Ronald Reagan agreed with America’s Founders about the virtues of
limited government.

His policy experts understood the dangers of big bureaucracy and knew how to roll back its overreach. The ultimate success of his philosophy was the historic welfare reform of 1996, which freed millions of Americans from the narcotic of dependency.

But, sadly, people with such knowledge and courage have not been in positions of power for many, many years. And the country has paid a price.

In November 2010, the American people declared a hunger for a return to sensible policies that encourage individual responsibility. Now, many who served President Reagan and who know what he would do are speaking out.

The Carleson Center for Welfare Reform (CCWR) is named in memory of Reagan‘s trusted advisor and the architect of modern welfare reform, Robert B. Carleson. It serves as a “proxy” for what Ronald Reagan would do to repair the damage done by an overbearing and interfering federal government, and reflects his belief that government works best when it is closest to the people.

Secure the Safety Net

Thirty years ago, Reagan had a plan. Now’s it time to fulfill it. Click here to read the report.

The Reagan Resolve

Read the Reagan Resolve to learn about the domestic policies that fostered America’s economic security and respected the critical role of the states in our federal system of government.

Key Block Grants

Block Grants were the key to the success of welfare reform. Read our full report.