Transparency, Misogyny, Social Media and More

Posted on October 1, 2025

Financial Transparency Act: More than 2,600 unregulated pregnancy clinics (UPCs, also called crisis pregnancy centers) operate in all 50 states. The Financial Transparency Act requires that, in order to receive grants from the state, a UPC must provide information to prove it is capable of spending the grant in accordance with its stated purposes and subsequently report on how taxpayer dollars were actually spent.

Require UPCs to disclose their spending: There are more UPCs in your state than you think. Nineteen states subsidize them, and yet, they need no subsidies. They are already spending far more than they provide clients in goods and services. How is their money actually used? Read about it in the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.

How misogyny fuels political violence: Right-wing political extremism is exploding across the nation. In this Democracy Works Podcast, Professor Cynthia Miller-Idress discusses her research showing that gender-based violence has become a gateway for political violence.

Tracking the Lawsuits Against Trump’s Agenda: Although the Trump Administration has violated federal law over and over, court enforcement has been slow or ineffective. This New York Times compilation discusses the issues and status case-by-case.

Who consumes news on social media? More than half of Americans get some news from social media. Facebook and YouTube have the largest share but TikTok provides news to one in five Americans, according to Pew Research.

16 new model bills in our UPC Playbook: PLI recently published Unregulated Pregnancy Clinics: The Policy Playbook to serve as a practical resource for policymakers, advocates and community leaders. UPCs, also known as crisis pregnancy centers, operate in every state and most violate basic rules of medical supervision, fail to keep clients’ health records private, and knowingly deceive their clients.

SHARE

Housing, Health Privacy, Corporate Power and More

Posted on September 17, 2025

Reproductive Health Client Data Privacy Act: Unregulated Pregnancy Clinics (UPCs) are not covered by HIPAA, the federal health privacy law, and many share confidential health information outside of the clinic. The Reproductive Health Client...

SHARE

Unregulated Clinics, Troop Deployments, Vaccine Protocols and More

Posted on September 3, 2025

Ultrasound Quality Assurance and Safety Act: Unfortunately, many ultrasound exams are being performed by unqualified and unsupervised personnel. The Ultrasound Quality Assurance and Safety Act requires that an ultrasound can only be performed or...

SHARE

Democracy, Politics, a Police State and More

Posted on August 20, 2025

Resolution in Support of Democracy: Prior to U.S. Independence, cities and towns adopted resolutions of condemnation against the abuses and usurpations of King George III. The Resolution in Support of Democracy is directed instead...

SHARE

Climate, Health, Crime and More

Posted on July 23, 2025

Climate Change Impact Assessment Act: Recent weather disasters remind us that climate change will eventually affect every state and locality with more and worse hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, drought and wildfire. Some of these problems...

SHARE

Robinson’s Rules, Passive News, PLI Podcasts and More

Posted on July 9, 2025

Pet Insurance Act: More than four million pets, mostly cats and dogs, are covered by their own health insurance policies. The Pet Insurance Act, based on model legislation from the National Association of Insurance...

SHARE

Ranked Choice Voting, Medical Decisions, Anthropology of MAGA and More

Posted on June 25, 2025

Register New Residents Act: Whenever people move, they should register to vote or update their preexisting voter registration. That’s why Seattle enacted a simple ordinance that requires landlords to provide information on voter registration...

SHARE

Preemption, Green Earth, Police Force and More

Posted on June 12, 2025

Police Use of Force Act: Here we go again. Donald Trump is encouraging excessive force by police. The Police Use of Force Act limits law enforcement officers, requiring them to use no more force...

SHARE

Rideshare Protections, Election Analysis, Right-Wing Lies and More

Posted on May 28, 2025

Too Young to Test: Given their age, skills and abilities, it is developmentally inappropriate to administer standardized tests to students in prekindergarten through grade two unless it is necessary for diagnostic screening. In recognition...

SHARE

Open Meetings, Congestion Pricing, Speed Limiters and More

Posted on May 13, 2025

Open Meetings Act: Livestreaming has become cheap and technologically easy so there’s no reason why public meetings shouldn’t be livestreamed. The Open Meetings Act requires government boards and commissions to make their meetings open...

SHARE