-K) Act. As I explain at the Kansas Policy Institute, government handouts don’t create wealth—they redistribute taxpayer dollars and distort the market, making it harder for businesses that don’t receive special treatment
On X, I shared strategies for how Texas Governor Abbott could guide the session toward limited government and greater prosperity for all Texans.
4. Learning Antitrust Policy from Texas
Texas provides a better alternative to the Biden administration's antitrust agenda. By reducing government interference and fostering competition, Texas has become a business hub, with nearly 2.9 million registered entities—almost doubling in the past decade. I discuss how Texas can serve as a blueprint for federal policy at InsideSource’s DC Journal.
5. Attacking The Wrong Housing Problem
Affordable housing continues to be a pressing issue for millions of Americans, yet some policymakers have seized on a convenient scapegoat: professional ownership of single-family rental properties. I explore this problem in my commentary on X.
6. A Call for Real School Choice
While 30 U.S. states offer some form of school choice, only four states have truly universal Educational Savings Accounts. Texas is one of the states falling behind in offering universal school choice, as I explain in my commentary on X.
What I’m Learning
The Daily Economy: Can DOGE learn lessons from Reagan and Clinton?
The Unseen and The Unsaid: Jack Salmon argues that the government should defund higher education, not simply through direct funding but also by cutting college aid and numerous tax code carve-outs.
International Liberty: Dan Mitchell explains how celebrating tariffs is essentially celebrating a massive tax hike on American consumers and manufacturers.
NetChoice: Krista Chavez offers a fantastic piece on how family businesses support our communities.
Fox News: Private schools in Texas are embracing AI technology with an AI 'tutor' to empower students.
Forbes: Patrick Gleason highlights how South Carolina went from lagging in tax cuts to emerging as a leader.
Americans for Tax Reform: A great breakdown of the fight to extend the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts on the “Leave Us Alone!” podcast with Grover Norquist, Mike Palicz, and James Erwin.
Exformation: Will Rinehart provides helpful analysis on the costs of AI regulation.
Fox News: President Trump is set to sign an executive order to abolish the Department of Education—an excellent move!
Upcoming Events
I’m heading to Baton Rouge next week for the Pelican Institute’s annual Solutions Summit and TECHnically Speaking event, where I’ll be moderating a panel on AI and tech.
Books I’m Reading:
I just finished The Next conversation: Argue Less, Talk More by communication expert Jefferson Fisher. In the book, he teaches how to transform relationships by improving communication. Fisher emphasizes the importance of learning hire to have constructive dialogue over adversarial discussions. Highly recommend!
I’m currently reading Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service, edited by Michael Lewis. The book collects stories from some of his favorite writers who are doing fascinating work within the government. It highlights the many different sectors in which the government is involved. In the era of DOGE, it’s an intriguing time to dive into this book.
Let People Prosper Show Podcast
The Let People Prosper Show features deep discussions on hot topics:
Episode 133 (Thursday):
How can we restore our republic and bring power back to the states? What role should federalism, trade, and housing policy play in fostering long-term prosperity? I explore these questions with Dr. Adam Millsap, Senior Fellow at Stand Together Trust, as we unpack the key issues shaping America’s economic and political landscape.
Episode 134 (Next Thursday):
Don’t miss next week’s episode with Douglas Holtz-Eakin, President of the American Action Forum. Before founding AAF, Dr. Holtz-Eakin held several influential policy roles, including Chief Economist for the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) and Director of Domestic and Economic Policy for John McCain’s presidential campaign. We’ll have a fascinating discussion about what he’s learned in these positions and how to best empower people to prosper.Did you miss This Week’s Economy episode 104?
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