CPA News Releases, Advisories, and Editorials

REPORT FINDS PROGRESSIVE VICTORIES IN THE STATES

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The progressive movement is alive and well in state legislatures across the nation according to a new study, Progress in the States: A Report on Proactive, Progressive Victories in 2005, released by the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA). CPA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that focuses on state policy.

“Today, state legislators are leading the fight for progressive solutions,” the study says. “They are proposing the nation’s most far-reaching, proactive legislation. They are experimenting with new tactics and messagesﾗand they are winning.”

Progress in the States describes 144 proactive, progressive measures that have become law, or will become law, in 2005. Overall, the study demonstrates the vitality and variety of progressive successes in the states.

Among the highlights of this report:

• Most Progressive States—The states which have enacted the most progressive laws so far in 2005 are: Illinois (15 laws); Colorado, Connecticut and Washington (11 laws each); New Jersey (9 laws); New Mexico (8 laws); and Maryland and Montana (7 laws each).
• Minimum Wage—As Congress stood on the sidelines, six states increased the minimum wage in 2005. A total of nine states have increased the minimum wage since April 2004. Thanks to the states, by October at least 45 percent of Americans will live in jurisdictions with a minimum wage above the federal level.
• GLBT Rights—Despite defeats on same-sex marriage, GLBT advocates have won some historic victories in the states. Nine gay rights measures passed in 2005. Over the past three years, 14 states have passed or implemented 22 different measures to recognize same-sex partnerships, prohibit discrimination, or provide hate crimes protections.
• Energy Efficiency—In response to skyrocketing energy costs and the absence of federal leadership on this subject, ten states passed 13 laws in 2005 mandating greater energy efficiency. Seven states set specific energy efficiency standards for common commercial products. Over the past three years, progressives have enacted more than 50 new state laws addressing a wide range of environmental problems.
• Emergency Contraception—While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has blocked over-the-counter sale of emergency contraception (EC), four states passed measures in 2005 to allow pharmacists to dispense EC without a prescription. By the end of 2005, nine states will allow women to obtain the “morning after pill” without a prescription.
• Identity Theft Protection—Americans are dissatisfied with the federal government’s inaction on identity theft and its general lack of concern for citizens’ privacy. Legislators are taking the lead on this issue, with seven states enacting laws in 2005 to protect victims of identity theft.
• Prescription Drug Prices—In 2005, seven states enacted a range of policies to make prescription drugs more accessible and affordable. Over the past three years, 30 states have led a revolution in the prescription drug marketplace, enacting laws that go far beyond federal policies.
• Victories in “Red” States—Progressives are winning battles even in “red” states. Colorado, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico and South Carolina broadened unemployment insurance benefits. Florida, Kansas and Tennessee banned racial profiling. Montana, North Dakota, Texas and Utah enacted criminal sentencing reforms. Iowa and Nebraska implemented voting rights restoration.

A very large number of the progressive laws enacted this year are promoted in the 2005 edition of the Center for Policy Alternatives’ policy handbook, the Progressive Agenda, and on its website, www.stateaction.org. Of the 144 new measures listed, 86 (60 percent) are similar to CPA-recommended legislation. To view the report, visit www.stateaction.org/2005victories.pdf.

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The Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is the nation’s only nonpartisan organization working to strengthen the capacity of state legislators to lead and achieve progressive change. CPA empowers state legislators by providing values-based leadership development programs, distributing user-friendly policy tools on a wide variety of issues, and building a strong, coordinated network of legislators across the states.

For more information contact Policy Director Bernie Horn at 202-956-5135, email [email protected], or visit www.stateaction.org.