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 sixty more policy briefs on our website.

The Nebraska legislature voted 36-11 to override Gov. Dave Heineman’s veto of LB 53, automatically restoring the right to vote for all individuals two years after completing their sentences for felony convictions and without having to first plead for their voting rights to the state Board of Pardons. Read CPA’s Voting Rights Restoration policy brief and model legislation.

Under SB 1994, recently signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, workers locked out of their jobs because of a labor dispute will be eligible to collect unemployment benefits, as long as the union did not violate collective bargaining agreements or refuse to bargain in good faith. The law was hailed by labor supporters as a collective bargaining rights victory.

Sponsored by New Jersey Assemblywoman and CPA Legislator of the Month Bonnie Coleman Watson, A516 sets minimum energy efficiency standards on eight commonly-used products: traffic signals, exit signs, large packaged air conditioners, commercial refrigerators and freezers, unit heaters, commercial clothes washers, transformers, and torchiere lighting fixtures. By signing the bill, known as the Energy Efficiency Standards Act, acting Gov. Richard Codey helped New Jersey become the fourth state to set standards for these products, thereby reducing energy consumption and saving consumer dollars. Read CPA’s Energy Efficiency Standards policy brief and model legislation.

Gov. Christine Gregoire signed HB 1154 into law, which will require insurers to cover mental health treatment in an equivalent manner to medical and surgical coverage. Although employers are not required to provide their workers with insurance benefits, state programs and larger companies that do so will have to include mental health treatment. Read CPA’s Mental Health Parity policy brief and model legislation.

The New Jersey Assembly passed a bill raising the state's minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.15 an hour in two installments starting in October of this year. The measure—which passed the Senate previously—also creates a commission that will recommend annual wage increases to the legislature. Acting Gov. Codey is expected to sign the bill into law shortly, which would make New Jersey the 14th state to have a minimum wage higher than the federal level. Read CPA’s Minimum Wage policy brief and model legislation.

Applications for CPA’s prestigious Flemming Fellows Leadership Institute will be available online beginning in mid-April. If you are interested in applying, know a legislator who would benefit from the program, or would simply like more information, please contact Quinta Martin, Director Leadership Programs, at 202-956-5132 or at qmartin@cfpa.org.

CPA is one of only 50 organizations to receive contributions from Working Assets in 2005! Working Assets customers who:

• make long distance calls and wireless calls through Working Assets, or
• use Working Assets credit cards

will be able to support CPA and our work. By shopping or calling using Working Assets, 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.

Beginning in the 1970s, certain household electrical appliances became subject to minimum energy efficiency standards, saving energy and shrinking electric bills. Their commercial counterparts, however, remained exempt from similar regulation, and have generally remained so to this day. In response to the high growth rate of energy use, high energy costs, and the wastefulness of such products, New Jersey Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman sponsored and passed Assembly Bill 516. Read more...

Stateline.org, the one-stop shop for state politics and policy news, has a brand new look. In addition to a more user-friendly homepage, easily accessible headlines, and in-depth information on each state, Stateline has incorporated RSS feeds into their site. Too busy to browse their site everyday? Simply sign up for one of their many feeds, organized by Top News, Issues, and State, and have the news delivered to you. With its new look and updated features, Stateline is a necessity for anyone who needs to stay on top of the latest from the states.