CPA News September 2003
YOU'RE INVITED...
CPA's Summit on the States - December 6-7, 2003 - Capital Hilton, Washington, DC Mark your calendar! This December, CPA will hold its seventh annual Summit on the States at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. Come hear about the most innovative model policies to advance and improve civil rights, health care, jobs, education and more. The Summit will also include plenty of skill-building and networking opportunities. Reserve your hotel room before November 14 to receive a special conference rate! For more information or to register, visit our website, or contact Kirsten Lindquist at (202) 956-5134.
PROGRESS ON POLICY...
Ohio, Connecticut & Montana Pass Measures to Allow Post-Conviction DNA Testing In 2003, a number of states enacted laws enabling wrongfully convicted individuals to establish their innocence through DNA testing. Most recently, Montana, Connecticut and Ohio approved such measures. Colorado, Georgia, New Mexico and Nevada passed similar measures earlier this year. Both Connecticut and Montana now allow inmates convicted of a felony to petition for DNA testing, and mandate the preservation of scientific and biological evidence that could be used for testing. Ohio's new law only applies to inmates who pled not guilty and are either on death row or have more than one year remaining on their sentences. Individuals who pled guilty or no contest must obtain special approval to obtain DNA testing. To view CPA's model "Innocence Protection Act" and policy materials and resources related to post-conviction DNA testing, click here.
Legislation to Increase Tobacco Taxes Sweeps the States Tobacco taxes continue to be a very popular measure to help close state budget deficits. Arkansas increased its tobacco tax from 34 to 59 cents per pack of cigarettes and South Dakota increased its per-pack tax from 33 to 53 cents. Delaware, Georgia, Idaho and Montana more than doubled their tobacco taxes while New Mexico and West Virginia more than tripled such taxes. Wyoming quintupled its tax, going from 12 to 60 cents per pack. New Jersey's new tobacco tax is now the highest in the nation, going from 55 cents to $2.05, and Connecticut is in second place, having increased its tax for a second consecutive year, from $1.10 to $1.51. To view CPA policy materials, model legislation and other resources on tobacco taxes, click here.
New Mexico, South Carolina & Tennessee Enact Campaign Finance Laws Several states improved their campaign finance laws this year. New Mexico enacted a law that provides public financing of elections for the office of the Commissioner of the Public Regulations Commission. A new law in South Carolina will force political parties, committees, and legislative caucuses to disclose their fundraising and spending practices. In addition, this comprehensive law will require non-candidates to disclose spending to support or oppose candidates within 45 days of an election, strengthen the State Ethics Commission, and make disclosure reports publicly accessible via the Internet. Like South Carolina, Tennessee will also make campaign finance reports publicly accessible on the Internet and provide a method for electronic filing of reports. For more information on clean elections, click here.
Twelve States Move To Lower Medicaid Drug Prices Throughout 2003, 12 different states have authorized the use of preferred drug lists and supplemental rebates to lower prescription drug prices paid by state Medicaid programs. A preferred drug list is a listing of state-approved medicines that can be prescribed for Medicaid patients without prior authorization. Like a health insurance company's formulary, a preferred drug list gives a state the leverage to negotiate with drug manufacturers for substantially lower prices. Preferred drug lists were authorized through regulation in four states (ME, MD, SC, VA); through state budgets in three states (CT, GA, MA); and through individual bills in five states (AL, TN, TX, UT, WA). To learn more about lowering prescription drug prices, click here.
YOU SHOULD KNOW...
CPA's 2004 Leadership Programs - Apply Now! The deadline is fast approaching for legislators to apply for a 2004 fellowship with CPA's Flemming Leadership Institute. Application materials must be received by October 1, 2003, to be eligible for consideration in the 2004 program. The Flemming application can be viewed and downloaded here. For more information about CPA's leadership institutes, or to receive an application by mail or fax, contact Maura Hutchens at (202) 956-5138.
Support Progressive Policy? Support CPA! Help CPA continue its work advancing progressive public policy and supporting progressive state legislators. You can make a tax-deductible, secure donation to the Center for Policy Alternatives via Network for Good here.
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH...www.prwatch.org
Distinguishing legitimate news from spin these days is not as simple as it looks. That's where www.prwatch.org comes in handy. A project of the Center for Media & Democracy, PR Watch provides investigative reporting on the public relations industry to help unveil manipulative and deceptive practices used to control political debates and public opinion. Visit the site to review a comprehensive guide to PR firms, front groups and industry-friendly experts, and the "Spin of the Day" feature-daily reporting on public relations, propaganda and media spin.
View Previous Editions of our Newsletter:
January 2003 | February 2003 | March 2003 | April 2003 | May 2003 | June 2003 | July 2003 | August 2003
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