State and Local Policy

The Center for American Progress constantly strives to find meaningful solutions and pathways to promote progressive policy advancement at the state and local level. Our work focuses on locally driven solutions as well as the vast policy and communications expertise in the organization. We hope this research and data can help facilitate thoughtful debate among state and local leaders so that we can bring about progressive change in an ever-changing political landscape.

Bold Ideas for State Action

Americans are ready for states—the laboratories of democracy—to offer a new progressive vision for shared prosperity. This report presents a menu of state policy priorities to help people secure good jobs and good wages and to support strong and healthy communities in which all people are treated fairly and equitably.

By the Center for American Progress

STATEMENT: Reinstatement of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule Is an Important Step Toward Ending Housing Discrimination

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued an interim final Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, based on a 2015 rule first issued by the Obama administration. Following the posting of the rule, Lily Roberts, managing director for Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:...

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A Criminal Record Shouldn’t Be a Life Sentence to Poverty

Bipartisan momentum for clean slate and fair chance licensing policies—which remove barriers to economic opportunity for people facing the stigma of a criminal record—has grown significantly in the states in recent years.

By Rebecca Vallas, Sharon Dietrich, and Beth Avery

REPORT

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Only Half of U.S. States Have Active Worksharing Programs

Half of U.S. states are missing out on an opportunity to maintain connections between employers and workers during economic downturns.

By Malkie Wall and Lily Roberts

COLUMN

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States’ Essential Health Benefits Coverage Could Advance Maternal Health Equity

State benchmark plans vary in their coverage of necessary maternal health services.

By Nora Ellmann and Jamille Fields Allsbrook

COLUMN

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An Urgent Rescue Plan for Puerto Rico

The Biden administration has pledged to provide Puerto Rico—home to more than 3 million U.S. citizens—with the resources and technical assistance it needs to recover and prosper in the wake of multiple natural disasters and ongoing economic and fiscal crises.

By Federico de Jesús and Laura Rodriguez

ISSUE BRIEF

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Preparing Students of Color for the Future Workforce

Community members in Indiana and New Mexico provide context on how Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students should be fully prepared for the future workforce.

By Ashley Jeffrey and Laura Jimenez

ISSUE BRIEF

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Millions Will Gain Nondiscrimination Protections Under the Equality Act

These fact sheets highlight how the Equality Act will result in expanded nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people, women, communities of color, and foreign-born individuals in states across the country.

By Caroline Medina, Lindsay Mahowald, and Sharita Gruberg

COLUMN

Help Is Here Weekly Roundup: How the American Rescue Plan Benefits State and Local Governments

See CAP Action’s weekly roundup of local stories and social media highlights from elected officials across the United States on how the American Rescue Plan is benefiting their communities.

COLUMN

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Learning From California’s Ambitious Climate Policy

The Biden-Harris administration can learn from California’s science-based, whole-of-government approach to climate policy, which has reduced harmful emissions, prioritized environmental justice, and built partnerships across the state.

By Aimee Barnes, Ashley Conrad-Saydah, Hannah Argento-McCurdy, Angela Luh, and Matthew Gobin

REPORT

STATEMENT: Proposed Constitutional Amendment Illustrates New Mexico’s Continued National Leadership in Prioritizing Early Childhood Education

Washington, D.C. — Last year, New Mexico established the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD), making it the fourth state in the country to create a state agency dedicated to the education and care of young children. Last week, the New Mexico Legislature approved a proposed amendment to the state's constitution that would create a...

Fact Sheet: The Importance of Sports Participation for Transgender Youth

Transgender students deserve full and equal access to the benefits of school sports participation.

By Shoshana K. Goldberg and Theo Santos

FACT SHEET

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5 Discussions That Shaped the Justice Reform Movement in 2020

While more must be done to shrink the footprint of the U.S. criminal justice system, the national dialogue around reform during summer 2020 has inspired transformative ideas and tangible policies that can be built on moving forward.

By Kenny Lo, Sarah Figgatt, Betsy Pearl, and Chelsea Parsons

COLUMN

RELEASE: New Report Outlines Federal and State Policy Agenda To Protect and Expand Abortion Rights

Washington, D.C. — Increasingly over the past several years, states have signed hundreds of abortion bans and restrictions into law, undermining abortion rights and exacerbating inequities in access to abortion care. Yet a new administration and Congress, who were elected to office campaigning in support of abortion rights, have the opportunity to reverse this trend. Today, the Women's...

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Securing a Safe, Just, and Climate-Ready Future for Florida

Florida leaders must address environmental racism through the creation of a Florida Future Fund that will build just, equitable, and healthy communities.

By Bianca Majumder, Cathleen Kelly, Salome Garcia, Yoca Arditi-Rocha, and Katrina Erwin

REPORT

STATEMENT: Swift Passage of the American Rescue Plan in the U.S. Senate Urgently Needed Following Successful House Vote

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan, President Joe Biden's plan to address the health and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The plan will now be considered in the U.S. Senate. Following the bill's passage in the House, Winnie Stachelberg, executive vice president for External Affairs at...