PLI Bulletin
Ban the Box, Tough Policy Questions, Argue Against Trumpcare, and More
Posted on July 6, 2017
Ban the Box Act: Over the past several years, more than 150 states, cities and counties have enacted legislation to remove from employment applications the check box that asks if the job candidate has a criminal record. Our Ban the Box models are based on language recommended by the National Employment Law Project.
How to answer ten tough questions: Our new messaging book, Voicing Our Values 3rd Edition, explains that, to persuade: (1) Always begin in agreement, (2) Use values, and (3) Show listeners how they benefit. But how do you apply that to some of the toughest political questions concerning abortion, guns, LGBTQ rights, school vouchers, climate change, and the like? See ten examples in the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.
How to argue against the current federal health care legislation: Wednesday, July 12 at 3pm Eastern, 2pm Central, 1pm Mountain, Noon Pacific. The legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act that passed the U.S. House and is pending in the U.S. Senate is simply horrific. But what’s the most effective way to argue against it? This webinar will be led by Richard Kirsch who was the National Campaign Manager for Health Care for America Now, author of the book “Fighting for Our Health,” and an expert on political messaging. To register, click here.
New edition of Voicing Our Values: A message guide for policymakers and advocates: Come see and download our brand new 3rd Edition of Voicing Our Values. This version explains why and how to frame messages and how to talk about progressive economics. Then it launches into 12 chapters explaining how to approach just about any domestic issue. And it ends with a new discussion about how our messaging fits together with progressive philosophy.
Brand new book, Preparing to Win: A guide for successful advocacy: We have launched a completely new product, a how-to book for policy advocacy. Preparing to Win explains what needs to be done before you start lobbying for new legislation, how to build relationships with policymakers, the media, coalition partners and grassroots volunteers, and what’s the best way to track lawmakers, construct a persuasive letter, hold a meeting with policymakers, and testify at a hearing.
Progress in the States and Localities Report: Once again, we have updated the PLI report on Progress in the States & Localities, which describes proactive progressive legislation that has passed at least one House in the 2017 sessions.
Ombudsman Act, Advocacy Campaign, Fair Pay and More
Posted on June 21, 2017
Community Service 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...
Job Piracy, Ban the Box, Climate Alliance and More
Posted on June 7, 2017
Job Piracy Cease Fire: Nobody likes job piracy (tax breaks and subsidies to attract individual companies) but people think there’s nothing you can do about it. They’re wrong. The Job Piracy Cease Fire Act...
Progressive Economics, Non-Compete Clauses, How to Fight Back and More
Posted on May 24, 2017
Protection Against Unfair Non-Compete Clauses Act: There is widespread abuse of non-compete clauses in employment contracts—even fast food workers, personal care aides and janitors are being forced to sign them. States are starting to...
Amendment Strategy, Six Steps, Federal Threats and More
Posted on May 10, 2017
Continuity of Family Planning Services Act: Maryland recently became the first state to guarantee if the federal government cuts off Title X family planning funding to clinics that provide or refer for abortion services,...
Fracking Prohibition, Internet Privacy, Regulating Drones and More
Posted on April 26, 2017
Fracking Prohibition Act: Hydraulic fracturing, known as “fracking,” is an extremely dirty method of drilling for oil and gas. Numerous studies have found that fracking is linked to a wide variety of negative health...
Internet Privacy Protection, Build a Policy Coalition, Effective Advocacy and More
Posted on April 13, 2017
Internet Privacy Protection Act: Conservatives in Washington recently overturned a Federal Communications Commission rule that was designed to stop Internet service providers (ISPs) from selling their customers’ browsing histories and other private information. Legislators...
Build a Volunteer Base, Worker-Friendly Policies, Carbon Pricing and More
Posted on March 29, 2017
Salary History Anti-Discrimination Act: In recent months Philadelphia became the first city and Massachusetts became the first state to ban employers from requesting a prospective employee’s salary history. The reason is that salary history...
Constitutional Rescission Resolution, Hold a Press Event, House Health Plan and More
Posted on March 15, 2017
Constitutional Convention Rescission Resolution: As a recent article from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities explains, the right wing is (perhaps) only six states short of successfully calling a federal constitutional convention—and they’re...
Student Assessments, Long-Term Advocacy, Women’s Agenda and More
Posted on March 2, 2017
Student Assessments for Deeper Learning Resolution: The federal Every Student Succeeds Act, enacted in 2016, empowers states to develop their own accountability systems. In order to give teachers the freedom to encourage deeper learning...