National Taxpayers Union Foundation Executive Vice President Joe Bishop-Henchman traveled to Ukraine last week to advise on tax reform and anti-corruption measures. Bishop-Henchman was invited as a guest of the Office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consult Ukrainian officials and members of Parliament on anti-corruption tax reform legislation currently in development. He was one of 20 experts, including representatives from the World Bank, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Lithuania and more, who was selected for this opportunity to provide important feedback on a reform package that will strengthen Ukraine and help them to develop a free economy.
Bishop-Henchman said of his trip to Ukraine,
I'm grateful that our group had a number of serious meetings with executive officials and MPs culminating in a day-long presentation to 500 participants at a one-day conference on the proposed legislative package. It is the greatest honor for me to be invited to be here, and as I return to America I look forward to sharing that I've seen a Ukraine still standing, still fighting, and still free.
As Ukraine pushes back against Russia’s invasion with material and financial support from the United States and others in the West, it is important to make sure that their economy is as free from corruption, graft, and cronyism as possible. It is heartening to hear from Joe Bishop-Henchman that any time that a speaker brought up the importance of the rule of law, freedom, and a free economy, the audience –young members especially– applauded strongly in support.
NTUF is excited about the legislation Ukraine is preparing and about the good it would do to help Ukraine stand even stronger against the predations of Russian authoritarianism and further violation of their sovereignty.
If you would like to speak with NTUF Executive Vice President Joe Bishop-Henchman about his experiences in Ukraine, please contact Kevin Glass, NTUF Vice President of Communications, at 703-299-8670 or at kglass@ntu.org.