“Our federal government simply tries to do too much and does most of it poorly.”
This critique was given by former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey at the State Policy Network’s recent Annual Meeting. (SPN is a national alliance of state-based think tanks, such as the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, which promotes free-market solutions and limited government.)
With this direct criticism, Ducey set the stage for a discussion on the importance of federalism— the distribution of government power between the federal government and the states. This was a central concern for the Founding Fathers as they sought to balance power between the states and the national government, and it remains a crucial issue today.
Throughout the discussion, Ducey emphasized that states should take charge of their own policies, fostering innovation and better results.
His success in Arizona provides a strong example of how federalism can drive significant improvements at the state level.
First, Ducey highlighted Arizona’s success with universal school choice. “This is the biggest opportunity across the country. This is the biggest game that there is.” Ducey said, pointing out that education often takes up the largest chunk of state budgets. He explained how, after years of effort, Arizona became the first state to pass universal school choice in 2022, giving families more control over their children’s education.
“It took all of eight years to get this done,” Ducey shared, reflecting on the difficult road to success. The initiative was first rejected in 2017 when it was put to voters and “crushed 65 to 35.” Instead of throwing in the towel, Ducey and his team doubled down, improving their messaging. “If there was a silver lining to COVID-19, it was universal school choice. Because the parents saw what their children were learning and being taught—and not being taught—via these remote screens,” he explained.
Ducey’s eventual success caught like wildfire. “Arizona passed universal school choice in 2022; eleven other states have passed it today,” he said. Like breaking the four-minute mile, Ducey suggested, once one state does it, others realize it’s possible too.
Every child deserves the ability to go to a great school that fits their needs. School choice gives every family access to a high-quality education and every student the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Great to see Georgia embracing the School Choice revolution! https://t.co/onj8dARmxv
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) April 23, 2024
But innovation doesn’t stop here, it should be a whole governing method. The former governor explained that letting states try out new policies allows them to find the best solutions. “Let the states innovate. Let them try new things. If it’s a bad idea, it will be obvious to all and will not spread,” he argued. This type of quick trial and error simply can’t be done as effectively at the federal level.
During his time as governor, Ducey additionally focused on making Arizona’s government smaller and more effective. Instead of cutting jobs outright, he used attrition to reduce the size of government while reallocating resources where they were needed most, like public safety and child services. This approach shows that it’s possible to streamline and reduce governmental power without sacrificing quality.
The former governor also spoke about the long-term importance of appointing judges who understand the Constitution. “Judicial selection is one of the most important things that any governor can do,” he said. “I wanted to know if they understood the separation of powers and limited government… What I really was trying to get to the bottom of is: did they want to be a legislator? Did they want to be a governor? Did they want to be a congressman? Did they want to be a senator, or did they want to be a justice?” he explained.
“Federalism is so much the answer forward for what troubles us in this country,” Ducey argued. He also pointed out that both Republican and Democratic governors are frustrated with federal overreach. “I do think it would be for the conservatives to lead this charge,” Ducey said, but he also noted that many Democratic governors share concerns about Washington’s overreach.
Policy innovation may be even more possible today, because according to Ducey, public opinion on the government is changing. There was a stark contrast in governing approaches that became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ducey explained, particularly in how states handled lockdowns and mandates. “I think the country now understands conservative leadership versus Democratic leadership,” Ducey said, noting that Democratic states were defined by top-down, one-size-fits-all restrictions. He added, “Democratic leadership was defined by lockdown, by top-down, one-size-fits-all dictates from either the state house or from Washington, D.C.” In contrast, he emphasized that conservative states focused on empowering individuals and local communities, allowing for more tailored and flexible responses that prioritized freedom and personal responsibility.
Ducey’s message is clear: by allowing states to act as “laboratories of democracy,” the entire country can benefit from the policies that work—and learn from those that don’t.
Georgia has a tremendous opportunity to achieve the same success that Arizona has seen under Ducey’s leadership. By embracing federalism and putting power back in the hands of local communities, Georgia can further innovate in areas like education reform, government efficiency and judicial integrity. If Georgia prioritizes policies that limit federal overreach and focuses on empowering families, cutting waste, and fostering innovation, Georgians can experience even greater freedom, growth and prosperity. But this all will come with a government that is closer to the people—smaller, smarter and more accountable. The path to success is clear. Georgia just needs to seize it.