Register online now for CPA's eighth annual Summit on the States at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. Come learn about progressive model policies being enacted in the states. The Summit agenda also includes plenty of skills-building and networking opportunities such as the legislators' roundtable breakfast. For more information, email Quinta Martin or call (202) 956-5132.

Reserve your tickets today! This year's Awards Dinner promises to be a special night, as we honor EMILY's List Founder and President Ellen Malcolm, Wisconsin State Senator G. Spencer Coggs, Demos Program Director Michael Lipsky, and the 2004 Class of Flemming Fellows. Register now for both the Summit and Dinner and receive a special package rate. For further information, or to place an advertisement in our Dinner Program, please email Chris Rutledge or call (202) 956-5151.

The Georgia Legislators Workforce Strategies Retreat, sponsored by CPA, will be a "roll-up-your sleeves" event designed to explore and develop new, coordinated organizing strategies to win proactive policy change for Georgia's workforce. This Strategies Retreat is a continuing initiative of the Center for Policy Alternatives to extend our national leadership training program for state legislators.

Last month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two bills that were hailed as important civil rights victories. The California Insurance Equality Act (AB 2208), sponsored by Assemblymember Christine Kehoe, requires insurance companies in California to offer the same health coverage to registered same-sex partners as they do to married couples. The new law does not extend to unmarried heterosexual couples under age 62. The Omnibus Hate Crimes Act of 2004 (SB1234) expands existing law to include crimes motivated by a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It also covers crimes against victims based on their associations with people who are gay or transgender. Read CPA's policy brief and model legislation on hate crimes.

On the same day the ten-year old federal ban on assault weapons expired, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation banning .50-caliber rifles. AB 50, sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, bans the sale of high-caliber rifles beginning Jan. 1. Under the bill, people who already own .50 caliber rifles can register them through April 2006 after paying a $25 fee, and violators may be convicted of a misdemeanor. The bill also increases jail terms to as long as 12 years for those who use such rifles in an assault. Read CPA's policy briefs and model legislation on gun control.

Gov. Schwarzenegger also approved a package of environmental bills. AB 2683, sponsored by Assemblymember Sally Lieber, will reduce diesel pollution and clean older cars by requiring smog checks for cars more than 29 years old. AB 2628, by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, will allow solo drivers of vehicles that get 45 miles per gallon or greater fuel efficiency to use carpool lanes after the federal government approves such a use, as is expected. Also enacted was a bill creating a Sierra Nevada conservation zone. Although it won't have any regulatory power, the government agency—covering 25 million acres from Modoc County in the north to the Owens Valley in the south—will be able to funnel state bond money to local governments and nonprofit trusts to buy land and easements and protect them from development or timber harvesting.

In two weeks, voters in eleven states will consider constitutional amendments to prohibit same-sex marriage. Polls suggest that many voters who do not favor same-sex marriage would nonetheless oppose a constitutional amendment if the voting decision is framed with the right messages. For talking points against a state marriage amendment, click here. For CPA's Marriage Equality policy summary, click here (pdf download).

As Chair of the House Education Committee, Representative Roy Takumi knew that raising student achievement in Hawaii had to be a priority of the 2004 legislative session. Read more...

Project Vote-Smart accurately bills itself as "one of the most comprehensive campaign information sites on the web." It provides a wealth of information on federal and state officials and candidates nationwide, including biographical information, voting records, issue positions, campaign finances, and an archive of public statements. Voters are reading about you, so make sure the information about you is complete, accurate, and up-to-date. Read about your fellow legislators, your opponents, and yourself! Visit www.vote-smart.org.