Across the States

Property taxation is complicated, but thankfully change is on its way. Join Jonathan Williams, ALEC Chief Economist and Executive Vice President of Policy, and Lee Schalk, Senior Director of the ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform, as they discuss the states enacting Truth in Taxation reforms and how lawmakers can bring the benefits to their states. More on Property Tax Reform from Jonathan Willia...

When there are challenges facing the country’s energy sector, every American feels it. Landon Stevens, Director of Policy & Advocacy at the Conservative Energy Network, and Carly Good, Manager of the ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture task force, join Matthew Fisher to discuss obstacles in the energy sector and the free market approach to developing America’s vast energy potential. Conse...

Hunter Hamberlin sits down with ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson, EVP of Policy Jonathan Williams and Director of the American City County Exchange (ACCE) Andre Cushing to welcome the newest state legislators to ALEC and ACCE. Whether you are new to public service or a seasoned servant leader, ACCE and ALEC have something to offer to you. Listen in to find out how. Learn More About... ALEC: https://www.ale...

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns have severely impacted business across America. But the state of Utah recently passed legislation to give businesses a major break from coronavirus regulations. Join James Czerniawksi, Policy Analyst for Tech & Innovation at Libertas, and Jonathon Hauenschild, Director of the ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force, as they discuss how state lawmakers...

DESCRIPTION The federal government usually dominates the debate over surveillance and privacy. But what about the states and local authorities? James Czerniawski, Policy Analyst for Tech and Innovation at Libertas, joins Jonathon Hauenschild and Matthew Fisher to discuss the importance of privacy and how lawmakers can address the issue going forward. LINKS: James Czerniawski Profile: https://liber...

What is the impact of local minimum wages on small businesses and our communities? On this episode of Across the States, Hunter Hamberlin sits down with Associate Director of the ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force Skip Estes to discuss why an unwise minimum wage set by state and local authorities can backfire when it comes to creating jobs and opportunity for constituents. Skip Estes from ALEC:...

Many wondered what caused Texas Energy Crisis. On today’s episode of Across the States, Michael Jewell of the Conservative Energy Network and the Conservative Coalition Research Institute join Matthew Fisher and Carly Good to break down what happened in the Lonestar State in February and explain how state lawmakers can lead the way in delivering secure and affordable power and electricity to the p...

The coronavirus pandemic has opened Pandora's box of questions and concerns regarding emergency powers and executive overreach on the state level. What is the role of the legislature during a crisis? How much power is too much power for a chief executive to boast? Matt Fisher sits down with Jonathon Hauenschild to discuss the dangers and inadequacies of unilateral executive authority during crises...

From lockdowns and union disputes to remote learning, the past year has tested America’s education system in unprecedented ways. This week on Across the States, Matthew Fisher sits down with Jason Bedrick of EdChoice and Andrew Handel of ALEC to discuss how lawmakers are taking the initiative to give parents and students more freedom in the classroom. Find out how EdChoice is working with statehou...

The future of medicine lies in telehealth. But government regulations and bureaucracy can act as roadblocks to innovation in healthcare. Host Matthew Fisher and Health and Human Sciences Task Force Senior Director Brooklyn Roberts sit down with Naomi Lopez of the Goldwater Institute and Michael Cannon from the CATO Institute to discuss how state lawmakers are taking the initiative in the coronavir...

Over 40 million Americans are employed with occupational licenses, yet the majority lose their licenses once they cross state lines. But in Mississippi, that is beginning to change with universal recognition, which helps ease the overly burdensome and duplicative licensing process that prevents workers from out of state gaining employment in their chosen profession. Since this recording, the Missi...

It has been a difficult year for airlines as domestic and international travel is down due to the pandemic. But as we begin to leave the pandemic and lockdowns behind, Collins Aerospace is ready to help Americans take flight again with their innovation in contactless travel. Join your host Bill Meierling as he sits down with Collins Aerospace Vice President and General Manager of Information Manag...

Join us this week as we continue our discussion with Jonathon Hauenschild on an increasingly relevant issue facing our nation’s rural and urban centers: reliable, quality, cost-effective internet access. Smart Cities have existed in foreign countries for decades. Learn how barriers like government over-regulation and free-market throttling contribute to the U.S. falling behind in connecting its ci...

Despite the financial consequences from an economic shutdown, several states are posting impressive growth numbers. Host Hunter Hamberlin is joined by ALEC Associate Director of the Tax and Fiscal Policy task force to explore how the growing cities in these states are getting good results by exploring indicators such as job growth, wage growth and new residents. Listen to learn how these cities im...

Do you know how smart your city is? On today’s episode, host Hunter Hamberlin sits down with ALEC Communication and Technology Task Force Director Jonathon Hauneschild to discuss what makes a city “smart,” how it can improve communities and the risks that may come with “smart” city data. Smart Cities on the ALEC Blog: https://www.alec.org/article/is-it-time-to-end-smart-cities/

Join ALEC CEO Lisa Nelson as she discusses the success Utah demonstrates during the trials and tribulations of COVID-19 with the ALEC 2021 Chairman and January State Legislator of the Month, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams. President Adams offers insight into the policies and practices that have saved lives – and livelihoods – in the Beehive State. From remaining open for business since May 202...

Counterfeit drugs have been found in all 50 states and threaten the safety and health of Americans. Industry leaders have stepped up to do their part in keeping them out of the hands of unknowing Americans. Since 2004, Pfizer has stopped over 260 million doses of counterfeit drugs in the states. On the podcast to discuss this and the state policy that plays a role are Pfizer Vice President and Chi...

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, state legislatures across the country were faced with declining revenue and increased costs attributable to the virus, and the federal government quickly responded with the first installment of CARES Act funding. In Mississippi, because of prior fiscal restraint and a respect for taxpayer money, the legislature was able to employ these funds to not only respond to t...

On the podcast we often discuss the impact COVID-19 had on various industries across the states. With business closures and no travel orders, the pandemic has been the worst crisis for our country’s hotel industry. Today we are joined by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the nation’s largest hotel owners association, to discuss how the hotel industry is filled with small busines...

Imagine a nonpartisan and intellectually diverse alliance of writers, thinkers and activists, all working to find solutions to our country’s greatest challenges in education, culture and upward mobility. 1776 Unites does just that, by maintaining a special focus on voices in the black community and starting a movement to shape the American future by drawing on the best of its past. Joining the pod...

Marion Smith, Executive Director of the Victims of Communism Foundation joins host Dan Reynolds and Senior Director of International Relations and Federalism Karla Jones to discuss China’s chilling oppression of its Uyghur minority. Secretary of State Pompeo called China’s atrocities the “Stain of the century” and The Economist described President Xi Zinping’s campaign against the Uyghurs as “toda...

Classes have resumed for families across the states, and with it come new policies and politics in the COVID-19 era. Education policy typically hinges talks of teachers or “the system.” But on today’s episode, guests weigh in from the American Federation for Children to discuss how good education policies begin with the students and the children first. Director of External Relations Katie Linehan...

Health Care 'Dos and Don’ts' During COVID-19 w/ the Mackinac Center The decentralized approach to the Coronavirus pandemic empowers states to take on tailored responses to management and recovery. States can learn from one another to find the best solutions and see what not to do. On the podcast today to discuss the good and the bad from the Michigan COVID-19 health care approach is Mackinac Cente...

Five months ago, two business partners in Texas saw a need to help the healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic who lacked enough of the PPE they needed to keep themselves safe. Today, their new company produces hundreds of thousands of gowns, surgeon caps and face masks every day. Wildcat PPE is a story of American innovation and Texas entrepreneurship in the face of a global pandemi...

How does your governor stack up? This special episode features authors of the forthcoming ALEC publication, the Laffer-ALEC Report on Economic Freedom, which ranks America’s governors based on their pre- and post-COVID performances and equally weighted variables to bring you an answer. Host Dan Reynolds is joined by Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Steve Moore, Donna Arduin and ALEC VP of Policy Jonathan Wil...