CPA News January 2003
YOU'RE INVITED...
Challenge to Secure America's Economic Future - Tuesday, February 11, 2003 CPA will once again partner with women state legislators and advocates to hold press events in state capitals to highlight legislative solutions to the budget crisis in the states. To sign up for the Challenge or for more information, contact Jennifer Woolley at (202) 956-5123.
DON'T MISS OUT...
The 2003 Progressive Agenda - Reserve Your Copy Today This year's Progressive Agenda, a handbook for legislators covering 50 crucial state issues, focuses on low- or no-cost policy solutions. The 2003 Progressive Agenda includes 53 pieces of model legislation covering health, education, criminal justice, taxation, and the environment. Policy summaries, resources and model legislation from the revised edition will be available online later this month. Interested in receiving a copy? E-mail info@cfpa.org.
PROGRESS ON POLICY...
New Jersey Enacts Landmark 'Smart Gun' Law On December 23, New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey signed the nation's first Childproof Handgun Bill into law, requiring all handguns sold in the state include safety features to prevent children and unauthorized users from injuring themselves or others. The law mandates that all handguns sold in New Jersey be childproofed within three years after the state Attorney General determines that 'smart guns' are available for the consumer market. To view CPA's Gun Violence policy summary, model legislation and related resources, click here.
New York Law Extends Civil Rights Protections to Gays and Lesbians New York became the 13th state to include gays and lesbians in its civil rights law when Gov. George Pataki signed a measure adding 'sexual orientation' to existing anti-discrimination law on December 17. The bill will extend anti-discrimination rights in housing, employment, credit and public accommodations to gays and lesbians. To view CPA's Gay & Transgender Anti-Discrimination policy summary, model legislation and related resources, click here.
Pennsylvania Expands Hate Crime Law On December 3, Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker strengthened the state's hate crime law when he signed a measure adding actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, mental and physical disability, and ancestry to the existing law. This has been called the most inclusive language of any hate crimes statute in the country. To view CPA's Hate Crime Prevention policy summary, model legislation and related resources, click here.
Ruling Against "Healthy Maine" Drug Program Does Not Affect CPA's Model Prescription Drug Legislation On December 24, the federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled against the "Healthy Maine" prescription drug program. Because CPA's model state prescription drug pricing legislation is similar to the "Maine Rx" program, not Healthy Maine, this court ruling has absolutely no effect on our model or the state legislation based upon it. For a more detailed discussion of the legal status of state prescription drug discount measures, click here (pdf).
YOU SHOULD KNOW...Montana Democratic Caucus Legislative Training - January 10-11, Helena, MT By special request, CPA provided a tailored version of its signature Flemming Institute leadership training for members of the Montana Democratic caucus. Thirty legislators attended the two-day retreat, using a values-based model to create solutions to the budget crisis and develop effective messages to promote these solutions. CPA has provided similar trainings to other state legislators, including the 2002 Mississippi Black Caucus and Florida's 2001 Democratic freshmen. For more information, contact Carolina Zumaran-Jones at 202-956-5155.
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH...www.electiononline.org
Whether it's hanging chads or absentee ballots, legislation or commission reports, www.electiononline.org is a great source for anyone seeking out information about election reform policy. The site provides daily updates about the latest state and national election reform legislative developments. Produced by the nonpartisan, nonadvocacy Election Reform Information Project, www.electiononline.org also features election reform analysis, reports and other helpful resources.
If your email is not html enabled visit: http://www.stateaction.org/publications/policynews/1-03.htm
View Previous Editions of our Newsletter:
June 2002 | July 2002 | August 2002 | September 2002 | October 2002 | November 2002 | December 2002
Do you have a friend who might be interested in receiving CPA News? If so, have them subscribe here.
|
