Across the States

Latest Episodes:

93: Tackling Recidivism w/ Kim Moser Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

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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92: Crisis in Belarus w/ Hanna Yahorava Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

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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91: How Energy Development Fuels Education and Local Government w/ Lori Saine and Dicky Shanor May 28, 2021

Show notes

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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90: Making Government Work w/ Tan Parker May 26, 2021

Show notes

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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89: Drones and Federalism w/Brent Skorup May 21, 2021

Show notes

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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88: The Rise of Communist China w/ Newt Gingrich May 19, 2021

Show notes

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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87: China’s Rise, America’s Response w/ Dr. Weifeng Zhong May 14, 2021

Show notes

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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86: Rich States, Poor States: The New Edition May 12, 2021

Show notes

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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85: Smart Cities III w/ Jonathon Hauenschild May 05, 2021

Show notes

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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84: ALEC Brief Filing to SCOTUS: Donor Disclosure and the 1st Amendment Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

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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