AF around the Country 2019: Policy

AF chapters around the country have been hard at work building community, inspiring young leaders, and engaging with America’s biggest challenges. Follow along as we take a look at what AF chapters have been up to in 2019!

Each year, AF chapters in cities across the country host events relevant to the needs of our generation, they focus in three key areas: 1.), policy and ideas, 2.) community service and civil society, and 3.) professional development. By focusing on these three areas, young people are learning about important issues and learning how to put those ideas to work in their careers and communities.

Today, let’s take a look at some of the policy issues chapters tackled in 2019:

Amazon’s HQ2 dominated the national dialogue for a good portion of the year. The competition among states to provide the best sweetheart deal led many to question the nature of corporate welfare, and whether bringing HQ2 to their town would be a good thing.

John Mozena, founder of the Center for Economic Accountability, traveled to cities around the country, including Columbus, Detroit, Lansing, and Indianapolis, to discuss economic development, corporate welfare, and the future of work.

Romina Boccia, head of the Center for the Federal Budget at the Heritage Foundation, criss-crossed the country discussing hot button issues like the gender wage gap, the federal deficit, and socialism vs. capitalism.

The Pursuit was the fantastic new documentary featuring Arthur Brooks from the American Enterprise Institute. Chapters in Chicago, Milwaukee, Jacksonville, and New Orleans hosted screenings.

Education was a huge topic for our chapters, and six chapters hosted events on this topic, from meeting the Notre Dame school in Milwaukee to an education innovation summit in Raleigh

Big data, privacy, and the gig economy were also big topics of discussion–in DC, where we hosted an event on data privacy in partnership with Facebook and one on micromobility with research from the Mercatus Center and a representative from Lime scooters, and in Austin, Texas, with a discussion with entrepreneur Arlo Gilbert.

Other popular topics discussed around the country? Freedom of expression, civil asset forfeiture, criminal jutice reform, the future of work, and the rise of anti-semitism.

AF chapters provide relevant, relatable discussions on these topics so young leaders have the chance to learn, explore, and feel confident talking to others about their beliefs.

Thank you to all who participated in this year of conversation!