Joe Trotter, ALEC's Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Director, sits down with Lars Dalseide to discuss the probable causes of the fires in Maui and how President Biden's decision to designate one of America's richest uranium deposits as a national monument severely restricts the country's ability to become energy independent.

Special Guest: Joe Trotter.

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ALEC Federalism, Homeland Security & International Relations Task Force Senior Director Karla Jones sat down with Colin Grabow, Research Fellow at the CATO Institute Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, to discuss The Jones Act and its implications on maritime commerce and national security.

Special Guest: Colin Grabow.

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An upcoming ballot measure in Colorado would allow massive expansion in government spending and weaken the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), the nation’s strongest taxpayer protection. At the tail end of Colorado’s legislative session, Governor Jared Polis signed a property tax bill that now requires voter approval. If approved, TABOR would be gutted in exchange for a small short term cut to property taxes. Known as Proposition HH, this proposal tempts voters with the promise of property tax cuts, while its real purpose is to water-down TABOR’s revenue and spending limits.

Ben Murrey, Director of Fiscal Policy at the Independence Institute described the package as a “boondoggle of a property tax plan.” According to The Center Square, it would decrease TABOR refunds by 23%.

TABOR is the gold standard for tax and expenditure limits (TELs). Since its adoption by voters as a state constitutional amendment in 1992, it has helped to restrain the growth of government and returned billions of dollars to Colorado taxpayers.

The attacks on TABOR aren’t new. The property tax “cut” is only the latest gimmicky attempt to unleash the leviathan of big government on hard-working Coloradans.

Special Guest: Nick Stark.

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ALEC's Karla Jones speaks with His Excellency Marek Magierowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States.

We are honored to share Karla Jones' thought-provoking conversation with His Excellency Marek Magierowski, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States. Their conversation centers on the ongoing war in Ukraine, examining its impact from both a European and, more specifically, a Polish perspective.

Poland's historical and geographical proximity to Ukraine has positioned it as a significant stakeholder in the region's stability. This conversation offered an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Poland and its perspective on the situation.

Special Guest: Marek Magierowski.

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Know what you're paying when going to the hospital? What a medication cost? What an operation cost? If not then your state probably needs a little health care transparency. Lars Dalseide sits down with ALEC's Health and Human Services Task Force Director Brooklyn Roberts to discuss state actions being taken to promote price transparency for when patients are choosing their health care.

Special Guest: Brooklyn Roberts.

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Jake Morabito, ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Director, sat down with Lars Dalseide to discuss comments ALEC submitted to the National Telecommunications & Information Administration’s (NTIA) proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Accountability Policy RFC.

Special Guest: Jake Morabito.

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With smoky skies littering the eastern seaboard, the quality of Canada's forest management policies have come into question. Lars Dalseide sits down with ALEC's Energy, Environment, Agriculture Task Force Director Joe Trotter to discuss the current cloudy situation and how Canada could make better environmental choices.

Special Guest: Joe Trotter.

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As part of Women’s History Month, ALEC Senior Task Force Director Karla Jones sits down with one of the nation’s foremost experts on international trade Gabriella Beaumont‐Smith of the Cato Institute’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies. They look at the international trade aspects of the ongoing baby formula crisis in the United States. Data shows that there is enough supply of baby formula in the market, so why are parents still seeing empty shelves in stores? Jones and Beaumont-Smith also discuss barriers preventing American parents from freely buying infant formula from safe trading partners that most of us would consider safe such as Canada. Finally, they consider options state government have to ensure their citizens have access to baby food formula.

Special Guest: Gabriella Beaumont-Smith.

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ALEC Education and Workforce Task Force Director Andrew Handel and ALEC Executive VP of Policy Jonathan Williams host a policy hour on the Education Freedom Moment in the United States. States are reimaging education in their states. ALEC is joined by Sen. Jim Dotson of Arkansas, Sen. Pat Rucker of West Virginia, Speaker Pro Tem. John Wills of Iowa and economist Steve Moore. They discuss universal education savings accounts and other sweeping reforms that are empowering students and their parents.

Special Guests: Jonathan Williams, Rep. John Wills, Sen. Jim Dotson (AR), Sen. Pat Rucker, and Stephen Moore.

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In recognition of January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, ALEC’s Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development (CIED) Task Force hosted a webinar addressing this issue. Guest speakers from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Summit Beverage, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce discussed ongoing efforts to help prevent and end human trafficking.

• ALEC’s 2022 Annual Meeting Plenary Session on Combating Human Trafficking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFVg374UT00
• NBWA's Distributors Against Human Trafficking
https://nbwa.org/initiative/distributors-against-human-trafficking/
• NBWA Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/
• Sentinel Project Information
https://mbwda.org/sentinel-project
• AHLAF No Room for Trafficking program (includes a legislation overview)
https://www.ahlafoundation.org/human-trafficking
• AHLA Trafficking Prevention
https://www.ahla.com/issue/human-trafficking-prevention
• AHLAF-supported Anti-Human Trafficking Training modules
https://www.ecpatusa.org/hotel-training
• Chamber of Commerce Task Force to Eradicate Human Trafficking
https://www.uschamber.com/major-initiative/task-force-to-eradicate-human-trafficking
• Chamber of Commerce Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation Tracker
https://www.uschamber.com/major-initiative/task-force-to-eradicate-human-trafficking/anti-human-trafficking-legislation-tracker
• It’s a Penalty Testimonial Videos
https://itsapenalty.org/the-problem/

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Join the American Optometric Association's Dr. William T. Reynolds and ALEC Senior Director of the ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Brooklyn Roberts for a discussion on how states can play a critical role in addressing growing problems with vision plan providers. The American Optometric Association said too often vision plan providers are getting between patients and doctors and making it hard for patients to get the best care at the best price.

Special Guest: Dr. William T. Reynolds, O.D..

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On this episode of Across the States, Matt Fisher sits down with Jenny Schmitt, an accomplished advocate for the Nurse Anesthesiology profession, and Mike MacKinnon, the owner of MacKinnon Anesthesia and the Program Director for National Anesthesia Services. Together with ALEC's Director of Health and Human Services task force, Brooklyn Roberts, they discuss the significance of anesthetics and why it plays a critical role in healthcare.

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Matt Fisher hosts a conversation between New York Post Columnist Rikki Schlatt, ALEC Education and Workplace Task Force Director Andrew Handel and Executive Director of Speech First Cherise Trump about free speech on campuses and the battle for the First Amendment in higher education.

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On this episode of Across the States, Matt Fisher hosts Will Estrada, the President of Parental Rights, to talk about school choice, charter schools, and the issues behind the discussion of educational freedom.

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If you’ve discussed cryptocurrencies or talked to people who work in the digital technologies space, “blockchain” is a term you’ve likely heard before. But what does it actually mean? Join Leo Briceno on this episode of Across the States as he interviews Yan Pritzker, the CTO of Swan Bitcoin and a blockchain expert, and Jonathon Hauenschildchild, ALEC’s Communications and Technology Task Force Director, to learn the fundamentals of what blockchain actually is and how it works.

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Criminal justice reform is an issue of growing national importance. Join Nino Marchese, ALEC Task Force Director for Civil and Criminal, and Catherine Mortensen as they sit down with Lew Evangelidis, Sheriff of Worcester County, Massachusetts, who is making his community safe again by reforming his jail and holding people accountable by following the motto "There is no dignity in dependence."

YouTube Video of Podcast

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The recent acquisition of social media giant Twitter by Elon Musk has sparked vigorous debate. Joining Across the States to discuss what Musk’s purchase of Twitter means and how governments have been pressuring social media companies to remove content is Harmeet Dhillon, CEO of the Center for American Liberty and long-time civil rights and free speech attorney, and Jonathon Hauenschild, Director of the ALEC Task Force on Communications and Technology Task Force.
Video Version of the Podcast, YouTube

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The American Legislative Exchange Council's Chief Economist Jonathan Williams unveils the 2022 Rich States, Poor States annual ranking of states based on how well they are governed. How does your state rank?

Video edition of podcast: Why are Some States Rich and Some States Poor
Rich States, Poor States website

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Inflation reached record heights in March as prices soared by 8.5%. With working families paying more for gas and groceries, Lee Schalk, Vice President of Policy at ALEC, and Joe Trotter, Director of Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force, joined ALECtv and Across the States to discuss this latest development with Matt Fisher and Catherine Mortensen.\

Video Version of Today's Podcast, Runaway Inflation w/ Lee Schalk and Joe Trotter
The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Inflation Accelerated to 8.5% in March, Hitting Four-Decade High

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Results from the recent school board elections across Wisconsin sent a strong message to elected officials that parent empowerment matters. Joining Bill Ashworth and Catherine Mortensen on ALECtv and Across the States this week are three individuals who won seats on their respective school boards in Wisconsin, Matthew Phipps, Matthew Spaulding, and Tony Vlastelica, about what inspired them to get involved and run.

Link to ALECtv Video Version of Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtqECQ5RcHI

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Last week, the American Legislative Exchange Council released the second edition of the 2021 Laffer-ALEC Report on Economic Freedom, Grading America’s Governors. Jonathan Williams, ALEC Chief Economist and Executive Vice President of Policy, and Lee Schalk, Vice President of Policy, joined Matthew Fisher to break down the best and worst governors of America, what the report measures, and highlight the work governors and statehouses are doing in 2022.

2021 Laffer-ALEC Report on Economic Freedom, Grading America’s Governors Report: https://alec.org/publication/2021-laffer-alec-report-on-economic-freedom-grading-americas-governors/
Rank Your Governor and Compare it at: https://www.rankmygovernor.org/

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The Russian invasion of Ukraine combined with regulations at the state and federal level have presented a myriad of challenges for rural Americans and the agriculture industry. Join Matthew Fisher and Joe Trotter, Director of the ALEC Task Force on Energy, Environment, and Agriculture, as they sit down with Phil Green, Representative from Michigan's 84th District and Chair of the ALEC Subcommittee on Agriculture, to discuss the potential of food shortages, job losses, and more.

The Crisis in Ukraine Has Major Implications for the Agricultural Sector and Global Food Security, by Karla Jones and Joe Trotter

Learn more about the Russian invasion of Ukraine with our two part series Ukraine: On the Frontlines in Kyiv Part w/ Mykola Vorobiov and Karla Jones:
Part I
Part II

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In the second of a two-part Across the States special on the War in Ukraine, Mykola Vorobiov, Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation Fellow & Journalist based in Kyiv, Ukraine, sat down for another interview on March 15, 2022, with Karla Jones, Sr. Director of the ALEC Task Force on International Relations and Federalism offers his eyewitness testimony on the situation on the ground in Ukraine as Ukrainians resist the Russian invasion and describes what Ukraine/Russia peace negotiations might look like. Mykola expresses gratitude to the US for our assistance and his opinion of Zelenskyy has evolved from cautious skepticism of the neophyte politician’s ability to command a nation at war in Part I to describing him as “The leader of the free world!” in Part II.

Link to Part I of Ukraine: On the Frontlines in Kyiv
Mykola Vorobiov Twitter: @komitet2012

Other Links:
ALEC Statement on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine Policy Hour and Podcast Featuring Cong. Victoria Spartz, Chris Holzen (IRI), Alan Mendoza (Henry Jackson Society, a British national security think tank), Damon Wilson (NED) and diplomats from Estonia and Ukraine
Policy Hour Video to Policy Hour
Across the States Podcast Episode from Policy Hour

Link to ALEC Article on Ukraine op-ed in the Hill

Garry Kasparov Quote on NATO and Ukraine toward the end of the podcast
“NATO leaders have all the weapons and no courage and Zelenskyy has courage and not enough weapons.”

ALEC Model Policies
Resolution Commemorating NATO’s 70th Anniversary

Victims of Communism Memorial Day Resolution

CORRECTION: Quote from anti-Communist Ukrainian Leader Stepan Bandera (erroneously attributed to Winston Churchill) toward the end of the podcast
“When the people choose bread between bread and freedom, they eventually lose everything including bread. If the people choose freedom, they will have bread grown by themselves and not taken away by anyone.”

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The ongoing war of Russian aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated the brutality of Vladimir Putin and the heroism of the Ukrainian people. In in the first of a two-part special by Across the States on the war in Ukraine, Mykola Vorobiov, Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation Fellow & Journalist based in Kyiv, Ukraine, joined Karla Jones, Sr. Director of the ALEC Task Force on International Relations and Federalism, on February 22, 2022. Mykola gives us a picture of life in Ukraine during the days leading up to the invasion, some helpful background on how we got to the edge of war and his predictions on the impact the impending conflict might have on his nation.

Link to Part II of Ukraine: On the Frontlines in Kyiv:
Mykola Vorobiov Twitter: @komitet2012
Other Links
ALEC Statement on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine Policy Hour and Podcast Featuring Cong. Victoria Spartz, Chris Holzen (IRI), Alan Mendoza (Henry Jackson Society, a British national security think tank), Damon Wilson (NED) and diplomats from Estonia and Ukraine
Policy Hour Video to Policy Hour
Across the States Podcast Episode from Policy Hour

Link to ALEC Article on Ukraine op-ed in the Hill

Atlantic Council Article on the Orange Revolution referenced during the podcast

Atlantic Council Article on Yalta referenced during the podcast

ALEC Model Policies
Resolution Commemorating NATO’s 70th Anniversary

Victims of Communism Memorial Day Resolution

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At CPAC 2022 in Orlando, Florida, John Cardillo, conservative commentator, sat down for an interview with Matt Fisher at the ALEC booth to discuss a variety of issues pertaining to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and more.

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Small businesses are responsible for more than 60% of all new jobs created in the United States. In Iowa, Representative John Wills is leading the charge to invest in the entrepreneurs, home-based businesses, and cottage industries who make up the backbone of our economy. On today’s episode of Across the States, ALEC’s February State Legislator of the Month and Board of Directors member Representative Wills joins Gretchen Baldau, Director of the Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force at ALEC, and Matt Fisher to discuss his efforts in the state legislature in Des Moines to support small businesses and deliver results for constituents.

Related ALEC Resources
Off to Work from Home: Lifting Restrictions on Home-Based Businesses
Home-Based Business Fairness Act
Food Freedom Act

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Law enforcement officials face new and emerging challenges everyday. At CPAC 2022, Nino Marchese, Director of the ALEC Task Forces on Civil Justice and Criminal Justice, sat down with Rob O'Donnell, author for Law Enforcement Today, to discuss the status of police reform and how America can invest more in those who vow to serve and protect their communities and country.

LEARN MORE:
ALEC Task Force on Criminal Justice Reform
ALEC Task Force on Civil Justice
Law Enforcement Today website

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On February 16, before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ALEC recorded a Policy Hour podcast featuring Lisa B. Nelson, CEO of the American Legislative Exchange Council and Ms. Karla Jones, Senior Director of the ALEC Federalism and International Relations Task Force as they discuss the then unfolding crisis in Ukraine with Congresswoman Victoria Spartz, Yaroslav Brisiuck, DCM of the Embassy of Ukraine to the United States, Chris Holzen, Senior Advisor for Europe and Eurasia at the International Republican Institute, Alan Mendoza, Executive Director and Founder, Henry Jackson Society, Margus Särglepp, DCM, Estonian Embassy to the United States, and Damon Wilson, President and CEO, National Endowment for Democracy.

Background Materials
ALEC article by Karla Jones, “Putin’s Ukraine Gambit Unites Western Democracies He Sought to Divide” https://alec.org/article/putins-ukraine-gambit-unites-western-democracies-he-sought-to-divide/
CSPAN Video of February 23 UN Security Council Meeting including statement from Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UN
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5003018/user-clip-security-council-emergency-meeting-ukraines-ambassadors-remarks

Congresswoman Victoria Spartz’s Statement on Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine
https://spartz.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-spartzs-statement-putins-invasion-ukraine

Condemnation of Russian Aggression from Estonian Leadership
https://news.err.ee/1608510773/estonia-condemns-russia-s-attack-on-ukraine-evil-is-real

International Republican Institute Statement on Russia’s Military Attack against Ukraine
https://www.iri.org/news/iri-statement-on-russias-military-attack-on-ukraine/

National Endowment for Democracy’s Statement on Russian Aggression against Ukraine
https://www.ned.org/ned-stands-in-solidarity-with-ukraine/

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School choice has become a national movement in statehouses across America. To learn more about this innovative policy of empowerment, join Matthew Fisher as he sits down with Jason Bedrick, Director of Policy, Michael McShane, Director of National Research at EdChoice, and Andrew Handel, Director of the Education and Workforce Development.

Ed Choice website, https://www.edchoice.org/
Axios article, “Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds pushes for ‘school choice’ bill” “https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/02/15/iowa-kim-reynolds-school-choice-bill-scholarships

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The debate over healthcare dominates the national political discourse, but state lawmakers possess significant power and ability to bring about positive reforms for their constituents. Join us as Matthew Fisher sits down with Brian Blase, founder of the Paragon Health Institute, Naomi Lopez, Director of Healthcare Policy at the Goldwater Institute, and Matt Mitchell, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Equal Liberty Initiative at Mercatus Center, to discuss their publication Don’t Wait for Washington: How States Can Reform Health Care Today courtesy of the Paragon Health Institute. Learn how your state can lead the charge for better healthcare for all Americans.

Don’t Wait for Washington: How States Can Reform Health Care Today report, https://paragoninstitute.org/dont-wait-for-washington/
Paragon Health Institute website, https://paragoninstitute.org/

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Senator John Albers of Georgia is not only a strong supporter of ALEC. He is a lawmaker with a resume of results. And on today’s episode of Across the States, he joins us to share his thoughts on the state of Georgia politics and how he and his family have overcome trials to better serve his constituents.
Fox 5 Atlanta article, “Georgia Senate approves bill inspired by senator’s family health journey” https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/georgia-senate-approves-bill-giving-the-gift-of-life-act-organ-donations
WGXA article, “’Inform Consumers Act’ moves to protect online shoppers from fake goods” https://wgxa.tv/news/local/inform-consumers-act-moves-to-protect-online-shoppers-from-fake-goods

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In Loudoun County, Virginia, the struggle for parents rights in education has captured the public’s attention. On today’s episode of Across the States, we sit down with John Whitbeck, partner at WhitbeckBennet Family Law firm and former Chairman of the Virginia Republican Party, Bill Ashworth, Vice President of Public Affairs and Engagement, and Andrew Handel, Director of the ALEC Taskforce for Education and Workforce Development. Whitbeck also serves as a Professor of Law at George Mason University and has been active in the movement for parents rights in education.
John Whitbeck profile, WhitbeckBennet website https://wblaws.com/professionals/john-c-whitbeck/
John Whitbeck Twitter account, https://twitter.com/JohnWhitbeck
InsideNova article on Youngkin executive orders, https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/gov-youngkin-issues-executive-orders-to-end-school-mask-mandate-investigate-wrongdoing-in-loudoun/article_75e5e9dc-762e-11ec-9a41-f7b14b28d5e2.html
WUSA article on Youngkin executive orders, https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/virginia-governor-youngkin-11-executive-actions-ban-critical-race-theory-covid-masks-schools-loudoun-investigation/65-6a1677d4-ef5a-4d2e-bece-10689e2af7d6

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State legislatures are assembled, and lawmakers are debating how best to foster economic growth in their states. Join us as we sit down with Carla J. Sonntag, President and Founder of the New Mexico Business Coalition, and Jonathan Williams, ALEC Chief Economist and Executive Vice President of Policy, to discuss what changes need to be made in states like New Mexico struggling with high taxes and overbearing regulation.
Learn More about the New Mexico Business Coalition, nmbizcoalition.org

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Content moderation on social media has sparked vigorous debate over freedom of speech in online forums. From the permanent suspension of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s personal Twitter account to the Heroes of Liberty controversy at Facebook, the intersection of the 1st Amendment and the Internet are only growing in importance. Matthew Fisher sits down with Jonathon Hauenschild, Director of the ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force to discuss Twitter, Facebook, and other social media giants while exploring ways lawmakers can get involved.
Learn More:
ALEC Policy - Statement of Principles on Online Free Speech, https://alec.org/model-policy/statement-of-principles-on-online-free-speech/
NBC News coverage of Marjorie Taylor Greene Suspension from Twitter, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/twitter-suspends-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-again-covid-19-tweets-n1274446

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America’s foster care system is in need of reform to protect children and give them a chance to grow up in a stable environment. On this week’s episode of Across the States, we sit down with Senator Nancy Barto of Arizona and Rebecca Masterson, Chief Counsel of Gen Justice, to discuss policies that will empower law enforcement and our foster care system to protect America’s youth.

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The crisis of homelessness is spreading throughout the United States impacting over half of a million Americans. But organizations like the Switchpoint Community Resource Center are working to make a difference. Join Matthew Fisher as he sits down with Carol Hollowell, Executive Director of Switchpoint, and Andre Cushing of the American City County Exchange as they discuss remedies to the homelessness that empower and uplift communities.
Switchpoint Website: https://switchpointcrc.org/
ALEC article “Tackling the Crisis of Homelessness in America” by Alexander Hageman, August 9, 2019 https://www.alec.org/article/tackling-the-crisis-of-homelessness-in-america/

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The U.S. House of Representatives has approved and sent the bipartisan infrastructure bill, H.R. 3684, to President Biden’s desk for his signature. While a noteworthy investment in America’s critical infrastructure, not all is excellent or praiseworthy. Join Matthew Fisher and Jonathon Hauenschild, Director of the Communications and Technology Task Force at ALEC, as they delve into the Bitcoin tax and preferential treatment of select corporations and industries.
Wall Street Journal on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill https://www.wsj.com/articles/infrastructure-bill-2021-what-11627515002
CNBC on Impact of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill on Cryptocurrencies https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/09/how-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-will-impact-crypto-investors.html

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Civil asset forfeiture presents numerous legal and constitutional problems for state and local authorities. Join Nino Marchese, Director, Civil Justice and Criminal Justice, as he sits down to discuss the civil asset forfeiture and efforts at reform with John Andrews, State Representative from Maine, and Dan Greenberg, Senior Attorney at the Competitive Enterprise Institute.
‘Innocent Victims of California Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws’ by Lourdes Bautista and Jake Pankoff
https://www.alec.org/article/innocent-victims-of-california-civil-asset-forfeiture-laws/

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The Biden administration and Congressional Democrats are actively pushing a massive expansion of power for the Internal Revenue Service that would directly impact hundreds of millions of Americans and their bank accounts. Join Matthew Fisher as he sits down with John Murante, Nebraska State Treasurer, to delve into the details and consequences for states and businesses of this proposal, as well as what state and local lawmakers can do.

Taxing Times in Washington: What Every State Legislator Needs to Know, by Jonathan Williams and Lee Schalk
https://www.alec.org/article/taxing-times-in-washington-what-every-state-legislator-needs-to-know/
CBS News Report on IRS Reporting Proposal
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/treasury-proposal-to-report-bank-information-600/

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The Abraham Accords constituted a historic leap forward in Israel’s relations with the Arab world. But what does the future hold for the United States and Israel after the Trump presidency? And how can local lawmakers get involved? Join Karla Jones, Senior Task Force Director for Federalism and International Relations, as she sits with Aryeh Lightstone, advisor to former United States Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Special Envoy for Economic Normalization, to discuss where both nations go from here.
Failure of Palestinian Governance and the Latest Conflict between Israel and Hamas, by Karla Jones and Anna Small
https://www.alec.org/article/failure-of-palestinian-governance-and-the-latest-conflict-between-israel-and-hamas/
Strengthening the U.S. Israel Economic and Strategic Partnership
https://www.alec.org/article/strengthening-the-u-s-israel-economic-and-strategic-partnership/

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The budget reconciliation bill proposed by the Biden administration and congressional Democrats would fundamentally change the way our economy operates with trillions in new spending and a myriad of complications and problems for the private sector. Join Lee Schalk, Vice President of Policy at ALEC, as he sits down to discuss the reconciliation bill and its potential impact with FreedomWorks Chief Economist Stephen Moore, Pennsylvania Representative Seth Grove, and ALEC Executive Vice President Jonathan Williams.
ALEC Blog Post on Reconciliation Bill, Taxing Times in Washington
https://www.alec.org/article/taxing-times-in-washington-what-every-state-legislator-needs-to-know/
Wall Street Journal, The Next Medicaid Blowout
https://www.wsj.com/articles/affordable-care-act-obamacare-medicaid-expansion-insurance-health-care-reconciliation-11632259356
Committee for a Responsible Budget study on Reconciliation bill
https://www.crfb.org/blogs/true-cost-budget-plan-could-exceed-5-trillion

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Congress is debating the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill proposed by the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats. What impact would this unprecedented 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.
ALEC Blog Post on Reconciliation Bill, Taxing Times in Washington
https://www.alec.org/article/taxing-times-in-washington-what-every-state-legislator-needs-to-know/
Wall Street Journal, The Next Medicaid Blowout
https://www.wsj.com/articles/affordable-care-act-obamacare-medicaid-expansion-insurance-health-care-reconciliation-11632259356
Committee for a Responsible Budget study on Reconciliation bill
https://www.crfb.org/blogs/true-cost-budget-plan-could-exceed-5-trillion

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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.
ALECtv Roundtable with Afghan Ambassador to the United States Roya Rahmani, Ambassador Currie and Michelle Bekkering of the US Global Leadership Coalition https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkErrNzFnJk
ALEC Resolution Urging Evacuation and Protection of Interpreters and their Families and Other Afghan Nationals Who Assisted the United States https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-urging-congress-and-potus-to-evacuate-and-protect-interpreters-their-families-and-other-afghan-nationals-who-assisted-us-and-nato-forces-before-us-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/

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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.

Other Post-Employment Benefit Liabilities 2020 report: https://www.alec.org/publication/other-post-employment-benefit-liabilities-2020/
Unaccountable and Unaffordable 2020 report: https://www.alec.org/publication/unaccountable-and-unaffordable-2020/
State Bonded Obligations 2020 report: https://www.alec.org/publication/state-bonded-obligations-2020/
CNBC Article on Unaccountable Unaffordable 2020, “Kelly Evans: Moving to Tennessee”: https://www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/06/24/kelly-evans-moving-to-tennessee.html
Jonathan Williams Article on State Bonded Obligations 2020: alec.org/state-bonded

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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.

LINKS
Energy Affordability Report 2021: https://www.alec.org/publication/energy-affordability-report/
ALEC Model Policy for Hydrogen: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/hydrogen-tax-incentives-act/
Rep. Ballard: Realizing Utah’s clean energy potential, Utah Policy: https://utahpolicy.com/archive/26502-rep-ballard-realizing-utah-s-clean-energy-potential

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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.
The FORUM Act in Reason: https://reason.com/2021/04/20/montana-becomes-latest-state-to-protect-free-speech-with-the-forum-act/
ALEC on the Passage of FORUM Act: https://www.alec.org/article/montana-passes-legislation-to-protect-free-speech-of-college-students/

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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.
Rep. Phil Christofanelli in the Missouri Times: https://themissouritimes.com/phil-christofanelli-is-headlining-this-legislative-session/
MO HIV/AIDS bill in the St. Louis Post: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/changes-to-hiv-laws-moving-in-missouri-legislature-but-anti-discrimination-win-proves-elusive/article_9384594b-880c-5aef-b4d6-0b1b4af5bb39.html
ESA bill passage in the Missouri Independent: https://missouriindependent.com/2021/06/02/missouri-lawmakers-passed-a-tax-credit-program-to-fund-school-choice-how-will-it-work/

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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.
Pay It Forward Plan: https://www.bucksportmaine.gov/vertical/sites/%7B1700581E-144E-4C5D-B026-79CCA6D1E656%7D/uploads/Proposals_for_Council.pdf
Fox Bangor Coverage of Pay It Forward: https://www.foxbangor.com/news/item/bucksport-pays-it-forward/
WABI Channel 5 Coverage of Pay It Forward: https://www.wabi.tv/content/news/Bucksport-councilors-approve-relief-for-businesses-and-residents-569345791.html

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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.
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Bottom Line Article: https://kychamberbottomline.com/2021/03/15/certificate-of-employability-bill-clears-senate-committee/
WTQV Article on Passage of HB 497: https://www.wtvq.com/2021/03/31/criminal-justice-reform-group-applauds-legislative-action/

ALEC Resolution in Favor of Reentry Programs: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-in-support-of-reentry-programs/
ALEC Model Policy for Civil Liability for Employers Hiring Ex-Offenders: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/civil-liability-for-employers-hiring-ex-offenders-act/

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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.

Atlantic Council article on Belarusian State-Sponsored Air Piracy: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/state-sponsored-air-piracy-belarus-dictator-lukashenka-demonstrates-his-defiance/
AP News Article on Belarusian Election Fraud: https://apnews.com/article/international-news-ap-top-news-europe-72e43a8b9e4c56362d4c1d6393bd54fb
ALEC Article on Belarus, 2020: https://www.alec.org/article/belarus-at-a-crossroads-authoritarian-rule-or-liberal-democracy/
Atlantic Council webinar on Belarusian Political Prisoners: https://prisoners.spring96.org/en

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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.
ACCE Website: https://www.alec.org/task-force/american-city-county-exchange/
Fort Lupton Press Story on Lori Saine Election to County Commissioner: https://www.ftluptonpress.com/stories/two-new-commissioner-sworn-into-the-job,371582

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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.
Making Government Work: https://makinggovernmentwork.com/
Tan Parker State Legislator of the Month: https://www.alec.org/article/state-legislator-of-the-month-tx-rep-tan-parker/
Tan Parker on the USMCA Trade Agreement: https://www.alec.org/article/alec-state-chair-rep-tan-parker-tells-us-why-usmca-is-a-win-for-texas-and-a-win-for-the-rest-of-the-nation/

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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.
Which States Are Prepared for the Drone Industry, v. 2.0 (50-state map and rankings): https://www.mercatus.org/publications/technology-and-innovation/which-states-are-prepared-drone-industry-0
The FAA is preparing for delivery drones in 2021. Is your state ready? (USA Today op-ed): https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/01/30/your-state-ready-expansion-drone-delivery-column/4258507001/
Drone Technology, Airspace Design, and Aerial Law in States and Cities (white paper): https://www.mercatus.org/publications/technology-and-innovation/drone-technology-airspace-design-and-aerial-law-states-and-0

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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.
ALEC Article on China’s Belt and Road Initiative: https://www.alec.org/article/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-undermines-partner-countries-democratic-governance/
ALEC Article on China’s National Security Law on Hong Kong: https://www.alec.org/article/china-implements-national-security-law-that-threatens-to-violate-hong-kongs-sovereignty/
Newt Gingrich Op-Ed in Fox News “China’s secret campaign to spy on US and buy influence is exposed”: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/china-universities-spying-newt-gingrich
Newt Gingrich Op-Ed in Newsweek: “The Fantasy of a Benevolent China Is Over. Fortunately, America Has Trump” https://www.newsweek.com/newt-gingrich-fantasy-benevolent-china-over-fortunately-america-has-trump-opinion-1467509
Link to Purchase Newt Gingrich’s Book “Trump vs. China”: https://www.amazon.com/Trump-China-Americas-Greatest-Challenge/dp/1546099883

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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 https://podcast.alec.org/37Taiwan
Ambassador Bi-khim Hsiao’s presentation to the Federalism & International Relations Task Force
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dxS0_l8BtWfxpAFaFpRoCKEEWyv4bzDg/viewPresident
Tsai Ing-wen’s acceptance of ALEC’s International Pioneer award at 2020 SNPS
https://www.alec.org/article/2020-alec-international-pioneer-award-goes-to-taiwan-president-tsai-ing-wen/
Across the States podcast with then Executive Director of the Victims of Communism Foundation discussing the Uyghurs & Hong Kong https://podcast.alec.org/63
Article on China’s National Security law which was used to upend democratic institutions in Hong Kong https://www.alec.org/article/china-implements-national-security-law-that-threatens-to-violate-hong-kongs-sovereignty/
The Economist article declaring Taiwan the most dangerous place on the planet. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2021/05/01/the-most-dangerous-place-on-earth
Weifeng Zhong’s Discourse Article on China:https://www.discoursemagazine.com/ideas/2021/05/12/the-china-challenge-enjoying-key-advantages-the-mainland-may-soon-overtake-the-u-s/
Mercatus Center Policy Index https://policychangeindex.org/

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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.
Rich States, Poor States 14th Edition: http://www.richstatespoorstates.org/
“New Census Report: Americans Continue to Vote with Their Feet in Favor of Economic Opportunity”, by Jonathan Williams: https://www.alec.org/article/new-census-report-americans-continue-to-vote-with-their-feet-in-favor-of-economic-opportunity/
“A Discussion with Tennessee Leaders: Hall Tax Repeal, Right-to-Work and Economic Growth” by Lee Schalk: https://www.alec.org/article/a-discussion-with-tennessee-leaders-hall-tax-repeal-right-to-work-and-economic-growth/
“The Heartland Property-Tax Rebellion”, by Jonathan Williams and Dave Trabert: https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/04/the-heartland-property-tax-rebellion/
“Truth-in-Taxation Laws Are Gold Standard of Property Tax Reform”, by Jonathan Williams, Lee Schalk, and John Hendrickson: https://www.dailysignal.com/2021/04/29/truth-in-taxation-laws-are-gold-standard-of-property-tax-reform/

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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.

Jonathon Hauenschild Profile: https://www.alec.org/person/jonathon-hauenschild

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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.
ALEC AMICUS BRIEF: https://www.alec.org/publication/amicus-brief-afp-v-baccera/
ALEC PRESS RELEASE: https://www.alec.org/press-release/alec-legal-center-files-supreme-court-brief-opposing-donor-disclosure/
LAW AND CRIME ARTICLE: https://lawandcrime.com/supreme-court/justices-appear-poised-to-strike-down-california-law-in-case-with-potential-to-allow-more-dark-money-in-politics/
BLOOMBERG ARTICLE: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/u-s-supreme-court-will-hear-koch-backed-challenge-to-donor-law
PHILANTHROPHY ROUNDTABLE: https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/home/blog/post/roundtable/2021/04/26/california-vs.-charitable-giving

Special Guest: Bartlett Cleland.

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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 Williams and Lee Schalk: https://www.alec.org/article/a-bipartisan-win-on-property-taxes-for-kansas-taxpayers/

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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.
Conservative Energy Network Website: https://www.conservativeenergynetwork.org/
Listen to more from the Conservative Energy Network on Across the State Here: https://podcast.alec.org/77

ALEC Energy Affordability Report: https://www.alec.org/publication/energy-affordability-report/

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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.alec.org/
ACCE: https://www.alec.org/task-force/american-city-county-exchange/

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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 can use regulatory sandboxes to spur innovation and growth.

James Czerniawksi Profile: https://libertas.org/about/staff/
Jonathon Hauenschild Profile: https://www.alec.org/person/jonathon-hauenschild/

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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://libertas.org/author/james/
Libertas Website: https://libertas.org/

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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: https://www.alec.org/person/skip-estes/
Skip Estes & Jonathan Williams "The Minimum Wage: Separating Myth from Fact:" https://issuesinsights.com/2021/02/22/the-minimum-wage-separating-myth-from-fact/

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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 people.

Conservative Energy Network: https://www.conservativeenergynetwork.org/
Michael Jewell Profile: https://www.conservativetexansforenergyinnovation.org/team/michael-jewell/

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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 and how state legislatures can get more involved in overcoming emergencies.

Jonathon Hauenschild Profile: https://www.alec.org/person/jonathon-hauenschild/

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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 statehouses to rebuild K-12 education in the United States.

Jason Bedrick Profile: https://www.edchoice.org/our-team/jason-bedrick/
EdChoice Website: https://www.edchoice.org/
ALEC Education and Workforce Development Task Force: https://www.alec.org/task-force/education-and-workforce-development/

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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 coronavirus pandemic to unleash the full potential that telehealth has to offer.

Naomi Lopez Goldwater Profile: https://goldwaterinstitute.org/team/naomi-lopez/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9MuCBhBUEiwAbDZ-7gj-8a5UKNmWfaqLc0lzU5ebsoWWbjw8YPHtm0gily0jGB-FEPbyqRoCT7oQAvD_BwE
Michael Cannon CATO Profile: https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon
ALEC State Telehealth Innovation Index: https://www.alec.org/publication/state-innovation-index-telehealth/

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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 Mississippi legislation has made its way to Governor Reeves' desk. Join host Hunter Hamberlin as he sits down with ALEC director of the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development task force Michael Slabinski and ALEC State Legislator of the Month Representative Becky Currie to discuss how she took the lead on making universal recognition a reality.

To learn more about occupational licensing reform, contact [email protected]
ALEC Blog Post on Universal Recognition: https://www.alec.org/article/universal-recognition-a-win-for-american-workers-consumers-and-the-economy/
Mississippi Center for Public Policy article: https://mspolicy.org/hb-261-universal-recognition-for-occupational-licenses/

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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 Management Solutions LeAnn Ridgeway, who charts the course to how states can build consumer confidence and return to flight.

Contactless Travel: collinsaerospace.com/what-we-do/Airports/Contactless-Passenger-Journey
Collins Aerospace Website: https://www.collinsaerospace.com/
LeAnn Ridgeway in Simple Flying: https://simpleflying.com/collins-aerospace-covid-technology/
ALEC Panel on Return to Flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksiKx-cpyN4
Collins Aerospace biometrics solutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc2TZqmFRUU

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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 citizens to the web – and the solutions we can act on now.

Smart Cities on the ALEC Blog: https://www.alec.org/article/is-it-time-to-end-smart-cities/

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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 implement sound fiscal policies – like no state income tax – to realize the benefits of growth and prosperity.

Skip Estes: Bernie Sanders’ Mittens are the Newest Victim of Anti-Growth Policies: https://www.alec.org/article/bernie-sanders-mittens-are-the-newest-victim-of-anti-growth-policies/
Skip Estes in Real Clear Politics: https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2020/12/29/new_treasury_rule_subsidizes_high-tax_states_654677.html?fbclid=IwAR1yQVEA8Du6DKWR4EVUYAH3S_Ixv7jEwn155XIqBPbnbEvxks8BQ704AUQ
Skip Estes in Issues & Insights: https://issuesinsights.com/2020/11/12/state-voters-weigh-in-on-taxes-with-some-surprising-results/

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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/

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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 2020 to giving teachers raises, Utah has demonstrated that local legislative approaches couched in sound economic policies are more than capable of keeping things running smoothly.

1 Ranked Utah in Rich States, Poor States: https://www.richstatespoorstates.org/states/UT/

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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 Chief Security Officer Lev Kubiak and ALEC Director of the Health and Human Services Task Force Brooklyn Roberts.

Learn More about Pfizer’s Campaign: https://www.pfizer.com/counterfeiting/counterfeitawarenesscampaign
Find an accredited pharmacy: https://nabp.pharmacy/programs/accreditations-inspections/digital-pharmacy/accredited-digital-pharmacies/
Partnership for Safe Medicines Link - https://www.safemedicines.org/
The Uphill Fight Against Fake Prescription Drugs (Behind a Paywall but discusses social media role in counterfeit drug distribution): https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-uphill-fight-against-fake-prescription-drugs-1539009351
Internet Ordered Viagra is Rarely Genuine Illustrates counterfeit drug sales on internet platforms: https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)33810-8/abstract
Measuring Impact of Counterfeits Gives a better understanding of the costs associated in addition to the patient health and safety risks: https://www.uschamber.com/report/measuring-the-magnitude-global-counterfeiting-creation-contemporary-global-measure-physical
Pharmaceutical Security Institute: https://www.psi-inc.org/pharma-crime

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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.

Mississippi to receive $16M to expand broadband access in the Clarion Ledger: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2020/07/15/rural-broadband-mississippi-receive-federal-aid-expand-coverage/5440141002/

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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.

AAHOA Website: https://www.aahoa.com/

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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.

1776 Unites Website: https://1776unites.com/
1776 Unites Curriculum Page: https://1776unites.com/our-work/curriculum/

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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.

Victims of Communism Uyghur Materials: https://victimsofcommunism.org/tag/uyghurs/
Victims of Communism Memorial Day Resolution
https://www.alec.org/model-policy/draft-victims-of-communism-memorial-day-resolution/
Act to Prohibit Confucius Institutes in Public Institutions of Higher Education
https://www.alec.org/model-policy/draft-act-to-prohibit-confucius-institutes-in-public-institutions-of-higher-education/

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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.

Federation for Children School Choice Polling Data: https://www.federationforchildren.org/school-choice-polling/Kamala Harris has an Opportunity to Stand Up for Black Students: https://educationpost.org/kamala-harris-has-an-opportunity-to-stand-up-for-black-kids/ 10% of students are educated outside of public school…they should get 10% of COVID relief money: https://medium.com/@ndcunneen/10-of-students-are-educated-outside-of-public-school-they-should-get-10-of-covid-relief-money-42908977a54a ALEC Model Education Savings Account Act: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/the-education-savings-account-act-2/ ALEC Model Great Schools Tax Credit Program Act: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/the-great-schools-tax-credit-program-act-scholarship-tax-credits/

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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 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

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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/

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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.

Read more about Rich States, Poor States: https://www.richstatespoorstates.org/

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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.

EdChoice July Public Opinion Tracker: https://edchoice.morningconsultintelligence.com/

EdChoice Polling Data: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/polling-american-k-12-school-parents-about-covid-19/

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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.

Educational Choice at Institute for Justice: https://ij.org/issues/school-choice/
Institute for Justice on the Blaine Amendments: https://ij.org/issues/school-choice/blaine-amendments/
Institute for Justice’s Educational Choice Legislative Resources: https://ij.org/issues/school-choice/school-choice-legislative-resources/

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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.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts: https://www.pfizer.com/science/coronavirus/vaccine

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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.

Human Liberty 2.0: Advancing Universal Rights in the Digital Age by Dr. Matthew Daniels: https://www.iwp.edu/books/human-liberty-2-0-advancing-universal-rights-in-the-digital-age/
Human Rights Network: http://www.universalrights.com/
Success by Design: Becoming the Person You Were Destined to Be: https://books.google.com/books/about/Success_by_Design.html?id=GYo6GQAACAAJ

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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.

August State Legislator of the Month Tory Arnberger: https://www.alec.org/article/state-legislator-of-the-month-ks-representative-tory-arnberger/

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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.

Find your state’s ranking and learn more at: www.richstatespoorstates.org Jonathan Williams and Lee Schalk in the Hill: https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/493673-states-should-say-no-thanks-to-a-federal-bailout
Jonathan Williams and Lee Schalk in Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/state-lawmakers-against-state-bailouts-opinion-1512029
ALEC Letter signed by over 200 legislators: State Leaders Say “No Thanks” to Federal Bailout: https://www.alec.org/article/state-leaders-say-no-thanks-to-federal-bailout/
Policy Prescriptions: Fiscal Discipline to Address Economic and Health Care Challenges in the Face of COVID-19: https://www.alec.org/article/policy-prescriptions-to-address-economic-and-health-care-challenges-in-the-face-of-covid-19/

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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.

ALEC resources on the FGA website: https://thefga.org/alec/

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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.

Anastasia Boden in the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/kentuckys-ambulance-cartel-is-afraid-of-phillip-truesdell-11570225646
Anastasia Boden in the Wall Street Journal on CON laws standing in the way of new medical facilities and services: https://www.wsj.com/articles/governments-ambulance-chasers-11588198430
Anastasia Boden on Fox Business: https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/coronavirus-government-regulations
Pacific Legal Foundation on Economic Liberty: https://pacificlegal.org/economic-liberty/
Pacific Legal Foundation calling on governors to suspend laws that inhibit emergency medical response: https://pacificlegal.org/governors-suspend-laws-inhibiting-emergency-response/

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This episode of Across the States, recorded in early 2020, takes us back to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where host Dan Reynolds sits down with MI Representative Graham Filler, a speaker at the event and Chair of the MI House Judiciary Committee, to discuss criminal justice solutions at the state level. Following the FIRST STEP Act, based on ALEC model policy, what is the “second step” states can take to lower recidivism rates in America? Rep. Filler weighs in.

ALEC model Justice Safety Valve Act: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/justice-safety-valve-act/

ALEC model: Resolution in Support of Reentry Programs: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-in-support-of-reentry-programs/

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In this special episode of Across the States recorded at the U.S. Department of Education in early 2020, host Dan Reynolds sat down with Jim Blew, Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, and Sherry Street, ALEC Vice President of Policy Advancement to highlight the work done advocating for education choice. What’s the reality behind charter schools, what does education reform look like today and how might it look in the years to come? One thing is clear from both the federal and state perspective: it should be about empowering the educators, the parents and the students.

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On this episode of Across the States, host Dan Reynolds is joined by Senior Fellow of State and Local Taxes at the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy Stephen Haner, ALEC Vice President of Policy Jonathan Williams and ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform Legislative Manager Skip Estes. The Thomas Jefferson Institute recently released a brochure, The Road to Higher Taxes, which outlines the nearly two dozen changes in Virginia tax laws passed by the 2020 General Assembly. Now in the podcast studio, the group defines what this will mean for taxpayers come July 1.

The Road to Higher Taxes: http://www.thomasjeffersoninst.org/files/3/RoadToTaxesBrochure.pdf

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In the 2018 case Janus v. AFSCME, the Supreme Court reshaped the interaction between public sector employees and unions, affirming the 1st Amendment rights of individual employees. Joining host Dan Reynolds to discuss this landmark decision, its ramifications and the “Post-Janus” environment today is Vincent Vernuccio, Senior Fellow at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Top 20 State-Level Labor Reforms by Vincent Vernuccio: https://www.mackinac.org/archives/2020/Labor%20Reform%20Booklet%202020.pdf
ALEC Model Public Employee Rights and Authorization Act: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/the-public-employee-rights-and-authorization-act/
ALEC Model Union Recertification Act: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/union-recertification/
ALEC Model Public Employee Choice Act: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/public-employee-choice-act/
Alaska Protects Public Workers’ First Amendment Rights: https://www.mackinac.org/alaska-protects-public-workers-first-amendment-rights-20190828
Alaska Attorney General Moves to Protect Worker Freedom by Michael Slabinski: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/alaska-attorney-general-moves-to-protect-worker-freedom
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson joins ALECTV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYgtm_zfc3k
Texas Attorney General Says Public Employers Should Stop Collecting Union Dues Until Workers Opt In: https://www.mackinac.org/texas-attorney-general-says-public-employers-should-stop-collecting-union-dues-until-workers-opt-in
Indiana Attorney General Affirms Worker’s Rights: https://www.mackinac.org/indiana-attorney-general-affirms-workers-rights

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Youth involvement in free enterprise and individual liberty will play a crucial role in COVID-19 recovery and onward. On the podcast to discuss this is State Legislator of the Month and 23-year old WV Del. Joshua Higginbotham, who recently sponsored a bill reclassifying 911 telecommunication operators as emergency workers. Also joining the podcast to speak on the important participation of youth in politics is Turning Point USA COO Tyler Bowyer.

TPUSA Website: https://www.tpusa.com/

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Social media and free speech: they truly go hand in hand. Knowing this, Facebook recently started funding an oversight board made up of independent individuals as a non-governmental and free market solution to oversee content moderation on the platform. Joining host Dan Reynolds to discuss this is John Samples, a member of the new oversight board and Cato Institute Vice President, and Jonathon Hauenschild, Director of the Communications and Technology Task Force at ALEC.

Facebook’s commitment to the Oversight Board: https://about.fb.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/letter-from-mark-zuckerberg-on-oversight-board-charter.pdf
Facebook and Credible Content Oversight on the Cato Daily Podcast: https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-daily-podcast/facebook-credible-content-oversight

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President Trump’s executive order, social media and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. To discuss these hot topics, and why they’re so important right now, host Dan Reynolds is joined by TechFreedom Director of Civil Liberties Ash Kazaryan, NetChoice VP and General Counsel Carl Szabo and ALEC Communications and Technology Task Force Director Jonathon Hauenschild.

CNN Story on Facebook Conservative Interaction: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/28/media/trump-social-media-conservative-censorship/index.html
The Verge story on leftists arguing YouTube is politically biased for refusing to monetize LGBTQ+ content: https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/3/21278050/youtube-lawsuit-lgbtq-google-doj-section-230-trump-executive-order
Link to 47 U.S.C. § 230: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/230
Link to Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-preventing-online-censorship/

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With the increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, ensuring patients’ rights and wishes are not being disregarded protects individual liberty across the states. In response to the responsibility to uphold these wishes and rights is the COVID-19 Patient Rights to Life Resolution from the Mackinac Center. On the podcast to discuss this resolution and why it matters is Mackinac Center Health Care Policy Advisor Greg George, Michigan State Representative Steve Johnson and ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Director Brooklyn Roberts.

COVID-19 Patient Rights to Life Resolution: https://www.mackinac.org/archives/2020/COVIDresolution.pdf

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Joining host Dan Reynolds on this episode of Across the States to discuss the trade deficit in the United States is Christine McDaniel, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center and Karla Jones, Senior Director of the Federalism and International Relations Task Force at ALEC.

Christine McDaniel's piece in the Hill: https://thehill.com/opinion/international/493397-congratulations-the-trade-deficit-dream-came-true

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On this episode of Across the States, host Dan Reynolds takes a deep dive into higher education, and how COVID-19 has impacted its landscape with guests Armand Alacbay, Vice President of Trustee & Government Affairs at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, Lindsey Burke, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Education Policy and Will Skillman Fellow in Education Heritage Foundation and Scott Kauffman, ALEC Director of the Education and Workforce Development Task Force.

Canceling Student Loan Debt Isn’t A Smart or Fair Response to Covid-19: https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/canceling-student-loan-debt-isnt-smart-or-fair-response-covid-19
Accreditation: Removing the Barrier to Higher Education Reform:
https://www.heritage.org/education/report/accreditation-removing-the-barrier-higher-education-reform
ACTA’s “How Colleges Spend Money” web tool with comparison data for over 1,500 colleges and universities: https://www.howcollegesspendmoney.com/
ACTA president Michael Poliakoff’s Forbes article “How Higher Education Leaders Should Respond To The Coronavirus Financial Crisis” - https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelpoliakoff/2020/04/14/how-higher-education-leaders-should-respond-to-the-coronavirus-financial-crisis/#33be010a8d48

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As we progress through the Coronavirus pandemic, the national debt remains a growing concern. It’s time to look closely at international models to restore fiscal restraint and responsible spending in the United States. One of those models is the Swiss Debt Brake – but what is it? Here to fill us in is Barry Poulson, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado, Karla Jones, ALEC Senior Director of the Federalism and International Relations Task Force and Lee Schalk, ALEC Senior Director of the Center for State Fiscal Reform.

The States Are Poised to Lead the Nation Toward Fiscal Sustainability: https://www.alec.org/article/the-states-are-poised-to-lead-the-nation-toward-fiscal-sustainability/
ALEC Model Resolution Calling for a Federal Balanced Budget Amendment: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/a-resolution-calling-for-a-federal-balanced-budget-amendment/
How to Solve America’s Debt Crisis in the Wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic: https://www.alec.org/app/uploads/2020/05/PBdebtcrisisApr20.pdf

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, sporting events of almost every kind were cancelled. How has this affected the online sports betting and gaming industry, and what will we see from that industry as states and society begin to reopen? Here to discuss this is Jess Fiel, the Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Gaming Association (AGA) and Ronald Lampard, ALEC Senior Director of the Criminal Justice and Civil Justice Task Forces.

AGA Website: https://www.americangaming.org/
Details on the AGA initiative on unlawful gaming: https://www.americangaming.org/new/aga-agem-launch-partnership-to-combat-unregulated-gaming-machines/
Casino reopening tracker: https://www.americangaming.org/research/covid-19-casino-tracker/
Read about issues on sports betting: https://www.americangaming.org/policies/hot-issue-sports-betting/
AGA Twitter: https://twitter.com/americangaming

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Joining host Dan Reynolds on the podcast are 3 education experts: Lindsey Burke, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Education Policy and Will Skillman Fellow in Education Heritage Foundation, Martin Lueken, Director of Fiscal Policy Analysis at EdChoice and Scott Kaufman, Director of the ALEC Education and Workforce Development Task Force. The group discusses education choice, education savings accounts, how it benefits the states and the future of public higher education after COVID-19.

Ed Choice: https://www.edchoice.org/
The Heritage Foundation: https://www.heritage.org/education
Fiscal Effects on School Vouchers: https://www.edchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Fiscal-Effects-of-School-Vouchers-by-Martin-Lueken.pdf
Fiscal Effects on Tax-Credit Scholarship Programs: https://americanlegislativeexchangecouncil.monday.com/boards/513898105/pulses/559422810
The Trillion Dollar Problem: Pandemic Puts State Pension Plans at Even Greater Risk: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/the-trillion-dollar-problem-pandemic-puts-state-pension-plans-at-even-greater-risk/
K-12 Fiscal Relief in the Aftermath of COVID-19: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/k-12-fiscal-relief-in-the-aftermath-of-covid-19/
The K-12 Financial Cliff: What States Face if Students Switch Schooling Sectors: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/the-k-12-financial-cliff-what-states-could-face-if-students-switch-schooling-sectors/
Public Opinion Tracker: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/edchoice-public-opinion-tracker-top-takeaways-may-2020/
Survey: Private School Response to COVID-19: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/survey-private-school-response-to-covid-19/
Free Tools to Help Educators and Students Connect While Social Distancing: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/free-tools-to-help-educators-and-students-connect-while-social-distancing/
How Private Schools and Groups Serving Schools and Families could be Eligible for Forgiveness Loans: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/how-private-schools-and-groups-serving-schools-and-families-could-be-eligible-for-forgivable-loans/
Private School Profiles: How They Are Handling COVID-19: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/planning-for-an-uncertain-future-the-international-school-of-indiana/
https://www.edchoice.org/engage/private-school-profiles-how-christ-lutheran-school-is-responding-to-covid-19/
https://www.edchoice.org/engage/private-school-profiles-how-rabun-gap-nacoochee-school-is-responding-to-covid-19/
https://www.edchoice.org/engage/private-school-profiles-how-bishop-guertin-high-school-is-responding-to-covid-19/
https://www.edchoice.org/engage/private-school-profiles-how-the-oaks-academy-is-responding-to-covid-19/
https://www.edchoice.org/engage/private-school-profiles-how-montessori-preschool-is-responding-to-covid-19/
https://www.edchoice.org/engage/private-school-profiles-how-the-partnership-schools-are-responding-to-covid-19/
https://www.edchoice.org/engage/private-school-profiles-the-woodlands-christian-academy/
ABCs of School Choice: https://www.edchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-ABCs-of-School-Choice-WEB-OPTIMIZED-REVISED.pdf

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Joining host Dan Reynolds on the podcast to discuss Chinese government policies, a policy change index and how it can be used to track China’s response to COVID-19 is Dr. Weifeng Zhong, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center. Also joining the discussion is Karla Jones, ALEC Senior Director of the Federalism and International Relations Task Force.

The Policy Change Index (PCI) project website: https://policychangeindex.org/
The PCI newsletter sign-up form: https://mercatus.org/pcinewsletter
Research paper “Reading China: Predicting Policy Change with Machine Learning”: https://www.aei.org/research-products/working-paper/reading-china-predicting-policy-change-with-machine-learning/
Research paper “Predicting Authoritarian Crackdowns: A Machine Learning Approach”: https://www.mercatus.org/publications/technology-and-innovation/predicting-authoritarian-crackdowns

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When we increase government spending, it’s a good idea to decrease spending somewhere else – especially during a pandemic. On the podcast to discuss how Cheyenne, WY is working to do just that is City Councilman Dicky Shanor, who recently introduced a resolution to reduce the salaries of him, his fellow council members and the mayor. Also joining the conversation is Councilman Jon Russell, National Director of the American City County Exchange (ACCE), a sister organization of ALEC.

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In this very special edition of Across the States, our podcast studio is transformed into a virtual debate stage. The topic? Electoral College vs. National Popular Vote. Listen in as Trent England, Executive Director of Save Our States and Ray Haynes, National Spokesperson for National Popular Vote make the case for each.

Save Our States website: https://saveourstates.com/

National Popular Vote website: https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/

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Home schooling has quickly become the reality for every family across the states, and the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has been well-versed in the multi-faceted schooling option long preceding the pandemic. Joining host Dan Reynolds to discuss what home schooling is – and isn’t – as well as other education polices are Scott Kaufman, ALEC Director of the Education and Workforce Development Task Force, Heather Frommack, HSLDA Program Manager for Education Consultants and Dan Beasley, HSLDA Staff Attorney.

HSLDA website: www.hslda.org

For families who find themselves suddenly homeschooling: www.mompossible.org

Homeschool law summaries: www.hslda.org/laws

Homeschool quickstart guide: https://hslda.org/getting-started

HSLDA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hslda

HSLDA Education Consultants Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/HSLDA.EduConsultants

HSLDA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hslda/

HSLDA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hslda

The HSLDA Podcast: https://hslda.org/content/podcast/

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The Electoral College: what does it do, why does it do it and is it a good thing? Serving as your Electoral College primer, in this episode of Across the States host Dan Reynolds is joined by John Ryder, the former General Counsel of the Republican National Committee, and Karla Jones, ALEC Director of the Federalism and International Relations Task Force to fill us in.

Conservatives Mobilize in Defense of the Electoral College: https://www.alec.org/article/conservatives-mobilize-in-defense-of-the-electoral-college/

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The COVID-19 pandemic has made visible many of the existing, hidden barriers to enter the workforce: barriers in front of health care professions, those paying off student loans or new to the workforce. These barriers existed before the pandemic. But it’s time to free our workforce from unnecessary shackles if we want to get America back to work. Having the right occupational licensing policies is a smart way forward during the pandemic, and a successful long term strategy for what comes next. On the podcast to discuss this is Missouri State Representative Derek Grier, R Street’s Digital Media Manager Shoshana Weissmann, and ALEC Director of the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force Michael Slabinski.

ALEC Draft Model Policy – Occupational Licensing Review Act: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/occupational-licensing-review-act/

MO Chamber Priorities for the Abbreviated Session: https://mochamber.com/news/2020prioritylegislation/

R Street – Small Regulatory Reforms That Can Help People During the Pandemic: https://www.rstreet.org/2020/03/18/small-regulatory-reforms-that-can-help-people-during-the-pandemic/

R Street – Open the Telehealth Floodgates to Combat Coronavirus: https://www.rstreet.org/2020/03/23/open-the-telehealth-floodgates-to-combat-coronavirus/

R Street – Rein in the Regs to Beat Coronavirus: https://www.rstreet.org/2020/03/25/rein-in-the-regs-to-beat-coronavirus/

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How could a National Federalism Task Force benefit the country during the COVID-19 pandemic? Dive into the answer in this episode of Across the States, where host Dan Reynolds is joined by Karla Jones, ALEC Senior Director of the Federalism and International Relations Task Force, and Former Representative Ken Ivory, the ALEC Chair to Restore Balance in Government and American Federalism professor at Utah Valley University to discuss the concept.

ALEC Draft Model Resolution Calling for the Creation of a National Federalism Task Force: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-calling-for-the-creation-of-a-national-federalism-task-force/

Federalism and International Relations Task Force: Policy Prescriptions to Address Economic and Health Care Challenges in the Face of COVID-19: https://www.alec.org/article/federalism-and-international-relations-task-force-policy-prescriptions-to-address-economic-and-health-care-challenges-in-the-face-of-covid-19/

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As we fight on during the COVID-19 pandemic, the private sector has stepped up to support consumers. Utility companies are just one, but they have an important role to play. To discuss the topic, host Dan Reynolds is joined by Grant Kidwell, ALEC Director of the Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force; Laura Schepis, Senior Director of National Security at Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and David Batz, Senior Director of Cyber and Infrastructure Security at EEI.

Learn more about Edison Electric Institute: https://www.eei.org/ma/Pages/default.aspx

Learn more about the ESCC: https://www.electricitysubsector.org/

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As a COVID-19 response, many states have delayed their tax deadlines, but have done so via executive order or by a government agency’s decision. However, one bill in Ohio stands out. On this episode Dan Reynolds is joined by the April 2020 ALEC-FreedomWorks State Legislator of the Month, OH Rep. Jena Powell, to discuss the bill she sponsored with fellow ALEC member Rep. Derek Merrin, that authorized the Ohio Tax Commissioner to extend the deadlines for personal income tax filing and payment for OH taxpayers from April to July 15, as well as rolling back licensing requirements, increasing flexibility for school choice programs and many more pro-liberty responses to the pandemic.

Read the full bill here: https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA133-HB-197

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To discuss the local response efforts during COVID-19, host Dan Reynolds is joined by Jon Russell, Director of the American City County Exchange (ACCE), an ALEC sister organization working to advance free market solutions at the local level. Also joining the podcast are Billy Hewes, Mayor of Gulfport, MS and Benny Zhang, Councilman of Williamsburg, VA. From local partnership with the private sector to recommendations for local decision-makers during this unprecedented time, this episode takes a dive into the locally executed and federally supported action taking place in America’s communities.

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In this episode of Across the States, host Dan Reynolds is joined by ALEC Senior Director of the Civil Justice and Criminal Justice Task Forces, Ronald Lampard to discuss COVID-19 policy solutions and how they can help civil justice and regulatory reform. Listen in on the responses to the pandemic, and how they play a part in reducing regulatory red tape, resolving potential court backlogs, limiting liability for volunteers and charitable organizations and ensuring individuals have access to information online.

Policy Solutions to Address COVID-19’s Impact on Issues Pertaining to Civil Justice and Regulatory Reform: https://www.alec.org/article/policy-solutions-to-address-covid-19s-impact-on-issues-pertaining-to-civil-justice-and-regulatory-reform/

Civil Justice Task Force: Policy Prescriptions to Address Economic and Health Care Challenges in the Face of Covid-19: https://www.alec.org/article/civil-justice-task-force-policy-prescriptions-to-address-economic-and-health-care-challenges-in-the-face-of-covid-19/

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Following national school closures due to COVID-19, all schools have been forced to transition to remote learning. In this episode of Across the States, host Dan Reynolds is joined by Jeff Kwitowski, K12 Inc. Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Communications; Dr. Tony Bennett, K12 Inc. Senior Vice President of Academics and External Relations, former State Superintendent in Indiana and Commissioner of Education in Florida and Scott Kauffman, Director of the ALEC Education and Workforce Development Task Force. Listen in on their discussion around how the pandemic has impacted online schools and the U.S. public education system, and what educators and policymakers should be thinking about now to rise to the challenge.

Visit the K12 Inc. website for free resources: www.k12.com/coronavirus

Read the ALEC Education and Workforce Development Policy Solutions to COVID-19 here: https://www.alec.org/article/education-and-workforce-development-task-force-policy-prescriptions-to-address-economic-and-health-care-challenges-in-the-face-of-covid-19/

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How is COVID-19 impacting the criminal justice system? Host Dan Reynolds is joined by Ronald Lampard, ALEC Senior Director of the Criminal Justice and Civil Justice Task Forces, to scratch the surface on how the pandemic is affecting law enforcement personnel; fines, fees and drivers licenses and jail and prison considerations. Listen in on Lampard’s proposed policy solutions that ensure continued safety and effectiveness in our criminal justice system.

Policy Solutions to Address COVID-19’s Impact on the Criminal Justice System: https://www.alec.org/article/policy-solutions-to-address-covid-19s-impact-on-the-criminal-justice-system/

Criminal Justice Task Force: Policy Prescriptions to Address Economic and Health Care Challenges in the Face of COVID-19: https://www.alec.org/article/criminal-justice-task-force-policy-prescriptions-to-address-economic-and-health-care-challenges-in-the-face-of-covid-19/

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In this episode of Across the States, host Dan Reynolds is joined by Colin Grabow, Trade Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute, and Karla Jones, Senior Director of the International Relations and Federalism Task Force at ALEC. The topic is the Jones Act: what it is, how it affects how we transport goods between states, which specific states it affects (spoiler: it’s all of them) and what this means for trade in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

Rust Buckets: How the Jones Act Undermines U.S. Shipbuilding and National Security: https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/rust-buckets-how-jones-act-undermines-us-shipbuilding-national

The Jones Act: A Burden American Can No Longer Bear: https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/jones-act-burden-america-can-no-longer-bear

ALEC Model Resolution in Support of Lifting Federal Restrictions on Crude Oil Exports: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-support-lifting-federal-restrictions-crude-oil-exports

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On this special episode of Across the States, ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson speaks with Newt Gingrich in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss what needs to be done to keep the American economy running. Gingrich highlights realistic and practical steps state and local legislators can take during this time to ensure that once the curve is flattened, America gets back to work, and convening state and local elected officials and the private sector to share best practices is the start.

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Today’s podcast is being recorded in a completely virtual manner – we’re practicing social distancing. What if there was a virtual tool that kept you at home – that kept you social distancing – but still put you in front of a doctor for your check-ups and questions? That’s what telehealth offers and it will be such a crucial tool in combatting COVID-19. ALEC Director of the Health and Human Services Task Force Brooklyn Roberts joins the podcast with Latoya Thomas, the Director of Policy and Government Affairs for Doctor on Demand. Learn what state legislators should do to enable telehealth to combat COVID-19 and learn about the exciting organization that is Doctor on Demand.

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Host Bill Meierling sits down with ALEC EVP for Policy Jonathan Williams and ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform Senior Director Lee Schalk to discuss the recent market volatility. The United States is currently facing this market situation because of COVID-19 and the uncertainty it brings. But market volatility also affects state pensions, state budgets, and state spending. The state that have followed ALEC principles are better prepared for volatility like we're seeing.

Read more about the ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform here.

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Darcy Olsen, Founder and President of Gen Justice, sits down with Across the States host Dan Reynolds to discuss the organization’s work in improving safety for more than 35,000 foster children. Gen Justice seeks to give abused and abandoned foster children something they lack—an advocate and a voice. Gen Justice reforms include requiring kids to be quickly moved from government care to permanent homes and, in addition, the organization has built a network of attorneys to provide free legal help when bureaucratic failures trap kids in the foster system.

Learn more about Gen Justice: www.genjustice.org

ALEC Model Relative Search Act.
ALEC Model Family Stability Act.
Darcy Olsen with AZ Governor Dough Ducey at the 2019 ALEC States and Nation Policy Summit.
Gen Justice Wins Inaugural Peterson Prize at the ALEC States & Nation Policy Summit.

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Christina Dent is the founder of End It for Good, a conservative nonprofit that offers alternatives to the Drug War. Dent sits down with host Dan Reynolds to discuss the organization’s approach to solving America’s drug crisis – beginning by challenging the way we understand the core of the crisis itself.

Learn more about End it for Good here.

Watch her Ted Talk here.

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In this episode of Across the States, Oklahoma Senator and February’s ALEC-FreedomWorks State Legislator of the Month Micheal Bergstrom discusses his work with innovative policies, from autonomous vehicles to occupational licensing. This month, Senator Bergstrom introduced Senate Bill 1678, the Occupational License Review Act, which ensures that occupational license regulation keeps people safe while also improving the workforce.

Read Senate Bill 1678 here: http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1678&Session=2000

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This episode of Across the States features North Dakota Representatives Vicky Steiner and Craig Headland, who filed House Bill 1530 in 2019 to repeal the state personal income tax. While this bill didn’t pass, the story is one other state legislators should consider when attempting to move the ball forward on sound tax policies. They are joined by ALEC Executive Vice President for Policy, Jonathan Williams.

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At the time of this posting, Presidents’ Day is right around the corner. The Constitution gives instructions and limits on power, including the President’s power. But how does the Presidency relate to the local states? Former Utah state representative Ken Ivory joins Across the States to discuss this intersection. Ivory currently serves as the Chair of the ALEC Center to Restore the Balance in Government — a research center focused on promoting federalism.

Purchase Ivory’s book “Where’s the Line?” here.
Or, read the digital-only version here.

Check out the ALEC Center to Restore the Balance in Government here.

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Jason Isaac is a former Texas state representative who is now the senior manager at Life:Powered — a new policy initiative from the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He joins Dan Reynolds on Across the States with Grant Kidwell, the ALEC director of the energy, environment and agriculture task force, to discuss his time as a state legislator, and to discuss energy policies that improve the quality of life for all people.

Learn more about Life:Powered here: https://lifepowered.org/.

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A 2018 Supreme Court decision freed states to allow - or disallow - sports betting on their own volition. New Jersey took advantage of this opportunity and has seen success, including an increase in government revenue. In December, Michigan just allowed sports betting. This is a growing trend in states across the country and something for which state legislators should prepare. Ronald Lampard, the Senior Director of the Criminal Justice and Civil Justice task forces at ALEC join to discuss recent trends in sports betting across the country and what this issue means for you.

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A lot of effort and energy is spent looking at the issues in the national and state governments. Rightly so - they both need a lot of fixing. But county governments by-and-large affect your day-to-day life more than other governments and certainly more than you expected. From education to road funding, county governments are often where the rubber meets the road on these issues. Learn from Sumner County Commissioner Jeremy Mansfield about the challenges and opportunities he faces in Tennessee.

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Getting adoption right is imperative for policy makers everywhere – but it is especially important for state legislators. Felicia Curcuru is the co-founder and CEO of Binti, an organization dedicated to ensure every child is raised by a loving family. The ALEC General Counsel Bartlett Cleland was adopted and adds his own unique perspective on this issue. Learn more from: www.binti.com.

Special Guest: Bartlett Cleland.

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State legislators consistently remark on the great educational opportunities ALEC offers them. But state financial officers seemed to need the same support: that’s where the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) comes in. On this episode of Across the States, the president of SFOF, Derek Kreifels, sits down with two of his board members, Seth Metcalf and Ron Crane, to discuss its priorities for state financial officers.

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Wearable technology like smart watches are becoming more and more popular. They aren’t just great to stay in touch with your friends and family or stay on top of your business relationships – they can have a significant benefit to your health. ALEC directors Brooklyn Roberts and Jonathon Hauenschild and ALEC policy coordinator Anna Parsons are joined by the Mercatus’ Bob Graboyes, a senior research fellow and health care scholar to discuss his personal story with health care technology. Read one article from him that helped spawn this podcast here.

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Texas Representative Tan Parker is the September 2019 State Legislator of the Month – congratulations!

Rep. Parker discusses medical freedom and how important it is for individual liberty. He’s had continual success with policies in Texas that defend against child abuse and now is having success with a policy that promotes medical liberty. Learn more about what that means for you and your state.

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Prescription drug pricing has been the subject of much debate recently. Many think we should turn to Canada or other countries to address our domestic issues. But importation programs seem to be unsafe and ineffective ways to lower the price of medications.

ALEC Director of the Health and Human Services Task Force Brooklyn Roberts and Policy Coordinator from the ALEC Center for Innovation Anna Parsons sit down with Senior Research Fellow Bob Graboyes from the Mercatus Center to discuss this growing issue.

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It’s not widely known, but states with high taxes technically get a discount from their federal taxes. Lower-tax states are left to cover the difference. This is because of the “State and Local Tax Deductions” in the federal tax code. ALEC Chief Economist, Jonathan Williams joins to discuss what this means and what state legislators can do.

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The conversation around conservation and environmentalism usually starts and stops in the federal government. But states and state legislators have such an important role to play. The ALEC Director of the Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force Grant Kidwell is joined by Adam Houser. He is the director of the collegians program at the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT).

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Utah House Representative Kim Coleman joins ALEC Director Shelby Emmett to discuss the best practices a state legislator can focus on to get campus free speech right in their state. This is hugely important for college students.

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President Trump invited Oklahoma Representative Mark Lepak to the White House to be there for the signing of his executive order on March 20th. The order deals with campus free speech, a growing issue in America today.

Rep. Lepak sits down and explains his perspective with the ALEC Director of the Center to Protect Free Speech Shelby Emmett and the Alliance Defending Freedom Director of the Center for Academic Freedom Tyson Langhofer.

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What is a “distributed ledger technology?” Well you will probably better recognize the term “Blockchain,” which is a type of distributed ledger technology. The ALEC Director of the Communications and Technology Task Force Jonathon Hauenschild sits down with Chet Love from the Cornerstone Group to flesh out what state legislators need to know about this emerging technology.

Check out the ALEC resolution that’s discussed: https://www.alec.org/model-policy/resolution-supporting-innovative-technologies-to-strengthen-states-and-local-communities-by-enabling-statewide-use-of-distributed-ledger-technology/

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