CPA News February 2003
THE 2003 CHALLENGE CONTINUES...
HELD OVER by popular demand, the 2003 Challenge has been extended for groups who still want to get involved. Lend your voice! Challenge leaders in your state to consider all options when developing your state's budget, not just spending cuts.
Take a look at our Challenge toolkit, featuring all you need to organize a Challenge activity, including:
- The Take Action Guide - ranging from the simple to the elaborate, our challenge opportunities for action are crafted for you to be effective in presenting alternative solutions to the budget crisis.
- Model Message Points - which you can tailor to fit your needs, your state information and relevant solutions.
DON'T MISS OUT...
The 2003 Progressive Agenda - Now Online! This year's Progressive Agenda, a handbook for legislators covering 50 crucial state issues and including 53 pieces of model legislation - is now online. Focusing on low- or no-cost policy solutions, the 2003 Progressive Agenda covers health, education, criminal justice, taxation, and the environment and much more! Click here to view or download the policy summaries, resources and model legislation from the revised edition.
YOU SHOULD KNOW...
CPA Helps Plan Coalition Strategy for Voting Reform at the Voices of the Electorate Retreat - January 31, Miami, FL CPA Policy Director Bernie Horn made a presentation on the status of voting reform legislation in the states at the recent Voices of the Electorate (VOTE) coalition strategic planning retreat. The meeting, attended by dozens of civil rights and pro-democracy groups and sponsored by the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation, structured plans for the implementation of voting reform across the states. CPA has been a member of the VOTE coalition since its inception.
CPA Manager Speaks at Public Leaders Education Network Annual Meeting - February 7, Washington, DC Jennifer Woolley, Senior Manager of CPA's Women Leaders Network, recently participated in the Public Leaders Education Networkannual meeting, a convening of faculty from women's colleges across the country. As part of a panel that addressed women's issues, Woolley spoke about the status of pay equity and proactive reproductive health measures at the state level, as well as other women's issues.
CPA Staff Members Present Workshop at the Business & Professional Women's Annual Conference - February 7, Washington, DC CPA staff members Jennifer Woolley and Kirsten Lindquist presented a workshop on state level policy fundamentals at the Business & Professional Women's (BPW) Annual Policy & Action Conference. The presentation focused on state-level advocacy and provided advice and resources to participants on how to get more involved, build coalitions, and work with elected officials and other state leaders. Specific attention was placed on the issues of equal pay and contraceptive equity, which are priority issues for BPW.
New Guide Addresses How States Should Respond to the Federal Help America Vote Act Over the past few months, CPA has participated in the Election Reform Task Force, a new coalition of civil rights, disability rights, and pro-democracy organizations led by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. The Task Force has created new materials to help state legislators and advocates grapple with the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act. For a copy of the "Advocates' Guide to the Help America Vote Act of 2000," click here, and to view the "HAVA State Implementation Guidelines," click here.
New Report Addresses GLBT Discrimination The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force recently issued a report documenting the discrimination faced by same-sex couples titled, Family Policies: Issues Affecting Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Families." The manual explains how current state policy discriminates against GLBT families and provides recommendations for state policymakers. For example, many states can remedy discrimination against same-sex couples who are denied tax breaks and family leave benefits. Call (202) 393-5177 to request a free copy of the report or download it now here.
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH...www.cbpp.org
Looking for expert help on tax and budget issues to address the fiscal crisis in your state? Visit the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities website. The site features detailed papers on the topics of decoupling from the estate tax and bonus depreciation tax, eliminating the PIC trademark loophole and other must-have revenue-generating proposals for the 2003 sessions! Additionally, on this searchable site, you can access state-by-state data and analysis, and reports featuring sensible budget, tax and low-income policies.
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July 2002 | August 2002 | September 2002 | October 2002 | November 2002 | December 2002 | January 2003
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