Balsa Research
A policy shop working to implement the civilizational low-hanging fruit.
Research Areas
We model issues, fund academic studies, and draft viable reform legislation for policy areas that we consider to be neglected or high-leverage. Ultimately, we aim to develop shovel-ready policies that address core underlying human needs, and promote civilizational flourishing.
Repealing the Jones Act to revitalize our domestic coastal shipping industry.
Reforming NEPA to better safeguard our environment and communities.
Improving federal housing policy to address the housing crisis.
Supporting reasonable AI policy for preventing catastrophic outcomes.
Our hypothesis: The work necessary to get good policy implemented is slow, expensive, unglamorous, and subject to adverse selection. Efforts flounder or are trapped in limbo, as policymakers are required to focus a substantial portion of their time on navigating internal policies and politics inside institutions, reinforcing party lines, and pleasing donor bases.
They are not being given the adequate time and resources necessary to repeal bad laws, and write good replacements.
Balsa Research is a small experiment in one way out of the incentive trap: we seek funding only from deeply aligned donors, and work with deliberation to generate value that is free for anyone to use. We focus on high-leverage policy work that foregrounds actually solving the problems that block policymakers from designing and implementing good policy.
Balsa Research is seeking experts and contributors in all areas to help research policy issues, work with lawmakers, and fund our mission. Reach out to volunteer by filling out this google form.
If you want to help fund our efforts, consider making a donation today.