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** Progressives Pave a Path for Canceling Rent
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Progressive legislators in Illinois have proposed a bill that would cancel rent and mortgage payments ([link removed]) due in the six months after the bill’s passage. Even once economies begin to reopen, renters and owners will still need time ([link removed]) to recoup the months of lost wages and income before they can afford to begin making rent and mortgage payments again. By suspending such payments for several months after the economy begins to reopen, the Illinois bill would allow folks to rebuild their financial security without facing the threat of eviction or foreclosure.


** People Need Unemployment Insurance, So Why is it so Hard to Get?
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At a time when unemployment assistance is inarguably more important than ever, workers face increasing difficulties ([link removed]) accessing their earned benefits. While some states work to get their unemployment systems up to speed, others are making their systems even harder to use ([link removed]) . On top of that, as states “reopen,” many workers will be forced to choose between facing unsafe working conditions or losing their unemployment insurance.


** Red States Expand Vote by Mail
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Amid bipartisan support and high public approval, numerous red states are stepping up ([link removed]) to implement vote-by-mail ahead of the elections in November. States like Georgia, Kentucky, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and West Virginia have all expanded mail-in voting while Alabama and Louisiana have expanded absentee ballot access. Vote-by-mail remains a widely-supported and proven method to increase access and participation without compromising the security and safety of the voting process.


** States Confront Challenges in Local Food Systems
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In a time when COVID has shown just how fragile our food systems are, the opportunity to buy local food is increasingly important. An exciting opportunity in Mississippi allows consumers to shop directly for local food online ([link removed]) without any intermediaries. Local farmers can upload photos of produce or cuts of meat to sell directly to consumers. Some states are making sure people with SNAP benefits canbuy groceries online ([link removed]) for curbside pickup or delivery. Meanwhile, due to the Trump administration’s executive order and guidance from conservative governors, many meat-packing plants will stay open despite the prevalence of positive coronavirus cases ([link removed]) ,
putting a greater number of workers at risk.


** Despite Public Opinion, Conservatives Aim to Quiet Health Professionals
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Legal battles over executive authority are erupting all over the country as state legislators and governors clash over stay-at-home orders, the range of emergency powers, and how to spend federal aid. Conservative legislators have filed lawsuits against the stay-at-home orders in Illinois ([link removed]) , Maryland ([link removed]) , Michigan
([link removed]) , Washington ([link removed]) , and Wisconsin
([link removed]) . Meanwhile, conservative legislators in Ohio ([link removed]) are working to pass a bill that would limit both the governor’s and department of health’s emergency powers. Despite conservative politicians' opposition to stay-at-home orders, polling reflects that 71% of Americans worry states will reopen too quickly ([link removed]) .


** The Ongoing Violence Against Black Lives During the Pandemic
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On top of the economic and health disparities exacerbated by the coronavirus, racial profiling, racially-motivated violence, and police brutality continue to plague Black Americans. State laws requiring folks to wear masks in public have resulted in higher incidents of police racially profiling Black people ([link removed]) — including elected officials like IL Rep. Kam Buckner. The recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery ([link removed]) , Sean Reed ([link removed]) , and Breonna Taylor ([link removed]) have produced outraged protests and public pressure for police accountability. Legislators from South
Carolina, Florida, and Georgia have petitioned for the resignation of Glynn County Police Chief John Powell and over 30 state legislators are sponsoring a bill to implement hate crime laws ([link removed]) in South Carolina. Listen to this podcast featuring Georgia state Rep. Jasmine Clark ([link removed]) discussing the state’s citizen’s arrest laws.


** Lack of Clarity a Lasting Effect of Abortion Lawsuits
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Frequent changes to abortion access in Texas may ultimately land on the side of health care, but the back and forth itself may prove to be its own challenge, leaving people confused about the status of abortion day to day. Providers have had to delay or cancel appointments during litigation and many may assume that abortion is banned while the courts make their rulings. Already fragile in Texas, confusion may have a lasting impact ([link removed]) on people’s ability to access abortion.


** Opportunities for Legislators: Women's Network Digital Training Series
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SiX, along with our partners at YEO Network, are excited to collaborate on a Women’s Network Digital Training Series, an interactive skills and issue-based webinar series for women and femme identified state and local elected officials. Webinars include "Building Together: Dismantling White Supremacy for Radical Self Care" and "Supporting Families During COVID-19." Contact Sophia Kerby ([email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ) for more information and to register. Additionally, legislators can indicate to the Supreme Court their support for abortion access ([link removed]) as they hear the June Medical Service case.

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The State Innovation Exchange (SiX) is a national resource and strategy center that supports state legislators who seek to strengthen our democracy, fight for working families, defend civil rights and liberties, and protect the environment. We do this by providing training, emphasizing leadership development, amplifying legislators’ voices, and forging strategic alliances between our legislative network and grassroots movements.

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