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The 19th Amendment Turns 100, but Women of Color Still Don’t Have Equal Access to the Ballot
The Constitution has, on paper, guaranteed women the right to vote for a century. But as we celebrate this landmark year, we know that millions of women, today and throughout history, have been systematically shut out of our democratic process. Today, black, brown and indigenous women face targeted attacks on their voting rights: voter purges, strict ID laws, polling place closures, and longer wait times. The good news? Leaders like Geraldine Thompson in Florida, Yadira Caraveo in Colorado, and many more are championing true democracy reforms that would help ensure voting access to all.
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Legislators Raising the Wage
On January 1st 2020, millions of Americans got a raise: minimum wages rose in 21 states. With legislatures starting their 2020 sessions all across the nation this month, several more states are working to raise the minimum wage or allow localities to do so, including Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Beyond helping low-income and working communities achieve economic stability, research suggests that increases to the minimum wage similarly decrease suicide rates --making minimum wage increases towards a livable wage all the more urgent.
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Polls Demonstrate Strong Support for Progressive Policy Solutions
Recent polls conducted for SiX in states including Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan reveal strong support for progressive policy solutions on issues ranging from health care affordability to economic justice to election security. For example, eliminating surprise medical bills, ensuring access to paid family and medical leave, and modernizing elections are consistently popular with respondents.
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Virginia Legislature Passes the Equal Rights Amendment
The Virginia House of Delegates passed a resolution to make Virginia the 38th and final necessary state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment this week. The Senate followed suit with a companion resolution. While procedural hurdles remain, this is a huge step toward ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment, which was first approved by Congress in 1972.
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Progressives Put Forward Bold Agendas as Sessions Begin
Several state legislatures begin their legislative session this month and progressives are out front with bold, progressive agendas. For example, Florida legislators presented their Sunrise Agenda, which highlights Medicaid expansion, affordable housing, and higher wages for workers. Ohio’s Black Maternal Health Caucus proposed reproductive health initiatives including increased data gathering and cultural competency training, and Indiana’s Black Caucus has plans to cut the state’s prison population. Maryland legislators introduced a series of tax measures to improve education for students while the New Hampshire House voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
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SiX’s Staying Power and Progressives Helping Progressives
SiX has had a big week in the news, and it's for all the right reasons. Check out this profile of the organization in the New Republic. Are we the ALEC of the left? No, we're better! We're also thrilled to see this coverage of the great work Local Progress is doing with local elected officials across the country, including the Progressive Governance Academy, a joint project with us and re:power.
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El Salvador Briefing
Five state legislators traveled to El Salvador with SiX to see the impact a total abortion ban has had on the country and its people. Last week, we hosted a webinar briefing to hear about their experiences and learn from their travels. If you missed the webinar, no worries! View the recording here.
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State Legislators: An Opportunity to Voice Your Support.
At the beginning of 2019, over 300 state legislators from 40 states came together to respond to the challenge that 20 states strengthen their protections against sexual harassment and violence by 2020. There’s still time to sign on. Join your colleagues here.
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