Across the States

98: Keeping the Promise to Retired Public Employees: The ALEC Debt Trilogy

July 22nd, 2021  |  27 mins 39 secs

Did you know the states owe more than $20,000 per person in unfunded liabilities? Millions of Americans and their hopes of a secure retirement are vulnerable to mismanagement and poor accounting by statehouses. Join Matthew Fisher as he sits down with Jonathan Williams, ALEC Chief Economist, Lee Schalk, Senior Director of the Center for State Fiscal Reform and Thomas Savidge, Research Manager for the Center for State Fiscal Reform as they discuss the newest release of the ALEC Debt Trilogy: Other Post-Employment Benefit Liabilities, Unaccountable and Unaffordable and State Bonded Obligations. Learn how ALEC is helping states steer their way onto stable financial ground.

97: Hydrogen: Powering the Future w/ Rep. Melissa Ballard

July 9th, 2021  |  16 mins 16 secs

The State of Utah is not resting on its first-place finish in Rich States Poor States. Join Matthew Fisher as he sits down with Representative Melissa Ballard of Utah and ALEC Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Manager Carly Good, to discuss how the Beehive State is investing in the future of energy with Hydrogen. Find out how Representative Ballard’s efforts to enact Alternative Fuel Incentives Amendments are helping diversify and grow Utah’s economy on this edition of Across the States.
*Correction: 1/3 of total GDP goes through Utah.

96: The FORUM Act and Free Speech: Protecting the First Amendment on College Campuses w/ Rikki Schlott

June 26th, 2021  |  13 mins 9 secs

Freedom of speech has become a hotly contested matter on college campuses but the State of Montana is taking a stand for the First Amendment. Listen in as Matthew Fisher sits down with Rikki Schlott, freelance journalist and writer, and Andrew Handel, Director of the ALEC Education and Workforce Development Task Force, to discuss Montana’s recently enacted FORUM Act and how it protects free speech in postsecondary education.

95: Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, HIV/AIDS Prevention, and Pride Month with State Legislator of the Month Rep. Phil Christofanelli

June 23rd, 2021  |  13 mins 20 secs

In just the last four months, the Missouri House of Representatives has passed sweeping education reform and HIV/AIDS prevention legislation thanks to State Legislator of the Month, Representative Phil Christofanelli. Join Matthew Fisher as he sits down with Rep. Christofanelli to discuss the passage of both his Empowerment Scholarship Accounts plan and his proposal to expand access to pre- and post-HIV exposure medications.

94: Pay It Forward: How Bucksport, ME, Triumphed over COVID-19 w/ Susan Lessard

June 9th, 2021  |  20 mins 24 secs

Small businesses and localities felt the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. However, the small town of Bucksport, Maine, found a way through the crisis through innovative policies and neighborly compassion. Listen in as Matthew Fisher sits down with Bucksport Town Manager Susan Lessard and Penobscot County Commissioner Andre Cushing to discuss the success of Lessard’s ‘Pay It Forward’ program and how her hometown navigated the pandemic.

93: Tackling Recidivism w/ Kim Moser

June 4th, 2021  |  18 mins 48 secs

The criminal justice system is no stranger to the long-time cycle of inmates in and out of prison with little hope for a second chance in society. But thanks to Kentucky Representative Kim Moser and her HB 497, the Bluegrass State could break that cycle. Listen in as Matthew Fisher sits down with Representative Moser and ALEC Policy Analyst Lourdes Bautista as they dissect the issue of recidivism and how her recently enacted bill could change the game when it comes to inmate reentry into the workforce.

92: Crisis in Belarus w/ Hanna Yahorava

June 2nd, 2021  |  34 mins 48 secs

The recent detainment of journalist and activist Roman Protasevich by the Belarusian government has led to a wave of condemnation against the authoritarian Lukashenko regime. Listen in as Matthew Fisher sits down with Hanna Yahorava, Activist in the Belarus United Civic Party and Director of United Mass Media, and Karla Jones, Senior Director of the Federalism and International Relations task forces for ALEC, to discuss the recent developments in Belarus, the corruption of President Lukashenko and the suffering of the Belarusian people.

91: How Energy Development Fuels Education and Local Government w/ Lori Saine and Dicky Shanor

May 28th, 2021  |  17 mins 22 secs

Politicians often treat energy and education as two separate topics. But on the local level, the two have more in common than one may think. Join Hunter Hamberlin as he sits down with Weld County Commissioner and former Colorado State Representative, Lori Saine, and Chief of Staff of the Wyoming Department of Education Dicky Shanor to discuss how oil and gas development can be a catalyst for improving America’s schools.

90: Making Government Work w/ Tan Parker

May 26th, 2021  |  18 mins 7 secs

America faces many challenges that demand action. In his new book, Making Government Work, Texas State Representative Tan Parker brings together the best and brightest of public servants and policy minds to propose innovative solutions for state lawmakers. Join Representative Parker and Matthew Fisher as they discuss “Making Government Work” and how policy reforms based on federalism offer America a better future.

89: Drones and Federalism w/Brent Skorup

May 21st, 2021  |  14 mins 59 secs

drones, states

Drones are a constant source of debate in America. But how do UAVs relate to federalism? Join Brent Skorup, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center, and Karla Jones, Senior Director of the ALEC Task Forces on International Relations and Federalism, as they sit down with Matthew Fisher to discuss how state and local lawmakers are leading the way when it comes to managing and utilizing the emergence of drones in everyday life.

88: The Rise of Communist China w/ Newt Gingrich

May 19th, 2021  |  29 mins 39 secs

Join former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson on a special episode of Across the State as they discuss the emergence of China as a global power. In a conversation about China’s aggressive ambitions to America’s flawed approach to Beijing in the past, find out what the United States can do to counter Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party in the future.

87: China’s Rise, America’s Response w/ Dr. Weifeng Zhong

May 14th, 2021  |  28 mins 32 secs

China’s rise and determination to become the preeminent global economic and military power is one of the most complex foreign policy issues facing the United States today. On this episode of Across the States, Matthew Fisher sits down with Dr. Weifeng Zhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and Karla Jones, Senior Director of Federalism and International Relations at ALEC, to discuss current challenges between the two nations and optimal US responses.Weifeng Zhong’s previous Across the States podcast on Chinese propaganda

86: Rich States, Poor States: The New Edition

May 12th, 2021  |  34 mins 9 secs

The newest edition of Rich States, Poor States tells the story of the free-market ideals that build prosperous states after COVID-19 and beyond, and outlines the policy priorities that helped states stay ahead in 2020. Join report coauthor and ALEC Chief Economist Jonathan Williams and Senior Director of the ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform Lee Schalk for a discussion on the winners and losers of the 14th Edition, and the policy priorities that can help.

85: Smart Cities III w/ Jonathon Hauenschild

May 5th, 2021  |  14 mins 48 secs

What is urban mobility? And how does it impact the growth and vitality of local economies? Jonathon Hauenschild sits down with Hunter Hamberlin to discuss the importance of urban mobility and how state and local lawmakers can navigate the hurdles and barriers to its development.

84: ALEC Brief Filing to SCOTUS: Donor Disclosure and the 1st Amendment

April 27th, 2021  |  24 mins 45 secs

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Monday, April 26th, for Americans for Prosperity v. Becerra - a case concerning donor disclosure and the First Amendment. ALEC submitted an amicus brief to the court concerning this case in early March, bringing to light what happens when donor privacy isn’t preserved—when ideological opponents harass and intimidate people and organizations because of the causes they support. Today the report authors, former FEC Chairman and attorney Lee Goodman, Director for the ALEC Task Force on Communications and Technology Jonathon Hauenschild and Counsel and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Bartlett Cleland sit down to discuss the implications of this case and why ALEC chose to take a stand.

83: Truth in Taxation w/ Jonathan Williams and Lee Schalk

April 23rd, 2021  |  15 mins 43 secs

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.