CPA News March 2003

CPA News March 2003

PROGRESS ON POLICY...

New Jersey Enacts Racial Profiling Law Today, NJ Gov. McGreevey signed into law a bill to outlaw the practice of racial profiling, making it a crime punishable by five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. In 2000, the state admitted that some officers routinely singled out drivers because of their skin color, but legislative efforts to criminalize the practice languished for three years amid partisan fights and lobbying from the law enforcement and civil rights communities. To view CPA's Racial Profiling policy summary, model legislation and related resources, click here.

Wyoming, Virginia Move to Restore Voting Rights to Ex-Offenders Last week, Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal signed a bill to allow felons convicted of nonviolent offenses to apply for reinstatement of their voting rights five years after completing prison time or probation. Those Wyoming residents who want their voting rights restored would have to receive approval from the governor. Similarly, in February, the Virginia House and Senate passed a constitutional amendment empowering the legislature to allow the re-enfranchisement of nonviolent felons. To take effect, the Virginia measure must pass the legislature again in 2004 and be approved by statewide referendum. To view CPA's Voting Rights Restoration policy summary, model legislation and related resources, click here.

South Dakota, West Virginia & Wyoming Increase Tobacco Taxes For the second consecutive year, tobacco taxes are proving to be one of the most popular measures to help close budget deficits. So far in 2003, three states have enacted tax increases. Wyoming raised its tobacco tax from 12 to 60 cents per pack; South Dakota increased its tax from 33 to 53 cents; and West Virginia more than tripled its per-pack tax from 17 to 55 cents. In 2002, 20 states increased tobacco taxes. To view CPA's Tobacco Tax policy summary, model legislation and related resources, click here.

New Mexico Enacts Collective Bargaining Law for State Employees On March 7, NM Gov. Bill Richardson signed legislation giving state employees the right to bargain collectively. The passage into law of this bill is a huge victory for state workers who will now be able to negotiate for better wages, benefits and working conditions. The law restores the collective bargaining rights workers had until 1999 when then-Governor Gary Johnson blocked the law from being renewed, despite strong legislative support. AFSCME Council 18 spearheaded the effort in New Mexico.

CPA Compiles State Action on Prescription Drug Prices in the 2003 Sessions While Congress sleeps, states have once again taken the lead on lowering prescription drug prices. Click here to read a state-by-state summary of 2003 legislative activity on prescription drug prices. Click here to learn more about CPA's "Fair Market Drug Pricing Act,"-also downloadable in MS Word.

YOU SHOULD KNOW...

Donate to CPA with the Click of a Button CPA has recently registered with Network for Good, an e-philanthropy website that will process credit card donations to CPA securely and accurately. Best of all the service is free--Network for Good collects no fee, so every penny donated is directed to our programs and institutes. We have placed a link to this service on our homepage: just look for the Network for Good logo on the left side of the screen. Please feel free to share this information with anyone you think would be interested in supporting CPA.

CPA Selects 12 Legislators for the 2003 Eleanor Roosevelt Global Leadership Class Congratulations to the 12 state legislators selected to participate in the 2003 Eleanor Roosevelt Global Leadership Institute. The diverse members of the 2003 class have demonstrated superior leadership ability, dedication to public service, and interest in the impact of international issues on local and state policy. Click here to see the list of state legislators who will participate in this eight-month leadership program, culminating in a 12-day trip to southeastern China in October.

CPA Manager Speaks at National Association of Commissions for Women Annual Issues Institute - February 28, Washington, DC Jennifer Woolley, Senior Manager of CPA's Women Leaders Network, recently spoke before members of the National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW) at the group's Annual Issues Institute on the topic of equal pay. Woolley's presentation focused on legislative efforts in the states to close the wage gap and provided advice and resources to participants on how to get more involved on this issue at the state level.

CPA Manager Meets with Women Legislators and Advocates in Kentucky -March 5, Frankfort, KY Jennifer Woolley, Senior Manager of CPA's Women Leaders Network, recently traveled to the state capitol in Frankfort to meet with women leaders and talk about the critical issues they are facing in Kentucky. In partnership with the Kentucky Commission for Women, Woolley presented information on CPA's programs and resources to members of the Kentucky Women's Legislative Caucus and a diverse group of women activists.

CPA Director Speaks at Communications Workers of America National Conference - March 10, Washington, DC Policy Director Bernie Horn spoke on the fiscal crisis in the states before officers from hundreds of local unions at the Communications Workers of America 2003 Legislative/Political Conference. Horn highlighted CPA's work laying out progressive budget options for the states, and promoted state solutions from the 2003 Progressive Agenda. Other speakers at the CWA conference included: Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Senators Jon Corzine and Mary Landrieu, and former President Bill Clinton.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH...www.hrc.org

Travel to the state news section of the Human Rights Campaign website for terrific resources on issues that impact gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans at the state level. Click on your own state for existing laws, legislation, news, state action alerts and other helpful information. Each state page also includes links and contact information for the advocacy groups in your state working to help make equality for GLBT individuals a reality.

If your email is not html enabled visit: http://www.stateaction.org/publications/policynews/03-03.htm

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