A New Chapter for ALEC: Lisa B. Nelson on The Hugh Hewitt Show
"If you believe in limited government and free markets -- and that states should have the power they do -- then stick to it and don't back down."
Hugh Hewitt spoke with ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson about her announcement that she will retire as CEO at the end of the year, citing the organization’s strong position for new leadership, as well as the policy impact the organization has had across the states.
The conversation began with Nelson explaining the lead-up to announcing her retirement and her belief in the strong future that lies ahead for ALEC under new leadership.
Hewitt continued the conversation by asking about her early days at ALEC and what it was like stepping into the role of CEO. Nelson described rebuilding ALEC and emphasized the contributions of longstanding staff and state legislators.
“It’s been just such a tremendous honor to work alongside the state legislators from across the country, the staff that was still here in 2014, Jonathan Williams being one of them, Lisa Bowen being another. There are a few others that have been here for the long haul, and I just appreciate so much what they were able to do to work with me to build it back up.”
Hewitt later asked what accomplishments at ALEC stood out to Nelson during her time as CEO. She noted how ALEC, through its policy impact, strived to stay true to its principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism.
“If you believe in limited government, if you believe in free markets, and if you believe that states should have the power that they do, then stick to it and don’t back down,” Nelson emphasized.
Hewitt followed up by asking about the increasing political divergence among states and how ALEC is providing policy resources in a nonpartisan fashion. Nelson highlighted resources such as Rich States, Poor States as guides for states to analyze their economic outlook rankings and the proposed policies that could help increase their rankings in a nonpartisan fashion.
“I think there’s a big distinction there, and we are nonpartisan, so I’ve been really intentional about using that phrase,” Nelson explained. “I don’t think that our philosophy is a partisan philosophy. I think it’s a nonpartisan ideal that we believe should permeate through the states.”