In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Matthew Mitchell of the Mercatus Center and Fraser Institute to explore the real impact of targeted economic development incentives.

Drawing on years of research, Mitchell explains why corporate subsidies often fail to deliver the promised results—and in many cases may even reduce overall economic activity. The conversation breaks down the economic logic behind these findings, including how uneven tax structures can create greater inefficiencies, distort market behavior, and encourage “rent-seeking” rather than true value creation.

We also examine the growing competition between states to attract businesses through incentives, and whether an interstate compact could offer a path forward. Closer to home, the discussion touches on how Wyoming’s Constitution addresses corporate subsidies—and how later provisions have complicated those original limits.

For policymakers and the public alike, this raises important questions:
*Are these projects happening because of subsidies—or would they happen anyway?
*What are the tradeoffs, and what opportunities are being overlooked?

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Representative Tomi Strock (House District 6) to reflect on the key outcomes of the legislative session and the issues shaping conversations across the state.

From efforts to rein in government spending to long-overdue school funding recalibration, Representative Strock shares her perspective on what lawmakers accomplished and where challenges remain. The conversation also explores legislation focused on protecting children, expanding educational flexibility, and addressing gaps in existing statutes.

Beyond the session itself, we look ahead to the issues gaining momentum across Wyoming, including water use and scarcity, property taxes, energy development, and the role of emerging industries. Representative Strock also weighs in on school choice, local economic priorities, and the ongoing discussion surrounding nuclear energy—highlighting both opportunity and concern, particularly when it comes to Wyoming’s long-term role.

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we sit down with Eric Epstein, Chairman of Three Mile Island Alert, an organization that has monitored nuclear facilities in Pennsylvania for decades. Eric brings more than 40 years of experience working on issues related to nuclear power plants, waste storage, regulatory oversight, and the long-term realities communities face when large energy facilities are built in their regions.

This conversation is especially relevant as states across the country — including Wyoming — explore new energy development tied to the growing demand for electricity from AI, data centers, and advanced manufacturing. In Pennsylvania, several nuclear facilities are now being considered or restarted specifically to power data centers and large technology companies, offering a real-world example of how energy development, economic opportunity, water use, and long-term waste management intersect.

As Wyoming continues to discuss nuclear energy, data centers, and large-scale industrial development, this episode provides insight from a region that has lived with large energy facilities for generations and is now navigating the new wave of electricity demand driven by AI and data infrastructure.