Freedom Rising with Andrew Lewis

Commonwealth Foundation
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Politics
  • Updated Biweekly

Freedom Rising with Andrew Lewis tackles the biggest issues impacting Pennsylvania and the nation. With compelling interviews and insightful commentary, Freedom Rising shows viewers how they can expand freedom in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania was the birthplace of freedom in America, and it can become a beacon of freedom yet again. Freedom Rising is a production of the Commonwealth Foundation, a Harrisburg-based think tank that transforms free-market ideas into public policies, empowering all Pennsylvanians to thrive.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    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.

    55 min

  2. May 20

    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.

    41 min

  3. May 6

    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.

    31 min

  4. Apr 29

    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.

    37 min

  5. Apr 15

    Stopping the Pennsylvania Exodus

    Every 24 minutes, someone leaves Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania isn’t just competing with neighboring states — it’s competing with the fastest-growing economies in the country. In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis examines how tax policy and government spending influence where people choose to live and work, joined by Andrew Wilford of the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. From there, the Commonwealth Foundation's Nathan Benefield and Elizabeth Stelle outline a roadmap to make Pennsylvania more competitive — including the Taxpayer Protection Act, welfare reform, and expanding educational choice. Pennsylvania has everything it needs to be a top state for jobs, growth, and opportunity — but policymakers have some important choices to make that will determine whether the commonwealth leads or falls further behind.

    42 min

  6. Apr 1

    Why Your Electric Bill Is So High

    Pennsylvania energy prices have surged — up 46% since 2018 — but the reason isn’t complicated. In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis breaks down what’s really driving higher electricity bills with State Rep. Josh Kail and former Pennsylvania Utility Commission Chairman Glen Thomas. From government mandates and stalled infrastructure to the threat of carbon taxes, they explain how bad policy decisions are squeezing consumers and threatening the reliability of the energy grid. Pennsylvania has the resources to power the next economic revolution — but only if policymakers get government out of the way.

    43 min

  7. Mar 18

    Government Unions vs. The Taxpayer

    Public-sector unions were created to protect workers — so how did they become partisan political powerhouses? In this episode of Freedom Rising, Andrew Lewis speaks with David Osborne of the Commonwealth Foundation and Tyler O'Neil of The Daily Signal to investigate how union dues and government grant money flow into activist organizations and partisan campaigns. They reveal: How union dues are automatically deducted using government systems Why nearly all union political spending favors one party How activist groups influence federal agencies from the inside What state and federal reforms would give power back to taxpayers

    30 min

  8. Mar 4

    If You Win Pennsylvania, You Win America

    Pennsylvania has backed the winning presidential candidate in five straight elections — and according to top pollster Patrick Ruffini, that’s no accident. Host Andrew Lewis talks with Ruffini to break down why the Commonwealth is the most consequential swing state in the country, how the GOP became the party of the working class, and why energy affordability and school choice are reshaping political coalitions across racial and demographic lines. This episode explores a powerful idea: transform Pennsylvania — and you can save America.

    30 min

  9. Feb 18

    Massive Fraud in Pennsylvania? What We Know.

    Could Minnesota-style fraud be occurring in Pennsylvania? When he was Attorney General, now-Governor Josh Shapiro warned there could be $3 billion in Medicaid fraud. But as governor, Shapiro has resisted the reforms that are needed to stop fraudsters and protect taxpayers. What changes are needed? Host Andrew Lewis talks to two expert guests about fraud and how to fight it: First, John Hinderaker, President of Minnesota's Center of the American Experiment, breaks down what's going on in his home state. Then Andrew talks with Pennsylvania State Rep. David Rowe, chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, about policy solutions he's supporting.

    38 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Freedom Rising with Andrew Lewis tackles the biggest issues impacting Pennsylvania and the nation. With compelling interviews and insightful commentary, Freedom Rising shows viewers how they can expand freedom in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania was the birthplace of freedom in America, and it can become a beacon of freedom yet again. Freedom Rising is a production of the Commonwealth Foundation, a Harrisburg-based think tank that transforms free-market ideas into public policies, empowering all Pennsylvanians to thrive.

Information

You Might Also Like