Six from SiX is your monthly dose of state news that otherwise didn't make it to your inbox.  

View this email in your browser ([link removed])


** New York Lawmakers Extend Eviction Moratorium
------------------------------------------------------------
The Supreme Court ended the federal eviction moratorium issued by the CDC and now there are over 2.1 million renters ([link removed]) living in areas with no state or local protections who are at risk of being evicted in the coming weeks. 13 states and Washington, D.C., have eviction moratoriums that protect at least some renters, according to this Covid-19 U.S. State Policy database ([link removed]) . New York legislators convened a special session ([link removed]) to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through January 15th, 2022, and strengthen rental assistance programs.


** Illinois Lawmakers Respond to Mental Health Concerns
------------------------------------------------------------
The stress and isolation of the pandemic have brought mental health concerns to the forefront, and Illinois lawmakers are taking action. New legislation ([link removed]) signed into law in Illinois would expand coverage of mental health services, ensure coordination of mental health services in emergency response systems, and allow students to take up to five mental health days ([link removed]) off from school.


** States Take the Lead on Climate and Labor Justice
------------------------------------------------------------
A new investigation ([link removed]) finds that in the last decade, at least 384 food and farm workers have died of heat exposure in the U.S.. In the absence of federal action to update worker safety protections that include heat standards and the increasing threats of climate-related heat disasters, state lawmakers in states like Washington, Oregon, Maryland, and Virginia are taking ([link removed]) steps to prevent heat exposure-related deaths and illnesses.


** New Jersey Passes Renewable Energy Infrastructure Legislation
------------------------------------------------------------
Hurricane Ida brought deadly flooding and winds to parts of the country last week, showing the urgent need for action on climate change. Just a few weeks prior to the devastating flooding in the state, New Jersey legislators enacted the Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program ([link removed]) to invest in water conservation, stormwater management, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and flood and hurricane mitigation.


** Transportation Equity Moves Forward in Illinois
------------------------------------------------------------
The governor of Illinois signed a bill ([link removed]) to develop a statewide multimodal transportation improvement program that includes reducing emissions, increasing resilience to climate change, and reducing transportation system disparities for racially marginalized communities, low-income consumers, and other disadvantaged groups. Check out SiX’s resource for state legislators on transportation equity. ([link removed])


** More Stimulus Checks on the Way in Some, But Not Enough, States
------------------------------------------------------------
Federal unemployment benefits ended this week ([link removed]) , although states can use stimulus funding to extend their own programs. Some residents of California and Maryland can count on stimulus checks authorized by state lawmakers. ([link removed]) In Florida and Texas, some teachers can expect bonuses at the start of the school year. Other states that have provided some cash assistance to residents include Colorado, New Mexico, and Vermont.


** Meet the Black Women Driving New Ag Policy
------------------------------------------------------------

Across the country, Black women legislators are driving an equity-focused approach to state agricultural policy. Meet some of the lawmakers ([link removed]) that are fighting to provide support to marginalized farmers, restore soil health, and combat food insecurity in their states.


** Conservative State Lawmakers Continue Attacks on Native American Voters
------------------------------------------------------------
In states with significant Native populations, conservative lawmakers have aimed attacks specifically at Native American voters. While a federal standard for voting rights continues to stall in Congress, lawmakers in states like Arizona and Montana ([link removed]) have already made it more difficult for Native Americans to vote. Questions about how to protect the right to vote in your state? Reach out to the SiX Democracy Team (mailto:[email protected]) with any questions or concerns.


** Make Your Voice Heard to Protect Abortion Rights
------------------------------------------------------------
The Supreme Court just allowed Texas's six-week abortion ban ([link removed]) to take effect and they're scheduled to hear oral arguments on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health (a case directly challenging Roe v. Wade) later this year. SiX is working with a law firm and the litigators at the Center for Reproductive Rights to file a state legislator brief sharing the perspective of hundreds of state legislators that the Supreme Court must maintain 50 years of precedent and uphold the central tenet of Roe v. Wade. State legislators' voices must be heard in this case. Legislators, sign on ([link removed]) and share with your colleagues by September 15.

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** YouTube ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** stateinnovation.org ([link removed])

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.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.