The deadline for the 2006 application is September 30, 2005. You may download the application online or contact Quinta Martin at (202) 956-5132 or qmartin@cfpa.org for more information.

While arch-conservatives rule our nation’s capital, progressives are scoring historic victories in the states. The past 30 days have seen the passage of far more proactive progressive bills than any month in recent memory. Legislators are now truly the vanguard of the progressive movement. If you want some good news, read on!

The Montana Legislature approved HB 643, sponsored by Rep. Tim Dowell, which calls for a statewide ban on smoking in all public buildings. Gov. Brian Schweitzer has indicated that he will sign the bill, making Montana one of just ten states with such comprehensive smoking bans. Meanwhile, the Georgia legislature overwhelmingly passed SB 90, sponsored by Sen. Don Thomas, which would prohibit smoking in many restaurants and other public places. Read CPA’s Smoke-Free Workplaces policy brief and model legislation.

The Connecticut legislature passed a bill that would make the state the second to establish civil unions for same-sex couples, and the first to do so without a court directive. Gov. M. Jodi Rell said that she will sign the bill, which will provide those who enter into civil unions with state and municipal tax benefits, hospital visitation rights, and other benefits such as family leave privileges. Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. LD 1196, sponsored by Sen. Karl Turner, makes Maine one of only six states that include gender identity in its anti-discrimination laws. The Maryland legislature sent two important civil rights bills to Gov. Bob Ehrlich’s desk. HB 692 would add sexual orientation to existing hate crimes laws and would make Maryland the ninth state to include both sexual orientation and gender identity in its anti-hate crime laws. HB 1021 would create a statewide life partnership registry for unmarried couples and extend 11 rights to registered couples, including the ability to make decisions about health and end-of-life matters. Read CPA's Anti-Discrimination and Hate Crimes policy briefs and model legislation.

Acting Gov. Richard Codey signed A 2698/S 1668, which will require all hospitals and emergency facilities to provide sexual assault survivors with information about emergency contraception, and also mandates that hospitals provide the pills upon a patient’s request. New Jersey joins New York, Illinois, California, Washington and New Mexico in requiring hospitals to provide at least information about emergency contraception. Read CPA’s Emergency Contraception policy brief and model legislation.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich issued an emergency rule requiring pharmacies to accept and fill prescriptions for contraceptives “without delay”. The rule includes emergency contraception pills and indicates that pharmacies that do not have a particular prescribed contraceptive would be required to order some or to send the prescription to another pharmacy. In a related victory, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano vetoed a bill that would have allowed pharmacists to refuse to dispense contraceptives on moral or religious grounds. Read CPA’s Emergency Contraception policy brief and model legislation.

The Maryland legislature passed a bill raising the state’s minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour. If Gov. Bob Ehrlich signs the bill, the wage increase will go into effect on October 1 of this year. Currently, 14 states have minimum wages higher than the federal minimum of $5.15. Read CPA’s Minimum Wage policy brief and model legislation.

Gov. Bob Ehrlich has pledged to sign SB 728/HB 1174, sponsored by Sen. Paul Pinsky and Del. David Rudolph, a version of the “Healthy Maine” waiver program which will cut the price of brand name drugs by about 40% for uninsured residents under 200% of the federal poverty level. Governor Ehrlich has pledged to veto SB 790/HB 1284 by Sen. Gloria Lawlah and Del. Anne Healey, which requires companies with 10,000 or more employees to either spend at least 8% of payroll helping their employees purchase health care or put money into a fund for the uninsured. Proponents expect to override the governor’s veto.

In a victory for working families, HB 514/SB 401, sponsored by Del. Pauline Menes and Sen. Paul Pinsky, prevents the Maryland governor from binding the state to an international trade agreement without the approval of the legislature. The bill, which was enacted after the legislature overrode the governor’s veto, also requires Maryland to be removed from the CAFTA treaty that was endorsed by the Governor.

Rep. Hector Balderas sponsored HB 282 which will require the electronic recording of custodial interrogations. Gov. Richardson signed the bill, making New Mexico the third state to enact such legislation. Read CPA’s Electronic Recording of Interrogations policy brief and model legislation.

SB 582, sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Nava, was signed into law by Gov. Bill Richardson. The bill prohibits the denial of admission to a university or eligibility for in-state tuition on account of a student’s immigration status. Read CPA’s Immigrant In-State Tuition policy brief and model legislation.

Rep. Mimi Stewart (Flemming Fellow ’96) sponsored HB 32 which was signed by Gov. Richardson. Known as the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Bonding Act, the bill will allow the state’s Finance Authority to issue up to $20 million to pay for the installation of energy efficient measures in state buildings like schools. Money issued under the Act will be repaid to the state through energy savings, much like an energy performance contract issued by a private energy services provider. In addition, Gov. Richardson signed HB 720, which will make it easier for the state to conduct energy improvement projects, and SB 644 which directs the state’s public utilities to implement cost-effective energy efficient programs.

New Mexico Gov. Richardson signed HB 523/SB 271, sponsored by Rep. Ben Lujan and this month’s Legislator of the Month, Sen. Dede Feldman (Flemming Fellow ’99). The bill, known as Small Employer Health Care Coverage Access will allow employers with fewer than 50 employees to voluntarily buy into the state’s health insurance program. Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed HB 278, sponsored by Rep. Tommy Thompson, which makes it easier for small businesses to provide health insurance for their employees.

HB 1105, sponsored by Colorado Sen. Jennifer Veiga and Rep. Anne McGihon (Flemming Fellow ’04), would exempt survivors of domestic violence from a work search requirement for the first 15 business days after a job loss if searching for work would interfere with her ability to address the violence or would unfairly penalize her. In Montana, Rep. Jeanne Windham sponsored HB 567, which expands unemployment insurance coverage for victims of sexual assault and stalking. Gov. Schweitzer signed the bill, making Montana one of only a few states that explicitly address sexual assault and stalking in its law. Read CPA's Unemployment Insurance for Domestic Violence Survivors policy brief and model legislation.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano signed SB 1372 into law and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed HB 1469, both of which would define human trafficking crimes and create criminal offenses and penalties, including crimes of sex trafficking. They joined a growing number of states that have passed legislation on this important issue.

SB 77, sponsored by Sen. Donald Betts, requires all law enforcement agencies to create and adopt written policies prohibiting racial profiling by their officers. Read CPA’s Racial Profiling policy brief and model legislation.

On April 14, CPA held a Legislator Reception at the National Conference of State Legislatures Spring Forum in Washington DC. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a former Florida state legislator and Flemming Fellow (’94), was honored for her outstanding service as a public leader. In addition, CPA highlighted the 2004 Legislators of the Year for their progressive legislative victories.

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.

New Mexico Senator Dede Feldman sponsored SB 271, known as the Group Benefits Act, which allows small employers to voluntarily purchase health insurance through the state’s employee health insurance program. The program gives thousands of uninsured workers access to health care services. Read more...

Five years ago, George Lakoff, author of Don’t Think of an Elephant, and other University of California faculty members from disciplines including cognitive science, sociology, law, history and linguistics founded the Rockridge Institute to create a common language for progressives. Today, the Rockridge Institute offers articles on framing and messaging strategies, along with breakdowns of conservative and progressive frames for specific issues. “Rockridge's job is to reframe public debate, to create balance from a progressive perspective,” Lakoff told The UC Berkeley News. “It's one thing to analyze language and thought; it's another thing to create it. That’s what we're about.”