The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Increase the Number of Americans Without Health Coverage in Every State and Congressional District ArticleSeptember 5, 2025 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Increase the Number of Americans Without Health Coverage in Every State and Congressional District Explore how the law’s historic cuts will affect uninsurance where you live. Sep 5, 2025 Natasha Murphy, Kennedy Andara, Emily Gee
State Fact Sheets: How the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans Are Increasing Costs for American Families Fact SheetAugust 6, 2025 State Fact Sheets: How the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans Are Increasing Costs for American Families This series of fact sheets provides insights into how the OBBBA and the administration’s policies will increase the costs of health care, food, energy, and borrowing in each state in the near future. Aug 6, 2025 Amina Khalique, Kennedy Andara, Natalie Baker, 2 More Sara Partridge, Kyle Ross
With Americans Facing Utility Bill Increases This Year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Threatens To Drive Costs Even Higher ArticleJune 13, 2025 With Americans Facing Utility Bill Increases This Year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Threatens To Drive Costs Even Higher Across the country, nearly 60 electric and gas utilities are hiking or trying to hike utility bills this year, totaling nearly $38.3 billion for 56.7 million electric customers and $3.5 billion for 26 million natural gas customers; if the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passes, these bills will spike even higher. Jun 13, 2025 Akshay Thyagarajan, Shannon Baker-Branstetter
States Must Lead the Way To Protect Workers From Extreme Heat ArticleMay 20, 2025 States Must Lead the Way To Protect Workers From Extreme Heat In the absence of federal action to protect workers from the rising dangers of exposure to extreme heat on the job, states must take the lead—and can look to existing and proposed standards from other localities for guidance. May 20, 2025 Jill Rosenthal, Reema Bzeih
Congressional Republicans’ Health Care Plans Will Rip Away Coverage and Increase Costs ArticleApril 29, 2025 Congressional Republicans’ Health Care Plans Will Rip Away Coverage and Increase Costs Republican plans to slash Medicaid funding and let the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits expire will increase insurance costs for millions of Americans. Apr 29, 2025 Natasha Murphy, Andrea Ducas
How Retaliation Against the Trump Administration’s Trade War Makes Each State Vulnerable ArticleApril 17, 2025 How Retaliation Against the Trump Administration’s Trade War Makes Each State Vulnerable Retaliatory tariffs against the United States from China, the European Union, and Canada are likely to punish critical export industries in every state. Apr 17, 2025 Natalie Baker, Ryan Mulholland
Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Cut Clean Energy Investments Would Cause Higher Energy Bills and Job Losses Across States ArticleMarch 19, 2025 Congressional Republicans’ Plan To Cut Clean Energy Investments Would Cause Higher Energy Bills and Job Losses Across States The clean energy supply chain spurred by U.S. investment has created jobs and helped to lower electricity costs; repealing these investments midstream would increase electricity prices for households and businesses in nearly every state. Mar 19, 2025 Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Jamie Friedman
The Republican House Budget Resolution’s Potential $880 Billion in Medicaid Cuts by Congressional District ArticleFebruary 24, 2025 The Republican House Budget Resolution’s Potential $880 Billion in Medicaid Cuts by Congressional District The Republican House budget resolution would cost congressional districts an average of $2 billion each and could eliminate coverage for 15.9 million people. Feb 24, 2025 Sara Estep, Natasha Murphy, Andrea Ducas, 1 More Emily Gee
The right of Coloradans to vote should be protected In the NewsFebruary 19, 2025 The right of Coloradans to vote should be protected In an op-ed published by Colorado Newsline, Rebecca Mears urges Colorado legislators to pass the pending state voting rights act in order to protect equitable voting access for all Coloradans and safeguard them from voting practices that lead to deeper racial disparities. Feb 19, 2025 Colorado Newsline Rebecca Mears
How Cuts to NIH Research Funding Would Hurt States ArticleFebruary 13, 2025 How Cuts to NIH Research Funding Would Hurt States Proposed changes to the National Institutes of Health’s $48 billion budget would risk jobs, threaten state economies, and hamper progress toward prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer. Feb 13, 2025 Marquisha Johns
The Consequences of a Federal Funding Freeze in the States ArticleFebruary 6, 2025 The Consequences of a Federal Funding Freeze in the States The Trump administration’s proposed spending pause stirred confusion and uncertainty around government-funded services. Feb 6, 2025 Kennedy Andara
Industry Standards Boards Are Delivering Results for Workers, Employers, and Their Communities ReportNovember 21, 2024 Industry Standards Boards Are Delivering Results for Workers, Employers, and Their Communities State accomplishments demonstrate that boards work best when they have the necessary legal authority and resources. Nov 21, 2024 David Madland, Sachin Shiva
State Leadership To Conserve Nature VideoSeptember 13, 2024 State Leadership To Conserve Nature Leaders from Maryland, New Mexico, Colorado, and California share how their states are leading on conservation. Sep 13, 2024 Mariel Lutz, Matthew Gossage, Hai-Lam Phan
Fact Sheets: The Harmful Effects of Project 2025, by State Fact SheetAugust 1, 2024 Fact Sheets: The Harmful Effects of Project 2025, by State These fact sheets provide insight into how Project 2025 would affect people in states across the country. Aug 1, 2024 Colin Seeberger
Dispatching Community Responders to 911 Calls VideoJune 13, 2024 Dispatching Community Responders to 911 Calls This video compares three principal models cities are using for community responder dispatch and shares lessons learned from successful programs in Atlanta, Denver, and Austin, Texas. Jun 13, 2024 Rachael Eisenberg, Amos Irwin, Freya Rigterink, 3 More Matthew Gossage, Hai-Lam Phan, Toni Pandolfo
The State of Safe Leave ReportMay 28, 2024 The State of Safe Leave U.S. states are increasingly providing safe leave for workers who need time off to deal with the impacts of sexual and domestic violence. May 28, 2024 Molly Weston Williamson
2024 Affordable Care Act Marketplace Plan Selections by Congressional District InteractiveMay 2, 2024 2024 Affordable Care Act Marketplace Plan Selections by Congressional District A new CAP interactive explores the proportion of nonelderly people who made federally facilitated marketplace plan selections during the 2024 open enrollment period by congressional district. Without congressional action, consumers will lose the enhanced financial assistance that supported record levels of enrollment. May 2, 2024 Nicole Rapfogel
Fact Sheet: Using Federal Preschool Grant To Build State Early Learning Systems Fact SheetApril 18, 2024 Fact Sheet: Using Federal Preschool Grant To Build State Early Learning Systems The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five program is a valuable tool for increasing families’ seamless access to early care and education programs. Apr 18, 2024 Anna Lovejoy, Allie Schneider
25 Years After Columbine: A Father’s Journey To Honor His Son and End Gun Violence VideoApril 16, 2024 25 Years After Columbine: A Father’s Journey To Honor His Son and End Gun Violence Tom Mauser, father of Columbine High School shooting victim Daniel Mauser and gun safety advocate, shares how his son continues to inspire his fight to end gun violence 25 years after Columbine. Apr 16, 2024 Allison Jordan, Matthew Gossage, Hai-Lam Phan, 2 More Toni Pandolfo, Andrew Sonntag
State Policy Leadership To Conserve Nature ReportApril 11, 2024 State Policy Leadership To Conserve Nature As momentum builds nationally to address the nature and climate crises, state and territorial leaders across the country have stepped up with a variety of measures aimed at conserving lands and waters. Apr 11, 2024 Drew McConville, Kate Burgess, Mariel Lutz
Monthly Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Savings by State InteractiveApril 2, 2024 Monthly Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Savings by State Medicare drug price negotiation will result in thousands of dollars in net price savings for 30-day supplies of the first 10 drugs undergoing negotiation; here’s how those savings add up state by state. Apr 2, 2024 Nicole Rapfogel
Fact Sheet: 3 Trends in K-12 Assessments Across the Country Fact SheetJanuary 11, 2024 Fact Sheet: 3 Trends in K-12 Assessments Across the Country Reforms of state assessment systems could measure student learning more accurately and effectively, providing educators the information they need to close achievement gaps. Jan 11, 2024 Allie Pearce
Fast Facts About Paid Leave in Colorado Fact SheetDecember 13, 2023 Fast Facts About Paid Leave in Colorado Paid family and medical leave benefits start in Colorado on January 1, 2024. Dec 13, 2023 Molly Weston Williamson
CFPB Complaints State Fact Sheets: The CFPB Helps Consumers Nationwide ArticleOctober 3, 2023 CFPB Complaints State Fact Sheets: The CFPB Helps Consumers Nationwide The CFPB has stood up for everyday consumers and fought against unfair treatment across the United States, addressing consumer complaints nationwide. Oct 3, 2023 Crystal Weise, Lilith Fellowes-Granda, David Correa
Analysis of CFPB Complaints by State: Helping Consumers in Colorado Fact SheetSeptember 28, 2023 Analysis of CFPB Complaints by State: Helping Consumers in Colorado The CFPB has stood up for everyday consumers and fought against unfair treatment in Colorado. Sep 28, 2023
Challenges and Opportunities of Providing Free School Meals for All ReportSeptember 26, 2023 Challenges and Opportunities of Providing Free School Meals for All The Center for American Progress’ community conversations with a Colorado school district illustrate how offering no-cost school meals is critical for students’ success and opportunities. Sep 26, 2023 Allie Pearce, Anona Neal
Momentum for Worker Standards Boards Continues To Grow ArticleSeptember 7, 2023 Momentum for Worker Standards Boards Continues To Grow Since 2018, six states and three local governments have enacted laws that bring workers and employers together to recommend standards for sectors of the economy. Sep 7, 2023 Aurelia Glass, David Madland
Ecosystem Benefits of the Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal ArticleJune 13, 2023 Ecosystem Benefits of the Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal The Thompson Divide hosts more than 110,000 acres of some of Colorado’s most high-quality, undeveloped, and valuable habitat for wildlife, making it worthy of a 20-year withdrawal from oil and gas leasing. Jun 13, 2023 Sharon Ferguson, Jenny Rowland-Shea
5 States Addressing Child Hunger and Food Insecurity With Free School Meals for All ReportMay 4, 2023 5 States Addressing Child Hunger and Food Insecurity With Free School Meals for All State governments are taking the lead in implementing no-cost school meal programs to eliminate administrative and financial burdens for students, families, and school staff. May 4, 2023 Allie Pearce, Akilah Alleyne, Anona Neal
Quick Facts About State Salary Range Transparency Laws ArticleMarch 9, 2023 Quick Facts About State Salary Range Transparency Laws Over the past few years, an increasing number of states have passed, or are considering passing, salary range transparency laws as one measure to help close the gender pay gap. Mar 9, 2023 Becca Damante, Lauren Hoffman, Rose Khattar
5 Ways Governors and Mayors Can Leverage Federal Investments ArticleFebruary 24, 2023 5 Ways Governors and Mayors Can Leverage Federal Investments State and local leaders are poised to build on the foundation of federal investment to address their communities’ economic needs. Feb 24, 2023 Lily Roberts
The Benefits of Skills-Based Hiring for the State and Local Government Workforce ReportNovember 21, 2022 The Benefits of Skills-Based Hiring for the State and Local Government Workforce Skills-based practices can spur an equitable recovery in the state and local government workforce by ensuring that positions are open to all qualified applicants. Nov 21, 2022 Marina Zhavoronkova, Kate Naranjo
ARPA Funds Continue To Support Community Safety Efforts Through Community Responder Programs ArticleOctober 12, 2022 ARPA Funds Continue To Support Community Safety Efforts Through Community Responder Programs With the help of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, governments are expanding their public safety strategies to invest in community responder programs that reduce reliance on law enforcement and provide communities with meaningful emergency management support. Oct 12, 2022 Akua Amaning
The Oil Industry’s Grip on Public Lands and Waters May Be Slowing Progress Toward Energy Independence ReportJuly 19, 2022 The Oil Industry’s Grip on Public Lands and Waters May Be Slowing Progress Toward Energy Independence Seventy-seven percent of public lands in the western United States that are ideal for renewable energy projects are in areas with low or no oil and gas potential, yet they are still prioritized for oil and gas leasing. Jul 19, 2022 Jenny Rowland-Shea, Zainab Mirza
Colorado’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rule for Surface Transportation Offers a Model for Other States and the Nation ReportMarch 29, 2022 Colorado’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rule for Surface Transportation Offers a Model for Other States and the Nation Colorado’s statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction mandate, and the associated planning rule from the state department of transportation, offers a model for how to effectively incorporate climate change mitigation into surface transportation planning and project selection. Mar 29, 2022 Kevin DeGood, Michela Zonta
Fact Sheet: Holding Higher Education Accountable in Federal-State Partnerships Fact SheetFebruary 2, 2022 Fact Sheet: Holding Higher Education Accountable in Federal-State Partnerships This fact sheet outlines key findings and questions for using performance contracts in federal-state partnerships for higher education. Feb 2, 2022 Bradley D. Custer
Holding Higher Education Accountable in Federal-State Partnerships ReportFebruary 2, 2022 Holding Higher Education Accountable in Federal-State Partnerships Colorado’s experiment with performance contracts in the College Opportunity Fund offers insights into how performance contracts could be used for accountability in federal-state partnership proposals for higher education. Feb 2, 2022 Bradley D. Custer
Early Learning in the United States: 2021 Fact SheetDecember 14, 2021 Early Learning in the United States: 2021 These state fact sheets provide data on access to affordable child care for families, compensation for child care providers, and economic benefits of increased public investment in early learning. Dec 14, 2021 MK Falgout
Fact Sheet: State-by-State Estimates of Eligibility for a 2010 Immigration Registry Update ArticleSeptember 23, 2021 Fact Sheet: State-by-State Estimates of Eligibility for a 2010 Immigration Registry Update Updating the Immigration and Nationality Act’s registry date from 1972 to 2010 would allow millions of undocumented immigrants to access a pathway to citizenship. Sep 23, 2021 Nicole Svajlenka, Claudia Flores, Philip E. Wolgin
State Abortion Legislation in 2021 ReportSeptember 21, 2021 State Abortion Legislation in 2021 In 2021, the United States has seen the highest number of abortion restrictions made law in a single year, and the legal context in which this newly enacted legislation will operate is particularly tenuous. Sep 21, 2021 Elyssa Spitzer, Nora Ellmann
How States Can Build on the ACA To Improve Affordability and Lower Health Care Costs ReportJuly 15, 2021 How States Can Build on the ACA To Improve Affordability and Lower Health Care Costs The American Rescue Plan gives states additional flexibility to expand health coverage. Jul 15, 2021 Maura Calsyn
The Clean Economy Revolution Will Be Unionized ReportJuly 7, 2021 The Clean Economy Revolution Will Be Unionized State and local progress can inform federal action to support high-quality, union jobs building the clean economy. Jul 7, 2021 Rita Cliffton, Malkie Wall, Sam Ricketts, 3 More Kevin Lee, Jessica Eckdish, Karla Walter
Closing Advanced Coursework Equity Gaps for All Students ReportJune 30, 2021 Closing Advanced Coursework Equity Gaps for All Students Even in high schools with similar levels of access to advanced coursework, Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students are less likely to be enrolled in advanced courses—and even when they are enrolled, they experience less success in these courses than their peers. Jun 30, 2021 Roby Chatterji, Neil Campbell, Abby Quirk
The Funnel To Passing AP Exams InteractiveJune 30, 2021 The Funnel To Passing AP Exams This interactive uses data from the U.S. Department of Education to estimate how many students, overall and disaggregated, enroll in AP courses, take AP tests, and pass AP tests. Jun 30, 2021 Roby Chatterji, Neil Campbell, Abby Quirk
Building Infrastructure That Supports Opportunity, Equity, and Sustainability ReportJune 28, 2021 Building Infrastructure That Supports Opportunity, Equity, and Sustainability Generating a robust economic recovery that facilitates inclusive prosperity, redresses past harms, and advances national climate goals will require reforming federal infrastructure programs, which were not originally designed to meet these objectives. Jun 28, 2021 Kevin DeGood
State-Federal Climate Initiative: Resources for State and Local Leadership on Climate, Energy Costs, Justice, and Jobs ArticleJune 15, 2021 State-Federal Climate Initiative: Resources for State and Local Leadership on Climate, Energy Costs, Justice, and Jobs State and local climate leaders have been laying a road map for bold, nationwide action on climate, reduced energy costs, good jobs, and environmental justice, and recent changes in federal government leadership mean that it has never been more urgent for them to lead the way on building a prosperous, inclusive, and globally competitive clean energy economy. Jun 15, 2021
A Criminal Record Shouldn’t Be a Life Sentence to Poverty ReportMay 28, 2021 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. May 28, 2021 Rebecca Vallas, Sharon Dietrich, Beth Avery
Only Half of U.S. States Have Active Worksharing Programs ArticleMay 10, 2021 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. May 10, 2021 Malkie Wall, Lily Roberts
States’ Essential Health Benefits Coverage Could Advance Maternal Health Equity ArticleApril 30, 2021 States’ Essential Health Benefits Coverage Could Advance Maternal Health Equity State benchmark plans vary in their coverage of necessary maternal health services. Apr 30, 2021 Nora Ellmann, Jamille Fields Allsbrook
Help Is Here Weekly Roundup: How the American Rescue Plan Benefits State and Local Governments ArticleApril 19, 2021 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. Apr 19, 2021
Building on the ACA: Administrative Actions to Improve Maternal Health ReportMarch 25, 2021 Building on the ACA: Administrative Actions to Improve Maternal Health The United States’ maternal health crisis demands federal and state action to improve coverage, the delivery of care, and pregnancy outcomes. The cost of inaction will almost certainly be dire. Mar 25, 2021 Jamille Fields Allsbrook, Osub Ahmed
Fact Sheet: The Importance of Sports Participation for Transgender Youth Fact SheetMarch 18, 2021 Fact Sheet: The Importance of Sports Participation for Transgender Youth Transgender students deserve full and equal access to the benefits of school sports participation. Mar 18, 2021 Shoshana K. Goldberg, Thee Santos
5 Discussions That Shaped the Justice Reform Movement in 2020 ArticleMarch 18, 2021 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. Mar 18, 2021 Kenny Lo, Sarah Figgatt, Betsy Pearl, 1 More Chelsea Parsons
How Biden’s Coronavirus Plan Funds and Supports State Vaccination Efforts ArticleFebruary 11, 2021 How Biden’s Coronavirus Plan Funds and Supports State Vaccination Efforts The president’s coronavirus plan will give states the guidance and resources they need to ramp up vaccine administration in efficient and equitable ways. Feb 11, 2021 Nicole Rapfogel
The State of Women’s Leadership—And How To Continue Changing the Face of U.S. Politics ArticleJanuary 15, 2021 The State of Women’s Leadership—And How To Continue Changing the Face of U.S. Politics Women—particularly women of color—continue to make noteworthy gains at all levels of government, but bold policies and structural changes are still needed to reach gender parity in U.S. politics. Jan 15, 2021 Robin Bleiweis, Shilpa Phadke
A How-To Guide for Strengthening State and Local Prevailing Wage Laws ReportDecember 22, 2020 A How-To Guide for Strengthening State and Local Prevailing Wage Laws This report provides a road map for state and local policymakers working to create or strengthen prevailing wage laws, explains core features of prevailing wage legislation, and lifts up existing best practices from around the county. Dec 22, 2020 Karla Walter, Malkie Wall, Alex Rowell
Raising the Bar ReportDecember 22, 2020 Raising the Bar States and cities can set minimum compensation standards for private sector employees that reference prevailing wage and benefit rates. Dec 22, 2020 David Madland, Malkie Wall, Alex Rowell
How States Can Use TANF Funds To Help More Residents in Need Fact SheetDecember 17, 2020 How States Can Use TANF Funds To Help More Residents in Need Even in the absence of congressional action, states can use TANF funds to support their residents who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dec 17, 2020 Justin Schweitzer
State and Local Wins Illustrate National Demand for Early Learning Investments ArticleDecember 9, 2020 State and Local Wins Illustrate National Demand for Early Learning Investments Communities across the country have passed state and local ballot measures to increase public funding for early childhood services, demonstrating a path forward for federal action in 2021. Dec 9, 2020 MK Falgout, Laura Dallas McSorley
Progressive Criminal Justice Ballot Initiatives Won Big in the 2020 Election ArticleNovember 19, 2020 Progressive Criminal Justice Ballot Initiatives Won Big in the 2020 Election Progressive criminal justice policies fared well at the ballot box, with voters across the country approving critical reforms. Nov 19, 2020 Sarah Figgatt