JerryParshall Senior Director, Safety and Justice Campaign; Director, State and Local Government Affairs
State Voting Rights Acts: Racial Vote Dilution VideoMarch 3, 2025 State Voting Rights Acts: Racial Vote Dilution This is the second video in the “State Voting Rights Acts: Explained” video series created by the Center for American Progress and the Legal Defense Fund. Mar 3, 2025 Rebecca Mears, Adam Lioz, Hai-Lam Phan, 3 More Olivia Mowry, Toni Pandolfo, Matthew Gossage
Understanding the Basics of Child Care in the United States ArticleFebruary 20, 2025 Understanding the Basics of Child Care in the United States The United States needs real solutions at all levels of government, coupled with robust public investment, to build a child care and early learning system that works for children, families, educators, and providers. Feb 20, 2025 The Early Childhood Policy Team
Trump Quietly Plans To Liquidate Public Lands To Finance His Sovereign Wealth Fund ArticleFebruary 20, 2025 Trump Quietly Plans To Liquidate Public Lands To Finance His Sovereign Wealth Fund President Donald Trump’s executive order to create a sovereign wealth fund requires that the United States come up with heaps of cash quickly, which may make selling out and selling off public lands irresistible. Feb 20, 2025 Mark Haggerty, Jenny Rowland-Shea
Baby Bonds: A Worthwhile Step To Reduce the Racial Wealth Gap ReportFebruary 20, 2025 Baby Bonds: A Worthwhile Step To Reduce the Racial Wealth Gap Baby bonds build intergenerational wealth for households that often have not had access to economic opportunities, mobility, and security. Feb 20, 2025 Edwith Theogene, Christian E. Weller
Investing in the Nation’s Future: Why Congress Should Emulate Energy States’ Sovereign Wealth Funds ReportFebruary 18, 2025 Investing in the Nation’s Future: Why Congress Should Emulate Energy States’ Sovereign Wealth Funds States save and invest fossil fuel revenue to build wealth and pay for essential services that benefit current and future generations—and Congress should take note when designing a federal sovereign wealth fund. Feb 18, 2025 Nathan Brooks, Mark Haggerty
5 Ways the ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Have Improved Health Coverage Affordability and Access ArticleFebruary 18, 2025 5 Ways the ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Have Improved Health Coverage Affordability and Access Enhanced financial help has made ACA coverage more affordable for millions of people, but without an extension beyond 2025, these gains will be reversed. Feb 18, 2025 Natasha Murphy
Prioritize Community Needs Over Politics In the NewsFebruary 7, 2025 Prioritize Community Needs Over Politics In an op-ed published by InsideSources, Margaret Cooney writes about the wildfires in Los Angeles and describes the practical ways local policymakers can better prepare to offset the effects of climate change. Feb 7, 2025 InsideSources Margaret Cooney
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, Mimla Wardak
What State Lawmakers Could Do for Working-Class Americans In the NewsFebruary 5, 2025 What State Lawmakers Could Do for Working-Class Americans In an op-ed published by Governing, Karla Walter and David Madland describe tangible, proven strategies state policymakers can use to strengthen the power of the working class in their communities this year. Feb 5, 2025 Governing Karla Walter, David Madland
Highlights From ‘Winning the Fight for Voting Rights: State Voting Rights Acts’ VideoFebruary 4, 2025 Highlights From ‘Winning the Fight for Voting Rights: State Voting Rights Acts’ The freedom to vote is under attack across the country, especially for Black voters and other voters of color. States can join the growing movement to protect the freedom to vote and remove barriers to the ballot box by enacting their own voting rights acts. Feb 4, 2025 Rebecca Mears, Matthew Gossage, Olivia Mowry
Introduction to State Voting Rights Acts VideoJanuary 30, 2025 Introduction to State Voting Rights Acts This is the first video in the “State Voting Rights Acts: Explained” video series created by the Center for American Progress and the Legal Defense Fund. Jan 30, 2025 Rebecca Mears, Hai-Lam Phan, Olivia Mowry, 2 More Matthew Gossage, Toni Pandolfo
Stopping the Abuse of Tech in Surveilling and Criminalizing Abortion ReportJanuary 29, 2025 Stopping the Abuse of Tech in Surveilling and Criminalizing Abortion Apps and consumer data could be weaponized to criminalize those seeking, providing, and supporting abortion care, and policymakers and individual Americans should act to protect private reproductive health information. Jan 29, 2025 Kierra B. Jones
Highlights from ‘State Efforts To Decarbonize Key Industrial Sectors’ VideoJanuary 28, 2025 Highlights from ‘State Efforts To Decarbonize Key Industrial Sectors’ The Center for American Progress held a virtual event that explored state policy efforts to decarbonize and detoxify the production of construction materials and discussed lessons learned from policy implementation. Jan 28, 2025 Jamie Friedman, Reema Bzeih, Matthew Gossage
Medicaid Block Grants and Per Capita Caps Jeopardize State Budgets, Health Care Access, and Public Health Fact SheetJanuary 28, 2025 Medicaid Block Grants and Per Capita Caps Jeopardize State Budgets, Health Care Access, and Public Health Proposals to cap federal Medicaid funding would put millions of Americans at risk of losing coverage or experiencing cuts to benefits and force states to make difficult budget decisions. Jan 28, 2025 Natasha Murphy
The Next Frontier in American Industrial Policy: Saving the Steel Industry by Decarbonizing It ReportJanuary 27, 2025 The Next Frontier in American Industrial Policy: Saving the Steel Industry by Decarbonizing It The United States has a once-in-history opportunity to transform its steel industry and establish it as a world leader for the next generation while giving workers the tools they need to build a future for their communities. Jan 27, 2025 Mike Williams, Jamie Friedman
The Biden Administration Took Record-Breaking Conservation Action ArticleJanuary 17, 2025 The Biden Administration Took Record-Breaking Conservation Action The Biden administration’s record-breaking conservation actions are one of the most popular pieces of their legacy. Jan 17, 2025 Sam Zeno, Jenny Rowland-Shea
8 Ways Special Interests Are Asking President-Elect Trump To Sell Out U.S. Public Lands ReportJanuary 16, 2025 8 Ways Special Interests Are Asking President-Elect Trump To Sell Out U.S. Public Lands Corporate insiders have shamelessly lined up a suite of proposals to enrich themselves at the expense of American families and future generations. President-elect Trump will soon make his choice: reject these bad ideas or sell out America’s parks and public lands on the cheap. Jan 16, 2025 Drew McConville, Jenny Rowland-Shea
8 Ways States Can Build Worker Power ReportJanuary 15, 2025 8 Ways States Can Build Worker Power State lawmakers should act to strengthen workers’ power in the economy. Jan 15, 2025 Sachin Shiva, Karla Walter, David Madland
The State of Paid Sick Time in the U.S. in 2025 Fact SheetJanuary 15, 2025 The State of Paid Sick Time in the U.S. in 2025 This fact sheet provides an overview of paid sick time laws in the United States in 2025. Jan 15, 2025 Molly Weston Williamson
The State of Paid Family and Medical Leave in the U.S. in 2025 Fact SheetJanuary 15, 2025 The State of Paid Family and Medical Leave in the U.S. in 2025 This fact sheet provides an overview of paid family and medical leave laws in the United States in 2025. Jan 15, 2025 Molly Weston Williamson
The State of Paid Time Off in the U.S. in 2025 Fact SheetJanuary 15, 2025 The State of Paid Time Off in the U.S. in 2025 This fact sheet provides an overview of general-use paid time off laws in the United States in 2025. Jan 15, 2025 Molly Weston Williamson
7 Ways State Lawmakers Can Build Public Sector Union Power ReportJanuary 14, 2025 7 Ways State Lawmakers Can Build Public Sector Union Power State lawmakers can adopt new policies to empower workers across the public sector to come together in strong unions, negotiate for fair pay and working conditions, and train the next generation for public service. Jan 14, 2025 Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter
States Must Lead the Way on Climate ReportJanuary 7, 2025 States Must Lead the Way on Climate State governments must step up to help avoid the worst impacts of climate change and build a more prosperous, inclusive, and globally competitive American clean energy economy. Jan 7, 2025 Reema Bzeih, Sam Ricketts, Shannon Baker-Branstetter
States Seek To Improve Early Childhood Outcomes Through Consolidated Governance Structures ReportJanuary 6, 2025 States Seek To Improve Early Childhood Outcomes Through Consolidated Governance Structures In recent years, a number of states have moved to consolidate disparately administered early childhood programs into a single agency to improve coordination of services and reduce administrative burdens. Jan 6, 2025 Anna Lovejoy, Allie Schneider, Hailey Gibbs
The Designation of Chuckwalla National Monument Would Protect Connected Ecosystems and Close the Nature Gap ArticleDecember 23, 2024 The Designation of Chuckwalla National Monument Would Protect Connected Ecosystems and Close the Nature Gap By improving ecosystem connectivity and closing the nature gap, President Biden could cement his conservation legacy through designating Chuckwalla National Monument. Dec 23, 2024 Sam Zeno
States Prepare for Threats to Abortion Access by Stockpiling Mifepristone and Misoprostol ArticleDecember 19, 2024 States Prepare for Threats to Abortion Access by Stockpiling Mifepristone and Misoprostol While states attempt to prevent future shortages of medication abortion drugs, stockpiling efforts are only a stopgap solution to abortion bans. Dec 19, 2024 Kate Kelly
Mears: Michigan must pass its voting rights act In the NewsDecember 18, 2024 Mears: Michigan must pass its voting rights act In an op-ed published by The Detroit News, Rebecca Mears urges Michigan lawmakers to pass their State Voting Rights Act before their congressional session ends on Thursday. Dec 18, 2024 The Detroit News Rebecca Mears
Paid Leave Helps Americans Keep Their Health Insurance When They Need It Most ReportDecember 16, 2024 Paid Leave Helps Americans Keep Their Health Insurance When They Need It Most Through dedicated protections and continuation of income, workplace leave laws can allow workers to keep their health insurance coverage at crucial moments. Dec 16, 2024 Molly Weston Williamson
Protecting Public Land Revenue-Sharing Governments From the Fiscal Risks of Economic Transitions ReportDecember 9, 2024 Protecting Public Land Revenue-Sharing Governments From the Fiscal Risks of Economic Transitions The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of state, local, and Tribal governments’ dependence on payments tied to resource extraction on public lands. The Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund offered a temporary solution and a framework for a permanent one. Dec 9, 2024 Sharon Ferguson, Mark Haggerty
Trends and Consequences in Health Insurer Consolidation ReportDecember 4, 2024 Trends and Consequences in Health Insurer Consolidation Increasing levels of consolidation among private payers, driven by vertical integration and market specialization, are undermining competition and fueling higher health care costs. Dec 4, 2024 Natasha Murphy
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 Efforts To Decarbonize Key Industrial Sectors ReportNovember 14, 2024 State Efforts To Decarbonize Key Industrial Sectors States are pioneering policies that incentivize low-emission production of construction materials. Nov 14, 2024 Jamie Friedman, Mike Williams, Reema Bzeih, 1 More Shelah Ott
A Progressive Vision for Education in the 21st Century ReportNovember 4, 2024 A Progressive Vision for Education in the 21st Century This report encompasses key recommendations for strengthening the American education system across early childhood education, K-12 education, higher education, and workforce development. Nov 4, 2024 Jared C. Bass
The Freedom To Vote: The Power of Casting a Ballot VideoOctober 31, 2024 The Freedom To Vote: The Power of Casting a Ballot Stephanie Hicks’ story of re-enfranchisement in Alabama speaks to how the lives of more than 3 million disenfranchised Americans could be transformed. Oct 31, 2024 Greta Bedekovics, Ben Olinsky, Hai-Lam Phan, 2 More Matthew Gossage, Toni Pandolfo
How Alabama Elections Would Look Different if the Freedom to Vote Act Had Been Enacted Fact SheetOctober 22, 2024 How Alabama Elections Would Look Different if the Freedom to Vote Act Had Been Enacted Passage of the Freedom to Vote Act would have expanded access to voter registration and the ballot box for millions of Alabamians for the 2024 election. Oct 22, 2024 Greta Bedekovics, Sydney Bryant, Alice Lillydahl
Community Navigators Can Increase Access to Unemployment Benefits and New Jobs While Building Worker Power ReportOctober 22, 2024 Community Navigators Can Increase Access to Unemployment Benefits and New Jobs While Building Worker Power Evidence from the Maine Peer Workforce Navigator program shows that workers and government can benefit from well-designed community partnerships. Oct 22, 2024 Michele Evermore, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, David Madland
Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice We pursue climate action that meets the crisis’s urgency, creates good-quality jobs, benefits disadvantaged communities, and restores U.S. credibility on the global stage.
Restoring Social Trust in Democracy Restoring Social Trust in Democracy Democracy is under attack at home and abroad. We must act to ensure it is accessible to all, accountable, and can serve as a force of good.