Across the States

66: Investing in Mississippi’s Future During COVID-19 w/ State Legislator of the Month Sen. Joel Carter

November 18th, 2020  |  12 mins 10 secs

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 the current COVID crisis, but to invest in the state’s future. Join host Dan Reynolds and October State Legislator of the Month Mississippi Senator Joel Carter as they discuss how.

65: COVID-19: A Crisis for the Hotel Industry w/ AAHOA

November 14th, 2020  |  21 mins 8 secs

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 businesses across the country, and how this pandemic has impacted these businesses. AAHOA CEO Dr. Cecil P. Staton, AAHOA Vice President for Government Affairs at AAHOA Chirag Shah and Maine County Commissioner Andre Cushing join host Dan Reynolds to weigh in.

64: 1776 Unites w/ Bob Woodson and Ian Rowe

November 11th, 2020  |  29 mins 17 secs

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 podcast today to tell us more about 1776 Unites and how its mission will play out in the states is Bob Woodson, Founder and President the Woodson Center and the Founder of 1776 Unites, Ian Rowe, Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and Senior Visiting Fellow at the Woodson Center and Sherry Street, ALEC Vice President of Policy Advancement.

63: China’s Victims of Communism: The Uyghurs w/ Marion Smith

November 6th, 2020  |  32 mins 44 secs

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 “today’s single worst [human rights] violation outside a war zone.” Listen in as Smith introduces the Uyghurs, details China’s genocide against them and praises US policies to counter Xi. Smith also references democracy’s future in Hong Kong and China’s threat to Taiwan’s sovereignty.

62: How School Choice During COVID-19 Affects Students w/ American Federation for Children

November 2nd, 2020  |  19 mins 5 secs

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 and two student education advocates, Walter Blanks Jr. and Nathan Cunneen join host Dan Reynolds to discuss how policies surrounding education choice affect students.

61: Health Care 'Dos and Don’ts' During COVID-19 w/ the Mackinac Center

October 22nd, 2020  |  18 mins 26 secs

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 Center Vice President for Strategic Outreach and Communications Lindsay Killen.

Michigan Should Permanently Loosen Restrictions on Medical Scope of Practice, Not Reinstate Them: https://www.mackinac.org/michigan-should-permanently-loosen-restrictions-on-medical-scope-of-practice-not-reinstate-them

Five Reasons Why Reinstalling Scope-of-Practice Regulations is Bizarre and Bad for Michigan: https://www.mackinac.org/five-reasons-why-reinstalling-scope-of-practice-regulations-is-bizarre-and-bad-for-michigan

60: Wildcat PPE: A Story of American Innovation During COVID-19

October 10th, 2020  |  13 mins 16 secs

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 pandemic – employing Americans, using American material and operating in a great American state. Wildcat PPE President and CEO John Houston and Managing Partner John Fleming join the podcast to discuss their story and what sets them apart in American industry.
Find out more: https://wildcatppe.com/

59: Ranking the Governors: Teasing a New ALEC Report

September 28th, 2020  |  25 mins 43 secs

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 Williams to discuss what is to come from the rankings of the 50 governors, why now is the crucial time to know how your state leader stacks up and other intel state legislators and taxpayers can look forward to learning from the report.

58: New Education Polling Data w/ EdChoice

September 16th, 2020  |  14 mins 27 secs

It’s back-to-school season, but what do many parents and caretakers think about this notion? What is the general tone of families across the states? EdChoice and its newest public opinion tracker has the answers. Here to discuss the new polling data is EdChoice’s Vice President of Research and Innovation, Paul DiPerna.

57: The Blaine Amendment Decision w/ the Institute for Justice

September 9th, 2020  |  9 mins 35 secs

What are the Blaine Amendments, how does the Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue Supreme Court Case affect school choice in the states and is your state impacted? Listen in on this episode featuring Education Choice Attorney at the Institute for Justice David Hodges, ALEC Director of the Education and Workforce Development Task Force Scott Kaufman and host Dan Reynolds to find out more.

56: Vaccine Development During a Global Pandemic w/ Rep. Oliverson and Pfizer

September 2nd, 2020  |  36 mins 32 secs

Because of COVID-19, a vaccine and the topic of vaccines are on everyone’s mind. Joining the podcast to discuss the development of a COVID-19 vaccine is Pfizer Global COVID Vaccine Medical Lead David Swerdlow and Texas State Representative Tom Oliverson, who is a medical professional. Pfizer has committed to deliver millions of vaccine doses by the end of 2020, and it has been operating within a unique regulatory environment because of COVID.

55: New MLK, Civil Rights Curriculum Initiative for the States

August 26th, 2020  |  21 mins 9 secs

There is currently an opportunity and a need to reinforce the history and the teachings that are based on Dr. King’s non-violent social justice philosophy. This means the adoption of a special curriculum. Fortunately, there is one highlighting MLK and the civil rights movement, and it has already been implemented in multiple states. Today’s podcast discussion covers this curriculum. Guests include: ALEC Vice President of Policy Advancement Sherry Street, Texas State Representative Tan Parker, Howard University Associate Provost and Assistant Vice-President for Enrollment Management Anthony Jones and Institute of World Politics Chair of Law and Human Rights Dr. Matthew Daniels.

54: Localism, Youth Involvement in Government and 100 Years of 19th Amendment w/ State Legislator of the Month Rep. Tory Arnberger

August 19th, 2020  |  16 mins 4 secs

State Legislator of the Month Rep. Tory Arnberger works hard every day as a young state legislator to advance the principles of limited government and federalism in Kansas. And during the pandemic, she’s lead her constituents with an emphasis on local control in the face of state mandates and discussions on education in the COVID-19 era. Now, she joins host Dan Reynolds to discuss this and more.

53: New ALEC Report Rich States, Poor States: A Primer

August 12th, 2020  |  30 mins 17 secs

In this special episode of Across the States Dan Reynolds is joined by two ALEC policy experts to discuss the newest edition of Rich States, Poor States: the ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index – which released today. Report co-author, ALEC EVP for Policy and Chief Economist Jonathan Williams and Senior Director of the ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform Lee Schalk discuss the background of the report, the two state rankings it awards and most importantly, how state leaders can use this year’s findings to advance economic growth following a global pandemic.

52: How to Fix the Safety Net w/ FGA

August 4th, 2020  |  29 mins 21 secs

Balancing state budgets is always important, but during the pandemic, doing it right is even more important. On the podcast today to discuss this is FGA Director of Government Affairs Roy Lendardson, FGA Senior Fellow Scott Centorino and ALEC Executive Vice President of Policy Jonathan Williams. Listen in on how the federal government has handcuffed states with “fraud by design” welfare programs, how states can actually improve budgets while still keeping welfare programs and more.

51: Certificate of Need Laws w/ Pacific Legal Foundation

July 20th, 2020  |  13 mins 48 secs

What are Certificate of Need laws and how do they affect businesses across the country? Anastasia Boden, Senior Attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, weighs in on CON laws and COVID-19, how the Pacific Legal Foundation is defending individual liberty in the states and what states can do now to protect medical freedom.