CPA News February 2004
DON’T MISS OUT…
The 2004 Progressive Agenda – Now Available on Amazon.com Progressive Solutions Built on American Values, the fourth edition in CPA's Progressive Agenda series, covers 50 topics, includes 60 model bills, and lays out more than 100 of the most innovative progressive solutions being debated and enacted in the states. The Progressive Agenda is available at www.amazon.com and individual policy briefs can be accessed online.
PROGRESS ON POLICY…
Utah and Virginia Vote to Reprove Bush and No Child Left Behind
The Utah House voted to prohibit state education authorities from using any local money to implement the federal No Child Left Behind Act. This was the strongest in a series of criticisms emerging from states that now have to comply with the law. Similarly, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a resolution calling on Congress to exempt states like Virginia from the federal law, noting that existing state standards are already high and that it would cost millions of dollars for the state to comply. For more information about the mandatory testing requirements of No Child Left Behind, see CPA’s policy brief.
Debate over same-sex marriage rolls across the nation’s legislatures
By ruling that it is unconstitutional to deny full, equal marriage rights to same-sex couples, the Massachusetts Supreme Court has sparked a national debate. The Massachusetts legislature has debated potential constitutional amendments to overturn the court decision, but none could take effect until after a referendum in 2006. Therefore, same-sex marriage will be legal in Massachusetts from at least May 2004 to November 2006, if not permanently. The court ruling has also compelled legislators in 13 other states (AZ, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, MS, NM, OK, TX and WI) to introduce constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage. Legislatures might also weigh in on the issue if a federal constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage, supported by President Bush, passes Congress and is referred to the states for ratification. For a look at CPA’s policy brief and model legislation supporting civil marriage equality, click here.
CPA LEGISLATOR OF THE MONTH…New York Assemblywoman Susan John
Lauded as a “true hero” by advocates, Assemblywoman Susan John sponsored and enacted a bill (A. 15) to mandate that New York hospitals provide survivors of sexual assault information about and access to emergency contraception. Read more…
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH...www.hrc.org
This month, we highlight a special section of the Human Rights Campaign’s website that provides state-specific information on various policies. This section of the website is an essential tool for keeping up on the groundbreaking policy changes concerning marriage equality and civil unions. Click on your own state for existing laws, legislation, news, state action alerts and other helpful information. Each state page also includes links and contact information for the advocacy groups working on these issues.
View Previous Editions of our Newsletter:
| June 2003 | July 2003 | August 2003 | September 2003 | October 2003 | November 2003 | December 2003 | January 2004 |
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