May 2021
The Down Low is a monthly newsletter from the team at Libertas Institute where we share insider information, behind-the-scenes updates, and progress on our major projects.
Libertas Institute has been growing! So much so, we’ve created a new position within the organization — Executive Vice President — and we’re pleased to announce that we’ve hired Fergus Hodgson to fill that role.
Fergus Hodgson is a New Zealand native who grew up on a sheep and cattle farm near Ngaruawahia on the North Island. Prior to Libertas, he was the founding editor in chief of the PanAm Post and the founder of Econ Americas, a financial consultancy devoted to Latin America. During this time, he completed a certificate in Cuban history at the University of Miami and passed the Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language at the B2 level. Highlights include appearing as a repeat guest with John Stossel on Fox Business, viral articles undermining the Chavista regime in Venezuela, and testifying in Spanish before the National Congress of Paraguay.
In addition to Hodgson, Libertas has been fortunate enough to bring on a number of other highly skilled team members to further our mission of changing hearts, minds, and laws.
We also just hired Emma Phillips to be managing editor for the Tuttle Twins. She most recently was the spokesperson for Young Americans for Liberty.
We added James Dunavant to our team to help with fundraising. He most recently was doing fundraising for the Mises Institute. We also recently added Brandon Patterson to our fundraising team, who was helping James O’Keefe and Project Veritas with their fundraising and operations.
Finally, Jen Maffessanti joins us from the Foundation for Economic Education as our Director of Communications.
But now, let’s get to the good stuff…
Ceremonial Signing
We mentioned last month how one of our major wins this past legislative session was the nation’s first all-inclusive regulatory sandbox. 
In recognition of our hard work on the matter, the three team members most involved with the sandbox bill were invited to attend the ceremonial bill signing up at the Capitol. President Connor Boyack, VP of Policy and Strategy Michael Melendez, and Tech and Innovation Policy Analyst James Czerniawski attended the ceremony.
This law is a huge deal for Utah. The state has long marketed itself as being “open for business.” Unfortunately, the regulatory environment hasn’t always supported that claim. A regulatory sandbox — especially one like ours that doesn’t exclude applicants for being in the “wrong” industry — demonstrates that Utah isn’t just all talk when it comes to being business-friendly. If you follow us on Twitter, you probably already saw this news, though. We’ll keep you updated with all the juicy details as this landmark program becomes implemented and functional.
Exporting the Awesome
We mentioned last month that we’ve been working hard to help other organizations in other states all over the country with getting legislation similar to Utah’s passed. And great news: West Virginia is leveling up their insurance industry with a sandbox of their own!
When you think of hotbeds of innovation, West Virginia probably does not jump to the top of the list, but the state is looking to change that. This year, Delegate Steve Westfall proposed a regulatory sandbox for insurance products and services. The sandbox created by House Bill 2221 will present companies with an opportunity to offer their unique goods and services in the marketplace that otherwise wouldn’t be allowed under the current regulations in place.
West Virginia’s Cardinal Institute proved instrumental in ushering House Bill 2221 through their state legislature before receiving Governor Jim Justice’s signature. West Virginia now joins several other states that have created industry-specific sandboxes, helping innovative businesses avoid problematic or outdated regulations, and we’re thrilled to have been able to help make it happen.
If you’re outside of Utah and are interested in how regulatory sandboxes can help your state, please feel free to reach out.
The Leviathan Crisis Is Coming!
The Tuttle Twins, Emily and Ethan, have a brand new adventure coming out soon!
The Tuttles and their team of heroes tackle a new quest in an adventure game that they soon begin to realize is closer to reality than they might have guessed. A magical battle against the forces of Leviathan and its Idol turns out to be packed with lessons for what’s happening in the world around them.
Based on the book Crisis and Leviathan by Robert Higgs, this story finds the twins learning the power of truth in a world filled with fearmongering, ignorance, Trojan horses, and demagogues—a message with substantial relevance to our lives today.
Alongside our new books for teens, and our podcast and curriculum for families, we’re creating resources that help children of all ages learn the fundamentals of freedom.
Learn more about the books at TuttleTwins.com
Places To Go, Things To Do
Libertas Institute consistently sponsors and participates in numerous events all over the state and all over the country. This summer is going to be fantastic!
Why? For one thing, we’re still on for our annual charity golf tournament!
This makes the sixth year that we’ve hosted our golf tournament, and it’s always a favorite for both team members and participants. For 2021, the tournament will be held on June 7th at the breathtaking Arnold Palmer Jeremy Ranch Golf Course in Park City. It’s a four-man string scramble format with contests, prizes, auctions, and more contests to help raise $100,000 to defend freedom of speech, privacy, and restore your rights.
Whether you play for the love of the game, freedom, or both… make a plan to “Fore for Freedom” and help raise $100,000 to protect your right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness (aka golf). Spots are filling up fast, so be sure to secure a place now for your team or just yourself!
A Very Special Thank-You
As a non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of our incredible donors. We genuinely could not do what we do without their support, so we’d like to say a very special, “Thank you!” to everyone who has contributed to our efforts and take a few extra moments to highlight a particularly special donor.
Matthew Poll is the Co-Founder of General Trader Fulfillment, a company designed to help provide tools and education for investing in the financial markets. Founded during the 2008 recession, GTF has grown to become a national company with over 30 brands and offices.
As an entrepreneur, Matt loves new projects and is a partner in multiple other business ventures nationwide specifically in the real estate, hospitality, and the food and beverage market. He is a father of two boys which drives his passion for education, specifically in the area of entrepreneurship for children. “Live to give” is one of his mottos, and he specifically looks for organizations that have a high impact on the local community when donating. Matt also gives back to his community by providing personal coaching to business owners and entrepreneurs. Matt has been a loyal Libertas donor and serves on the Chairman’s Council of our Good Samaritan Society. Thank you, Matt. Your support means the world to us.
Please consider supporting our work like Matt, or to learn more, you can email Catherine Hess, our Director of Development, at catherine@libertas.org.