PLI Bulletin
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 chance they may flee from justice. Second, it allows judges to transfer defendants from juvenile to adult courts only upon consideration of specific, limited criteria. Third, it protects accused children by ensuring that they do not waive their constitutional right to counsel.
Cities can and must lead progressive policy: Today, more than 62 percent of Americans live in cities and towns, although those jurisdictions govern only about 3.5 percent of our nation’s land. Similarly, America’s economic power is concentrated there. The top 100 metro areas alone account for at least three-fourths of our nation’s GDP. For what to do with this power, read the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.
Voicing Our Values—How to Talk About Public Safety: This is the tenth segment of our podcast series, which you can listen to at your convenience. It explains messages and narratives you should use when you’re talking about issues of criminal justice and public safety. To listen to or download the podcast, click here.
Housing Voucher Non-Discrimination Laws Work: The federal housing voucher program is the nation’s largest rental housing program, serving over 2.2 million households. However, the program only works if private landlords accept the subsidies. Some states and localities have enacted laws to prohibit landlords from discriminating against families that wish to use housing vouchers. This report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows non-discrimination laws are a success.
Results of major ballot initiatives: In the recent election, voters in 37 states decided 155 statewide ballot measures. Results are available here.
Voicing Our Values: PLI’s Voicing Our Values: A message guide for policymakers and advocates is available in HTML text, a downloadable PDF, as a book on Amazon, and as a series of podcasts.
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...
Sex Education Act, Talking Environmental Issues, Legislative Review 2018 and More
Posted on August 30, 2018
Medically-Accurate Sex Education Act: As students return to classes, many are being mistaught “abstinence only.” Medically accurate sexuality education has been proven to help youth delay the onset of sexual activity, reduce the number...
Felony Threshold, Logical Fallacies, Gun Safety and More
Posted on August 16, 2018
Felony Threshold Reform Act: Felony theft is distinguished from misdemeanor theft by a monetary value. If the item stolen is worth more than, say $500, the crime is a felony while taking an item...
Hate Crimes, Education Messaging, Say Progressive, and More
Posted on August 2, 2018
Hate Crimes Prevention Act: Since the 2016 election, we have seen a wave of violence and threats against anyone who disagrees with the Radical Right. This will likely get worse. Right now, 45 states...
Wage Theft, Immigration Facts, Voter Turnout and More
Posted on July 18, 2018
Wage Theft Prohibition Acts: All states and many cities have the power to ban wage theft. The National Employment Law Project has a comprehensive booklet providing a wide variety of approaches. Four of the...
Civil Rights, Living Wage, Pharma Terms and More
Posted on July 3, 2018
Living Wage Act: Although most cities, towns and counties cannot set a minimum wage for all workers, they can and should legislate a minimum wage for their own employees and contractors. The Living Wage...