2006 has just begun, but we are already accepting applications to the 2007 class of Flemming Fellows! Please contact Quinta Martin at 202-956-5132 or qmartin@cfpa.org for an application.

This year, state legislators will continue to lead the charge for progressive policies that improve life for all Americans—and with elections just around the corner, it’s more important than ever that they have the tools to run effective campaigns. Click here to read CPA Policy Director Bernie Horn’s tompaine.com article on the wedge issues that progressives should use to win in the 2006 elections.

The Fannie Mae Foundation Fellowship Program provides training for accomplished leaders experienced in managing housing and community development programs with a curriculum focusing on critical areas such as capacity building, political strategy, values and policy analysis. The skills and ideals taught by this program of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government mirror those of CPA and reflect what we have heard you tell us you need. You may find further details by visiting http://www.fanniemaefoundation.org/grants/kennedy_school.shtml. CPA also would like to alert you to Housing Facts and Findings, a newsletter published by the Fannie Mae Foundation to address affordable housing needs. Please email gburrell@fanniemaefoundation.org to sign up.

New Jersey lawmakers have voted to suspend executions while a study commission examines the fairness of the state's death penalty. Governor Richard Codey signed SB 709, sponsored by Senator Shirley Turner, on January 12. New Jersey is the first state to impose a moratorium on executions through legislation. Read CPA’s Death Penalty Reform policy brief and model legislation.

• In a landmark progressive victory, the legislature overrode Governor Robert Ehrlich’s veto of the Fair Share Health Care Act. SB 790/HB 1284 requires employers with 10,000 or more workers to spend at least 8 percent of payroll on employee health benefits. Legislators from dozens of other states plan to introduce similar legislation this session. Read CPA’s Fair Share Health Care policy brief and model legislation.
• Another veto override made Maryland the 18th state to have a minimum wage higher than the federal level. HB 391 will raise Maryland’s minimum wage to $6.15 per hour—one dollar more than required by federal law. Read CPA’s Minimum Wage policy brief and model legislation.
• Individuals who are challenged at the polls will be able to cast a ballot once they have proven their identity thanks to the override of Governor Ehrlich’s veto of SB 287. Read CPA’s Voter Identification and Integrity policy brief and model legislation. The bill also creates penalties for voter intimidation.
• Maryland will open early voting centers in several jurisdictions now that the legislature has overridden the veto of SB 478. Citizens who use these early voting centers can cast their ballots up to one week before an election.
• The veto of a bill that gives the legislature more oversight of the juvenile justice system in Maryland was also overridden. HB 979 reforms the Department of Juvenile Services to ensure that no child is detained for an excessive amount of time. Read CPA’s Juvenile Detention Reform policy brief and model legislation.

Governor Codey signed SB 556, which requires health insurers that provide prescription drug coverage to cover FDA-approved prescription contraceptives at the same level as other prescriptions. Certain religious employers may qualify for exemption from the law, which was sponsored by Senator Joseph Vitale and Senator Diane Allen. Read CPA’s Contraceptive Equity policy brief and model legislation.

New Jersey lawmakers approved AB 3759, which requires health insurers that provide dependent coverage to extend an option to continue coverage until age 30 if dependents would lose coverage because of their age. To qualify for the extension, an employee's child must be less than 30 years old, unmarried, without dependents, a state resident or full-time student, and may not otherwise have insurance. Assemblyman Neil Cohen was the bill’s sponsor.

Maryland Senator Gloria Lawlah has attracted national attention for her efforts in passing and enacting the Fair Share Health Care Act. Click here to read an interview with Sen. Lawlah.

The Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition was instrumental in passing the Fair Share Health Care Act and overriding Gov. Bob Ehrlich’s veto of it, making Maryland the first state in the nation to take legislative action against large employers with a disproportionate number of workers who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP. Their website features clear goals, specific plans and estimated costs, provides a history of the group’s successes, and offers a number of opportunities for activists to get involved with the struggle for affordable health care. www.healthcareforall.com serves as a vital toolkit for citizens, advocates and legislators who care about the well-being of the uninsured and who believe that all Americans are entitled to quality health care.