Monthly newsletter from of the EARN Network from the Economic Policy Insitute

EARN Notice
A monthly newsletter from the Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN)


** EARN Notice: April 2024
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As many states’ legislative sessions approach their conclusion, I invite you to take a moment to celebrate the important advances we’ve made in championing pro-worker, pro-people, legislation across the states. Your collective efforts and perseverance have been instrumental in helping to raise labor standards and safeguard social insurance programs for countless workers and their families.

I know that many of you are still in the thick of the fight, and there are many victories—large and small—that we at EARN HQ haven’t heard about. But I wanted to share a few examples of the ways that the network and our allies have advanced critical worker-centered policy. This year alone:
* EARN groups in a dozen states, including Florida ([link removed]) , Indiana, ([link removed]) Kentucky ([link removed]) , and West Virginia ([link removed]) have vigorously countered the dark money campaign to rollback child labor laws, helping maintain and even strengthen standards in several states.

* EARN groups and allies in DC ([link removed]) , Illinois ([link removed]) , Maryland ([link removed]) , and Michigan ([link removed]) bolstered wage growth ([link removed]) by increasing the minimum wage, accelerating existing scheduled minimum wage increases, and eliminating harmful subminimum wages for tipped workers.

* We defended and even expanded safety net programs like paid leave and unemployment insurance. For example, EPI supported efforts to extend unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers in Connecticut ([link removed]) , Minnesota ([link removed]) , and several more states ([link removed]) ; Meanwhile, our colleagues in Alabama ([link removed]) , Georgia ([link removed]) , and Virginia ([link removed]) played key roles in advancing paid leave legislation.

* Worker advocates in 18 states are taking action ([link removed]) to tackle the problem of captive audience meetings, paving the way for 63.7 million workers to gain protection from political and religious coercion in the workplace.

This is just a sliver of what folks in this network have achieved so far this year. Whether you’ve secured legislative victories or pushed back in defensive battles, your tenacity and commitment make undeniable differences within your communities. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for any last-minute technical assistance requests, resources, or other needs, so we can work together to finish this legislative season from a position of strength.

Stay engaged and join us at EARNCon 2024!

Looking ahead, we must continue building on this momentum together! Stay tuned for registration details for EARNCon 2024 (September 11–13) in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana, where we’ll have a chance to socialize, strategize, and maximize our impact in the coming year.

Solidarity forever,

Daniel Perez


** New Publications
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[link removed]

James Myall. Maine lawmakers have signed off on worker protections — now they must fund their implementation. ([link removed]) Maine Center for Economic Policy. April 2024.

[link removed]
Posson, Amanda, Sammy Cervantes, and Shannon Halbrook. State of Working Texans 2024: Texas Is the Tale of Two Economies ([link removed]) . EveryTexan. March 2024.

[link removed]
Bahr, Jade. Medicaid Expansion in Indian Country: Improving the Health of Individuals and Communities ([link removed]) . Montana Budget and Policy Center. March 2024.

[link removed]

Tying Unemployment Assistance to the State Unemployment Rate Would Weaken Protections, Slow Down Economic Recovery in the Future ([link removed]) . Missouri Budget Project. March 2024.


** What We're Reading
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* Danielle Dawson. April 2024. KTLA5 “California could become first state to give workers a ‘right to disconnect ([link removed]) ”.
* Megan Henry. April 2024. Ohio Capital Journal. Raise the Wage Ohio is trying to get a minimum wage constitutional amendment on the ballot ([link removed]) .
* Sarah Lehr. April 2024. Wisconsin Public Radio. Wisconsin will keep work permit requirement for younger teens after governor’s veto ([link removed]) .
* Bob Kinzel. April 2024. Vermont Public. “Vermont Senate unanimously passes amendment ensuring workers' right to unionize ([link removed]) ”.
* Southern Economic Advancement Project. 2024. American Rescue Plan (ARP) Toolkit ([link removed]) .


** EARNCON 2024
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** Save The Date!
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EARNCon 2024 will take place at the Loews New Orleans from Sept. 11 - 13th. Conference details and registration will be shared soon.


** ICYMI: Recent and Upcoming EARN Events
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* March 12, 2024. American Rescue Plan (ARPA) EARN Talk with the Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) recording ([link removed]) (access passcode: Zf?UmWk1).
* February 29, 2024. Reparations EARN Talk by EPI’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy (PREE) recording ([link removed]) (access passcode &3E=PLg?).

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