Key news focused on state legislatures across the country.
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** State Preemption of Local Legislation Continues
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2019 saw a continued trend of many state legislatures abusing ([link removed]) preemption to interfere with local control. Reporting ([link removed]) from LSSC and SiX concluded “Local governments lost power again in 2019." Preemption laws, driven almost exclusively by special interests, once again stopped cities, towns and counties from acting to protect and promote the health, safety and civil rights of their residents. On the positive side, legislators in other states made significant progress to repeal, weaken, or kill preemption laws.
** Voting Rights Tensions Leading Up to 2020
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After Florida voters approved an amendment to automatically restore voting rights to 1.4 million individuals with a past felony conviction, conservatives in the legislature passed a punitive law—akin to a Jim Crow era poll tax ([link removed]) —which requires these individuals to first repay all fines and fees. That law has been sent to the state supreme court for review ([link removed]) . In Ohio, improper notices were sent to 1,128 voters and dozens of individuals were wrongly purged ([link removed]) from voter rolls earlier this year. Tennessee
([link removed]) became the first state to penalize voter registration drive organizers for simple errors—likely chilling future mobilization efforts in communities of color.
** More States to Consider Gun Reform
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Multiple mass shootings in August have left communities reeling and calling for action ([link removed]) from their legislators while the federal government hesitates to address gun violence. Kentucky legislators have begun crafting legislation around a ‘red flag’ law ([link removed]) and Ohio’s governor called for expanded background checks ([link removed]) .
** Minimum Wage Debates Rage Across the U.S.
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The New Hampshire legislature passed a minimum wage increase only to have it vetoed ([link removed]) by the governor. Meanwhile, reports ([link removed]) show minimum wage increases not only raise wages for the lowest-wage workers, but also increase wages for other workers. Plus, the states with the highest minimum wages also have robust and competitive economies. Cities would like to raise wages, too, but are blocked in many states by preemption laws. Colorado became the first state this year to repeal such a law to allow cities to raise their minimum wage.
** Federal Immigration Moves Spur State Action
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Communities across the nation are living in fear after the largest immigration raid in a decade ([link removed]) occurred in Mississippi this August. More than 300 individuals remain in a detention facility, and children remain separated from their parents. New Mexico recently denied an ICE request ([link removed]) to access worker and employer records in the state. Thirteen states ([link removed]) have also filed a lawsuit against the new, cruel Trump administration “public charge” rule.
** Regenerative Farming to Combat Climate Change
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Regenerative farming ([link removed]) is a technique farmers use in order to facilitate soil nourishment after years of improper cultivation. “Soil serves as the terrestrial ecosystem’s most significant carbon storehouse,” so using methods that prevent soil erosion and degradation can help increase biodiversity, maintain soil, and combat climate change. Across the country, state legislatures are taking action to promote soil health. ([link removed])
** A Message From One of Our Legislators
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SiX Repro was at the Young Elected Officials network meeting recently and RFLC member and Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani shared a message for other state legislators. Click here ([link removed]) to see more.
** Support for Abortion Rights Strong Throughout U.S.
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Another public opinion poll shows widespread support for abortion rights, in stark contrast to the passage of abortion bans throughout the country so far in 2019. The Public Religion Research Institute ([link removed]) completed one of the largest surveys on abortion attitudes in the U.S. finding that Americans remain generally supportive of abortion rights ([link removed]) , with 54 percent saying it should be legal. Additionally, no more than a quarter of residents in any single state support a total ban on the procedure.
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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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