The Realignment 597 | Michael Laskawy: Why States Are the Real Center of American Politics
Mar 10, 2026
Michael Laskaway, editor of The States Forum Journal and state-policy advocate, explains why states are becoming the real centers of American politics. He describes the American Promise worldview and how state-level reforms — from tuition freezes to right-to-repair and election administration — reshape national debates. Conversations cover storytelling, coalition-building, and how states fill federal policy gaps.
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Purdue Tuition Freeze As A State Model
- Marshall cites Mitch Daniels at Purdue as a model: froze tuition while maintaining a top research university.
- It shows a state leader using institutional control to make college affordable without degrading quality.
Fix Utilities To Win Trust Quickly
- States should target utilities as a concrete issue to help constituents' immediate costs and restore faith in government.
- Examples include proposals from Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and Governor Glenn Youngkin–linked initiatives in Virginia.
Removing Arbitrary Degree Requirements
- Marshall highlights Maryland removing arbitrary degree requirements for state jobs as a practical reform that reduces late-stage meritocracy.
- The change signals to voters that state government can remove unfair barriers to opportunity.
