Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, in Washington, Oct. 19, 2022.J. Scott Applewhite/AP The Heritage Foundation influenced the free-market policies of the Reagan White House. A recent report published by the think tank outlines how government could play a greater role in the economy. The foundation is trying to keep up with American right's turn away from free markets with Trump and DeSantis. Conservatism used to be synonymous with free markets.