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.
Despite rising rates of gun violence in Iowa, lawmakers persist in weakening the state’s gun laws.
While Delaware has already passed important bills to prevent gun violence, the state could take a major step forward by passing a permit-to-purchase law—a measure requiring a license to purchase a handgun.
A review of the common failures of contracts between management companies and the charter schools they oversee suggests some changes could help protect both students and taxpayer money.
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.
In order to incentivize states to develop coherent transportation plans that advance progressive policy goals, the U.S. Department of Transportation should consider both the regional and statewide transportation and land use context when making grant awards.
Oil and gas lobbyists have spent decades working to entrench dependence on fossil fuels. Solutions require a new model that builds wealth and empowers rural communities.
Jurisdictions can take several steps to eliminate the financial barriers imposed by fines and fees, which would help system-impacted individuals clear their records and reenter society.
Data show that the repeal of Missouri’s permit-to-purchase law is linked to higher levels of gun theft—a problem state officials must correct.
American Rescue Plan funding allows state and local governments to invest in employment solutions for their residents, including skills training, career pathways in educational settings, child care, and other basic needs.
The Rev. Jane Field of the Maine Council of Churches shares her thoughts on Maine’s approach to containing COVID-19, as well as the response from religious communities in the state.