CPA News Releases, Advisories, and Editorials

WASHINGTON, DC, February 3 — In 13 state capitals across America, state legislators and policymakers will introduce proactive policies for the 2000 legislative sessions that confront the key issues affecting working families, from pay equity to health care, child care and education. From Augusta, Maine to Denver, Colorado, emerging and established leaders are sounding a call to action to commit themselves and others to real progress and specific proposals. It is called the Challenge to Secure America’s Economic Future.

“There is no better time to act. As a nation and in our states we have the resources and economic imperatives to build strong, safe and healthy communities as the underpinning of a strong economy,” said Linda Tarr-Whelan, President of the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA). CPA, a Washington, D.C-based policy and leadership institute, has been the catalyst and coordinator of this nationwide challenge.

“Our blueprint for action isn’t politics as usual. Our policy solutions show ways to help Americans achieve a new balance between family and work as a fundamental part of our country’s economic security,” continued Tarr-Whelan, who also serves as U.S. Representative to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. As recently reported, for a sixth year in a row states are expecting to see unprecedented sound fiscal health. The Challenge calls for governmental and private sector action to broker and partner for positive solutions that remove obstacles to all individuals reaching their full potential.

In news conferences in state capitol buildings across the country, lawmakers, community leaders and business people are announcing specific plans to enact the Challenge agenda through a variety of legislative initiatives in 2000 state legislatures. State leaders are launching efforts in 13 states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Washington. Highlights of these:

• COLORADO — In Denver, Colorado State Representative Sue Windels and Karen Amidon from the Colorado Women’s Agenda will introduce the Wage Non-discrimination Act of 2000. This Act would increase pay equity in Colorado, benefiting people of color, low-income families, and women across the state. Representative Windels and Amidon will be joined by business and professional women, grassroots organizers, and other women advocates.

• GEORGIA — In Atlanta, Women legislators and advocates, including Senator Connie Stokes and Representative Nan Orrock will hold press conference in the capitol with Coalition for Working Families to issue the Challenge and advance strategies to expand unemployment insurance for working families, provide for paid family leave, and expand the Georgia Earned Income Tax Credit.

• HAWAII — Representative Hermina Morita, Representative Marilyn Lee, and Representative Cynthia Thielen will partner with the Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women to issue the Challenge and highlight policies that give families the resources they need to care and provide for themselves. Strategies will include pay equity, TANF funds, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), long-term care, elder abuse, heath care, and domestic violence.

• ARIZONA — In Phoenix, Representative John Laredo and Senator Ruth Solomon will host a bi-partisan press conference at the state capital to highlight policies that protect patients’ rights and improve the environment, including the Patients’ Protection Act, Managed Care Accountability Act and clean energy policies.

The Challenge to Secure America’s Future blueprint for policy action rests on four principles:

1. Economic Security and Opportunity. Help families achieve stability and increased opportunity.

2. Entrepreneurship. Open doors to entrepreneurship so workers can fully participate in today’s economy on their own terms.

3. Health and Safety. Ensure affordable, quality health care and security for families and,

4. Family and Work. Ease the strains Americans face in balancing family and work with policies that are flexible, accessible and affordable.

“We issue this challenge believing we must, through our actions and our public policy, put our values to work to secure a strong, growing economy, offering the hope of opportunity and prosperity to every American,” says Tarr-Whelan.

The Challenge to Secure America’s Economic Future finds its roots in the work of the Center For Policy Alternatives, one of America’s leading nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy and leadership development centers and its groundbreaking economic plan: America’s Economic Agenda: Women’s Voices for Solutions. The Center for Policy Alternatives has worked for more than two decades to identify and address the concerns of American women. America’s Economic Agenda: Women’s Voices for Solutions, released in April 1998, reflects the ideas and work of more than 100 women leaders participating in the April 1997 Women’s Economic Leadership Summit cosponsored by CPA and the White House.

Interview opportunities:

For times, locations and contact information for the press conferences in the 13 state capitals listed above, or to schedule an interview with Ambassador Tarr-Whelan about The Challenge to Secure America’s Economic Future, contact Kristina Wilfore at 202/387-6030, ext. 141.

Follow these links for more information about the Challenge:

• Challenge to Secure America’s Economic Future: Factsheet
• Solutions for the New Economy: Building Blocks for a Strong and Healthy Economy, Families & Communities

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