This week, the Working Lunch team is joined by Troy Flanagan, senior vice president for government affairs and industry relations at the American Hotel and Lodging Association. He shares how his team is approaching 2020 and the legislative and regulatory challenges coming this year.

As legislatures convene, governors are delivering their annual State of the State addresses, and one issue close to the restaurant industry is at the top of their lists – workforce development. In blue and red states alike, leaders are trying to upskill workers. The team discusses the restaurant industry’s unique opportunity to jump in and help.

Meanwhile, New Jersey has passed legislation that would compel employers to give more notice and pay severance to laid-off workers. The “Toys R Us” bill comes after backlash against the treatment of workers who lost their retail jobs. The Align Public Strategies team examines the impact on employers, and the episode wraps up with the legislative scorecard.

Align Public Strategies is a full-service public affairs and creative firm that helps corporate brands, governments and nonprofits navigate the outside world and inform their internal decision-making. This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of Nation's Restaurant News or Restaurant Hospitality.