Restoring the Promise of America, CPA’s fifth annual Progressive Agenda, covers 50 of the most innovative progressive solutions being debated and enacted in the states. Interested in receiving a copy? Email speri@cfpa.org. You can also download the complete Progressive Agenda and access forty more policy briefs on our website.

CPA’s updated report highlights the proactive achievements of the 2004 state legislatures, proving once again that real progressive change is happening in the states. Read the report online.

In a major civil rights victory, the Illinois legislature passed and Gov. Blagojevich announced he would sign SB 3186, which bans discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in housing and employment. Illinois will become the 15th state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and the fifth to extend protections to transgender citizens. Read CPA’s GLBT Anti-Discrimination policy brief and model legislation.

Overriding Governor Ehrlich’s veto, the Maryland legislature enacted a law that taxes HMOs in the same manner as other insurers. The new funds will be temporarily used to subsidize doctors’ malpractice insurance premiums, and later, these revenues are expected to support broader health programs for the poor.

The Maryland legislature also overrode the governor’s veto of SB 250, enacting it into law. The bill, sponsored by Senator Sharon Grosfeld and similar to CPA model legislation, establishes a commission to study disparities between the pay of men and women and between whites and minorities. Read CPA’s Equal Pay policy brief and model legislation.

The Flemming Leadership Institute recently held the first retreat for the members of its 11th annual class at the Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa in St. Petersburg, FL. The Institute helps state legislators sharpen their understanding of their own values and how those values drive their decisions as elected leaders. Fellows engage in exercises to explore values-based communication, diversity, and core values that can be used as a basis for building consensus and solving problems. For more information about the Flemming Institute, contact Quinta Martin.

Last month, Director of Legislator Relations Diallo Brooks hosted 30 legislators from Nigeria’s Benue State who were taking part in a program to learn more about American governmental systems and the organizations and resources available to legislators in this country. Mississippi State Senator Hillman Frazier coordinated the visit in conjunction with the Mississippi Consortium for International Development.

In 2005, CPA will be one of only 50 organizations to receive contributions from Working Assets! Beginning this month, Working Assets and Shop For Change customers who:

• make long distance calls and wireless calls through Working Assets,
• use Working Assets credit cards, or
• shop online at shopforchange.com (which includes retailers such as Barnes and Noble, Lands End and Proflowers)

will be able to support CPA and our work. By shopping or calling using Working Assets and Shop for Change, you will build the pool of donations given to groups such as CPA. Also, by going online to the 2005 ballot, you can tell Working Assets to direct an increased share of this CPA, or whatever group you prefer. The best part is that you can help us simply by using these services to make purchases you ordinarily would make. More details are available at http://www.workingassets.com. We hope you will be able to take part.

Freshman Senator Ethan Strimling scored a major victory for criminal justice when he successfully passed LD 891 through the Maine legislature last year requiring the electronic recording of police interrogations. Read more on our website.

Eduwonk.com, the blog of the Progressive Policy Institute’s 21st Century Schools Project, is all you need for the latest from the education policy world. Eduwonk provides a daily round-up of the most important education news around the country, with cutting analysis and witty insight. Alongside provocative and often amusing commentary on the most pressing education debates, you will find links to in-depth policy papers provided by PPI and a host of other progressive organizations committed to education reform.