Stories From the Fight for Economic Opportunity
Real stories from real people impacted by job-killing regulations and economic hardship
Featured Stories
View MoreToo many Americans are chasing work because of government-imposed barriers. Some are succeeding, some are struggling, but all deserve a better chance.
Workers deserve freedom, flexibility, opportunity, and choice when it comes to work—and the government should get out of the way.
Uplifted by small loans and a big vision, one personal trainer turned adversity into a thriving fitness business that continues to transform lives.
View MoreExplore Our Voices
Americans are struggling to find work and afford basic necessities, and the Biden administration is exacerbating the problem through burdensome regulations. These stories highlight the dangers of government overreach and show how unnecessary interference takes away our freedoms and flexibility.
Profile
From $49 to $15 Million: How Rhonda Shader Helped Rescue a City, and Why She Believes Trump’s Tax Cuts Could Help Rescue California
Rhonda Shader took Placentia from $49 to $15 million by cutting waste and embracing…
Profile
‘Defund the Police’ Broke Communities, But This Retired Cop Believes Congress’s OBBB Can Restore Trust
Community policing saves lives, but it was first on the chopping block in the…
Commentary
I Experienced Socialism Firsthand. New York City Deserves Better
A Soviet immigrant warns NYC: socialism brought shortages, misery, and stagnation—don’t repeat it with…
Commentary
Profile
‘It’ll Be Less Money in Your Pocket’: Veteran Tax Preparer Warns What’s at Stake If 2017 Tax Cuts Expire
A veteran tax preparer warns that if Congress doesn’t pass the “One Big Beautiful…
Documentary
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How Tax Cuts Helped This Michigan Family Business Become an American Success Story
Thanks to the 2017 tax cuts, the Cangiolosi family turned a $20,000 gamble into…
Documentary
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How Tax Cuts Turned a Forgotten Building into a Beacon of Economic Opportunity
A trendy food hall in Twin Falls, Idaho, became a local economic powerhouse thanks…
Profile
Iowa Corn Farmer Warns of Widespread Economic Fallout if Trump’s Tax Relief Expires
This corn farmer is fighting to preserve her family’s farming legacy in Iowa and…
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Iowa Business Owner Sounds the Alarm on Expiring Tax Cuts
This president of a warehouse and trucking company warns if Congress lets tax cuts…
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Small-Dollar Loans Empowered This Fitness Trainer to Help Transform Her Life and Her Community’s Health
Uplifted by small loans and a big vision, one personal trainer turned adversity into…
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Biden Labor Rule Could Upend This Female Trucker’s Livelihood – Along With Hundreds of Thousands of Others’
A former freight broker and current Department of Defense driver warns the Biden administration’s…
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Department of Defense Truck Driver Says Laws Undermining Independent Contractors Also Undermine National Security
A former freight broker and current Department of Defense driver warns the Biden administration’s…
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Female Trucker Warns Biden Labor Rule Could End Her Business and Upend America’s Security
A female trucker who drives across the country with her husband shares how new…
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Cynthia’s Story | This Food Historian Documented The Midwest’s Agricultural Legacy Thanks To Freelance Work
For Cynthia Clampitt, freelance work has enabled her not only to become her mother’s…
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Dawn’s Story | Teacher Frustrated by Barriers Raised by Unreasonable State Regulations
Dawn Roy is a teacher, but she’s had to jump numerous hurdles because of…
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Kristin’s Story | Classical Soprano Refuses to Allow AB5 to Silence Her Voice
Classical soprano Kristin Genis-Lund says mid-tier opera companies are in jeopardy with AB5.
Commentary
Survey: Majority Of Moms And Dads Prefer Flexible Work
Many moms and dads discovered the joys of spending more time with their children,…
Commentary
President Biden’s (Destroy) American Jobs Plan
President Biden, the so-called “moderate” president of the United States, rolled out a $2…
Profile
Aaron’s Story | A Musician and His Family Look for a Viable Path Following AB5
Independent contracting makes it possible for this musician and bandleader to earn a living…
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Jon’s Story | Freelancing Kept This Seasoned Marketing Pro in the Workforce, Until AB5
A senior marketing professional has relied on freelancing to remain in the workforce as…
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Lisa’s Story | Contractor Wants Her Freedom to Work Back That AB5 Took Away
A former marketing and advertising director fell in love with freelancing and enjoys tailoring…
Commentary
Administration Finalizes Rule To Protect Independent Workers
As the balance of power in the Senate hangs by a thread, the administration…
Profile
Marguerite’s Story | Mrs. Claus Faces the Unemployment Line This Christmas Thanks to AB5
Marguerite Kusuhara is an entertainer whose favorite role is Mrs. Claus. Now, thanks to…
Documentary
AB5 Sends Santa Claus To The Unemployment Line
Patrick Turnbull, a retired landscape contractor from Sunland, California, has worked independently as Santa…
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Kevin’s Story | Despite Being Exempt From AB5, Graphic Designers Are Still Out of Work
Even though graphic designers received an exemption from California’s AB5, many of them are…
Documentary
A Florist and Cancer Survivor Is Forced to Shutter Her Business Due to AB5
Monica Wyman is a wedding florist in SoCal who struggled to hire per-event freelancers…
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Dori’s Story | AB5 Wrote Work Out Of CA For This Transcriptionist
A transcriptionist blames California’s AB5 for destroying the freedom and flexibility she needed to…
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Katerina’s Story | AB5 Derails Interpreter’s Dream of Owning Her Own Business
A California native hoped to make her dreams of owning her own interpreting agency…
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Karen’s Story | Freelancer Fights for the Right to Work in California
A long-time California freelancer is fighting for the rights of independent contractors across the…
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Jennifer’s Story | Restricted by Government Regulations, a Writer and Yoga Instructor Loses Work
A writer and yoga instructor values the creative freedom to follow her dueling passions.…
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Tony’s Story | AB5 Prevents a Court Interpreter From Helping Those in Need
A freelance court interpreter dedicated his life to becoming a voice for those who…
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David’s Story | California Freelancer Fights to Save His Livelihood
A California freelancer fights back when he sees his livelihood slipping away due to…
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Sophia’s Story | An ASL Interpreter Wants to Help the Disabled, But AB5 Won’t Let Her
A California interpreter’s life’s work is taken away by new restrictions on independent contractors.
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JoBeth’s Story | AB5 Completely Crushes a California Writer’s Dream
JoBeth McDaniel has enjoyed the perks of working as a freelance journalist since it…
Your Voices
“Keeping those federal tax cuts means more spendable cash for people who are just trying to survive in one of the most expensive states in the country…”
“All of these things—removing law enforcement—have been not just folly, but they have led to the deaths of the very people that these politicians and these activists claim to care about.”
“The more people feel confident about the money they’re going to be getting or the money they have coming in, the more they’re going to potentially spend or build or move or grow or buy a house…”
“The government should give tax breaks to small businesses to make sure they get the chance to grow…”
“The American dream really is building your life, supporting your family, helping your kids to grow, and helping your community grow and expand…”
“Keeping these tax policies in place isn’t just about helping farmers—it’s about ensuring a stable food system for everyone…”
“When these tax cuts came along, we saw a tremendous increase in people’s confidence…”
“If you’re aware of what you need and only that, then I think these options are great…”
“We’re not replaceable […] You can’t quantify what we’ve put into this…”
“This will cause a bottleneck in the workforce that could be an absolute detriment to our economy…”
Stories from Across the Nation
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