Let People Prosper

Thank you for listening to the 46th episode of "This Week's Economy." Today, I cover the following in less than 12 minutes: 1) National: - Average weekly earnings adjusted for CPI or PCE declined in 2022 and 2023 during the Biden administration - In an X poll, 85% of voters wanted to cut government spending, 10% said to cut taxes, 3% said to raise taxes, and 2% said to raise spending - Is Oren Cass right to criticize "market fundamentalism”? 2) States: - New research by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility shows how the Legislature’s property tax relief last session was the second largest in state history despite what some have been claiming - My research on the Responsible Louisiana Budget provides a roadmap to fiscal sustainability in Louisiana. This is needed because employment has declined for 7 straight months, and people keep leaving the state - My commentary at Complete Colorado calls on Governor Polis to do as he’s promised and reduce tax expenditures so there is more opportunity to cut income taxes, which should include less spending 3) My Media Hits & Other: - I was quoted in Forbes discussing how Texas could have universal ESAs and save at least $13 billion per year, but too many want to grow the budget - I was recently accepted to be a 2024 Club for Growth Foundation Fellow -Don't miss last week's LPP episode with Dr. Bruce Caldwell on Friedrich Hayek, including his upbringing, economics, and much more - Set your alarms for Monday's LPP episode on Monday with Dr. Bryan Caplan on open borders, reasons to have more kids, an end to education, and more Please like this video, subscribe to the channel, share it on social media, and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).

Episode 81 is with Dr. Bruce Caldwell, research professor of economics at Duke University and author and editor of numerous books, including Hayek: A Life, 1899-1950. Today, we discuss: 1) Friedrich Hayek’s early life, views, and economic influences; 2) The significance of some of Hayek’s iconic contributions to economics, such as the knowledge problem, spontaneous order, and free trade; and 3) What advice would Hayek have for our current economy, and would he be a conservative today? Please like this video, subscribe to the channel, share it on social media, and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).

Thank you for listening to the 45th episode of "This Week's Economy." Today, I cover: 1) National: DeSantis drops out of the race, and New Hampshire primary results put Trump and Haley fairly close, so what happens next? Real GDP for Q4 2023 was up 3.3%, but the contribution of costly, unproductive government spending makes the real private GDP rate lower. The stock market has been better under Trump than Biden through three years of their terms, but Trump can’t necessarily take the credit. Will he try?  Grocery prices have moderated but have still outpaced earnings since 2019; what does it mean to you? Why the tax code shouldn’t serve as social engineering, but why does Congress try? 2) States: National School Choice Week highlights which states need to provide universal education freedom. Is your state next?  My new paper with Sal Nuzzo of the James Madison Institute notes how Florida can reduce its sales tax burden, but will they do it?   State-level jobs report reveals that job growth is slow across most states, but Texas leads in job creation. How does your state do? 3) My Media Hits & Other: My recent commentary reveals what’s really going on in the labor market. My latest bonus LPP episode with Brad Swail of Texas Talks shares my thoughts on the economy, Texas, property taxes, immigration, and more. Last week’s LPP episode with ⁠Matt Mitchell⁠ reveals how Estonia is freer than the U.S.  Set your alarms for Monday so you don’t miss my upcoming episode with Dr. Bruce Caldwell on Friedrich Hayek and much more. Please like this video, subscribe to the channel, share it on social media, and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).

This BONUS episode of the Let People Prosper show is with Bradley Swail, host of the Texas Talks podcast. Today, we discuss: 1) Why "largest property tax relief in Texas history” became the second biggest due to excessive state spending and how the Lone Star State can eliminate the property tax for good; 2) The problem with a mandated minimum wage and reckless spending at the state and federal levels and; 3) Policies Texas leaders and lawmakers should adopt to strengthen the Texas model. Please share this on social media, and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).

Episode 80 is with Dr. Matthew Mitchell, senior fellow in the Centre for Economic Freedom at the Fraser Institute and author of the new book, “The Road to Freedom: Estonia’s Rise from Soviet Vassal State to One of the Freest Nations on Earth.” Today, we discuss: 1) Estonia’s inspiring people-led overthrow of socialism and achieving independence; 2) How it became one of the most economically free nations in the world; and 3) What the U.S. can learn from Estonia about taxes, regulations, freedom, and more. Check out Dr. Mitchell's co-authored book on Estonia. Please share it on social media and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).

Thank you for listening to the 44th episode of "This Week's Economy." Today, I cover: 1) National: -Argentina President Javier Milei gave an excellent speech at WEF that American leaders should learn from -In the aftermath of the Iowa caucus, let’s focus on shrinking government -Beware of what’s inside the $78 billion tax package, including costly expansion of the child tax credit, and business tax breaks -Newly updated “Chart of the Century” reveals fascinating findings about how prices of goods have shifted over time -New findings reveal that childless adults between 20-24 are markedly absent from the labor force 2) States: -Biden administration approves expansion of Medicaid in Texas to women after pregnancy to 12 months instead of 2 months. What could this mean? -No blackouts from the winter storm in Texas, thankfully, but market reforms are still needed -Excellent polling in West Virginia on how people feel about safety nets reveals the problems with government overreach 3) My Media Hits & Other: -I was on the Texas Talks podcast, where we discussed many issues influencing the lives and livelihoods of Texans and all Americans -Check out my latest LPP episode with Michael Cannon of Cato Institute on improving health care affordability, accessibility, and quality -Don’t miss the Bonus LPP episode with Bryan Fiedler of the South Carolina Policy Council to discuss the SC Sustainable Budget -Set a reminder for the next LPP episode releasing Monday with Matt Mitchell of Fraser Institute on economic freedom and the historic rise of prosperity in Estonia Please share this on social media and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).

This BONUS episode of the Let People Prosper show is with Bryce Fiedler, senior policy analyst at the South Carolina Policy Council. Today, we discuss: 1) Why South Carolina was the fastest-growing state in 2023; 2) How SC leads the way in low supplemental poverty and abundant opportunities to prosper; and 3) Why the newly released 2025 SC Sustainable Budget would take South Carolina to the top. Please share this on social media and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).

Episode 79 is with Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies at Cato Institute and author of the informative, short book: “Recovery: A Guide to Reforming the U.S. Health Sector.” Today, we discuss: 1) How U.S. health care evolved away from a free-market system and the importance of restoring control to doctors and patients; 2) How to reduce healthcare costs by reducing regulations; and 3) The importance of restraining government spending with a balanced budget by reducing health care costs. Check out Michael's book: https://www.cato.org/blog/recovery-guide-reforming-us-health-sector Please provide a rating, write a review, and subscribe to get show notes for this episode in my Substack newsletter (www.vanceginn.substack.com).

Thank you for listening to the 43rd episode of "This Week's Economy." Today, I cover: 1) National: - Jobs report from last Friday looks good on the surface but weak under it - CPI inflation indicates it is heating up again, and real earnings are weak - GOP debate was too much infighting and not enough specificity, especially on spending - Trump v. Biden: Comparison after three years of both administrations 2) States: - Texas property tax relief isn’t being felt by many Texans, and the amount of tax relief will be much less because of excess state and local spending - Texas Policy Research Initiative launches and posts about the messy legislative process in Texas - New South Carolina Sustainable Budget for FY 2025 will pave a better path forward if followed 3) Other: - I'm now an associate research fellow at AIER; don’t miss my latest piece on how states are hurting people by raising their minimum wages - My website is newly updated; be sure to check that out as well - Don't miss the latest LPP podcast with Adam Thierer of R Street Institute on the technology revolution - Mark your calendars for Monday for a new podcast with Michael Cannon of Cato Institute on improving health care affordability, accessibility, and quality Please share this episode on social media, and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).

Episode 78 is with Adam Thierer, innovation policy analyst at R Street Institute and author of, “Evasive Entrepreneurs and the Future of Governance: How Innovation Improves Economies and Governments?" Today, we discuss: 1) What makes nations rich and how America has become the most prosperous nation on earth; 2) The importance of failure, freedom, and permissionless innovation; and 3) Why AI and technology must be embraced, and the issues with Biden's AI executive order. Check out Adam's book: https://www.amazon.com/Evasive-Entrepreneurs-Innovation-Economies-Governments/dp/1948647761/ref Please share this on social media and provide a rating and review. Also, subscribe and see show notes for this episode on Substack (www.vanceginn.substack.com) and visit my website for economic insights (www.vanceginn.com).