March CEO Update

At this pivotal moment in history, the world is watching as America rediscovers its footing. Watching as we step from the path of centralized control and diminishing freedoms to reclaim our legacy as the land of opportunity and innovation. It is a commitment to the principles that built this nation: freedom to innovate, freedom to speak, and freedom to prosper.

These ideals rang loud and clear for all who watched Vice President J.D. Vance’s speeches in Paris and Munich last month.  If you missed them, take a minute to watch them both. At the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, he laid out a vision for the future—one where innovation is unleashed, not smothered by bureaucracy. Consistent with ALEC model policy, he made it clear that America must lead in AI, not by regulation, but by ensuring that government interference does not strangle industry before it can reach its full potential.

Then, at the Munich Security Conference, he exposed the fundamental flaws of European elites who prioritize ideological conformity over practical governance—especially when it comes to the fundamental right of free speech. Like President Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate telling Gorbachev to tear down that wall, these speeches represent a defining moment in the fight for common sense and American Exceptionalism.

Though these speeches addressed different topics, the core message remained the same: America’s success is rooted in the principles of freedom. This is what has always set us apart. While Europe tightens its grip with speech codes and overregulation, we must move in the opposite direction—toward open markets, competition, and the free exchange of ideas. The true essence of the American experiment is the ability to rise, to take risks, to fail and try again. That is not just an American value—it is a universal truth. And since its founding in 1973, ALEC has been dedicated to advancing these principles across the nation.

The question now is whether the country and indeed the world is ready to follow this lead. One thing is clear: the corporate world is waking up. Tech giants, financial institutions, and major retailers are quietly retreating from the misguided social engineering projects of DEI and ESG. Why? Because they’ve realized that businesses exist to serve customers and create value, not to score ideological points. The bottom line is back in focus, and that’s exactly where it should be. The best product, the best service, and the best person for the job—that’s what matters. Not empty virtue-signaling.

This is the spirit that will propel us into a new Golden Age for America. Not government-imposed limits. Not bureaucratic micromanagement. But by unleashing industries, restoring energy independence, and embracing innovation. Drill, build, expand—that’s the formula for prosperity. Contrast that with what we’ve seen in the last four years—where heavy-handed government policies have stifled growth, driven up costs, and made it harder for American workers to get ahead.

And the world is taking notice. Look at Canada, where Prime Minister Trudeau’s leadership has devolved into an afterthought amid economic turmoil, free speech crackdowns, and a spiraling housing crisis. Look at France, Germany, and the U.K., where excessive regulation and ideological policymaking have produced similar stagnation. Their problems may be vast, but the solutions are simple: at the state and local level, cut red tape, encourage innovation, and protect free speech. These are the principles we champion at the ALEC Center for International Freedom and it is the way forward – not just for America, but for every nation hoping to thrive in the 21st century.

That’s why ALEC exists. To lead the way for the states.  It’s why we remain the largest nonpartisan membership organization of state legislators dedicated to advancing liberty. It’s why we were honored to be invited — alongside six sitting governors — to meet with President Trump at the White House to discuss education freedom. And it’s why we’re leading the charge on the ALEC Government Efficiency Coalition (AGE), a strategic effort to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in state governments across the country. It’s why the ALEC team has traveled to nearly 15 states so far this year and shared our Essential Policy Solutions with state legislators.

Those will be some of the core issues discussed at our Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN this July. Running from July 16-18, tickets are now available for those ready to set their summer calendars.

Vice President Vance’s speeches were a clarion call—a reminder that success does not arise from the heavy hand of mandates but from individual courage focused on freedom. Not from control but from innovation and creativity. That is what keeps the flame of liberty burning bright. The world is watching. Let’s get to work.