Understanding The Labor Policy Roadmap & Championing Work Freedom: Alan Jernigan on NewstalkSTL
Which states are creating the most opportunity for workers to turn their version of the American dream into a reality?
ALEC Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force Director Alan Jernigan joined The Tim Jones and Chris Arps Show to discuss the release of the States That Work publication, how states can best understand the labor policy roadmap it provides, and reforms that could expand worker opportunities and housing affordability.
“Every year we put out this report, taking 10 policies across all the states, aimed at you know which states are doing the most for their workers and giving them the most opportunity to turn their version of the American dream into an American reality,” Jernigan explained. “Which states are opening the doors for flexibility, protecting the workers’ rights, and giving them the freedom to find the situation that works best for them.”
Jernigan continued by highlighting the top states that have made progress in expanding worker freedom opportunities in this year’s rankings.
“Arizona once again, which has really been impressive to see from them and all their great works they’ve done and had several states like Mississippi, West Virginia, North Dakota make some great strides this year.”
Arps then asked how Missouri fared in the labor policy rankings. Jernigan highlighted how Missouri is the highest-ranked state without a right-to-work policy, placing 23rd in the report.
“One of the reforms that really tells the tale of which states are kind of leading and falling behind is that right-to-work policy,” Jernigan noted, “and Missouri, while not having passed the reform, is the highest-ranked state that has not passed the reforms, so the opportunity is there.”
Arps followed up by asking how the state could improve its labor policies going forward. Jernigan pointed to potential improvements through right-to-work legislation and recurring reviews of occupational licensing rules.
“Missouri’s done well in some of the other licensing reforms, like universal recognition, making it easier for a worker from another state that’s been practicing a profession for a while, has been licensed to come to the state and actually work,” he explained. “Then Missouri’s also created a process for those that have been incarcerated to pursue an occupational license and get back involved in the economy, their communities, and start contributing in a positive manner post-release. So, there are a lot of good things being done and definitely areas to improve, but some positive things to continue to grow on.”
Arps then turned to housing policy and what proposals could be considered to meet the needs of the day. Jernigan pointed to zoning reform and streamlined approvals as ways to increase housing supply and reduce costs as first steps toward addressing housing needs.
“It’s about promoting the policies that help create those, create new homes, create new opportunities for those that are looking for their first homes,” Jernigan noted. “As we talk about the theme of the American dream, looking at it from this report looks at it from the labor side, but also a key part of that is becoming a homeowner.”
Jernigan followed up on that point by highlighting how accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and triplexes could support renters transitioning to homeownership and how ALEC has explored those pathways in its housing policy work.
“One of the things that is so amazing when you bring in more people, there are more people that are going to contribute to the economy,” he explained, “that are going to shop into small businesses, that are going to contribute to the economy and just being around in the community.”