By Brooke L. Rollins
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Two weeks ago the Texas Public Policy Foundation hosted a special lunch event honoring Dr. Arthur B. Laffer and celebrating the launch of the Laffer Center for Supply-Side Economics at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. More than 400 attendees from across the nation heard from Dr. Laffer himself Governor Rick Perry former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm and former Congressman Kent Hance.
Senator Gramm and Congressman Hance were instrumental allies ushering the Reagan plan through Congress in the early 1980s. If you were not able to attend or see the live stream coverage of the event you can watch it here.
The Laffer Center for Supply-Side Economics at the Texas Public Policy Foundation is truly one of the most exciting developments in our 22-year history. As many of you know the Foundation has enjoyed working with Dr. Laffer many times over the last several years beginning with Thinking Economically" a 10-part series on basic economics published in 2008 followed by a number of publications on everything from a comparison of the economic performance of California and Texas the impact of stimulus funds on state budgets and Obamacare to a recent rebuttal to the states big government enthusiasts arguing against budget cuts.
Each of these projects has combined Dr. Laffers sound research with his unique voice and easily understood explanations. We have been honored to work with him on each of these projects.
When Dr. Laffer approached me last year with the proposal for the Laffer Center I agreed without hesitation. With more than forty years of work as an academic economist and teacher an advisor to elected officials around the U.S. and the
globe and one of the leading figures of the supply-side revolution that ignited the greatest economic boom of our lifetimes Dr. Laffers work has had an extraordinary impact on millions of people.
The task of preserving and promoting this work has never been more important as our nation and world look for economic ideas that can revitalize our economy and create new jobs wealth and opportunity today and in the years ahead.
After several months of preparation the Laffer Center released its first paper the Economic Burden of Tax Code Complexity" and made the launch of the Laffer Center official on April 14. To lead this effort Mary Katherine Stout the Foundations former Vice President of Policy returned to the Foundation in January after working as Governor Perrys budget and policy director since 2008.
As Executive Director of the Laffer Center Mary Katherine will steer the Centers ambitious research and outreach agenda. Dr. Laffer will continue to be involved in the Center that bears his name authoring timely and original research on the economic issues of the day and bringing his boundless energy and enthusiasm to the task of educating people about economic ideas.
We are honored to partner with Dr. Laffer to ensure the preservation of his lifes work and to promote the importance of supply-side ideas today. This partnership is a testament to the Foundations reputation attributable to the
tremendous support we receive from people across this state who share our vision for freedom and liberty.
I encourage you to visit
www.laffercenter.com and invite you to share the site and the video of the event with your friends.
