The Lars Larson Show Interviews

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...

A proposed ballot measure would make hunting, fishing, and ranching criminal acts in Oregon by redefining them as animal cruelty. Could one initiative fundamentally change the state's economy and way of life? Naomi Inman is a Policy Analyst at Cascade Policy Institute. She joins the show to discuss Initiative Petition 28, its potential impact on Oregon agriculture, outdoor recreation, and rur...

Oregon's economic development agency has missed its job creation goals in nine of the last ten years, then lowered the target instead. Is the state creating jobs, or just lowering expectations? Nigel Jaquiss is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for Willamette Week. He joins the show to discuss Business Oregon's track record, its billion-dollar budget, and why critics say th...

The latest agreement with Iran is drawing comparisons to past nuclear negotiations. Is this a stronger deal, or a repeat of the same strategy under a different administration? Leland Vittert is Chief Washington Anchor for NewsNation and host of On Balance with Leland Vittert . He joins the show to discuss the latest U.S.-Iran negotiations, how the current agreement compares with the Obama-era deal...

Two flight attendants say they were fired after posting faith-based comments on their employer's internal message board. Were they expressing protected religious beliefs, or did the company have the right to discipline them? Stephanie Taub is Senior Counsel at First Liberty Institute. She joins the show to discuss the Ninth Circuit's ruling in favor of the former Alaska Airlines employee...

China can move quickly on major national priorities while the United States often spends years debating them. Is America's slower system becoming a strategic disadvantage? Alex Gray is the former Chief of Staff of the National Security Council. He joins the show to discuss how China capitalizes on strategic opportunities, the challenges posed by the U.S. political system, and what it means fo...

Nebraska is the only state where certified nurse midwives can face felony charges for assisting home births. Should the government decide where families are allowed to give birth? Joshua Polk is an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. He joins the show to discuss lawsuits challenging Nebraska's home birth restrictions, parental choice, and the constitutional questions surrounding childbirt...

The president of one of America's largest teachers unions says educators can't afford to get by, while earning more than $500,000 a year. Is union leadership still representing the interests of classroom teachers? Larry Sand is a retired public school teacher with 28 years of classroom experience and former president of the California Teachers Empowerment Network. He joins the show to di...

Large investment firms have been buying up thousands of single-family homes across the country. Will a new bipartisan bill help make homeownership more affordable, or create new problems for the housing market? John Gordon is an attorney, former journalist, and the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Georgia Attorney General in 2022. He joins the show to discuss the proposed housing legislatio...

Some YMCA summer camps assign cabins based on gender identity and may not notify parents if a child identifies as a different gender while at camp. Should parents have the final say over those decisions? Alleigh Marré is Executive Director of the American Parents Coalition. She joins the show to discuss YMCA summer camp policies, parental notification, and the ongoing debate over parents' rig...