PLI Bulletin

Do Lives Matter, Demilitarization of Police, Revenue Shortfalls and More

Posted on June 17, 2020

Demilitarization of Police Act: Many police departments have and use military equipment like machine guns, armored vehicles, night-vision scopes, camouflage fatigues and flash-bang grenades. The Demilitarization of Police Act requires law enforcement agencies to disclose and justify the need for such equipment they seek or own.

Do any lives matter to conservatives? At this moment, America faces two huge policy crises: the coronavirus pandemic and the denial of fundamental civil rights. Both are matters of right and wrong, struggles between good and evil. And in both cases, despite their slogan “all lives matter” as well as their long-time claim to be “pro-life,” conservative policy is most assuredly pro-death. It’s as if they believe no lives matter. For more, read the latest IdeaLog, our blog intended to raise eyebrows and engage minds.

Public sentiment on police reform has shifted dramatically. Will it matter? This is the latest of the Washington Post’s podcasts on politics. It discusses both federal and local efforts to reform the police.

States Continue to Face Large Shortfalls Due to COVID-19 Effects: This is an analysis of current and future state revenue shortfalls from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The upcoming 2020-21 fiscal year looks horrible while 2021-22 is not good either.

Police and Corrections Expenditures: The Urban Institute has created a page that links to resources and articles about how much state and local governments spend on police and corrections, how that has changed over time, and what can be done differently.

How to talk about issues of law enforcement: You already know the language that works with the progressive base, but what works with persuadable Americans? Read this chapter from PLI’s messaging guide, Voicing Our Values.