New Laws Shaping the States In 2026: Lee Schalk on Newsmax
Across the 50 laboratories of democracy, we see so many different policy approaches.
ALEC Senior Vice President of Policy Lee Schalk joined The Wake Up America show on Newsmax to discuss the new laws across the U.S. that are reshaping the states in 2026.
Ohio Stands Out on Tax Reform
A highlight of the discussion was the wave of state tax reforms taking effect or planned for 2026. Schalk emphasized the appeal of lower-income tax states and the broader economic implications.
“This year, nine states now have lower income taxes. As we know, in the 50 laboratories of democracy, we see so many different approaches, whether it’s on tax policy or education. Taxpayers can vote with their feet and move across state lines, and we’ve seen a mass exodus in recent years of taxpayers moving to lower-income tax states,” Schalk said.
“Ohio really stands out to me. Last year, they moved to not only a lower income tax rate, but a flat rate. I think you’re going to see this trend continue in 2026. In Missouri, for example, Governor Kehoe is even talking about phasing out its income tax entirely.”
New Laws on Teen Social Media and Cell Phone Use
Schalk was also asked about a new law in Virginia concerning social media use among teenagers.
“Virginia’s new law seeks to limit the amount of time that teens under 16 can be on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.” he said.
Additionally, Schalk noted, recent laws and executive orders restricting cellphone use in K-12 schools have been adopted in more than 30 states, producing positive results.
“We’ve seen this in blue cities like Los Angeles, blue states like New York, and red states like Tennessee and Florida. At the end of the day, I think that all parents can agree that we want to make sure we’re keeping our kids safe online.”
SNAP Reforms for Healthier Choices
Food assistance programs were another area of focus. Schalk discussed new SNAP restrictions in five states, which limit purchases of candy, soda, and other high-sugar foods.
“In these states, you can no longer purchase products like candy, soda, or energy drinks using taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits,” Schalk noted.
The “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary Brooke Rollins, who spoke at the 2025 ALEC States & Nation Policy Summit in Fort Worth, has been instrumental in advocating for these restrictions.
“We’ve seen 18 states now request waivers from the USDA to pursue similar restrictions on these SNAP benefits. But to your point, five states now have it in effect today,” he said.
Schalk emphasized that these initiatives reflect the broader momentum at the state level, where lawmakers continue to experiment with policies aimed at improving fiscal, social, and health outcomes.