Across the States

The premiere state-focused policy podcast

About the show

People spend far too much time looking just at the federal government. The same is true with podcasts. Instead, the discussions hosted on Across the States focus on state issues and state solutions within state capitols, by state legislators and with state policy experts.

The American Legislative Exchange Council is the country's largest voluntary membership organization of state legislators in the United States. It acts as a forum to exchange ideas and develop state-based solutions.

Across the States on social media

Episodes

  • Universal Education Freedom and Tax Cuts in Iowa: John Wills at the ALEC Annual Meeting in Denver

    October 1st, 2024  |  14 mins 26 secs
    education, freedom, taxes

    At the 51st annual meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Denver, Iowa Speaker Pro Tempore John Wills took a few minutes to sit down with ALEC TV to share the latest about his state’s groundbreaking reforms in recent years. The conversation underscored Iowa’s ambitious efforts to give families more control over their children’s education and to simplify the tax code while spurring economic growth. #education #freedom #taxes

  • Surviving the Superminority in Illinois: Rep. John Cabello at the ALEC Annual Meeting

    September 18th, 2024  |  8 mins 10 secs
    criminal justice reform, illinois, policy, recidivism

    Illinois State Representative John Cabello, a Republican serving as Assistant Minority Leader, spoke with Catherine Mortensen about the challenges of working in a superminority. Sometimes it's more about stopping the bad bills than passing the good ones.

  • Finding Strength in ALEC with New Hampshire Rep. Jeanine Notter on ALEC TV

    September 13th, 2024  |  5 mins 23 secs

    During the 51st ALEC Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, New Hampshire State Representative Jeanine Notter shared her experiences and insights as a dedicated public servant. With 14 years of service, Nodder has faced numerous challenges, yet remains committed to her role, largely due to the support and motivation she receives from the ALEC community.

  • New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kanitra Discusses Policy Challenges in the Garden State on ALEC TV

    September 5th, 2024  |  12 mins 15 secs

    New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kanitra stood out as a representative from a state not often associated with the ideals of limited government, free markets, and federalism. Facing the unique challenges of New Jersey’s political landscape, he maintains a commitment to pushing back against the policies he finds extreme.

  • Education Freedom with Mesha Mainor at the ALEC 51st Annual Meeting

    August 21st, 2024  |  5 mins 56 secs
    alec, education, freedom, mesha mainor

    Georgia State Representative Mesha Mainor recently shared her insights at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Denver, Colorado. Marking her second year as an ALEC member, where she shared insights on critical issues affecting her community and discussed how the resources of ALEC are helping her address these challenges in Georgia. As a representative for the people of downtown Atlanta, she revels in the hope provided by the Georgia Promise Scholarship as she continues her commitment to advancing education freedom.

  • Border Crisis, Education Freedom, and Property Tax Reform with Texas Rep. Caroline Harris Davila at the 51st ALEC Annual Meeting

    August 13th, 2024  |  12 mins 52 secs
    border, denver, education, genz, property tax, texas

    At the 51st ALEC Annual Meeting in Denver, Texas Representative Caroline Harris Davila, the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Texas State House, shared her insights on the more pressing issues facing the Lone Star State. From the ongoing border crisis to education reform and historic property tax cuts, Davila provided a window into the challenges facing one of the nation’s most politically significant states.

  • States Face Fiscal Reckoning: Jonathan Williams & Lee Schalk on the Fiscal New Year

    July 17th, 2024  |  19 mins
    alec, budgets, california, debt, finance, fiscal

    Jonathan Williams, ALEC Executive Vice President of Policy and Chief Economist, and Lee Schalk, ALEC Vice President of Policy, recently examined the start of the new fiscal year. As 46 States Enter New Fiscal Year, most hope to avoid economic pitfalls lest they follow California's $170 Billion Budget swing into crippling debt.

  • Lost Children of Ukraine: Featuring Gillian Huebner, Karla Jones & Brooklyn Roberts

    July 1st, 2024  |  14 mins 21 secs
    alec, gillian huebner, global children's issues, refugees, ukraine

    Gillian Huebner, Executive Director of the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues at Georgetown University, spoke with Karla Jones & Brooklyn Roberts about the children who have been kidnapped and disappeared during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

  • The Effect of Net Neutrality on America’s Technology Landscape: Jake Morabito on ALEC Breakdown

    June 28th, 2024  |  13 mins 34 secs
    alec, broadband, communications, internet, net neutrality

    ALEC Communications & Technology Task Force Director Jake Morabito and Director of Policy Advancement and Media Relations Lars Dalseide discuss the reinstatement of net neutrality regulations by the Biden administration, which could harm the internet industry. Both suggest that limited government intervention in the internet and broadband industry is the solution, citing existing regulations addressing anti-competitive behavior and illegal activity.

  • America’s Energy Needs: Joe Trotter on ALEC Breakdown

    June 26th, 2024  |  14 mins 34 secs
    alec, biden, energy, joe trotter, permits

    The Biden Administration's energy policy pose a clear threat to affordable and reliable power by revoking permits, denying access, and enriching our enemies. Joe Trotter, director of ALEC's Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force, explains where things went haywire.

  • The Threat to Property Rights & Title Insurance

    June 5th, 2024  |  13 mins 46 secs
    alec, american land title association, brooklyn roberts, elizabeth blosser, karla jones, land, property rights, title insurance, women leaders
  • Tackling The Fentanyl Crisis & Supporting Families

    May 30th, 2024  |  28 mins 37 secs
    alec, brooklyn roberts, fentanyl, karla jones, leadership, opioid crisis

    As part of ALEC’s Women Leadership Series, ALEC Federalism & International Relations Task Force Senior Director Karla Jones and ALEC Health & Human Services Task Force Senior Director Brooklyn Roberts recently interviewed Deena Loudon, Ambassador at Shatterproof and Mother of Matthew Loudon, and Tina Marie Bell, Mother of Brandon Bell, about dealing with the loss of loved ones to the ongoing fentanyl crisis and emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address the crisis.

  • Supporting Ukraine in Its Fight for Democracy

    May 1st, 2024  |  35 mins 35 secs
    alec, brooklyn roberts, dinara gabibullaeva, karla jones, ukraine

    In this episode of ALEC's Women Leadership Series, Karla Jones, ALEC Federalism & International Relations Task Force Senior Director, and Brooklyn Roberts, ALEC Health & Human Services Task Force Senior Director, interview Dinara Gabibullaeva, Kiev City Council Member, Chairwoman of Solidarna Molod, and President of the European Democracy Network. Their conversation touched the ongoing challenges impacting Ukraine after the Russian invasion and how the Western world can help support Ukraine maintain its sovereignty.

  • Grappling With AI Regulation & Innovation: Jake Morabito on ALEC Breakdown

    March 15th, 2024  |  14 mins 44 secs

    Jake Morabito, ALEC Communications & Technology Task Force Director, sits down with Lars Dalseide discussing the challenges of regulating AI while balancing innovation and risk on this ALEC Breakdown.

  • Tackling Human Trafficking & Supporting Survivors For Women's History Month

    March 14th, 2024  |  27 mins 30 secs
    alec, awareness, brooklyn roberts, carrie barth, human trafficking, kansas, karla jones, rebecca schmoe, survivors

    Senior Director of ALEC's Health and Human Services Task Force Brooklyn Roberts & Senior Director of Federalism, Homeland Security and International Relations Karla Jones speak with Kansas State Representatives Carrie Barth and Rebecca Schmoe about Kansas' attempts to prevent and assist the victims of human smuggling.

  • Education Freedom and Policy Priorities: Andrew Handel on ALEC Breakdown

    January 26th, 2024  |  6 mins 17 secs
    alec, andrew handel, education, freedom of speech, learning, school choice

    Andrew Handel, ALEC Education and Workforce Development Task Force Director, sat down with Lars Dalseide, ALEC Director of Policy Advancement and Media Relations, talking about the recent model policies passed by the task force such as education freedom accounts, adult learning programs, and preserving freedom of speech. Handel also talked about building upon the education freedom movement based on ALEC’s Essential Policy Solutions for 2024.