PLI Bulletin
Medicaid, Infrastructure, Woke Messaging and More
Posted on March 22, 2023
Small Claims Court Modernization Act: Currently, most state small claims courts have monetary limits of $5,000 to $10,000, which is woefully low. The Small Claims Court Modernization Act increases the monetary limit for small claims court jurisdiction to $15,000, $20,000 or $25,000.
Don’t say “woke” and other idiocy: Here we go again. The rightwing adopts absurd messaging, it dominates the conversation for a time, and then they move on to other, similar absurdities. The directors of the rightwing noise machine know what they’re doing, but do you? See the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.
The History (And Present) of Food Stamps: SNAP benefits, formerly called food stamps, were recently cut back as a COVID-era program expired. This Brian Lehrer/WNYC podcast discusses the origins and direction of the SNAP program.
Expand access to contraception through Medicaid: A report by the Center for American Progress explains how states can and should use state plan amendments or Section 1115 waivers to expand the scope of Medicaid to cover contraception.
Interactive map of Biden’s Infrastructure Act projects: You can zoom in with this map to see exactly what was funded in your communities by the 2021 INVEST in America Act. (Incidentally, the webpage title is just a nickname. In fact, most GOP Senators and 200 GOP Representatives voted against the bill.)
Community Schools Playbook: This is a policy and implementation guide based on the four key pillars of comprehensive community schools: Integrated Student Supports, Expanded and Enriched Learning Time and Opportunities, Active Family and Community Engagement, and Collaborative Leadership and Practices.
Campus Voting, State Flag, Triangulation and More
Posted on March 8, 2023
Right to Vote at College Campuses Act: In 2022, students flooded the polls in many college areas and there were clearly not enough polling places. The Right to Vote at College Campuses Act requires...
Electric Buses, Property Taxes, Christian Nationalism and More
Posted on February 22, 2023
Property Tax Limitation and Deferral Act: As residential property values rise, homeowners on fixed incomes may be unable to pay their property taxes. The Property Tax Limitation and Deferral Act limits taxes to a...
Black History, Mental Health, Big Lie and More
Posted on February 8, 2023
Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Prohibition Act: No civilian needs a high-capacity ammunition magazine for their gun. But they are very useful for gang members and mass shooters. From 1994 to 2004, federal law banned the...
Tech Policy, Pretrial Detention, Environmental Justice and More
Posted on January 25, 2023
Firearms Perjury Enforcement Act: In many states, there is not much more legislatures can do to actually prevent future offenses. This bill, therefore, may be the single most effective legislative measure that could, as...
Cyber Preparedness, Transit Ridership, New Model Bills and More
Posted on January 11, 2023
Agency Cyber Preparedness Act: Local governments and their agencies are currently the entities most under cyberattack in the U.S. The Agency Cyber Preparedness Act creates a state office of cybersecurity and directs it to...
Hate Speech, Dress Codes, Medical Debt and More
Posted on December 14, 2022
Truth and Tolerance Commission Act: Fueled by unhinged conspiracy theories, hate speech and hate crimes have been increasing at alarming rates. Racist, nationalist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ falsehoods are poisoning our communities. The Truth and...
Latino Voters, Tenant Rights, Ballot Measures and More
Posted on November 30, 2022
Tenants Right to Organize Act: For residential tenants, collective action is often the most effective, or only, way to solve legitimate grievances against the landlord. The Tenants Right to Organize Act, based on a...
Abortion Referenda, Child Privacy, Election Deniers and More
Posted on November 16, 2022
Honesty in Election Campaign Disclosures Act: It is essential for voters to be able to easily distinguish between paid election campaign communications from candidates and those from PACs or independent expenditure efforts. The Honesty...
Safeguarding Elections, False Claims, Turnout and More
Posted on November 2, 2022
Safeguard Fair Elections Act: Right now, extremists are trying to destroy our democratic system by compelling election officials lie about election results. This is manifestly unAmerican. The Safeguard Fair Elections Act blocks efforts to...