Across the States

Latest Episodes:

113: School Choice by EdChoice w/Jason Bedrick, Michael McShane, and Andrew Handel Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

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

Support Across the States

112: Don’t Wait on Washington for Healthcare Reform w/Brian Blase, Naomi Lopez, and Matt Mitchell Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

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/

Support Across the States

111: State of Georgia w/ State Legislator of the Month Sen. John Albers Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

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

Support Across the States

110: Loudoun County and the Struggle for Parents Rights in Education Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

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

Support Across the States

109: The Pro-Business Approach for Struggling States w/ Carla J. Sonntag and Jonathan Williams Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

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

Support Across the States

108: Social Media Censorship and Free Speech w/ Jonathon Hauenschild Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

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

Support Across the States

107: Protecting Children with Foster Care Reform w/Sen Nancy Barto and Rebecca Masterson Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

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.

Support Across the States

106: Remedies for Homelessness w/ Carol Hollowell and Andre Cushing Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

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/

Support Across the States

105: Winners and Losers of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, from Cryptos to EVs Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

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

Support Across the States

104: Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform w/ Rep. John Andrews, Senior Attorney Dan Greenberg, and Nino Marchese, and October State Legislator of the Month Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

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/

Support Across the States

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected