Believe In Arkansas

Recorded live on February 19, 2026, in Searcy, Arkansas , this episode captures a thoughtful conversation about the future of tax policy in the Natural State and the growing movement to eliminate the state income tax. Ryan Norris , State Director for Americans for Prosperity–Arkansas, sits down with Arkansas Representative Les Eaves , Patrick Fleener , Senior Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosper...

In this episode of Believe in Arkansas, host Ryan Norris sits down with Dr. Liya Palagashvili, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Labor Policy Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, for a conversation on one of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—facing Arkansas’s modern workforce: how to support independent contractors and gig workers in a rapidly changing economy...

In this episode, host Ryan Norris talks with Dr. Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center and Duke McLarty, Executive Director of Groundwork in Northwest Arkansas. Together, they explore why affordable housing is so hard to build—and what Arkansas can do about it. Dr. Hamilton brings a national perspective on how zoning and land-use rules drive housing costs, while McLarty shares how Groundwork is ad...

 In this timely Believe In Arkansas episode, Ryan Norris, State Director for Americans for Prosperity–Arkansas, welcomes Congressman French Hill for a conversation on the looming expiration of the tax cuts passed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) and what it means for hardworking Arkansans. If Congress fails to act, the average Arkansas family could face a $2,220 cost of living increase—...

Energy policy impacts every American’s wallet and the reliability of the power grid. In Power Play, we break down which policies keep the lights on and energy affordable—and which ones drive up costs and threaten reliability. Hosted by Ryan Norris, of Americans for Prosperity Arkansas, and with guests Amy Cooke, President of Always On Energy Research and a national leader in free-market energy pol...

Americans for Prosperity Foundation - Arkansas hosted the "Arkansas Tax Policy: Past, Present & Future" panel, where experts discussed past achievements, current challenges, and bold ideas for the future of Arkansas's tax landscape. The conversation highlighted opportunities to enhance economic competitiveness, streamline tax structures, and drive growth. Greg Kaza : Greg Kaza h...

Join Believe In Arkansas and Karla Phillips-Krivickas, CEO of Think Inclusion, as we explore how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) empowers private school and homeschool students with disabilities. Discover little known federal resources, learn how to access vital services, and hear from experts about maximizing educational opportunities and ensuring equitable support for all...

Join us on the Believe In Arkansas podcast as we delve into the pressing issue of Certificate of Need (CON) laws and their potential repeal. Our special guest, Alasdair Whitney, legislative counsel for the Institute for Justice, will provide expert insights on the topic. Alasdair advocates for legislative reform across various domains, including economic liberty, free speech, property rights, and...

The United States, a nation built by immigrants, stands firmly on the principles of rule of law, with a government responsible for ensuring our safety and protecting our rights. However, nowhere are these government obligations more neglected than in the realm of border security and immigrant processing. Chief Patrol Agent Chris Clem (Ret.) has said, “We need tall fences and wide gates to secure t...

Some say 2023 is the year of the contract worker.  From tech specialists to delivery services, demand for contingent workers is on the rise.   Ryan's guest is Caden Rosenbaum, Tech and Innovation Policy Analyst with Libertas Institute. Two years ago, a conversation with Rosemary, a ride-share driver, left Caden wondering why working in the gig economy shouldn't be more meaningful and rel...

A recent study ranked Arkansas' health-care system 47th in the country--and dead last for health-care outcomes. There's currently a moratorium on increasing the number of mental health care beds and waiting lists for those beds. As ridiculous as it seems, for almost half a century Arkansas law has mandated that the state restrict the supply of health care available to residents through P...

Ryan talks with National Director of Grassroots Staff Training, Carlos Muhletaler. Government goes to those who show up!  Carlos and Ryan discuss the necessity for legislative advocacy and how to prepare yourself with the tools and skills that will help you engage on issues you care about.  From phone calls and knocking on doors, to education about legislative policy and how to be a successful inf...

Arkansas has significant challenges in healthcare accessibility, transparency, and affordability.  These, of course, lead to poor healthcare outcomes for the state. Arkansas health systems are ranked 47th in the country.   Accessibility: Fifty-nine  counties are medically underserved. Affordability: High out-of-pocket costs, high deductibles etc., are an affordability barrier to getting diagnoses...

Join us for a powerful conversation on one of the most critical pieces of immigration reform legislation – the America's Children's Act. In this thought-provoking episode of "Believe in Arkansas," we have two incredible guests joining host Ryan Norris: Dip Patel from improvethedream.org and Aneesh Komanduri, an Arkansan and expert advocate in the immigration field. As we dive d...

Deputy State Director at Americans for Prosperity in Arkansas, J.D. McGehee talks with Thurlo Cobb, Regional VP of a well known financial services company with seventeen years financial services experience.   They dive into economic issues impacting Arkansans' personal financial well-being: historically high inflation, the importance of personal financial literacy, and learning strategies for...

What can be done to recruit and retain quality teachers, and provide them the support and freedom to connect with their passion of teaching? How is the old stand and lecture then move on to the next module model failing  students and teachers?  How is the new  Modern Classroom Project approach to mastery different?  How has the Modern Classroom Project made their resources available to teachers an...

“I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.” - Frederick Douglass Arkansas Deputy State Director, Americans for Prosperity Arkansas, Jason "JD" McGehee gets a college student's take on successes and opportunities breaking barriers in Arkansas. JD talks with AFP Arkansas intern Caleb Williams, who is also a student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff...

Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders has officially signed LEARNS into law. Rebecca Bollinger talks with Aaron Smith, Director of Education Reform for the Reason Foundation. Open Enrollment gives families access to schools outside their zip codes.  How does that work?   Education Savings Accounts will allow families to customize education for many reasons including escaping bullying and access to speci...

Governor Sarah Sanders, alongside state legislators, students, parents, and teachers unveiled Arkansas LEARNS.  Currently in Arkansas only 35% of third graders can read at grade level.  The governor is proposing building robust choice tools for Arkansas parents.  In this episode, listen in on the latest virtual Parent Empowerment Panel.  Ryan Norris is joined by Dr. Patrick Wolf -  Distinguished P...

Recording of Arkansas Education Telephone Townhall with Derrell Bradford, President of 50CAN. Over 5800 participants joined to ask questions as exciting new legislation championed by Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders comes front and center. Topics were primarily student-based funding and open enrollment.  Participants also asked important questions about the practicalities of such an important trans...

Parents are being empowered by education disruption, recognizing they should control their children's schooling. Who better to determine how and where their children should learn? Rebecca Bollinger, Digital Engagement Coordinator for AFP Arkansas talks with Kerry McDonald.  Kerry is a Senior Education fellow at FEE (Foundation for Economic Education) author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Wel...

What are benefits cliffs?  Simply put sometimes Americans reliant on anti-poverty benefits can't afford a raise or a better job.  Incremental increases in income can make them suddenly and disproportionately ineligible for multiple benefits. Benefits are a safety net not a trap that creates a disincentive to self-improvement.  Can government address the benefits cliffs by providing a softer l...

What is Esports?  How should policy align to this new and innovative more-than-a-trend exploding with economic potential? There's a lot of passion in this space, not to mention explosive revenue projections. What are the obvious opportunities for students and the state of Arkansas? With over 180 million monthly gamers, Esports is the fastest growing high school sport. Ryan talks eSports with...

Ryan's guest is Rees Empey, Director of State Government Affairs at Libertas Institute.  Hear their discussion about how sandboxes benefit both new and existing businesses, make room for innovation stifled by regulations that are decades old, and still deliver consumer protections.   So, what is a sandbox?  Is it time for Arkansas to say we're open to working with you? Don't forget...

Ryan talks with Dr. Angela Kennedy, founder of Deeper Root Academy.  A teacher in Florida, Dr. Kennedy unlocked the opportunity to start a school which liberates students and families from the factory model for public schools.  Has she created a template for student-centered education entrepreneurship? “It’s not about how smart you are, it’s how you’re smart.” - Dr. Kennedy They discuss the amazin...