Thomas Savidge

Research Fellow

Thomas Savidge is a Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. He earned his Master in Public Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from SUNY New Paltz.

Prior to joining AIER, Mr. Savidge was a Research Director at the American Legislative Exchange Council focusing on tax and fiscal policy. He was a co-author of several publications focused on public pensions, public retiree benefits, bonded obligations, tax and expenditure limits, and state taxes. In 2020, Mr. Savidge published a peer-reviewed study on Tennessee public retirement systems with the PERI Center at MTSU titled, “Tennessee Public Pensions: A Model for Reform.”

Mr. Savidge has also written articles published in The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register, Taxnotes, The Washington Post, US News & World Report, The New York Post, and The Daily Caller.

The Daily Economy4/23/26

Why Undoing the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Rule Matters for Americans

The rollback of the EPA’s Endangerment Finding will lower costs, curb regulatory overreach, and restore accountability to Congress.

Why Undoing the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Rule Matters for Americans
The Daily Economy4/20/26

Why Gas Tax Holidays Backfire

Adjusting end prices can't address the underlying shortage. In fact, waiving taxes may intensify demand when supply is already stretched.

Why Gas Tax Holidays Backfire
The Daily Economy3/11/26

What a Children’s Book Taught Me About Core Economic Principles

Despite having no formal economics training, Richard Scarry captures Say’s Law through Busytown’s everyday interactions.

What a Children’s Book Taught Me About Core Economic Principles
The Daily Economy2/27/26

Defusing the Social Security Time Bomb 

Minor adjustments cannot fix a pay-as-you-go system strained by demographic reality. Restoring solvency demands structural changes that emphasize ownership.

Defusing the Social Security Time Bomb 
February 24, 2026

A Brief History of Federal Transfers to the States

This explainer traces the evolving, mutually dependent relationship between the federal government and the states through four pivotal eras of fiscal transfers: the Antebellum Land Grants, the Civil War, the…

A Brief History of Federal Transfers to the States
The Daily Economy2/12/26

Proxy Advisors Pay the Price for Their ESG Crusade

Once firmly established in American finance, the proxy advisory industry now faces regulatory threats and AI-driven challenges. To survive, firms must serve customers, not political agendas.

Proxy Advisors Pay the Price for Their ESG Crusade
The Daily Economy2/4/26

Certificate-of-Need Laws Still Fail Patients — Even After a Decade of Reform

Certificate-of-need laws were meant to lower costs. Instead, they’ve let existing providers block competition, reducing patients' access to care.

Certificate-of-Need Laws Still Fail Patients — Even After a Decade of Reform
The Daily Economy1/22/26

‘Saving the Family’ Should Start with Sound Money

American's birth dearth isn't just cultural — it's monetary. The best pro-natal policy is to stop making daily life so expensive.

‘Saving the Family’ Should Start with Sound Money
The Daily Economy1/5/26

Medicaid’s Structure Actually Invites Waste and Fraud

Medicaid’s size and complexity create endless opportunities for gaming the rules. Incentives are skewed and accountability is weak, and the taxpayer always foots the bill.

Medicaid’s Structure Actually Invites Waste and Fraud
October 28, 2025

Understanding Medicaid

This explainer will outline how Medicaid functions, the program’s costs, its influence on healthcare in the United States, and how the proposed policy changes in 2025 could reshape the program.

Understanding Medicaid