Can New York reclaim its position as the world's premier center of opportunity and economic growth?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Caroline Shinkle, Republican candidate for New York's 12th Congressional District. A graduate of MIT and Harvard Law School, Shinkle previously worked at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, bringing a unique blend of legal, economic, and financial expertise to the conversation.

Shinkle discusses her vision for New York City, arguing that economic empowerment, fiscal responsibility, and pro-growth policies can restore opportunity while strengthening America's financial capital.

The conversation covers:

• Reviving New York through free-market economic policies
• Balancing the federal budget and addressing the national debt
• AI, innovation, and the future of government
• America's role in global energy and foreign policy
• The challenges facing New York City and its future

Throughout the discussion, Shinkle shares how her background in economics, law, and finance has shaped her views on public policy, while emphasizing the importance of individual opportunity, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth.

00:00 — Intro + Meet Caroline Shinkle
01:03 — Why she's running for Congress
03:17 — Economic empowerment and free markets
10:13 — Balancing the budget and lowering taxes
13:07 — Is New York better off today?
18:52 — Lessons from New York's past
25:16 — AI and the future of government
32:01 — Energy policy and America's global role
37:21 — Life outside politics
39:55 — Campaign, website, and closing thoughts

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How can free-market principles address some of America’s biggest policy challenges?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Dan Faoro, President of the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), for a wide-ranging conversation about public policy, shareholder activism, economic freedom, disability policy, education, and the future of conservative advocacy.

Faoro discusses the mission of the National Center for Public Policy Research and its key initiatives, including Project 21, the Free Enterprise Project, and Able Americans. He explains how these programs seek to expand opportunity, promote free-market solutions, and challenge policies that often create unintended consequences.

The conversation covers:

• The mission and history of the National Center for Public Policy Research
• Project 21 and conservative outreach in Black communities
• Shareholder activism and corporate governance
• ESG, DEI, and fiduciary responsibility
• Disability policy and the Able Americans initiative
• Regulatory barriers and unintended consequences in public policy
• Consistency in conservative principles and policymaking
• The role of trade associations and policy organizations
• Free markets, economic freedom, and government intervention
• China, economic competition, and national security concerns
• The legacy of communism and lessons from Eastern Europe
• Family, fatherhood, and leadership development initiatives

Faoro also discusses the Free Enterprise Project’s efforts to challenge corporate activism through shareholder proposals and litigation, including a successful legal challenge to Nasdaq board diversity requirements that he argues reinforced shareholder rights and corporate independence.

Throughout the discussion, Andrew and Dan explore the tension between good intentions and real-world outcomes, emphasizing the importance of evaluating policies based on results rather than rhetoric.

The episode concludes with a conversation about family, mentorship, leadership development, and the importance of cultivating the next generation of policy advocates.

00:00 — Intro + Meet Dan Faoro
01:24 — The National Center for Public Policy Research
03:02 — Project 21 and outreach efforts
04:05 — The Free Enterprise Project
05:05 — Able Americans and disability policy
06:01 — Unintended consequences in public policy
09:37 — Consistency in conservative principles
13:03 — Holding policymakers accountable
16:05 — Populism and the political landscape
20:15 — Shareholder activism and corporate governance
21:18 — The Nasdaq board diversity lawsuit
24:30 — ESG, DEI, and corporate influence
27:19 — China, economic competition, and national security
30:39 — Lessons from communism and Eastern Europe
33:21 — New initiatives at NCPPR
35:07 — Life outside policy work
35:43 — Where to learn more about NCPPR
36:14 — Closing thoughts

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What happens when political movements abandon the principles that made them successful?

On this episode of the Washington Signal Lunch Hour Podcast, host Andrew Langer sits down with Grover Norquist, founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), for a wide-ranging conversation on free markets, limited government, federalism, taxation, trade, labor policy, and the future of the conservative movement.

Drawing on decades of experience in public policy and political advocacy, Norquist discusses why ideological consistency remains essential, how federalism serves as one of America's greatest strengths, and why he believes economic freedom continues to outperform centralized government planning.

The conversation covers:

• The importance of principle-driven policymaking
• Limited government and the role of federalism
• Tax reform and the Taxpayer Protection Pledge
• Organized labor and worker freedom
• The East Palestine rail derailment and rail policy debates
• Government regulation and unintended consequences
• Tariffs, free trade, and industrial policy
• Artificial intelligence and regulatory challenges
• California’s wealth tax proposal and interstate competition
• Energy policy, nuclear power, and economic growth
• Property taxes and local government spending

Norquist also reflects on the evolution of the conservative movement, the importance of maintaining intellectual consistency in public policy debates, and why he believes competition among states helps drive innovation, growth, and accountability.

Throughout the discussion, he argues that government solutions often become larger and more permanent than the problems they were intended to solve, while market-based approaches tend to produce better outcomes for workers, consumers, and taxpayers.

The episode concludes with a look at future policy battles at the federal, state, and local levels, along with a personal discussion about history and travel.

00:00 — Intro + Grover Norquist joins
01:27 — Why principles matter in politics
05:20 — Bipartisanship versus philosophy
09:01 — The Taxpayer Protection Pledge
12:01 — Labor unions and worker freedom
14:43 — The East Palestine rail debate
18:50 — Government responses to crises
22:22 — Tariffs, trade, and industrial policy
26:55 — Federalism and state competition
27:22 — Artificial intelligence and regulation
30:42 — California’s wealth tax proposal
35:23 — Energy policy and nuclear power
39:32 — Grover Norquist’s interests outside politics
40:23 — Property taxes and local government reform
41:32 — Closing thoughts

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