The Biggest Issues to Watch in 2024: Jonathan Williams in Governing
Overall, from a fiscally responsible standpoint, it’s probably a healthy thing that states are going to need to do some belt-tightening.
Jonathan Williams, ALEC Executive Vice President of Policy and Chief Economist, was quoted in a Governing piece highlighting important issues including state budget management, protecting American infrastructure from Chinese entity buyouts, and more impacting the states in 2024.
“With hundreds of billions in extra federal funding from the pandemic just about having run its course, now is a good time for states to take a pause”, suggests Williams. “Over the past couple of years, lawmakers were able to enjoy nothing but good times — cutting taxes while also raising spending. But “overall, from a fiscally responsible standpoint, it’s probably a healthy thing that states are going to need to do some belt-tightening.”
Regarding the protection of American properties and critical infrastructure, Williams highlights the states taking the legislative lead in tackling this issue.
Last year, Montana and several other states also enacted laws restricting Chinese nationals from buying property. A law in Florida, for example, bars them from owning property within 10 miles of military bases or critical infrastructure such as airports. “We’re going to see more of these bills going forward,” says Jonathan Williams, executive vice president of ALEC. “On China-related items, this is going to be one of the most active sessions in recent memory.”