Tom Giovanetti is president of the Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI), a conservative, free-market public policy research organization based in Dallas, Texas.
In addition to his administrative duties, Tom writes for IPI and for leading publications on a variety of policy topics including taxes and economic growth, self-government and the Founders' design, civil liberties and constitutional protections, judicial supremacy, intellectual property, Social Security personal accounts, technology and Internet policy, and out-of-control government spending. In addition to being regularly published in major outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, FoxNews.com and The Dallas Morning News, Tom has a regular column in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Tom frequently appears in the media and is a fill-in host for the Mark Davis Show in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
Tom's passion is encouraging conservative voters and organizations to remain skeptical of Big Government, maintain faith in markets, and defend individual liberty as the best means of achieving human flourishing. His most recent work has focused on free-market solutions to the student debt issue, preserving freedom of speech online, and persuading state legislatures to override local and municipal policies that restrict economic liberty.
Mr. Giovanetti has represented IPI at many national and international organizations, including the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) the World Health Organization (WHO) and represented IPI during trade agreement negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Mr. Giovanetti is a popular speaker and writer, and also testifies before state and federal legislative committees on a variety of topics.
Follow Tom on Twitter at @tgiovanetti
IPI Policy Basics: Exaggerating the Public Domain (Audio: Podcast)
There was a rash of stories in the early days of 2024 about how, finally, Mickey Mouse had entered the public domain, and that this was somehow a triumph for the general public. Sounds like time for an explainer about the public domain, and why, for the most part, consumers are better off when creativity, distribution and promotion of creative works is incentivized. IPI President Tom Giovanetti with IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Don't Impose New Fears on Old Vaccines (Audio: Podcast)
IPI’s Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains how increasing vaccine skepticism threatens outbreaks of dreaded diseases that have been under control for decades. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Biden Administration Attacks Independent Contractors (Audio: Podcast)
The Biden administration has yielded to pressure from labor unions to restrict the qualifications for independent contractor status, which is intended to make it easier to unionize “gig economy” workers. But this is a terrible idea, and when California tried the same thing it forced many independent contractors out of work. The modern economy should make it easier, not harder, for Americans to have flexible work and earnings options. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
How EVs Will Strand Cold State Drivers (Audio: Podcast)
With a polar vortex bearing down on much of the nation, IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews reminds us that electric vehicles (EVs) suffer significant performance deficits in very cold weather. So the current generation of EVs may not be the best choice for residents of cold states. As with everything else, choice should be left to consumers through free markets rather than having change forced upon the entire country through federal mandate.
IPI Policy Basics: What Are Tax Extenders and Why Do They Matter? (Audio: Podcast)
IPI President Tom Giovanetti explains why every year the country is faces with the issues of tax extenders, why they are important but also why they are a symptom of a dysfunctional congressional process. With IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
What Trump Can Learn from Switzerland on Tariffs (Audio: Podcast)
Switzerland is dropping almost all its tariffs, in order to reduce prices to consumers. Having enjoyed time in Switzerland, both IPI President Tom Giovanetti and IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews use this opportunity to discuss tariffs, why consumers rather than exporters pay them, and why in general tariffs should be avoided.
Trump Is Right--Obamacare Sucks (Audio: Podcast)
Recently Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform that “Obamacare sucks.” We at IPI don’t always agree with Trump’s sentiments, but in this case, IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains why Trump is right, and Obamacare has only made healthcare worse. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
When the Biden Administration Goes Marching In (Audio: Podcast)
Today the Biden administration announced a proposal to aggressively use federal “march in” rights to seize patents from pharmaceutical companies and “other inventions.” IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews explains what march in rights are, and why what the Biden administration is proposing is very, very bad. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Bidenomics is Xi-conomics with American Characteristics (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews points out that Biden’s agenda to fundamentally change and direct the U.S. economy from the Executive Branch mirrors the mistakes of authoritarian governments like China’s trying to run the economy through command and control. And the conversation inspires IPI President Tom Giovanetti to rant about the importance of separation of powers and staying in your lane.
Who's Afraid of an Anarcho-Capitalist? (Audio: Podcast)
We discuss Argentina, its tremendous natural resources and its history of terrible governance, in light of the recent election of self-proclaimed libertarian Javier Milei. IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews wish Milei the very best and praise the Argentine people for making the choice for change from Peronism.
Are There No Limits to the Biden Administration's FTC Power Grabs? (Audio: Podcast)
When you elect a president, you don’t just elect a single person—you elect a team of 3,000+ appointed bureaucrats and staffers. And Joe Biden’s team is comprised of progressive left radicals like the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Lina Kahn. In addition to going after companies like Google and Amazon, and in addition to opposing even her own staff in opposing mergers, Kahn is going after prescription drug company’s patents. But the “patent thicket” argument is largely bogus. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti and Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Joe Biden--Organized Crime's Best Friend (Audio: Podcast)
By neglecting the border crisis, Joe Biden has created jobs—jobs with the cartels in Mexico and Central America. When there is a vacuum of law enforcement, criminal elements fill the void and find ways to profit. Cartels are now moving migrants as well as drugs across the border. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
States Have Rainy Day Funds--Why Can't Washington? (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews shares data on how almost all U.S. states actually maintain rainy day funds, and also manage to balance their budgets and even run surpluses. So why can’t Washington DC? With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Does Big Tech Need More Regulation? (Audio: Podcast)
IPI President Tom Giovanetti provides a backgrounder on the debate around the regulation of major internet platform companies, in anticipation of IPI’s October 20th Distinguished Lecture Series luncheon. With IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.
Four Strikes and You're Out (Audio: Podcast)
IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews discusses why labor actions and strikes have returned. Hint: Inflation, technological change, and a pro-union administration. With IPI President Tom Giovanetti.
Total Records: 433
