PPI's year in review, plus a special thank you from PPI President Will Marshall.

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2024 Year in Review...
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News, events, and must-read analysis from the Progressive Policy Institute.
❄ Happy Holidays from the
Progressive Policy Institute! ❄
Dear friends,

As 2024 draws to a close, I want to thank the many friends and partners who helped PPI grow and extend its reach here and around the world throughout the year. Although last month’s presidential election was dismaying, it at least has clarified the task before us. Because of its history and unswerving dedication to radical pragmatism, PPI is uniquely poised to catalyze the center-left revival our country urgently needs. It’s a big job, and we’ll need your help and support more than ever. If you’re interested in continuing to contribute to PPI’s mission, please donate ([link removed]) or visit our website ([link removed]) .

— Will Marshall and the PPI Team
DONATE TO PPI ([link removed])
PPI's 2024 Election Review: The Way Ahead for Democrats
The 2024 Presidential election sent shockwaves through American politics, and throughout the world, marking a stunning comeback for Donald Trump and delivering a sobering verdict on the Democratic Party’s current trajectory.
While many governments are grappling with what a change of U.S. administration could mean for their countries and their relationship with the United States, Democrats are coming to terms with why they lost the election, and the way ahead for their party.

New PPI research has been undertaken which reveals the crucial underlying problem: Democrats have lost their connection with working-class Americans.

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This third and final installment in a series of PPI/YouGov polling of working-class voters in battleground states, along with focus groups conducted for PPI by Deborah Mattinson, former Director of Strategy for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reveal a sobering reality: Blue-collar voters now view the Democratic Party as weak, unpatriotic, incompetent, and out of touch, while seeing Republicans as stronger, more patriotic, and increasingly aligned with their concerns.

“Working class voters rendered a harsh verdict on Democrats on November 6,” said Will Marshall, PPI President. “They see the party as weak, unpatriotic, and out of touch with their everyday economic struggles and values. Democrats need a major course correction, because they can’t build a center-left majority without reconnecting with the working families that once were the backbone of their party.”

PPI’s analysis has been informed by its work around the world to promote durable center-left governments, which is proving challenging under the continued pressure from right-leaning populism. To that end, PPI's Project on Center-Left Renewal, led by Claire Ainsley and Will Marshall, conducted a post-election trip to Europe, making stops in Brussels, Berlin, and London. The PPI delegation discussed what went wrong for Democrats and how we can work together to rebuild and solidify the center-left coalition.
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Will Marshall with newly elected Prime Minister of France, François Bayrou

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PPI Election Briefing at the House of Lords in UK Parliament



Claire Ainsley and Will Marshall conducting an interview with Times Radio
PPI will continue to engage with party leaders, strategists, and policymakers to advance a vision that reconnects Democrats with the working-class voters who have been the backbone of the party for generations. Only by reconnecting and providing them with a credible alternative for change, can we hope to win the next Presidential election. That work has to start now, and here at PPI we're ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work on this mission.
READ PPI's FULL ANALYSIS ([link removed])
The Hill: Democrats Pay the Price for Ignoring Working Americans ([link removed]) , by PPI President Will Marshall

The Observer: Kamala Harris’s Fate was Sealed Before Her Campaign Began – Labour Must Act Now if it Doesn’t Want the Same Result ([link removed]) , by Claire Ainsley & Deborah Mattinson

RealClearPolitics: Bernie Sanders Screams, ‘More Cowbell!’ ([link removed]) , by Neel Brown

WATCH: Will Marshall on how to regain the allegiance of working class voters at European Democrats Conference in Brussels ([link removed])

EVENT: The 2024 Election: What Happened and What Democrats Need to Do Next ([link removed]) , feat. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.)


NEW: Campaign for Working America
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PPI launched its Campaign for Working America in early 2024. Its mission is to develop and test new themes, ideas, and policy proposals that can help Democrats and other center-left leaders make a new economic offer to working Americans, find common ground on polarizing cultural issues, and rally public support for defending freedom and democracy in a dangerous world. Acting as Senior Adviser to the Campaign is former U.S. Representative Tim Ryan.

Ahead of the election, PPI released a series of eight reports across the policy spectrum outlining a plan to help Democrats reconnect with the working-class voters who have historically been the party's mainstay. Now after a disappointing election result, it is clearer than ever that Democrats must improve their standing with working-class voters to restore their competitiveness outside metro centers and build lasting governing majorities.
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PPI at the DNC!
PPI traveled to Chicago in August for the Democratic National Convention. We partnered with Axios to host events centered around how both the UK Labour Party and the Democratic Party are grappling with earning the working class vote. Featuring PPI President Will Marshall, Labour MPs, and U.S. Members of Congress, the discussions gathered insights from an array of global and domestic political insiders around what needs to be done to reach these voters and grow the party's bloc.

PPI also organized and hosted an afternoon of programming centered around our Campaign for Working America. Throughout numerous panels and fireside chats with elected officials, we discussed a policy framework to address what we see as the Democratic Party’s overriding political imperative: Regaining the allegiance of working-class Americans.
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FULL DNC HIGHLIGHTS ([link removed])
Budget and Fiscal Responsibility
Our work to promote a fiscally responsible public investment agenda that fosters robust and inclusive economic growth from PPI's Center for Funding America's Future, led by Ben Ritz.
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A 'Radically Pragmatic' Economic Blueprint

This comprehensive report was compiled by PPI’s Center for Funding America’s Future with contributions from more than a dozen PPI experts covering a wide variety of policy areas. The report argues that, although President Biden successfully led the country in revitalizing major public investments and bringing unemployment to historic lows, failure to tackle the federal government’s $2 trillion annual budget deficit and the inflationary pressures it creates puts those successes in jeopardy.

Forbes: No, Welfare Isn’t ‘What’s Eating The Budget’ – This Is ([link removed]) , by Ben Ritz

Washington Post: It’s Necessary to Tame the National Debt. And Surprisingly Doable ([link removed]) . ([link removed]) , feat. Ben Ritz

COMMENT: NPRM for Additional Student Debt Relief ([link removed])

LISTEN: The Concord Coalition’s Facing the Future Podcast: A Radically Pragmatic Plan to Pay for Progress ([link removed])
, feat. Ben Ritz
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Project on Center-Left Renewal
An initiative focused on fighting extremism and making center-left parties more competitive around the world, led by Claire Ainsley.
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BBC News General Election Panel

German-British Parliamentary Dialogue

REPORT: Winning Working Britain: Work and the Economy ([link removed])

The Economist: A former adviser to Keir Starmer on what his victory can teach the global left ([link removed])

Financial Times: Labour must heed warnings from the global centre-left ([link removed])

LISTEN: BBC Today Podcast: ([link removed]) ([link removed]) Starmer’s ‘black holes’: What will fill them? ([link removed]) , feat. Claire Ainsley
Technology, Innovation and the Economy
Our work advocating for pro-innovation technology policy across the world, led by Chief Economist Dr. Michael Mandel.
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REPORT: Quantifying the Economic and Health Benefits from Rapid-Development COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters ([link removed])

The Hill: It’s Official: America’s Real Wages are Up Under Biden-Harris ([link removed]\)

APP ECONOMY: An Initial Look at the App Economy Across North and Sub-Saharan Africa ([link removed])

BLOG: The FTC’s Odd View of Online Inflation ([link removed])
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PPI's Annual Investment Heroes Event

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Argentina: AI and the App Economy



Antitrust & Competition
Our competition policy work advocating for strong antitrust enforcement, led by Diana Moss.
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PPI Game Changers: Redefining the Future of College Sports

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Tech Innovation and the Role of the States in 2025 w/ Governor Jared Polis



Merger Enforcement: The Case For Why the Department of Justice Should Break Up Live Nation-Ticketmaster ([link removed]) , in ProMarket

Game Changers: Press pause on college sports’ grand redesign ([link removed]) , in The Hill

TESTIMONY: CA Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on CA Ticketing Legislation ([link removed])

COMING SOON: New PPI podcast hosted by Diana Moss: In Competition We Trust
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PPI's New Ukraine Project
An initiative devoted to helping Ukraine secure its independence and take its place in Europe as a fully free and democratic nation, led by Tamar Jacoby.
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Wall Street Journal: Will Ukraine’s Refugees Want to Go Back Home? ([link removed])

Washington Monthly: Ukrainian Public Opinion Remains Determined Against Russian Aggression ([link removed])

Forbes: With Trump In The Wings, Can Europe Agree To Cooperate On Defense? ([link removed])

The xxxxxx: America’s Fleeting Chance to Resume Leadership ([link removed])
FOR MORE ON UKRAINE ([link removed])
Trade and Industrial Policy
Our work to promote a free and fair trade agenda that resumes U.S. economic leadership, led by Ed Gresser.
The Hill: Trump’s tariffs could mirror Hoover’s Depression-era results ([link removed]) , by Ed Gresser

TESTIMONY: Ed Gresser testifies at a public hearing convened by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative ([link removed])

ABROAD: PPI in the Southern Cone: The U.S. Trade Relationship with Argentina and Uruguay ([link removed])

Trade Fact of the Week Highlights:
* In a hypothetical Trump/Vance economy, a toaster would cost about $300 ([link removed]) . | September 25
* Tariff revenue in FY2023: $80 billion. Reps. Fletcher and Pettersen have some very good questions about who is paying this money ([link removed]) . | April 10
* The Paris Olympics has 329 medal events ([link removed]) . | July 24
* Kung Fu Panda 4’s Chinese box office earnings are down 65% from the Kung Fu Panda 3 record ([link removed]) . | July 17, by Ruowei Yu

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Workforce Development
Our work to level the playing field for all degree and non-degree workers from PPI's New Skills for a New Economy Project.
NEW: The New Skills for a New Economy ([link removed]) Project is now led by Deanna Ross ([link removed])

REPORT: Building a Stronger Workforce: Federal Spending on Postsecondary Education and Training ([link removed]) , by Taylor Maag & Tamar Jacoby

REPORT: Career Pathways: How to Create Better Alternatives to College ([link removed]) , by Taylor Maag

Discourse Magazine: Creating More Earn-and-Learn Apprenticeships ([link removed]) , by Bruno Manno

BLOG: Ushering in a New Apprenticeship Decade ([link removed]) , by Deanna Ross
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Building a Stronger Workforce, Capitol Hill Briefing

Workforce Development Roundtable Discussion with Liam Byrne MP



Climate & Energy
Our work to assure abundant and affordable energy while lowering U.S. and global greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute discussion on energy equity and affordability

National League of Cities City Summit



RealClearEnergy: Climate Justice for Thee But Not for Me ([link removed]) , by Neel Brown

Wall Street Journal: LNG Export Ban Is Atrocious Politics ([link removed]) , by Tim Ryan

Medium: Uncompromising Activism: The New Threat to the Environment, Geopolitics and the Biden Administration ([link removed]) , by Elan Sykes and Neel Brown
PPI’s Elan Sykes and Neel Brown hosted a briefing with New Democrat Coalition staff and MiQ - Methane Intelligence to discuss the implications of the LNG facility permit pause and our ideas for a pragmatic path forward that takes into account U.S. climate, energy security, and geopolitical interests.
Education
Our work advocating for a 21st century model of public education centered around school choice from PPI's Reinventing America's Schools Project.
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RAS Reports Podcast


Featured Episodes:

➡️ Untapped Expertise: HBCUs as Charter Authorizers ([link removed])
➡️ What’s Next for the Charter School Movement? feat. Starlee Coleman ([link removed])
➡️ Closing the Funding Gap: Charter Schools in Washington State, ft. State Senator Mark Mullet ([link removed])
A series as part of PPI's Radically Pragmatic Podcast ([link removed])

REPORT: Searching for the Tipping Point: Scaling Up Public School Choice Spurs Citywide Gains ([link removed]) , by Tressa Pankovits

Wall Street Journal: School Choice Can Save Biden’s Presidency ([link removed]) , by Tressa Pankovits

REPORT: Untapped Expertise: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Charter School Authorizers ([link removed]) , by Curtis Valentine

WATCH: Check out our webinar series on YouTube ([link removed]) ! ([link removed])
Capitol Hill Briefing on HBCUs as Charter School Authorizers

Featuring opening remarks by Rep. Sanford Bishop (D, GA-02)



Women in Policy Alliance
In partnership with PPI's Mosaic Project, the Alliance was designed to foster growth and facilitate connection among women working in policy across Washington, D.C., and hosts monthly networking events.
Women's History Month
Our March coffee and networking event also featured a professional development panel with senior-level Hill staff.

Fireside Chat with Talila Millman
Mosaic alumna Talila Millman spoke with PPI VP Sarah Paden for a fireside chat about her new book.

Housing & American Identity
Our work on housing policy and strengthening American identity through public education, both led by Richard D. Kahlenberg.
NEW: The American Identity Project ([link removed]) is led by Richard D. Kahlenberg ([link removed]) .

REPORT: Improving Housing for Working Americans ([link removed])

The Hill: To win the working class, Democrats should champion patriotic education ([link removed])

National Affairs: A Way Forward on Housing ([link removed])
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Health Care
Our work to promote lowering costs, increasing transparency, and expanding access in the health care system.
REPORT: A Comprehensive Plan to Lower Health Costs Without Reducing Coverage ([link removed]) , by Erin Delaney

LETTER: PPI Leads Letter to Advance Site-Neutral Payment Reform to Protect Patients from High Hospital Bills, Promote Fairer Billing ([link removed]) , by Erin Delaney

BLOG: Listen up Democrats: Don’t Forget Health Care ([link removed]) , by Stuart Malec
PPI's Global Reach
Washington, D.C.
Phoenix, Arizona
Berkeley, California
Los Angeles, California
Sacramento, California
San Francisco, California
Denver, Colorado
Hartford, Connecticut
Tampa, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
Chicago, Illinois
Indianapolis, Indiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
Boston, Massachusetts
Dearborn, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Biloxi, Mississippi
Kansas City, Missouri
Las Vegas, Nevada
New York, New York
Youngstown, Ohio
Erie, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Providence, Rhode Island
Charleston, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Austin, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
Seattle, Washington
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Melbourne, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Brisbane, Australia
Brussels, Belgium
Brasília, Brazil
Toronto, Canada
Tallinn, Estonia
Paris, France
Tbilisi, Georgia
Berlin, Germany
Florence, Italy
Tokyo, Japan
Auckland, New Zealand
Warsaw, Poland
Rzeszow, Poland
Kyiv, Ukraine
Dnipro, Ukraine
Kramatorsk, Ukraine
Mykolaiv, Ukraine
Sloviansk, Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
London, United Kingdom
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Montevideo, Uruguay
Some 2024 Highlights...

Brussels, Belgium


PPI took a bipartisan and bicameral delegation to its Brussels office to visit NATO and various institutions of European government. The delegation learned what the greater European view of the war in Ukraine was and what NATO and the EU are doing to assist Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

London, United Kingdom

Numerous PPI policy experts spoke on panels at the Progressive Britain Conference in London. PPI President Will Marshall delivered a keynote address to kick off the conference, and also engaged in a panel discussion on relations between Labour and Democrats with UK foreign secretary David Lammy and MP Allison McGovern.

Berlin, Germany


At the Progressive Governance Summit (PGS) 2024 in Berlin, Former Congressman and current PPI Senior Advisor Tim Ryan participated in a panel on foreign policy and new industrial policy amidst geoeconomic shifts, moderated by PPI's Claire Ainsley.

Sydney, Australia

PPI traveled to Australia to promote our encryption paper. We had the pleasure of presenting the paper's findings to members of the NSW Parliament and staffers, and again under the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The event was chaired by Ed Cavanough, CEO of the McKell Institute.

Buenos Aires, Argentina


PPI's technology, economic and trade teams traveled to Argentina to discuss the role of AI in the App Economy and its potential to drive economic growth. The delegation emphasized AI’s potential to revolutionize industries and underscored the need for supportive policies that foster innovation and job growth.

Looking forward to seeing you in 2025!
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