On the Horizon: Building Progressive Policies for 1997

As state legislatures convene, the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) continues to carve out a crosscutting agenda of issues and policies that play an integral part in creating a healthier, more stable society through long-term, sustainable growth and development from the bottom-up. As we move into the new year and a new legislative calendar, CPA will focus its attention on concrete policy initiatives that will help achieve this goal.

Issues such as child care, job creation and training, welfare reform, education, public safety, micro-enterprise and community development are the progressive policy priorities that will be on the forefront of agendas across the country.

These issues are not separate but interconnected. A more progressive child care policy that brings about the establishment of a community child care facility allows more parents to work a full schedule, thus boosting employment. In turn, the child care facility serves as a source of jobs in the community. The creation of more jobs in the community necessitates and makes possible a more comprehensive health care program, plus other job benefits. By creating more jobs with benefits, welfare reform takes a step in the right direction as well.

A sound policy program is greater than the sum of its individual parts. In the coming year, CPA will help explore legislation and policy initiatives which build on this comprehensive approach.