The Free State Foundation Inc

THE FOUNDATION'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE, THROUGH RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES,UNDERSTANDING OF FREE MARKET, LIMITED GOVERNMENT, AND RULE OF LAW PRINCIPLES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND IN MARYLAND. THE FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON EDUCATING POLICYMAKERS, OPINION LEADERS, THE PRESS, AND GENERAL PUBLIC CONCERNING THE NEED TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE REGULATORY MANDATES, ESPECIALLY THOSE APPLICABLE TO THE COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES, AND ON REDUCING OVERLY BURDENSOME TAXES, PROTECTING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, ECONOMIC LIBERTY, AND PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND MAKING GOVERNMENT MORE EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, AND ACCOUNTABLE.

COMMUNICATIONS LAW AND REFORM PROJECT: THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT, THE FOUNDATION'S LARGEST, IS TO REFORM COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERNET LAW AND POLICY TO CONFORM TO THE DYNAMIC TECHNOLOGICAL AND COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE REALITIES OF THE DIGITAL AGE. DURING 2023, THE FOUNDATION PUBLISHED 52 ARTICLES AND SCHOLARLY STUDIES AS PART OF ITS "PERSPECTIVES FROM FSF SCHOLARS" SERIES. IT PUBLISHED 139 SEPARATE BLOGS. FOUNDATION SCHOLARS WERE PUBLISHED AND QUOTED OFTEN IN MAJOR NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS AND TWO OR THREE TIMES WEEKLY IN LEADING TRADE PRESS PUBLICATIONS. FSF ALSO FILED 9 SETS OF SUBSTANTIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS IN AGENCY RULEMAKING AND POLICY PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING AT THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, AND THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION. IN JANUARY 2023, MR. MAY PARTICIPATED AS A PANELIST IN A FEDERALIST SOCIETY DISCUSSION OF SECTION 230 OF THE COMMUNICATION DECENCY ACT. IN FEBRUARY 2023, FSF PRESIDENT RANDOLPH MAY PARTICIPATED IN A FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS BAR ASSOCIATION ONLINE EVENT ON "RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY." ON MARCH 28, 2023, FSF HELD ITS FIFTEENTH ANNUAL TELECOM POLICY CONFERENCE WHICH ATTRACTED OVER 120 ATTENDEES AND A DIVERSE GROUP OF DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS FROM ACADEMIA, SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, INLCUDING FCC AND NTIA LEADERS, PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDUSTRY. IN JUNE 2023, FSF'S RANDOLPH MAY MODERATED A FEDERALIST SOCIETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA PRACTICE GROUP ON DIGITAL DISCRIMINATION RULEMAKING, WITH FSF SENIOR FELLOW SETH COOPER ALSO PARTICIPATING. IN NOVEMBER 2023 SETH COOPER PARTICIPATED IN AN ONLINE BROADBAND BREAKFAST EVENT DISCUSSING THE FCC'S DIGITAL DISCRIMINATION ORDER WITH PANELISTS FROM THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, AND THE CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION. ALL OF THESE FREE STATE FOUNDATION EVENTS WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WIDELY CONVERED IN THE PRESS, AND VIDEOS OF THE PROCEEDINGS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

MARYLAND GOVERNMENT LAW AND REFORM PROJECT: THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE POLICIES FOR MARYLAND THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH FISCAL DISCIPLINE AND WITH A FREE MARKET, LESS REGULATORY DIRECTION. DURING 2023, FSF CONDUCTED RESEARCH AND PUBLISHED ARTICLES AND COMMENTARIES RELATING TO IMPROVING MARYLAND'S FISCAL, ECONOMIC, AND REGULATORY POLICIES, INCLUDING ITS TECHNOLOGY POLICIES, AND TO REFORMING ITS BUDGET PROCESSES. FREE STATE FOUNDATION SCHOLARS MAINTAIN A BLOG TO INCLUDE COMMENTS ON MARYLAND FISCAL, ECONOMIC, AND REGULATORY ISSUES AND COMPARE MARYLAND TO OTHER STATES WITH REGARD TO THESE ISSUES. DURING 2023, FSF PUBLISHED TWO SEPARATE "PERSPECTIVES FROM FSF SCHOLARS AND THREE BLOGS REGARDING VARIOUS MARYLAND POLICY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE BUDGET, TAXES, AND REGULATORY REFORM. SOME OF THESE PUBLICATIONS COMPARED MARYLAND'S RANKING IN THESE RESPECTS WITH VIRGINIA, OR MORE BROADLY AMONG THE FIFTY STATES.