Economist Podcasts Long division: America’s busy state legislatures
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Feb 9, 2023 
Alexandra Sewitch-Bass, a senior correspondent at The Economist specializing in U.S. state politics, joins Jan Piotrowski, the publication's business editor, and Asia editor James Astell. They delve into the rising importance of state legislatures, discussing how their laws affect citizens more than federal actions. Jan offers insights into Meta’s recovery strategies, while James reflects on Pervez Musharraf’s complex legacy in Pakistan, highlighting his reforms and the intertwining of military and democracy.
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Hyper-Polarized Policies
- State legislatures are tackling hot issues like voting rights, abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, education, and taxes.
- These polarized policies are amplified by one-party control in many states, limiting debate and dissent.
Wyoming vs. California
- Wyoming proposed banning new electric vehicle sales by 2035, countering California's ban on petrol-powered cars.
- This exemplifies the growing divide between red and blue states on key policy issues.
DeSantis vs. Disney
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis targeted Disney for opposing the "Don't Say Gay" bill.
- This demonstrates a trend of lawmakers targeting companies that challenge their agendas.