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
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100: A Price Too High? The $3.5 Trillion Reconciliation Bill
September 28th, 2021 | 20 mins 37 secs
Congress is debating the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill proposed by the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats. What impact would this unprecedentedly large tax and spending proposal have on the American economy? Join Matthew Fisher as he sits down with Jonathan Williams, Chief Economist and Executive Vice President for ALEC, to discuss the details of this reconciliation bill and the ramifications for Americans like you.
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99: The Fall of Afghanistan and Return of the Taliban w/ MP Liam Fox, Ambassador Kelley Currie, Ilan Berman, Michael O’Hanlon and Rep. Gene Ward
September 2nd, 2021 | 27 mins
The fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and the subsequent evacuation of civilians in Kabul by U.S. and NATO forces has left America stunned. Join Karla Jones, Director of the ALEC Federalism and International Relations Task Force, as she sits down to discuss the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan with member of Parliament in the United Kingdom and former Shadow Defense Secretary Dr. Liam Fox, former United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Kelley Currie, Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council Ilan Berman, Director of Research in Foreign Policy for the Brookings Institute Michael O’Hanlon and Hawaii Representative Gene Ward.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.