 CPA New s May 2002 UPCOMING EVENTS… 2002 Regional Conferences-Save the date! CPA will hold its series of regional conferences once again this summer. Hundreds of legislators and community activists gathered for last year's events. This year participants will examine the 2002 legislative session and will discuss such topics as voting reform and prescription drugs. Visit CPA’s Events page online for more information! The schedule is as follows: Northeast-June 27-28, Sturbridge, MA Southwest-July 12-13, San Antonio, TX Southeast-August 2-3, Tunica, MS Midwest-August 16-17, Milwaukee, WI PROGRESS ON POLICY… Equal Pay Challenge-On Tuesday, April 16, CPA joined with organizations and activists across the country to recognize Equal Pay Day in collaboration with the National Committee on Pay Equity, AFL-CIO , Business & Professional Women , 9 to 5 and AFSCME . Activists, legislators and leaders in every state held an Equal Pay Day event, and leaders in CPA's network were involved in many of them. Read more… Prescription Drugs-Thanks to the work of House sponsor Rep. Roy Takumi (Flemming Fellow - 1996), Hawaii passed prescription drug fair pricing legislation, based on the CPA policy model . 2002 has been a banner year for advocates trying to lower the cost of prescription drugs at the state level. For an excellent primer on the high price of prescription drugs, and to learn more about CPA’s work to unmask "Astroturf lobbying" efforts by PhRMA, click here to read "Drug Industry Spends Huge Sums Guarding Prices" from the May 2002 AARP Bulletin. Click here to read a state-by-state summary of legislative activity on prescription drug prices. Contraceptive Equity-New York is expected to pass legislation requiring employers to offer insurance coverage for prescription contraceptives at the same benefit level as other prescription drugs. If NY passes its legislation, more than 50% of U.S. women will live in states that have passed some type of contraceptive equity law. To date in 2002, MA and AZ passed contraceptive equity laws, and proposals are moving in FL and NJ. Click here to view CPA’s contraceptive equity model legislation and policy summary. Voting Reform-Connecticut has passed the Connecticut Voter Bill of Rights which is modeled after the CPA Voting Reform Policy Model . The bill is headed to the Governor's desk where it is expected to be signed. This new legislation requires that voters’ rights be clearly posted in each polling place. ALTERNATIVES AT A GLANCE… States Moving to Address Immigrants' Needs-Advocates are pushing forward in 2002 to address the needs of the 30 million immigrants that live in the United States. Access to driver's licenses and to in-state tuition rates for higher education are two initiatives that will better integrate immigrants into the broader fabric of American life. Read more… States Create Innovative Solution to the Housing Crisis-Safe and affordable housing should be a basic human right. One policy gaining momentum that will help secure this right is legislation that makes it illegal to discriminate against prospective renters based upon their source of income. Read more… Coalition Building Among People of Color-Dr. Ron Walters and Professor Andy Hernandez discuss the challenges and opportunities of forming coalitions among people of color. This is a follow-up interview to their well-received workshop held at CPA's 2001 Summit on the States. Read more… WEBSITE OF THE MONTH… www.ballot.org- The website of theBallot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) features a collection of the latest news reports on ballot initiatives, a state-by-state summary of ballot measure activity, highlights of ballot measures of interest to progressive organizations, campaign resources, contributions to ballot campaigns , and more. BISC was founded in 1998 to help defeat right-wing initiatives and to develop a proactive initiative strategy for progressives. YOU SHOULD KNOW… 2002 Eleanor Roosevelt Global Institute Class - The second class of CPA’s Eleanor Roosevelt Global Leadership Institute has been chosen. Click here to see the list of state legislators who will participate in this eight-month leadership program, culminating in a 10-day trip to Santiago, Chile in November. SCEWL -The California Symposium for California's Emerging Women Leaders program got off to a rousing start during its launch in San Francisco this April. Throughout the opening weekend, program participants shared ideas, experiences and resources during sessions focused on mentoring, leadership values and leadership styles. Assemblywoman Carole Migden of San Francisco delivered the keynote address. CPA launched its SCEWL mentoring initative, in partnership with the California State Economic Network, to encourage young women's leadership across sectors. Black Youth Vote Conference -Nearly 50 young people aged 18-35 from across the nation convened in Washington, DC, for the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation’s second annual Black Youth Vote Leadership Conference April 5-7th. CPA’s Southeast Network Director Diallo Brooks led a workshop titled "The Legislative Process: From Idea to Law." Other staff members who contributed to the success of this year’s conference were CPA State Network Coordinator and Black Youth Vote Advisory Board Member Jewel James and State Network Director Tracie Pough, both of whom were honored for their contributions at the Black Youth Vote 6thAnniversary Celebration. Campaign for America's Future Conference - CPA participated in the Campaign for America's Future Conference, "Reclaiming America, A Conference on Progressive Strategies for the New Era," April 10-12th in Washington, DC. CPA hosted a panel on unemployment insurance reform featuring CPA’s Work & Family Investment Manager Helen Gonzales . The panel discussed the impact of states' out-of-date unemployment insurance systems that have failed to provide supports to workers affected by both the economic downturn and the wave of massive layoffs in the aftermath of 9/11. Mexico Honors Washington Legislator - The Consulate General of Mexico in Seattle, WA presented a special award to Washington Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez-Kenney (Flemming Fellow - 1997) in a ceremony held on April 16th.The award is given to individuals of Mexican heritage who have made significant contributions to their communities, and who have maintained and revitalized the Mexican culture. Gutierrez-Kenney is a Board Member of the National Council on La Raza and Co-Chair of the Eleanor Roosevelt Global Leadership Institute . Emerging Leaders Public Service Seminar - The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation held its first Emerging Leaders Public Service Seminar on April 25-27th. CPA's Southeast Network Director, Diallo Brooks, participated as a moderator of a series of strategy sessions that focused on lobbying, grassroots organizing and coalition building. In addition, the participants, who were young professionals from around the country, were joined by representatives from other organizations such as Rainbow/PUSH Coalition , the American Civil Liberties Union and congressional members. Women's Foundation of Montana - On April 26-27th, the Women's Foundation of Montana held a convening of Montana women's organizations in which Jen Ray, CPA’s Program Initiatives Director, served as the keynote speaker. WFM promotes economic self-sufficiency for women and policies to create a brighter future for girls and women in Montana. Strategic Communications for Action Training - We'd like to make you aware of a special communications training in June for advocates in the DC area on Thursday, June 20 from 8:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The workshop, "Strategic Communications for Action," will be facilitated by ActionMedia ,a great pair of consultants that CPA first worked with at our annual conference, the Summit on the States in December 2001. Space is limited to no more than 25 participants and there is an organizational rate if you want to send more than one person. Find out more… |