Don't Miss Out

CPA's Summit on the States: Values and Vision for America, Dec. 8-10

Register online now! The tenth annual Summit on the States will be held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. Please contact Quinta Martin at 202-956-5132 or qmartin@cfpa.org with any questions.

 

Progress on Policy

Hawaii Governor Signs Bill to Safeguard Affordable Housing

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle signed HB 2239, sponsored by Michael Puamamo Kahakina, to keep the rent in the state’s largest affordable housing complex from becoming unaffordable. The law requires the state to work with real estate developers to preserve affordable housing, and also allows the state to acquire the property through eminent domain without further approval from the legislature if affordable housing prices are not maintained.

Maine to Enact Identity Theft Notification Law

LD 2017, sponsored by Rep. Anne Perry, will require state agencies that suspect identity theft to notify the affected individuals.  The new law becomes effective on January 31, 2007.  The law includes civil fines of up to $2,500 for each day that an agency fails to report a breach.  Read CPA’s Identity Theft Protection policy brief and model legislation.

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Collective Bargaining Bill

Both houses of the Massachusetts legislature have passed HB 429, sponsored by Rep. Robert A. DeLeo, which allows collective bargaining to take place through the collection of authorization cards signed by employees.  The purpose of the signed petition cards is to reduce the intimidation factor that faces employees during collective bargaining.  The AFL-CIO supported bill has been sent to Governor Mitt Romney and awaits his signature.

Massachusetts Legislature Preserves Gay and Lesbian Youth Commission

Massachusetts lawmakers overrode Governor Mitt Romney’s veto of HB 4200, which creates a new Gay and Lesbian Youth Commission that will be under the control of the legislature.   The new entity would have been separate from the existing Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth but would have been composed of the same members.  In response to the override, Romney disbanded the 14-year-old Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth.  The new commission will serve the same purpose as its predecessor, but function independently of the Governor’s office. Read CPA’s Safe Schools policy brief.

MA Legislature Unanimously Overrides Minimum Wage Increase Veto

The Massachusetts General Assembly unanimously overrode Governor Mitt Romney’s veto of SB 2362, sponsored by Sen. March R. Pacheco and Rep. Jim Marzilli, which will raise the minimum wage from $6.75 to $7.50 on January 1, 2007 and $8.00 on January 1, 2008.  When it becomes effective, Massachusetts will offer the highest minimum wage in the country.  Read CPA’s Minimum Wage policy brief and model legislation.

North Carolina Governor Signs Law to Create Innocence Commission

Gov. Mike Easley has signed into law a bill that will establish a commission to review claims of innocence by inmates who have evidence not presented at trial.  The independent, eight-member panel will be comprised of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, victims’ advocates and citizens of the state. HB 1323, sponsored by Rep. Rick Glazier, is considered the first law of its kind in the nation. Read CPA’s Death Penalty Reform policy brief and model legislation.

Legislator of the Month: Illinois Rep. Kwame Raoul

Last month, IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law SB 2368, sponsored by Rep. Kwame Raoul and Sen. Monique Davis, to extend a racial profiling study. Read on to learn more from Rep. Raoul about the success of his bill.

Website of the Month: Center for Court Innovation

State legislators seeking new approaches to long-standing problems in their states’ judicial systems will find original solutions at the Center for Court Innovation’s website, www.courtinnovation.org. Legislators can learn about the innovative methods that the Center has already implemented in New York City courts. The website also features an “Expert Assistance” page where policymakers can access many levels of guidance—Center staff members are available to answer questions by phone or can send a technical assistance team to states to assist with the implementation of their ideas for judicial reform.