Summer Dispatch: Conversations, Conferences, and Community | Prosperity Pulse #21
From tariffs to Social Security: My latest insights on the issues shaping our economy.
Hello Friends!
Summer is flying by! Since we last caught up, I had the opportunity to speak at the James Madison Institute’s 2025 Florida Tech & Innovation Summit in Coral Gables.
While there, I reconnected with The Honorable Justin Amash—great to see him again after our recent conversation on The Let People Prosper Show.
I also joined a panel with Spence Purnell of R Street and Richard Sill of the Reason Foundation to discuss truth in the age of AI. We explored how current laws and emerging technologies can help combat digital misinformation—by letting markets do what they do best.
Earlier this month, my family and I traveled to Colorado for some much-needed time together. We caught the Astros beat the Rockies, watched Sporting Kansas City beat the Colorado Rapids, celebrated Independence Day, and made some great memories along the way.
We returned home to a Texas still reeling from the devastating floods. My prayers remain with all those affected. It’s been a heartbreaking season with many lives lost—but also a powerful reminder of the strength and compassion in our communities, as neighbors continue to show up for one another.
I’m grateful for your time, support, and interest in these important conversations. I’m so glad you’re here!
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Highlights from This Month
1. What That Big Beautiful Bill Means For You?
I unpack the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) in a Substack deep dive. Now signed into law, it’s not the major conservative victory some are claiming. Yes, it rightly makes most of the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent and includes a few pro-growth provisions—like full expensing and tighter Medicaid eligibility rules. But overall, it’s a Frankenstein of populist handouts, temporary tax breaks, and fiscal smoke and mirrors that expands government in both directions.
I joined Lars Larson to discuss the Medicaid reforms in OBBB—listen to our conversation for more insights.
2. Analyzing our Financial Systems
Americans are still paying more for groceries, housing, and energy—meanwhile, the Federal Reserve is spending $2.5 billion renovating its D.C. headquarters, running $700 million over budget. It's time for the Fed to stop building rooftop gardens and start rebuilding public trust.
In American Banker, I sound the alarm on the CFPB’s Section 1033, which risks replacing market-driven innovation with centralized planning and overregulation. Not only is your financial data at stake, but so is the question of whether bureaucrats or consumers will shape the future of finance.
3. Addressing American Health Care Concerns
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently signed a law banning pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies starting in 2026. This move could slash access to medication in rural areas, cost jobs, and add more uncertainty to an already overregulated health care system.
At American Specator, Dr. Deane Waldman and I explore how the DOGE set out to eliminate $2 trillion in waste—but missed the most obvious target: the bloated and inefficient U.S. health care system.
4. Exploring Trade and Industrial Policy
The Techno-Industrial Policy Playbook claims the answer to government failure is... more government. At The Daily Economy, I argue the opposite: liberty, not bureaucracy, is the foundation of prosperity. Free markets—not central planners—drive innovation, dynamism, and moral progress.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s unpredictable tariff policy is destabilizing our economy. His “art of the deal” style governance results in uncertainty that ripples across everything from trade to pandemic response.
Let’s be clear: tariffs are taxes, not negotiation tools, and certainly not paid by foreign exporters. America needs sound fiscal policy, open markets, and a government that knows when to get out of the way.
5. Spending and Taxes
The real driver of America’s looming debt crisis? Runaway spending by both parties—not tax cuts, as Harvard economist Larry Summers claims. In The Daily Economy , I debunk this myth with facts.
I also joined The Joe Pags Show to discuss how pandemic-era spending and DOGE's inefficiencies are weighing down our economy.
While Kansas recently reported better-than-expected tax receipts for the fiscal year ending, don’t expect tax cuts. State spending continues to outpace sustainable levels. I break it down in a new piece for the Kansas Policy Institute.
I analyze the latest inflation data, the harmful impact of tariffs, and how both parties are making life harder for working Americans. Prosperity doesn’t come from government control—it comes from getting government out of the way.
Want to know how long Social Security will last? Catch my recent interviews on 1200 WOAI News Radio and Houston’s Morning News with Jimmy Barrett.
6. Fixing the Housing Market
I joined KTRH to talk about housing affordability in Houston—here are the highlights:
The Trump administration is reopening the long-dormant debate on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In The Daily Signal, I argue it’s time to privatize these government-backed mortgage giants and restore real market forces to the housing sector.
7. Unleashing Energy and Technology
The U.S. needs reliable, affordable energy—but first, Washington has to get out of the way. In Washington Examiner, I explain how this administration can strip away tax favoritism, fix the permitting process, and unleash domestic production to lower costs and improve grid reliability.
And on the tech front, I support a federal moratorium on state-level AI regulations. Check out my quote in Patrick Gleason’s recent Forbes article to see why.
What I’m Learning
The Daily Economy: A compelling look at how the Federal Reserve’s abundant reserves system gives officials a powerful lever to influence markets and steer capital—often at the expense of taxpayers.
Reason Magazine: Trump’s new trade deal benefits Vietnamese businesses that pay nothing—while American consumers are stuck with higher tariffs.
Washington Policy Center: As America nears its 250th anniversary, hear powerful stories from immigrants who’ve experienced firsthand the opportunity this country offers.
Debunking Degrowth: New data reveals that while Americans still believe in the American Dream, many also see tariffs as a serious obstacle to achieving it.
TX Rep. Chip Roy: Two young girls launched a lemonade stand to support Texans affected by recent floods. A reminder: we need more people helping people—rather than government forcing it.
The James Madison Institute: A clear and thoughtful explanation of why state think tanks play a critical role in shaping smarter, local policy.
Reason Magazine: After two decades of enforcing its ridiculous rule, the TSA is finally phasing out the requirement for travelers to remove shoes at airport security.
Net Choice: Etsy empowers artisans and small creators by helping them reach a global market—proof that digital platforms can fuel free enterprise.
Committee to Unleash Prosperity: America's labor force relies on immigration. The real question: How do we reform the system to make it work for everyone?
International Liberty: A solid analysis of the Social Security Administration’s latest long-term financial forecast—and what it means for future generations.
Excellent Thought: Texas lawmakers say they committed $50 billion to property tax relief this session—but is that the reality?
American Enterprise Institute: Tariffs won’t boost U.S. manufacturing jobs—and maybe that’s not a goal we should be chasing in the first place.
South Carolina Policy Council: Want real tax relief? Here’s how South Carolina can deliver it through meaningful income tax reform.
Able Americans: We need bold, market-based policy solutions to improve quality of life and expand opportunity for Americans with disabilities.
Books I’m Reading:
What drives a golden age—and how can we make sure it doesn’t end? That’s the central question explored in the fascinating book I'm reading: Peak Human: What We Can Learn from the Rise and Fall of Golden Ages by Johan Norberg.
Let People Prosper Show Podcast
The Let People Prosper Show features deep discussions on hot topics:
Episode 152 (Thursday):
What happens when your life changes in an instant, and you have to rebuild it from the ground up? In this week’s Let People Prosper Show,I talk with Rachel Barkley, a policy leader at Alliance for Opportunity and Able Americans, wife, mother, and one of the most resilient individuals I know. After a rare spinal cord tumor left her paralyzed just weeks after giving birth to her first child, Rachel began a long and painful road of recovery—one marked by faith, perseverance, and incremental miracles. Rachel now leads state and national efforts to reform the safety net for individuals with disabilities and those facing hardship. She’s championing policies like the One Door Policy to streamline services, shift the conversation from “able-bodied” to work-capable, and ensure the system supports human dignity and independence. Don’t miss this episode!
Episode 153 (Next Thursday):
What if we stopped pretending that insurance coverage equals care? In this week’s Let People Prosper Show, I’m joined by Dean Waldman, MD MBA—physician, policy expert, and my co-author of our recent book, Empower Patients: Two Doctors’ Cure for Healthcare. We tackle what’s truly broken in American healthcare: it’s not just the cost or complexity, but who holds the power. Dr. Dean and I break down why health care isn’t a right, why it is a service, and how we can return to patient-first solutions. If you’re ready to rethink how America does healthcare, this conversation is for you!Did you miss This Week’s Economy episode 120?
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