A very popular program of the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota (FFM) had a successful 2020 kickoff on January 22, 2020 when the FFM hosted an “Ask the Experts” policy briefing for legislators. These 90-minute policy discussions feature a nationally recognized expert who, after a brief presentation on the topic at hand, allows legislators to ask questions and share their concerns on some of the toughest issues facing Minnesota.  These wide-ranging policy discussions focus on finding market-based policy solutions and they cover a wide range of topics each year including: How to encourage the construction of more affordable housing; what drives up the cost of prescription drugs to consumers; what role the state should play in making insulin more affordable; preserving the Electoral College and a variety of technology mistakes other states have made and how Minnesota can avoid doing the same.

“These issue-based discussions have been an excellent forum for policymakers to come together and learn more about the contributing factors that have caused the problem and what the state can do to become a catalyst for change” said Annette Meeks, CEO of the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota. These informal pop-up discussions have proved very popular with legislators who are encouraged to suggest topics for future policy discussions as well as to share ideas they have for transformational change on some tough issues facing Minnesotans. Plans are for five additional “Ask the Expert” forums in 2020.