FSF: Off to a Fast Start in 2026!

 Believe it or not, we're already heading into the end of January 2026. I find it hard to believe regardless of what the calendar tells me!

 Looked at another way, I'm a bit surprised – well, not really –at what we've already accomplished at the Free State Foundation so far this year.

 

Be sure to check out all the activity – including FSF Adjunct Senior Fellow Michael O'Rielly's first videocast of the new year – in the Constant Contact message you'll be receiving shortly. Here I'll just highlight a few pieces.

 

Free State Foundation Senior Fellow Andrew Long asks and answers, at least preliminarily, "The $21 Billion Question: What Should NTIA's Roth Do With the BEAD Program Surplus?" He points out that NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth, speaking at a Free State Foundation event on December 2, commendably emphasized that the savings produced by the Trump Administration's important reforms to the BEAD program should not be spent "wastefully," should "produce real, measurable value," should "not duplicate investment the private sector is already making," and should not "distort investment or stifle innovation." Those should be considered foundational non-negotiable principles governing any decisions regarding the disbursement of any savings that are not returned to the Treasury for the benefit of taxpayers. Don't be surprised if we have more to say on this topic in the coming weeks and months.

 

One of the nation's priorities should be to act to accelerate the modernization of our communications networks by promptly transitioning to all Internet Protocol networks. Free State Foundation scholars have advocated doing so for many years. Take a look at the comments we submitted on January 20 in the FCC's "Advancing IP Interconnection and Accelerating Network Modernization" proceeding supporting the Commission's proposals in this regard.

 

To the same end – hastening the build-out of advanced communications – please see FSF comments filed on January 15 in the FCC's "Eliminating Barriers to Wireless Deployments" proceeding. Our comments advocate various actions that would eliminate costly and unnecessary state and local barriers to deployment. The comments explain why these actions are essential to maintaining our nation's leadership in deploying and using 5G (and beyond) broadband wireless services.

 

And if you're still in a New Year's mood, or just have the contemplative disposition, and wish to ponder how we Americans should think about our nation – and ourselves as citizens – during this year celebrating our 250^th birthday, I invite you to read my essay, "Let's Make 2026 About 'We the People'" published on January 1 by the Washington Times. Here's the way I closed: "In times like the present, when America's citizenry seems to be bitterly divided, a resolve to engage in deep reflection regarding what it means to be part of "We the People" – as each of us is – would be a worthwhile resolution for the new year. Deep reflection is another worthwhile resolution for the 250th celebration of the American experiment in democracy." That remains my sentiment.

 

And, finally, speaking of anniversaries, this June marks the Free State Foundation's 20^th anniversary. Having started from "scratch," just me and my laptop, I'm very proud of what we accomplished in those two decades to support free markets, free speech, property rights, and the rule of law. More about that throughout our anniversary year. For now, I'll just say we couldn't have done it without your support and friendship. For that, I'll remain forever grateful!