Progressive Agenda
Government Performance Policy
Our values: Opportunity, equal opportunity, justice, fairness, fair share, fair rules, level playing field
Our vision: State and local governments play a powerful role as rule-makers and enforcers, and as employers and contractors. A progressive government will: (1) ensure that workers for both the government and its contractors are paid wages and benefits that support a decent standard of living; (2) guarantee that economic development subsidies are used sparingly and only to create middle-class jobs; and (3) operate with transparency and the highest ethical standards.
Make government a model employer
Most state and local governments encourage a “race to the bottom” system of hiring, meaning they pay their employees and the employees of government contractors as little as possible. But this makes no economic sense. Low-wage, low-benefit jobs don’t build the tax base, they drain it by forcing workers to rely upon taxpayer-funded programs, such as subsidized housing, health care, child care and school lunches. Public dollars should be spent to promote the public good. A progressive government accomplishes this by avoiding the privatization of government services unless there is a clear showing of substantial savings, paying a living wage, guaranteeing basic benefits like health insurance and earned sick leave, not accepting bids from contractors with a history of fraud, waste, abuse or illegal practices, and ensuring that contractors deliver what they’ve promised.
Pursue progressive economic development
States and localities desperate for economic growth have typically allowed any company promising jobs to access economic development subsidies or other benefits, no matter how few or low-paying these jobs might be. All too often, development subsidies constitute little more than welfare for the rich. A progressive government reserves subsidies for development that fits a narrow and long-term strategy (e.g., a bio-tech cluster), requires the jobs to pay middle-class wages and benefits, and ensures that companies that receive subsidies and then fail to deliver on their promises must refund to the government some or all of the monies received.
Provide open and ethical government
A democracy cannot function properly unless its citizens know what policies are being considered by the government, hear the arguments being made from all sides, and have the opportunity for timely input on these matters. Similarly, a democracy does not function when decisions are based on any type of corruption, intimidation or undue influence. Even the appearance of secrecy or impropriety can poison the public goodwill that is necessary for self-government. A good government, therefore, will have a vigorous open meetings law, a broad freedom of information act, as much online disclosure of public records as possible, a ban on pay-to-play donations, strict financial disclosure, and tight restrictions on both direct and indirect gifts to public officials.
FEATURED POLICIES FOR 2025
Prepare agencies to defeat cyber attacks
Local governments and their agencies are currently the entities most under cyberattack in the U.S. The biggest problem is “phishing” because employees aren’t adequately trained, but also there are so many agencies—school systems, police departments, water authorities—that many are just not prepared. The Agency Cyber Preparedness Act creates a state office of cybersecurity and directs it to work with local governments to establish and implement standards for the security of all information and information systems.
Stop threats against public officials
In recent years, there has been a steep increase in the number and severity of threats against public officials, from state and local elected officials to salaried government workers and official volunteers. Many of these threats are designed to influence government decisions, such as the counting of votes or the implementation of health restrictions. The Stop Intimidation of Public Officials Act makes it a felony to threaten any public official in an attempt to influence that official’s vote, decision or other official action.
Control government use of AI
AI is developing fast and automated decision-making is already used by some government programs, sometimes perpetuating racial bias. The Control on Government Use of Artificial Intelligence Act is based on a first-of-its-kind Connecticut law to inventory, review and limit state use of artificial intelligence and create a permanent working group on the issue.
Restrict privatization
Since the Reagan era, state and local governments have been handing over a myriad of public functions to private corporations. The main argument for privatization is that it reduces costs. But this argument is rarely true, either because the contractor charges more than civil servants would cost or because the contractor pays such low wages that the employees and their families have to be supported by SNAP, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits, and other programs. State and local governments should create a truly competitive bid process that does not assume outsourcing is always best.
Provide online disclosure
Both state and local governments are realizing that online disclosure has become cheaper than ever and, once posted, it obviates the need for government workers to spend a lot of time satisfying document requests. Governments can and should disclose online: information about proposed laws and regulations; RFPs; contracts or subsidies granted; real estate, zoning and property-tax records; licenses and permits; and which government services are available and how to access them.
Raise standards for firms receiving government support
Economic development subsidies, by definition, give special preference for one business over others. So when such subsidies are granted, they should meet a high standard for creating quality jobs that will provide long-term benefits to the community. The Job Creation and Job Quality Standards Act lays out minimum requirements for any kind of subsidy program. The Taxpayer Protection Act provides citizens with a money-back guarantee if a company, after receiving subsidies, fails to meet its promised economic development goals.
Guarantee a living wage
Every state and locality awards contracts that indirectly support jobs. But all too often, the individuals employed to do government business are paid poverty level wages. So, instead of building a stronger community, such contracts increase the need for government services, such as public assistance for food, housing, health care, and child care. The Living Wage Act requires government contractors to provide their employees with reasonable wages and benefits.
End pay-to-play politics
Americans believe that government rules are rigged to benefit the rich and powerful, and that part of the problem is caused by our campaign finance system. One measure that would increase confidence in government is to outlaw “pay-to-play,” the practice of giving campaign contributions to gain access to elected officials and secure government contracts. The Eliminate Pay-to-Play Practices Act would prohibit campaign contributors from being eligible for such contracts.
Offer a job piracy cease-fire
It is not unusual for states, cities or counties to use economic development subsidies to lure businesses from neighboring jurisdictions, and this can degenerate into tit-for-tat job piracy. These government-against-government disputes hurt taxpayers and are unnecessary. The state of Missouri passed a law offering to stop subsidies to Kansas businesses along the border if Kansas does the same. This is a terrific model that could be employed by any state or local government.
Require full disclosure
Personal attacks on public officials work because so many Americans believe that politics is fundamentally dirty. Lawmakers should protect their own reputations by strengthening public ethics laws. For example, public officials’ financial disclosure statements should include all economic interests that could be a subject for conflict of interest. The Full Disclosure Act would make those statements publicly available.