PLI Bulletin
Minimum Wage, Popular Bills, Free Markets and More
Posted on November 7, 2019
Fair Minimum Wage Act: With the exception of a few states and cities that have really dealt with the issue, like IL, NJ, NY, MA, MD, Seattle and Washington, DC, it is both good politics and policy to push for a higher minimum wage. Polls show this is true in both red and blue jurisdictions. See the Fair Minimum Wage Act and don’t forget to address the unfair exemption for “tipped” wages.
Ten popular measures for 2020: Americans don’t want their leaders to defend the status quo, they want agents of change. So be proactive, whether your state is red or blue. If you can pass the legislation, do it. If you can’t, use these battles to show the differences between conservatives and progressives. Read about the ten in the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.
A series of podcasts about local government: The group ELGL (Engaging Local Government Leaders) has a podcast called Gov Love which is designed to help local governments adopt a wide variety of procedural best practices. Choose from more than 300 podcast topics here.
The Biggest Issues Facing State Legislators in 2020: This is a blog from Fiscal Note that explains the most likely urgent priorities for the coming year, including election security, redistricting, education, health care, “red flag” laws, marijuana, gambling and abortion rights.
The U.S. Only Pretends to Have Free Markets: A professor of finance at NYU explains the ways that U.S. laws and regulations skew markets in favor of big corporations and the rich. (He makes excellent points, but as a matter of messaging, PLI prefers the term “fair markets.”
See us at the exhibition hall at National League of Cities: If you’re coming to the National League of Cities conference in San Antonio, November 20-22, please visit us in Exhibition Booth #411.
Basic rules, Credit Checks, Tobacco Control and More
Posted on October 23, 2019
No Credit Checks in Employment Act: It has become fairly routine for employers to check the credit history of job applicants and employees, even though it has nothing to do with job performance. The...
Climate Solutions, Ransomware Attacks, Media Lies and More
Posted on October 10, 2019
Safe Schools Act: The Safe Schools Act, which could be enacted by states, counties, localities or school boards, would deter harassment, intimidation and bullying in K-12 schools by creating laying down clear educational policies....
White Supremacy, American Democracy, Repro Rights and More
Posted on September 25, 2019
Resolution Condemning White Supremacy: Just two days ago, the city of Boise, Idaho unanimously adopted a Resolution Condemning White Supremacy and denouncing bias and hate in all of its forms. If Boise can do...
Digital Disinformation, Affordable Universities, Progressive Values and More
Posted on September 11, 2019
Access to Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act: The Access to Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act would require a city, county or state to take reasonable steps to make translations available so that...
Rules of Persuasion, Protecting Immigrants, Gender Equity and More
Posted on August 28, 2019
Immigrant Tenant Protection Act: Based on a new law enacted in Illinois, the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act prohibits a landlord from disclosing or threatening to disclose, or attempting eviction, based on a tenant’s immigration...
Assault Weapons, Community Schools, Facial Recognition and More
Posted on August 15, 2019
Community Services Ombudsman Act: At the city, county and state levels, nonprofit organizations provide a great deal of the social services that residents need. The Community Service Ombudsman Act creates an office of ombudsman whose job...
New Preparing to Win, Taxes, Webinars and More
Posted on July 31, 2019
Tax Expenditure Sunset Act: Many states and cities have an inadequate system for reviewing and re-approving tax expenditures. The Tax Expenditure Sunset Act requires that all new tax expenditures automatically expire in five years...
New Voicing Our Values, Schools, Podcasts and More
Posted on July 17, 2019
Too Young to Suspend Act: In some schools, very young children—as young as pre-K—are suspended or expelled from school because they are defiant or disruptive. The Too Young to Suspend Act prevents such suspensions...
Human Rights, Sexual Harassment, July Fourth and More
Posted on July 3, 2019
Honor Human Rights Resolution: Since the Administration is turning the U.S. into a major violator of fundamental human rights, this is the time to introduce legislation to compel elected officials to take a side—for...