PLI Bulletin

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 Act requires that government contractors pay their workers at least $15/hour.

Supreme Court will likely put legislators in charge of abortion rights: While our abortion rights allies try to make the best of the upcoming Supreme Court confirmation battle, we must prepare for the likelihood that the nominee will be confirmed and that Roe v. Wade will be overturned or severely crippled as soon as June 2019. In that case, the right to abortion will be determined state-by-state and legislators stand at the vanguard. For more, read the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.

Voicing Our Values—How to Talk About Civil Rights & Liberties: This is the fourth segment of our podcast series, which you can listen to at your convenience. This one explains messages and narratives you should use to protect people who may be subject to discrimination, including immigrants, Muslims, and LGBTQ people. To listen to or download the podcast, click here.

A Glossary of All Terms Pharma: If you are trying to lower prescription drug costs, you need to know the often-obscure language of the pharmaceutical industry. The National Academy for State Health Policy recently published a short glossary of terms concerning drug manufacturing, distribution, purchasing and regulation.

State and local lawmakers should visit ICE detainees: In Tacoma, Washington, state legislators and the Mayor accompanied their local congressman in a visit to ICE’s Northwest Detention Center. There are detention centers all over the country and you should try to visit and publicize them.

2018 PLI Conference: Our State Strategy Forum, July 13-15 at the Washington Hilton, is fully booked! If you are coming, please take a look at the agenda here and think about which sessions you would like to attend.