Freedom & Progress 2024

Federal agencies have increasing influence over state and community self-governance. Much of it occurs behind the scenes, without the awareness or approval of our elected representatives. SPN’s Center for Practical Federalism has developed a Federalism Scorecard and other resources to identify where unelected federal officials exert undue influence over state governance and to identify practical policy solutions for states and communities to change this. This session will highlight what leaders are doing to strengthen self-governance in their states and communities.

As the U.S. national debt continues to soar, economists and policy experts alike are sounding the alarm about a looming fiscal crisis. This panel will examine the real-world impact of rising debt on everyday Americans, from inflation and interest rates to potential cuts in government services. We will discuss the long-term risks of a fiscal crisis and explore possible solutions to address the nation's unsustainable debt path.

Political and public sentiment on trade, tariffs, and government intervention in industry are changing, with potentially dramatic consequences for America's economic future and the economic outlook of ordinary Americans. On this panel, experts will analyze the economic, geopolitical, and labor implications of the different approaches to trade; discuss which side of the debate is gaining ground; and determine what it means for U.S. competitiveness on the global stage.