Welcome back to the Data for Progress newsletter, your weekly update on our research, blog posts, and memes.

What It’s Like to Lose $600 Per Week
It’s been over a month since the $600 weekly boost in unemployment benefits expired, and Congress hasn’t even been able to get a partial extension of those benefits. This has been absolutely devastating for millions of families — a tragedy that can only be fully appreciated by reading the stories of those who’ve been impacted.

In a new piece, Refinery29 did just that. The article shares the stories of Americans who’ve lost the $600 boost, including responses collected by DFP’s CARES Act Bot. Read it here!


DFP in Vox: Voters Are Concerned About DeJoy’s USPS Cutbacks
The Trump Administration is continuing its attempts to weaken the Post Office, and our polling continues to find that these moves are highly unpopular. In new polling released by Vox, we show that a clear majority of voters — 65 percent — say they’re either “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about President Trump and Postmaster General Louis Dejoy’s efforts to disrupt vote-by-mail.



Despite DeJoy’s USPS cutbacks and President Trump’s attacks on mail-in-voting, a majority of voters (52 percent) still view vote-by-mail as highly trustworthy. That said, it appears that Trump and DeJoy have been successful at convincing much of the Republican base to distrust mail-in-voting. A majority of Republicans (62 percent) responded that vote-by-mail would lead to “widespread voter fraud and therefore should be restricted.”




Voters Want to Cancel Fossil Fuels
We released a slew of new climate polls, and they show that voters want the next administration to refuse fossil fuel money and keep fossil fuel lobbyists out of executive branch positions.

Specifically, we find that:

• 44 percent of voters would be more likely to vote for a candidate that refuses money from the fossil fuel industry, while only 11 percent would be less likely to vote for that candidate.

• A strong plurality of voters say they oppose having fossil fuel lobbyists and representatives in executive branch positions (27 percent support, 49 percent opposed). This includes a plurality of independents and Republicans.
   

Data Bytes

• Memo: A Path to Non-Police Enforcement of Civil Traffic Violations: The traffic stop is the most common type of police encounter in the U.S., according to the Justice Department. And research shows that these stops disproportionately target people of color. If we could instead enforce traffic violations with a non-police agency, it could radically reduce civilian encounters with the police without sacrificing public safety.
  
  That’s what we argue for in a new memo. In the report, we explain how we can prohibit police officers from enforcing traffic laws, and transfer that responsibility to a different agency. Alternatively, we can transfer traffic enforcement to automated cameras.
  
  Our polling finds that the public is on board with this idea: 51 percent support moving most traffic enforcement to traffic cameras and non-police agencies.
  
  
   

• Some NBA Owners’ Rhetoric is Contradicted by Donations: The NBA’s comeback has been an absolute thrill. I mean, did you see those game-winning three-pointers from Luka Doncic and OG Anunoby? But while the players are sporting Black Lives Matter-themed jerseys, a new DFP analysis finds that many NBA owners — including some who have used social justice rhetoric — have a troubling history of donations to conservative causes.
  
  For example, Chicago Bulls majority owner Jerry Reinsdorf gave $2,800 to the congressional campaign of Republican Sean Parnell, who has been actively hostile to social justice outcomes — despite the Bulls organization’s release of statements in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
  
  
  
  Our analysis finds that nine NBA majority owners have contributed to Republican super PACs, PACs, campaigns, and committees.

 

From The Blog
Black Athletes are Striking and Voters Support Them
Some NBA Owners’ Rhetoric is Contradicted by Donations
Voters Want to Cancel Fossil Fuels
DFP Coronavirus Response Tracking Poll Week 21
Voters Want to Protect U.S. Postal Service Standards


Memos
Memo: Likely Democratic Primary Voters in Delaware Support the Progressive Agenda
Memo: From Crisis Response to Harm Prevention - The Role of Integrated Service Facilities
Memo: Voters Want to Cancel Fossil Fuels
Memo: Voters Demand Protection and Funding for the USPS
Memo: Racism is a Public Health Crisis. Here’s How to Respond.


Media Hits
Return To Sender: 56% Want USPS Postmaster DeJoy To Resign @Forbes
What It’s Like To Lose $600: Real Stories From People Surviving On Unemployment @Refinery29
American voters support the post office. Their views on mail-in voting are more complicated. @Vox
To fight climate change, strand fossil fuel assets, not workers @The Hill
145 Progressive Groups Urge Biden to Shun Fossil Fuel Execs and Lobbyists @EcoWatch
Democrats are running on the most progressive police reform agenda in modern American history @Vox


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