The Lars Larson Show Interviews

Millions of Americans believe the American Dream is slipping away. But does history show that building wealth is actually harder today, or are the same timeless principles still winning? Dr. Joseph S. Moore is a historian, investor, and author of How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice That Worked (and Didn't) . He joins the show to discuss what three centuries of f...

The Supreme Court has ruled that states can restrict girls' sports to biological females. Does the decision restore fairness in athletics, or deepen the national debate over transgender participation? Jon Schweppe is Senior Policy Advisor at the American Principles Project. He joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court's ruling, what it means for Title IX, and how states may respond mov...

A Portland city councilor seeking reelection failed to pay thousands of dollars in property taxes for months before settling the bill. Should voters overlook the mistake, or see it as a question of accountability? Jason Williams is Founder of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon. He joins the show to discuss the unpaid tax controversy, public trust, and why accountability matters for elected officia...

The Supreme Court has overturned a 90-year-old precedent limiting the president's power to remove federal regulators. Will the ruling strengthen accountability, or weaken independent agencies? Iain Murray is Vice President for Strategy and Senior Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court's decision, executive authority, and what it mea...

Two requests for the same government records produced dramatically different results. Is selective transparency becoming the new normal? TJ Martinell is an award-winning reporter and author with The Center Square. He joins the show to discuss allegations that Washington's Attorney General's Office released unredacted records to one requester while heavily redacting the same records for a...

California vineyards are facing rising fees, falling grape prices, and growing financial pressure. Are new regulations protecting resources, or pushing a historic industry closer to the edge? Richie Greenberg is a political commentator, columnist for the California Post, and former San Francisco mayoral candidate. He joins the show to discuss Napa County's new groundwater sustainability fee,...

The Supreme Court has ruled that nearly everyone born on U.S. soil remains an American citizen. Did the Court correctly interpret the Constitution, or miss what the Fourteenth Amendment intended? Christopher Hajec is Deputy General Counsel at the Federation for American Immigration Reform. He joins the show to discuss the Court's birthright citizenship decision, its constitutional reasoning,...

Federal judges can block presidents, strike down laws, and reshape national policy. But when critics say judges overstep their authority, who is responsible for holding them accountable? Louie Gohmert is a Senior Fellow for Political Statesmanship at the David Horowitz Freedom Center. He joins the show to discuss judicial accountability, congressional oversight, and the constitutional limits on fe...

As the death toll from Venezuela's devastating earthquakes continues to rise, rescue teams are racing against time while new dangers emerge for survivors. What challenges remain as the recovery effort enters its next phase? Jeremy Locke is co-founder of Aerial Recovery, a disaster response nonprofit deploying teams to Venezuela. He joins the show to discuss ongoing search and rescue operation...

Washington keeps promising it can protect every major program while the national debt continues to climb. Are politicians being honest about what it will take to balance the budget? John Hart is CEO of OpenTheBooks. He joins the show to discuss the federal government's spending and revenue gap, the long-term financial outlook for Social Security and Medicare, and why he says the nation's...

A coalition of state attorneys general wants ICE to resume investigating deaths that occur within 30 days after migrants are released from custody. Is that a necessary step toward accountability, or does ICE's responsibility end once someone is released? Andrew Arthur is a Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies. He joins the show to discuss the attorneys gener...

The Supreme Court has upheld a state law allowing some mail ballots to be counted after Election Day. Does the ruling strengthen election access, or weaken confidence in the voting process? Mike O'Neill is Vice President for Legal Affairs at Landmark Legal Foundation. He joins the show to discuss the Supreme Court's decision, the legal debate over counting late-arriving ballots, and what...

Oregon has paid tens of millions of dollars to inmates in recent years through lawsuits and settlements. Is the state protecting constitutional rights, or rewarding convicted criminals at taxpayers' expense? Josh Marquis is a former Oregon District Attorney and former President of the Oregon District Attorneys Association. He joins the show to discuss reports that Oregon has paid roughly $49...

Two major bridge replacement projects in the Pacific Northwest have dramatically different price tags despite similar engineering challenges. Are taxpayers getting their money's worth? Rep. John Ley represents Washington's 18th Legislative District. He joins the show to discuss the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge project, rising infrastructure costs, and why some public projects cost far...

 A new Medicare proposal could change how patients receive essential medical supplies used every day at home. Will the plan save taxpayers money, or make it harder for patients to get the products they rely on?   Tom Ryan is President and CEO of the American Association for Homecare. He joins the show to discuss the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' proposed competitive bidding prog...

The cost of a traditional Fourth of July cookout is rising again, but farmers say they're seeing only pennies from every food dollar. Where is the rest of the money going? Pam Lewison is Agriculture Research Director at the Washington Policy Center. She joins the show to discuss rising food prices, what farmers actually earn from holiday cookouts, and the economic pressures facing American ag...

The United Nations is facing a multibillion-dollar funding shortfall while critics continue to raise concerns about waste and accountability. Should the United States keep paying the bill? David May is Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He joins the show to discuss the UN's financial crisis, the organization's funding challenges, an...

Metro promised affordable housing but some projects are costing nearly as much as a single-family home for a fraction of the space. Are taxpayers getting what they were promised? Randal O'Toole is a policy analyst with the Thoreau Institute, an adjunct scholar at Cascade Policy Institute, and author of six books, including Gridlock . He joins the show to discuss Metro's affordable housin...

An outdoor festival in Seattle is asking attendees to wear masks, take rapid COVID tests, and in some cases show proof of a negative result. Is that a reasonable precaution, or has the pandemic mindset gone too far? Ari Hoffman is host of The Ari Hoffman Show in Seattle. He joins the show to discuss the Trans Pride Seattle event, its COVID protocols, and the broader debate over public health measu...

After years of complaints about open-air drug use and crime, Seattle is launching a new enforcement effort in some of its hardest-hit neighborhoods. Will this time be different? Andrea Suarez is Founder and Executive Director of We Heart Seattle. She joins the show to discuss the city's latest public safety initiative, outreach efforts, and whether renewed enforcement can help restore parks a...

Governor Tina Kotek's own economic council is recommending lower taxes, fewer regulations, and major reforms to boost Oregon's economy. Will state leaders follow the blueprint? Rep. Alek Skarlatos represents Oregon House District 4 and serves as Deputy Republican Caucus Leader. He joins the show to discuss the council's recommendations, Oregon's business climate, and what lawma...

Five years after Seattle adopted its JumpStart payroll tax, thousands of jobs have moved across the lake while Bellevue continues to grow. Is the tax helping the city, or pushing employers away? Mark Harmsworth is a Senior Fellow at the Washington Policy Center. He joins the show to discuss the economic impact of Seattle's JumpStart tax, shifting business investment, and what the numbers say...

A new lawsuit claims artificial intelligence software helped inflate gas prices across California by coordinating pricing decisions. Is AI making fuel costs even higher for drivers? Jay Young is Founder and CEO of King Operating Corporation. He joins the show to discuss the allegations against AI-driven fuel pricing software, how gasoline prices are determined, and what the lawsuit could mean for...

More artists are canceling tours as ticket prices climb and empty seats become harder to ignore. Is the concert industry reaching a breaking point? Jay Bragg is a Nashville entertainer, musician, and creator of the New Vaudeville theatrical series. He joins the show to discuss rising ticket prices, declining attendance, and what's really happening in the live entertainment business. Send us F...

Healthcare fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year, but the impact extends beyond wasted money. How does it affect the children and families who depend on critical autism services? Kelsey Bennett is with the Autism Families Alliance. She joins the show to discuss the impact of healthcare fraud on autism care, the uncertainty families are facing, and why protecting legitimate services...