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Six from SiX is your monthly dose of state news that otherwise didn't make it to your inbox.
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Austerity is Racist and Economically Destabilizing
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on just about every aspect of our lives and it has impacted people of color more significantly in every single way. As more people get vaccinated and states consider how to safely return to normalcy, many people, particularly people of color, women, and people with disabilities are struggling to get by. State legislators can make robust, sustained, and equitable public investment at state and local levels to get out of these crises and build a resilient economy that works for everyone, instead of the wealthy few. People-centered spending—to restore and expand social services, revitalize key infrastructure, and build public power—is a matter of strategic investment to build a more just and equitable future. The answer is obvious.
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Reimagining Public Safety
The police don’t keep everyone safe. We need a new approach to public safety that truly protects everyone from harm. Since the murder of George Floyd, 30 states have passed more than 140 new laws related to public safety, but we know from the continued murders and violence inflicted on Black and brown people that this is not enough. Each murder of yet another Black person by the police shows we need to transform our approach to public safety. In the words of the Movement for Black Lives, “There is no ‘reforming’ this system—the time is now to divest from deadly policing and invest in a vision of public safety that protects us all.” If you’re a state legislator looking for ways to reimagine public safety, check out our resources.
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Washington State Passes Capital Gains Tax
Washington legislators adjourned this month, closing out a legislative session that included a number of progressive policies, including banning dangerous law enforcement tactics like no-knock warrants and chokeholds, a fully funded state Earned Income Tax Credit, criminal justice advancements, and significant environmental standards. Among the big-ticket items to pass this session was a capital gains tax, which will fund approximately $500 million for public schools, childcare, and early learning initiatives.
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Oklahoma’s College Savings Account Program a Success
A new study outlines the positive impacts for families, particularly lower-income families, of starting college savings accounts at birth. The new study of Oklahoma’s SEED program indicates that not only are children with college savings accounts more likely to enroll in higher education because they have the funds available, but because their attitudes about higher education are impacted as well.
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North Dakota Includes Native American History in Schools
North Dakota passed a bill that requires public schools to teach Native American history, culture, and treaty rights. It was originally written to require a four-week course, but an amended version weaves the curriculum throughout the year. The bill is sponsored by Representative Ruth Buffalo of the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation. The bill was signed into law this week.
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California Lawmakers Consider Free Banking Services
From overdraft fees to minimum balances, banking can be expensive, particularly for low-wage workers. But a bill in California would establish a program to offer universal banking, the first in the nation. The program, which would be in direct competition with private banks, would offer no-fee debit cards, options for direct deposit, and access to other services like ATMs and electronic bill payments.
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Good Agriculture Policy is Good Climate Policy
Last week was Earth Week and our message was clear: good agriculture policy is good climate policy. Regenerative agriculture and healthy soil practices have long been employed by Black and Indigenous communities—state lawmakers can use this knowledge to pass agriculture policy that’s critical to protecting our climate. Don’t know much about regenerative agriculture and soil health? Here’s an easy primer.
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Kentucky Expands Voting Rights
A bipartisan effort to expand voting rights in Kentucky was signed into law this week. The new provisions offer three days of early voting, new voting centers, an online registration and ballot request portal, and the opportunity for voters to fix issues with absentee ballots. But Kentucky’s voting laws remain incredibly restrictive—much work remains.
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State Lawmakers Champion Black Maternal Health
Black Maternal Health Week was earlier this month, and while the dedicated week helped to focus on this crucial issue, these state legislators are fighting for better Black maternal health outcomes every day under the dome. From access to doulas, equity commissions, and bias training for medical professionals, the policies these legislators are fighting for will make a huge difference to Black mothers in their states.
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