Today we have a special, behind the scenes episode for you. Earlier in September, the Atlas Network announced the finalists for the 2018 Templeton Freedom Award, and the Mercatus Center was fortunate enough to be on that list.

Specifically, Atlas identified the RegData project and the way states have used the project to reform regulations.

Since there’s a lot to unpack in that one sentence, Chad's joined by some Mercatus colleagues who have been instrumental in the project from day one to help explain what, exactly, RegData is, why it’s important, and how state governments can take advantage of the research we’ve done to make meaningful policy changes:

• Patrick McLaughlin, director of the Program for Economic Research on Regulation, and the creator of RegData
• James Broughel, state and local policy research fellow here at Mercatus, and an adjunct law professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School
• Kate De Lanoy, What’s on Tap co-host and director of our media relations team

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Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadMReese.

Today's What's on Tap beverage is the Pumking Imperial Ale from Southern Tier Brewing Co. Check them out here!