Want government reform? Look to the state legislatures.

Whether Trump won or lost this election, the states were always going to have a critical role to play and matter more in the next four years than ever before. They have important work to do in the days, weeks, and months ahead to advance the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism nationwide.

{mosads}Anyone who counts and tracks polling data thought 2014 was a high water mark for free-markets, they were wrong. Voters came out to the polls this year desperately seeking change at the federal level and wanting to hold government accountable. As a result, Republicans expanded their majorities in nearly every state.

Under the new President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Pence there will be a focus on the states and the freedom to let them decide how to govern without the strong arm of the federal government.

.@marthamaccallum: “In terms of top the quality for a candidate, change is very impt to voters tonight. 82% of voters are going for #Trump.” pic.twitter.com/oiARtoMkLB

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) November 8, 2016

There’s no sense in reinventing the wheel, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and its members are already bringing legislators together from both sides of the aisle to exchange ideas and develop real solutions within their respective states. ALEC members value all perspectives and come together to bring the best ones forward in order to form sound and informed policy in their legislatures.

As Speaker Paul Ryan said on Wednesday:

“We will honor the timeless principles that our country was founded on; liberty, freedom, free enterprise, consent of the governed. And we will apply those principles to the problems of the day.”

It is the application of these principles that will allow states to thrive and ensure economic freedom. All Americans deserve an efficient, effective and accountable government that puts the people in control. While much attention is paid to the national political scene, states are a critical part of the federal system — the states are where the action is regarding policy and are real change agents.

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States are the innovators of policy on just about every issue area ranging from healthcare, taxes, criminal justice reform, and education. At the state level, people are willing to roll up their sleeves and work on kitchen table governance issues that really matter to individuals. People work in states. People build families in states. People own homes in and live in states — therefore state governments are ever present in the day-to-day lives of all Americans.

It’s no secret the last year-and-a-half have been divisive and torn apart friendships.

As the president-elect, President Obama, and Hillary Clinton have said, it is time to come together. It is time to put the polarization aside and now more than ever it is up to state legislators to work together to do what’s best for people, allowing them the opportunity to live a life of freedom and choice.

As America moves forward, its people can be confident that the states are ready to get to work to fight on their behalf. The states and their legislatures are the heart and soul of the country and expect to see them be the real movers and shakers, working tirelessly to make their states prosperous and to improve the lives of people across the country.

Nelson is the CEO of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).