Freedom Rising with Andrew Lewis

From Red Tape to Red Carpet

Pennsylvania state government has been notorious for red tape. Now lawmakers are working to roll out the red carpet to make the permitting process more efficient. Andrew Lewis sits down with Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill to discuss the surprising history of "red tape," the fight to reform Pennsylvania's permitting system, and the policies helping projects move faster without sacrificing accountability. It's a conversation about transparency, economic growth, and what happens when government starts serving the people instead of the process.

Can Pennsylvania Afford This Budget?

Pennsylvania is spending more than it takes in. What happens next? Andrew Lewis welcomes taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist to discuss the national tax landscape before turning to a pressing question closer to home: Can Pennsylvania sustain a budget that spends billions more than projected revenues? The conversation includes topics from state tax competition to government spending, school choice, and economic growth. This episode examines how policy decisions today will shape Pennsylvania's future for decades to come.

Don't California My Pennsylvania

What do California’s budget problems, homelessness crisis, and alleged welfare fraud scandals all have in common?  According to California Policy Center CEO Will Swaim, they’re the predictable result of government expansion without accountability. Andrew Lewis chats with Swaim and explores how California’s policies became a cautionary tale for the rest of the country.  After learning about the bad policies affecting California, Lewis then speaks with Pennsylvania Rep. Robert Leadbeter about how Pennsylvania can avoid the same fate.   The future of Pennsylvania depends on the choices made in Harrisburg right now.

From the Strait of Hormuz to Pennsylvania

What does a shipping lane halfway around the world have to do with your energy bill? Andrew Lewis and Victoria Coates of The Heritage Foundation connect global unrest to local consequences, from threats in the Strait of Hormuz to rising demand for American natural gas. They explore how Pennsylvania’s energy resources can stabilize global markets, support allies, and strengthen U.S. security—if policymakers allow it.

Educational Choice Changes Lives

Tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families are still waiting for access to a better education. In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis sits down with Rep. Martina White and Keisha Jordan to discuss why educational choice is essential, not optional, for students stuck in failing schools. From scholarship waitlists to real-world success stories, they explore how empowering parents with choice leads to better outcomes for kids. Because when it comes to education, every kid deserves to attend a school that helps them learn, grow, and succeed.