Across the States

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.

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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdoVe_PhXwU)

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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LZyw4tPoZU)

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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvvunbGAWn8) Rich States, Poor States website (https://www.richstatespoorstates.org/)

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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw60UoroWHo) The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Inflation Accelerated to 8.5% in March, Hitting Four-Decade High (https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-inflation-consumer-price-index-march-2022-11649725215#:~:text=U.S.%20inflation%20surged%20to%20a,constraints%20and%20strong%20consumer%20demand.)

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

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/

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 (https://alec.org/article/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 (https://podcast.alec.org/118) Part II (https://podcast.alec.org/119)

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 (https://podcast.alec.org/118) Mykola Vorobiov Twitter: @komitet2012 (https://twitter.com/komitet2012) Other Links: ALEC Statement (https://alec.org/article/alec-statement-on-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/) 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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaRFwGXI05w) Across the States Podcast Episode from Policy Hour (https://podcast.alec.org/114) Link (https://thehill.com/opinion/international/594119-putins-ukraine-gambit-unites-western-democracies-he-sought-to-divide) 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.” (https://mobile.twitter.com/Kasparov63/status/1497317332837937152) ALEC Model Policies Resolution (https://alec.org/model-policy/draft-resolution-supporting-the-united-states-commitment-to-the-north-atlantic-treaty-organization-nato-during-the-year-the-alliance-celebrates-its-70th-anniversary/) Commemorating NATO’s 70th Anniversary Victims of Communism (https://alec.org/model-policy/draft-victims-of-communism-memorial-day-resolution/) 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.”

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: (https://podcast.alec.org/119) Mykola Vorobiov Twitter: @komitet2012 (https://twitter.com/komitet2012) Other Links ALEC Statement (https://alec.org/article/alec-statement-on-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/) 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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaRFwGXI05w) Across the States Podcast Episode from Policy Hour (https://podcast.alec.org/114) Link (https://thehill.com/opinion/international/594119-putins-ukraine-gambit-unites-western-democracies-he-sought-to-divide) to ALEC Article on Ukraine op-ed in the Hill Atlantic Council Article (https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/how-modern-ukraine-was-made-on-maidan/) on the Orange Revolution referenced during the podcast Atlantic Council Article (https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-yalta-conference-at-seventy-five-lessons-from-history/) on Yalta referenced during the podcast ALEC Model Policies Resolution (https://alec.org/model-policy/draft-resolution-supporting-the-united-states-commitment-to-the-north-atlantic-treaty-organization-nato-during-the-year-the-alliance-celebrates-its-70th-anniversary/) Commemorating NATO’s 70th Anniversary Victims of Communism (https://alec.org/model-policy/draft-victims-of-communism-memorial-day-resolution/) Memorial Day Resolution

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.

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 (https://alec.org/article/off-to-work-from-home-lifting-restrictions-on-home-based-businesses/) Home-Based Business Fairness Act (https://alec.org/model-policy/the-home-based-business-fairness-act/) Food Freedom Act (https://alec.org/model-policy/food-freedom-act/)

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 (https://alec.org/task-force/criminal-justice-reform/) ALEC Task Force on Civil Justice (https://alec.org/task-force/civil-justice/) Law Enforcement Today website (https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/)

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/

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

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/

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

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

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

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