“Inflation and Price Controls,” by Dr. Dale Matcheck, Northwood University Economics Chair. This will take place at 6 p.m. in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise.

“Making Houses More Affordable,” by Dr. Gabriel Benzecry, Northwood University Economics Professor. This is set to take place at 6 p.m. in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise.

Students will watch and comment from home.

“Economics and the Political Process,” by John Grether, Kettering University. This begins at 6 p.m. in Room 114 of the Sloan Family Building.

“Impacts of New Sick Paid Leave and Minimum Wage Laws” by Midland Business Alliance President/CEO Tony Stamas and Vice President of Advocacy Diane Middleton at 6 p.m.

“Inequality and Minimum Wages,” by Kristin Tokarev of Stossel TV and Dr. Alex Tokarev, Northwood University Economics Professor, at 7 p.m. Both events will be in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise.

Throughout history, satire has been an effective means of undermining tyranny. Ken Schoolland, an economics professor at Hawaii Pacific University, has taken this approach with his book, “The Adventures of Jonathan Gullible,” to promote economic freedom. The book has been published in 57 languages with theatrical productions on radio and stage across five continents. Professor Schoolland will be joined by his wife, Li Schoolland, an independent educator, international speaker, and writer who survived 26 years through the horrors of the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution under Mao Tse-tung in China. This starts at 7 p.m. in the Griswold Lecture Hall.

Immigration Panel featuring Trevor Kraus of Students for Liberty and Dr. Alex Tokarev of Northwood University. This starts at 6 p.m. in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise.

“Climate and Energy Policy,” by Dr. Timothy G. Nash of the McNair Center for Free Enterprise at Northwood University, and Jason Hayes of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. This starts at 6 p.m. in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise.

“Taxation,” by Scott Hodge of the Tax Foundation. This starts at 7 p.m. in the Griswold Lecture Hall.

2025 may well be the most consequential year in fiscal policy in decades. Washington lawmakers face a “fiscal cliff” at the end of 2025 when most of the 2017 tax cuts expire. Failure to act will trigger a $3 trillion automatic tax hike, yet neither presidential candidate has outlined a responsible plan to address this potential crisis.

Scott Hodge, author of the new book, Taxocracy: What You Don’t Know About Taxes and How They Rule Your Daily Life, will outline what you should prepare for, what the leading presidential candidates are saying, and how Washington can use the fiscal cliff as a catalyst for pro-growth tax reform.

Scott Hodge is a leading figure in U.S. tax policy, known for his long tenure as the president of the Tax Foundation, where he served from 2000 to 2022. Under his leadership, the Tax Foundation became a critical resource for policymakers and the media, contributing to major legislative efforts such as the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Hodge is renowned for his ability to demystify complex tax issues, making him a frequent commentator on national television and radio programs. He has published numerous articles and studies on various aspects of taxation, with his work often appearing in major publications like The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. His insights have shaped public understanding of how taxes influence economic behavior and policy.

Hodge is the author of the 2024 best-selling book, Taxocracy: What You Don’t Know About Taxes and How They Rule Your Daily Life, a book that explores the profound impact of tax policy on everyday life. In this book, he discusses historical examples of misguided taxes, such as the “window tax” and the “chicken tax,” illustrating how these policies have unintended consequences that can distort the economy and society.

Now president emeritus of the Tax Foundation, Hodge continues to influence the tax policy debate through his writings, public speaking, and advisory roles.

Panel discussion set to take place from 6-7:15 p.m. in Sloan 114 (Sloan Auditorium), Northwood University.

Panelists:  Michael Makovi, Associate Professor of Economics, Northwood University, Thomas Kratzin, Professor of International Business, Northwood University, and Ian Fletcher, Coalition for a Prosperous America.

The 2024 Northwood University Freedom Seminar continues its series on the key issues of the 2024 Election with a panel discussion on trade policy to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6pm in Sloan 114 on the Northwood University campus. Following the shock of the pandemic and a long period of deindustrialization in the U.S. have eroded voter support for free trade in recent years, especially with China. Both Democrats and Republicans have proposed policies which they promise will reverse these trends. But would these policies actually make American better off? Or would it just favor politically connected industries at the expense of consumers?

Contrasting perspectives on the issue will be presented by a panel of 3 experts on the topic. Michael Makovi, Professor of Economics at Northwood University will present the case for free trade; Thomas Kratzin, Professor and Chair of International Business at Northwood University will present the case for “fair trade;” and Ian Fletcher, Senior Economist at the Coalition for a Prosperous America will present the case for protectionism.

Please join us for what promises to be a lively and informative discussion of this important and timely issue!

Students watch and comment from home.

“Artificial Intelligence and Antitrust,” – Speaker TBD. This starts at 6 p.m. in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise.

“Tax and Entitlement Reform,” by Jade Walle of FairTax, Eric Nager of Plan for America, and Dr. Alex Tokarev of Northwood University. This starts at 6 p.m. in the McNair Center for Free Enterprise.

TBD