Bold Action Starts In The States
By Texas State Senator César Blanco, Mississippi State Senator Angela Turner-Ford, and Colorado State Senator Faith Winter
As eyes are fixed on Washington DC, much of the policy that shapes Americans’ daily lives is actually decided in their state houses. In 2021, state lawmakers must take bold action to respond to the compounding crises of this moment and strengthen our future in ways that will benefit all Americans. That’s why we, along with lawmakers across the country, came together to build the America’s Goals 2021 Policy Agenda. It provides an action plan for state lawmakers in this urgent moment to improve all people’s lives while building a more healthy, prosperous, and sustainable future.
Based on Future Now’s America’s Goals policy library, a nonpartisan resource with model policies and research from legislation around the country, every policy in this agenda has broad public support, includes a way of paying for itself, and will tangibly improve people’s lives. Data For Progress has previously polled several of the selected policies and found that the support from voters across the political spectrum is often overwhelming.
For example, as we address the pressing needs of our communities due to the pandemic, lawmakers can act to ensure no one is served a surprise bill for live-saving care. In Texas, we advanced quality, affordable healthcare through Ending Surprise Medical Billing. And we’re not alone: 72 percent of Americans support this measure.
Further, our economy can’t reach its full potential without full participation. With women’s participation in the labor force at a historic low, we must act to help women have a fair shot when they re-enter the workforce. In Colorado, we have acted to end a cycle of unfair wages by Blocking Employers from Demanding Salary History from applicants— which 69% of voters support. Equal opportunity for all starts in the states.
In Mississippi, our communities recently faced nearly a month under a boil-water notice as a result of extreme weather. The America’s Goals 2021 Policy Agenda also addresses how states can plan and pay for resilient infrastructure for a sustainable future.
As state lawmakers, we must address the most urgent needs of our states while also looking forward to improving lives for all in the future. The America’s Goals 2021 Policy Agenda helps to do just that.
Senator César Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) is a veteran and a Future Now Fellow who represents Texas SD-29. He is working to advance quality education and sustainable infrastructure in his state.
Senator Angela Turner-Ford (@aturnerford16) is an America's Goals 2021 Participant who represents Mississippi SD-16. She is a champion of equal opportunity and has fought for quality, affordable healthcare in her state.
Senator Faith Winter (@FaithWinterCO) is an America's Goals 2021 Co-Chair and Future Now Fellow who represents Colorado SD-24. She is a long-time advocate for women and recently fought to make paid family leave a reality in her state.