State leaders across the nation continue to fight and win progressive legislative battles. CPA's new progressive victories report highlights the proactive achievements of the 2004 state legislatures, proving once again that real progressive change is happening in the states. Read the report online.

The Progressive Platform for the States, written specifically for state legislative candidates, covers 90 topics and lays out the most innovative progressive solutions being debated and enacted in the states. For more information or to obtain a copy, contact Sarada Peri at speri@cfpa.org.

Application deadline for admission is October 1, 2004. You may download the application online or contact Maura Hutchens at (202) 956-5138 for more information.

Sponsored by Rep. Anne Gannon (Flemming Fellow-2004) and Sen. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Flemming Fellow-1994), this new legislation makes human trafficking illegal in the state of Florida. Signed by Gov. Jeb Bush, the law will make it a felony to engage in sexual trafficking or to force a person into labor. These two extraordinary legislators are highlighted as July’s Legislators of the Month.

The Nebraska Unicameral Legislature approved a measure to allow working poor families to keep their Earned Income Tax Credit refunds during bankruptcy, giving them money to rebuild. The legislation was authored by Nebraska Appleseed, an affiliate of the Appleseed Foundation, to alleviate the crushing burden of debt faced by thousands of struggling families who will benefit tremendously by increased rights in the bankruptcy system. For more information, contact Nebraska Appleseed.

The Alaska Legislature ended its special session by passing legislation that will phase in a cigarette tax increase. Under the version that won approval, a 60-cent cigarette tax hike would go into effect in January. The tax would go up another 20 cents in summer 2006 and 20 more cents in 2007. Michigan now has the nation’s second-highest tobacco tax at $2 per pack, after Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law a 75 cent increase. The additional revenue will support the state's Medicaid program, which provides health coverage to low-income families. Read CPA’s policy brief and model legislation on this issue.

If signed by Governor Mike Easley, HB 1354 would raise penalties for assaults that occur in a violent domestic relationship. In addition, the legislation would create a fund to provide legal services for victims of domestic violence. The Legislature also presented to the governor another domestic violence bill that empowers courts to issue restraining orders against aggressors who are not members of a victim’s family.

AB 100, sponsored by Assemblyman Albio Sires, nicknamed the “Millionaires' Tax,” increases the top income tax rate on households with annual incomes greater that $500,000 from 6.37 percent to 8.97 percent. The law will affect about 35,000 residents and will raise about $850 million per year. The revenues collected will be used for property tax rebates to households with lower incomes.

Connecticut became the 8th state to prohibit mandatory overtime hours for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or registered nurses' aides in hospitals. A nurse may volunteer for extra hours but cannot be penalized for refusing to accept overtime. This legislation is designed to ensure that the fatigue, inefficiency, and pressure that can result from mandatory overtime do not impede on the quality of patient care. Hospitals already struggling to keep their nurses cannot afford to decrease job satisfaction by denying their hard-working employees a positive working environment and fair labor rights. Read CPA’s policy brief and model legislation on this issue.

The Institute recently held the second and final retreat for the members of its 10th annual class at the Aspen Wye River Conference Center in Queenstown, MD. The Institute helps state legislators sharpen their understanding of their own values and how those values drive their decisions as elected leaders. Fellows engage in exercises to explore values-based communication, diversity, budgets as values statements and core values that can be used as a basis for building consensus and solving problems. Representative Roy Takumi closed the retreat with parting words for the Fellows on how to apply their Flemming training to their legislative work. The Fellows will be honored at CPA's Annual Awards Dinner in December. For more information, contact Maura Hutchens at 202-956-5138 or mhutchens@cfpa.org.

At the 2004 National Conference of State Legislators Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, the State Issues Forum, headed up by CPA, held several workshops on issues facing progressive state legislators today. Topics included Fighting the War Against Sexual Trafficking, Women's Reproductive Rights and Health, Election Reform, Asset Development for Low-Income Women, Gay Marriage, and others. For more information about these sessions, email Kirsten Lindquist.