Friday, March 13, 2020
Contact: Carter Christensen, [email protected], 202-525-3926
PPI and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change joined forces in Washington, D.C., as PPI's Will Marshall and Former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair shared in conversation on the global political landscape and the future of politics in the United States, the United Kingdom, and across the world.

“The challenge of Liberal Democracy is efficacy. People feel their world is changing without their consent and beyond their control and they want someone to fix it. The populists are answering this feeling," said Mr. Blair in conversation with PPI's Will Marshall.
The one hour conversation also touched on the growing COVID-19 epidemic, with Mr. Blair saying, "My view, very simply with the coronavirus, is the important thing is I think there are a lot of lessons about global coordination that we should learn after this, but in the short term you have to follow the scientific advice."

The event aired live on PPI's YouTube channel, and will air tonight on C-SPAN 2 at 8:00 PM EST in the United States and streaming where available online.
Mayors, Metro Leaders, and German Partners Join PPI for New Urban Progress Kickoff in D.C.
The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) and German think tanks, Das Progressive Zentrum and Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft, joined forces on a three-year, comparative study of metro innovation. On Tuesday in Washington, D.C., dozens joined the three organizations for the kickoff of New Urban Progress.

At a time when Washington seems politically and financially incapacitated, PPI continues to advocate for a “flexible federalism” that shifts more decisions and resources to Mayors and other local leaders. Mayors from across the U.S. joined PPI in Washington, including Mayor Bill Peduto of Pittsburgh; Mayor Lovely Ann Warren of Rochester, NY; Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, VA; and Former Kansas City Mayor Sly James.

PPI is a strong proponent of “going local", and together with German partners, the organizations will spend the next three years highlighting metro innovations with the aim of sparking a cross-fertilization of ideas for local initiative and ground-up problem-solving.

The kickoff shed light on the upcoming project and focus on empowering local governments, with experts from PPI, The Brookings Institution, DPZ, AHG, The Kauffman Foundation, The New Localism, GMF Cities, Metro Ideas Project, Carnegie Mellon Block Center, The German Marshall Fund, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Denver among other experts.

The next kickoff event in Leipzig, Germany, is tentatively set for late April. Learn more about the project here.
Ben Ritz, Director of the Center for Funding America's Future

While the president’s proposals would arguably do more harm than good, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats should be commended for swiftly developing a comprehensive and serious plan to effectively tackle the crisis. 
Paul Bledsoe, PPI Strategic Adviser

Nothing less than Biden going into the convention in Milwaukee with a sizable majority will convince most supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to rally around “Uncle Joe” as the nominee. 
Dr. Michael Mandel, Chief Economic Strategist, PPI

Does the United States need a new manufacturing policy? The answer is yes, according to a new poll commissioned by the Progressive Policy Institute. The poll, conducted by Pete Brodnitz, surveyed 1500 registered voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in early-to-mid February, three swing states that will be critical for the 2020 presidential election in November.
Dr. Michael Mandel, Chief Economic Strategist, PPI

Does the United States need a new manufacturing policy? The answer is yes, according to a new poll commissioned by the Progressive Policy Institute, where I am chief economic strategist.

The Progressive Policy Institute is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Join us on Facebook or Twitter on the road to November 2020.