PLI Bulletin
New Model Bills, Drug Testing, Clean Energy and More
Posted on January 16, 2019
End Marijuana Drug Testing Act: Either recreational or medical marijuana is now legal in 33 states and the District of Columbia. Yet, perhaps half of employers conduct drug tests for marijuana on job candidates, which is neither fair nor sensible. The End Marijuana Drug Testing Act prohibits drug testing for marijuana use unless the testing is required by federal law or is part of a law enforcement investigation into driving while intoxicated.
Ten of our newest model bills: We’ve just published the latest edition of our Progressive Agenda for States and Localities. For ten of the newest model bills featured in that booklet, most of which can be enacted at either the state or local levels, read the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.
Voicing Our Values – How to Talk About Social Services: This is the eleventh segment in our podcast series, which you can listen to at your convenience. It explains messages and narratives you should use when talking about social services. To listen or download the podcast click here.
Five Clean Energy Policies to Watch in 2019: From the group Advanced Energy Economy, here are five issues that will drive state policy for, or against, advanced energy in the year ahead.
Policy Strategies for Pursuing Adequate Funding of Community Colleges: This report from The Century Foundation describes the problem – that, while they enroll the most disadvantaged students, community colleges are insufficiently funded – and offers some solutions.
Read our messaging pocket guide: This very small booklet contains a great deal of poll-tested messaging advice across a wide range of issues. To download a PDF, click here.
The 150th Biweekly PLI Bulletin
Posted on January 2, 2019
Prescription Drug Affordability Act: Because of federal restrictions, states have found it hard to find a way to directly lower the cost of prescription drugs to their residents. This new legislation from Maryland, the...
Fossil Fuels Divestment, Ten Podcasts, New Progressive Agenda and More
Posted on December 19, 2018
Divestment from Fossil Fuels Act: Obviously, climate change is a tremendous threat to health, welfare and future prosperity. Nearly every state or locality can—at least—divest its retirement fund from fossil fuels as the State...
Messaging Pocket Guide, Agenda for Workers, Gender-Free Restrooms and More
Posted on December 5, 2018
Gender Free Restrooms Act: Interested in a simple, commonsense, no-cost progressive policy for states and localities? The Gender-Free Restrooms Act requires that any single-user toilet facility in a public building or place of public...
Thanksgiving Arguments, Drug Costs, Body Cameras and More
Posted on November 20, 2018
Fair Minimum Wage Act: Nearly every state should emphasize a Fair Minimum Wage Act in 2019, especially when progressives can point to a neighboring state with a higher minimum wage. EPI’s minimum wage...
Juvenile Justice, Progressive Cities, Ballot Initiatives and More
Posted on November 6, 2018
Juvenile Justice Reform Act: This model bill combines three reforms. First, it restricts the use of pretrial confinement to young offenders who actually pose a danger to society or where there is a realistic...
Voting Machines, Community Schools, Best Cities and More
Posted on October 24, 2018
Voting Systems Reform Act: Our voting systems are under attack from both international cyber warriors and domestic right-wing partisans. The Voting Systems Reform Act would require all jurisdictions to defend themselves by using modern...
Youth Voting, Health Care, Higher Education and More
Posted on October 10, 2018
Primary Voting at Age 17 Act: Young people usually vote at the lowest rates; we need to do more to engage them. The Primary Voting at Age 17 Act allows 17-year-olds to vote in...
3D Printed Guns, Drowning the Dream, Talking about Government and More
Posted on September 26, 2018
Protection from 3D Printed Guns Act: A Texas company made an agreement with the federal government allowing it to make plans for 3D printed guns available on the Internet. Although a federal court has...
Community Schools, Non-Verbal Persuasion, Teacher Pay and More
Posted on September 12, 2018
Resolution in Support of Community Schools: This resolution promotes community schools as a way to improve student achievement by providing services and programs that address out-of-school barriers to learning. The Community Schools Resolution can...