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Six from SiX brings you monthly updates highlighting the power of state legislators in deep collaboration with their communities and resources to support you in this work.


** SiX’s Next Chapter
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After eight years leading SiX, Neha Patel and Jessie Ulibarri stepped down as co-executive directors ([link removed]) in late March. Their leadership shaped SiX in profound ways—bringing together state legislators and movement partners, creating a home ([link removed]) for values-driven leaders, and fostering a culture of care for staff. We are deeply grateful for their vision, dedication, and the lasting impact they have made.

As we move forward, SiX remains strong. Check out SiX’s newly launched strategic ([link removed]) plan where we lay out who we are and who we are becoming.


** State Legislators, Add Your Voice to the Global Stage
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The U.S. is in its 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a United Nations process to improve human rights worldwide. State legislators play a key role in ensuring the U.S. meets its commitments, especially in reproductive and maternal health. SiX is submitting a report highlighting violations and showing how legislators are taking action. State legislators, add your name to the report and demonstrate your leadership on human rights! Click here to view ([link removed]) the submission and sign on today.


** States Respond to DOGE
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Every two weeks, SiX and State Futures host a federal rapid response strategy session. Join us on April 3 for our next discussion, where experts and lawmakers will cover DOGE, efforts to weaken federal regulatory agencies, state-level DOGE actions, and positive state responses. Don’t miss this important conversation!
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** State Power to Protect Public Schools
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State legislators play a key role in protecting public schools and students’ access to education. For decades, they have fought against well-funded efforts to privatize public education. Now, Trump and Musk’s push to eliminate the Department of Education for tax cuts for the rich are part of this larger attack. Lawsuits have been filed ([link removed]) against these actions, and state legislators remain critical in defending public schools. Find guidance here. ([link removed])


** Collaborative Governance in Action
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Collaborative governance is the practice of shaping policies with the active participation and leadership of the people they impact most to create the conditions for all people to thrive. Illinois Representative Sonya Harper, Chair of the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, put these principles in action when she held a hearing on the impact of the USDA funding freeze and Trump tariffs on Illinois agriculture in late March. Rep. Harper and grassroots advocates mobilized farmers and rural residents to share their stories, while experts provided data on lost programs. The hearing highlighted the serious effects of these cuts on the state’s agriculture industry. Get inspired by Rep. Harper’s collaborative governance in action here ([link removed]) !

We’ve put together a playbook for legislators ([link removed]) with examples from Rep. Harper and others who are responding to federal authoritarian actions in their communities and states.

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** State Power to Protect Medicaid & Build a Caring Economy
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Care is essential, yet undervalued and underfunded. The care economy includes paid and unpaid work—childcare, elder care, disability support, and more. Care workers, mostly women, Black, and immigrant workers, are often underpaid and overworked. Meanwhile, hospitals, childcare centers, and nursing homes are increasingly controlled by corporations and private equity firms. Vital care programs like paid leave, Medicaid, and early education face constant threats. Investing in care means supporting workers, families, and communities. Learn more about how state legislators can protect and build a care economy here ([link removed]) .

State legislators, if you’d like to go deeper into SiX’s issue areas, join our legislator cohorts: the Economic Power Project ([link removed]) , the Cohort for Rural Opportunity ([link removed]) and Prosperity, and the Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council! ([link removed])

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The State Innovation Exchange . 1360 Regent Street, PMB 257 . Madison, WI 53715 . USA
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