Dean Spiliotes

It was six months of battles, bargains and balancing. Debates on medical marijuana, voter ID, and taxes all took center stage. A proposed casino was nixed, and after months of number crunching, a biennial budget was built, and all of this done under the watchful eye of a new governor. We’ll look back at some of the biggest political debates of 2013.

Guests

The 10th Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government back to the states. But where the line between federal and state power lies has been debated for centuries, including recent debates over gay marriage, gun rights and abortion.  We’ll take stock of the Tenth Amendment, and the implications for policy that flow from it.

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Lawmakers have reached a tentative deal on the biennial budget, but whether or not that includes Medicare expansion as been tabled until October. They also appear to have found middle ground on medical marijuana and a women's prison.  A gathering against gun violence gets rowdy and ends with police and a taser. And dodge ball gets a second chance in one New Hampshire school district.  We'll look at the big New Hampshire stories of the week of June 17th.

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Protests against the Prime Minister Erdogan continue this week after a violent crackdown sparked national protests. While some point to the Arab Spring as a comparison, a secular Turkey is its own special case. We’ll look at what’s happening in the region, and implication for American foreign policy.

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In the current American political system, some say larger states can be at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to political representation in the U.S. Senate and electoral college, to a degree some say the Founders likely never imagined. Some are clamoring for a remedy of some sort, while others suggest the two Senators per State model still plays an important role in balancing political power. We'll look at both sides of this debate. 

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In a new book, veteran Washington Correspondent Marcia Coyle explores the inner workings of the Supreme Court under the leadership of Chief Justice John Roberts.  Coyle examines how the Roberts Court has dealt with some of the most incendiary issues of the day – including gay marriage, health care, second amendment rights, and campaign finance reform. 

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The New Hampshire GOP’s heyday appears to be over for now, with Democrats gaining seats in the state Senate, winning a majority in the House, and taking the corner office. This follows a rancorous period of governing and campaigning …attack ads, finger pointing and name calling. So, how do we move on from here?  Today we'll talk with party members and see if we can all 'get along'.

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Tariffs, quotas, import-limiting regulations are all on the rise, with countries increasingly trying to boost their own economies.  Lawmakers in the U.S. meanwhile are pondering new “Buy American” provisions, as the EU considers its own “Buy European” initiative. But many say these tactics can have unwanted effects, including foreign retaliation and job loss. Friday we'll talk with Dartmouth Professor Douglas Irwin about the Protectionism predicament

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Wtih shifting geopolitical allegiances, and power struggles at home and abroad, some suggest that its time for the U.S. to clarify its role in the world.  The goal is a new set of guiding principles that can also strengthen our own economy. We'll explore some of these ideas currently making the rounds in diplomatic circles.

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