April 2007 EditionDon't Miss Out
The Seventh Annual Edition of CPA’s Progressive Agenda Has Arrived!
The Progressive Agenda for the States 2007: Values & Vision for America features 50 of the most innovative policy solutions being debated and enacted in the states. A wide range of domestic issues—including Identity Theft, Global Warming, Fair Share Health Care, Sudan Divestment, and Predatory Mortgage Lending—are covered. To order your copy today, contact Rachel Balick at rbalick@cfpa.org or 202-956-5132. While you're waiting, download the entire book (PDF).
Progress on Policy
Colorado Legislature approves renewable energy standard
The Colorado Legislature approved HB 1281, a bill that would double Colorado’s renewable energy standard. The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Pommer, would require 20 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power by 2020. Colorado will join twenty-three other states have adopted similar renewable energy standards. Read CPA’s Renewable Energy policy brief and model legislation.
Colorado to allow second parent adoption
The Colorado Legislature approved HB 1330, sponsored by Rep. Alice Madden (see Legislator of the Month), which would extend second-parent adoption rights to unmarried couples, including same-sex couples. The measure, aptly termed the “Second Parent Adoption Bill,” would authorize a child’s primary parent to accept adoption by a second parent outside of a marriage. The bill has been signed by Gov. Bill Ritter. Read CPA’s Marriage Equality policy brief and model legislation.
Colorado Legislature approves sex education changes
The Colorado Legislature approved HB 1292, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Todd, which would require school districts to offer sex-ed curriculums that cover contraception, including emergency contraception and condoms. The bill would ban school districts from offering an abstinence-only curriculum and require that sex-ed classes be based on scientific research. Read CPA’s Health and Sexuality Education policy brief and model legislation.
Florida to restore voting rights to ex-offenders
Ex-felons who have completed their sentences and paid restitution will automatically regain the right to vote, serve on a jury and obtain professional licenses under a new rule approved by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the state’s clemency board. Those who have been convicted of the most violent offenses - like murder and kidnapping - will still have to go through the state’s old process of appealing to state officials to have their civil rights restored. The move could affect up to one million Floridians. Read CPA’s Voting Rights Restoration policy brief and model legislation.
Sex education bill reaches Iowa governor’s desk
A bill that would require that all sex education classes teach medically accurate information only has been approved by the Iowa Legislature. HF 611, sponsored by the House Education Committee, is likely to be signed by Gov. Chet Culver. Read CPA’s Health and Sexuality Education policy brief and model legislation.
Gov. Culver OKs Election Day registration
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signed into law HF 653, sponsored by Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, which will allow Election Day voter registration. The bill will replace a provision requiring voter registration at least ten days before Election Day. Read CPA’s Election Day Registration policy brief and model legislation.
Kentucky Gov. signs minimum wage bill into law
Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed HB 305, a bill that will increase the state’s minimum wage from the current federal minimum to $7.25 by July 2009. The bill was sponsored by Rep. J.R. Gray. Read CPA’s Minimum Wage policy brief and model legislation.
Kentucky to require fire-safe cigarettes
Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed SB 134, sponsored by Sen. Gary Tapp, which will require the replacement of conventional cigarettes with fire-safe cigarettes wrapped in thin bands of slow-burning paper designed to go out when left unattended. Read CPA’s Fire-Safe Cigarettes policy brief and model legislation.
Maryland Legislature approves Electoral College reform
The Maryland Legislature approved HB 148 and SB 634, two bills that will change the way that the state assigns Electoral College votes in the upcoming presidential election. The bills, sponsored by Del. Sheila Hixson and Sen. Jamin Raskin, would award all 10 of Maryland’s electoral votes to the candidate who carries the national popular vote. The change will take effect only after states representing a majority of the nation’s 538 electoral votes adopt the same plan. The bill now heads to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who has promised to sign it.
Maryland Legislature reaches compromise on smoking ban
The Maryland Legislature approved a measure to ban smoking in most public. SB 91, introduced by Sen. Robert Garagiola, would ban smoking in or near public businesses, including restaurants and bars. The bill allows public establishments to seek hardship exemptions if their business is detrimentally affected by the measure. The bill now heads to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who plans to sign it into law. Read CPA’s Smoke-Free Workplaces policy brief and model legislation.
Maryland Legislature requires sale of fire-safe cigarettes
The Maryland Legislature unanimously approved SB 361, sponsored by Sen. Mike Lenett, which will require the sale of fire-safe cigarettes. The bill will require the replacement of conventional cigarettes with fire-safe alternatives wrapped in thin bands of slow-burning paper designed to extinguish when left unattended. Read CPA’s Fire-Safe Cigarettes policy brief and model legislation.
Maryland Legislature approves paper trail voting record
The Maryland Senate has approved SB 392, sponsored by Sen. Edward Kasemeyer, which mandates that electronic voting systems produce voter-verifiable paper records. The bill would require that machines at the polls produce paper records that can be viewed at a voter’s discretion before a final vote is cast. Additionally, the mandate requires a manual audit of election results. The companion bill, HB 18, sponsored by Del. Sheila Hixson, was unanimously approved by the House last month. If the bill is signed by Gov. Martin O’Malley, Maryland will join 27 other states that require verifiable voting records. Read CPA’s Voting Machine Security policy brief and model legislation.
Living wage bill approved in Maryland
A first-in-the-nation bill that would require state contractors to pay employees a living wage has been approved by the Maryland Legislature. HB 430, sponsored by Del. Herman Taylor, creates a two-tier system for determining living wage. In urban areas, the wage will be at least $11.30 per hour; in rural areas, the wage will be at least $8.50 per hour. The state’s minimum wage is $6.15. Maryland will be the first state with a statewide living wage mandate. Read CPA’s Living Wage policy brief and model legislation.
Maryland Legislature passes clean detergent bill
The Maryland Legislature approved SB 766, a bill that will prohibit the sale of dishwashing detergents that contain phosphorus in order to cut pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Brian Frosh, will cut the amount of phosphorus allowed in dishwashing detergents from seven percent to one half percent in order to reduce phosphorus emissions, one of the Bay’s primary pollutants.
Maryland Legislature supports voting rights restoration
The Maryland legislature approved SB 488, sponsored by Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt, which will restore voting rights to criminals once they have completed their sentences. The bill will require the state to restore voting rights to those convicted of two or more felonies immediately after their sentences are completed. Read CPA’s Voting Rights Restoration policy brief and model legislation.
New Jersey will require fire-safe cigarettes
Both houses of the New Jersey legislature have approved a bill that will require the sale of fire-safe cigarettes in the state. A 2575, sponsored by Asm. Jack Conners, mandates that cigarettes sold in New Jersey be designed to self-extinguish if left unattended. Read CPA’s Fire-Safe Cigarettes policy brief and model legislation.
New Mexico adopts Earned Income Tax Credit
Gov. Bill Richardson has signed a bill that offers low-income working families in New Mexico a refundable tax credit. HB 436, introduced by Rep. Ben Lujan, creates a state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) worth eight percent of the federal EITC for which a family is eligible. Read CPA’s Earned Income Tax Credit policy brief and model legislation.
Gov. Richardson signs medical marijuana bill
New Mexico Gov. Richardson signed SB 523, sponsored by Sen. Shannon Robinson, which will legalize medical marijuana. The bill authorizes the State Health Department to give the drug to sick patients in order to relieve the symptoms of many diseases. Read CPA’s Medical Marijuana policy brief and model legislation.
New Mexico Governor OKs minimum wage hike
Gov. Bill Richardson signed a bill that will increase the state’s minimum wage by more than $2 over the next two years, from $5.15 to $6.50 in January 2008 and $7.50 in January 2009. SB 324, sponsored by Sen. Ben Altamirano, does not include the annual cost of living increases that advocates originally included to link minimum wage to inflation and it does not apply to agricultural employees. Read CPA’s Minimum Wage policy brief and model legislation.
New Mexico Legislature adopts bill to teach financial literacy in high schools
The New Mexico legislature unanimously passed HB 1205, sponsored by Rep. Antonio Moe Maestas, which would require all high schools to offer financial literacy elective courses. The classes would educate students on financial matters in order to prepare them to manage household finances and avoid future debt problems. Gov. Bill Richardson is expected to sign the bill.
Gov. Richardson signs payday lending bill
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson signed into law HB 92, sponsored by Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, which will restrict the term of a payday loan from 14 to 35 days, prohibit the use of rollover loans and cap interest fees at $15.50 for every $100 borrowed. Read CPA’s Payday Lending policy brief and model legislation.
Oregon Legislature passes fire-safe cigarettes bill
A bill that would require the sale of self-extinguishing cigarettes in Oregon has been sent to Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s desk. HB 2163, which was prefiled by Gov. Kulongoski, mandates that all cigarettes sold in the state be wrapped in thin bands of slow burning paper designed to go out when left unattended. Read CPA’s Fire-Safe Cigarettes policy brief and model legislation.
Washington Legislature will improve sex education
The Washington Legislature approved SB 5297, sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, which would ban school districts from offering an abstinence-only curriculum and require that sex-ed classes cover contraception. It does not mandate that school districts teach sex-ed. The bill now heads to Gov. Christine Gregoire, who has pledged support for the measure. Read CPA’s Health and Sexuality Education policy brief and model legislation.
Washington House sends domestic partnership bill to governor
Washington’s House of Representatives has passed a bill that would expand the rights of same-sex couples. SB 5336, sponsored by Sen. Ed Murray, has already received Senate approval. If signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire, the bill would create a domestic partner registry and give same-sex couples hospital visitation, autopsy authorization and inheritance rights. The law would also apply to opposite-sex couples who share a home but are not married. Read CPA’s Marriage Equality policy brief and model legislation.
Gov. Gregoire signs mental health parity law
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed HB 1460, sponsored by Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, which broadens the state’s mental health parity law. The bill will require health insurers to offer mental health coverage that is equitable to medical coverage to small businesses and individuals. A 2005 mental health parity law required private insurance companies to provide mental health benefits for employees of large companies. The new measure will include businesses with 50 or fewer workers and individual health plans. Read CPA’s Mental Health Parity policy brief and model legislation.
Legislator of the Month: CO Representative Alice Madden
Colorado Rep. Alice Madden recently won a victory to allow second parent adoption for unmarried partners. Click here for an interview with Rep. Madden about her bill.
Website of the Month: www.cbpp.org
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities website is a showcase for its prolific and unassailable work on both federal and state level fiscal issues. Legislators and advocates can find resources on taxation, health care, Social Security, unemployment insurance and much more. The site also provides state-by-state data on how current policies affect low-income families.