SiX Kicks Off #FightingForFamilies Week of Action Feb. 5 – 9, 2018

Progressive legislators in all 50 states will take part in the #FightingForFamilies Week of Action to showcase progressive priorities in state capitals. 

DENVER, CO – This week, in clear contrast with the conservative and Trump administration agenda, legislators and advocates across all 50 states will be taking part in the State Innovation Exchange’s second annual #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, an effort to highlight progressive policy solutions that address the real concerns legislators hear from their constituents every day.

In 2017, Trump and conservatives across the country embraced divisive attacks on immigrants and minority groups, a rollback of civil rights and democratic norms, an aggressive effort to strip health care from millions of Americans, and a tax bill that showers the wealthy and big corporations with handouts on the backs of working families. We heard more of the same in President Trump’s State of the Union address last week.

But over the past year, Americans have made their voices heard in elections across the country, showing that they want real solutions for working people, not empty talk coupled with giveaways to wealthy corporations. During the #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, legislators are speaking to that desire, holding rallies, press conferences, tele-town halls, and online forums showcasing their efforts to advance policies that promote opportunity and fairness and create economic security for American families by raising incomes and creating good jobs.

What does it mean, exactly, to be #FightingForFamilies?

• #FightingForFamilies means fighting to create good jobs that can support a family and ensure working families have the education and skills they need for the jobs of the future. Just last week, legislators in New Mexico made progress on expanding funding for universal pre-K.
• It means fighting to boost family paychecks by supporting policies that raise the incomes of working Americans, and ensure women earn equal pay for equal work. On Friday, Oklahoma Rep. Collin Walke took a proactive step to raise the state minimum wage.
• It also means fighting to level the playing field by supporting businesses that respect working people— including fighting against wage theft and protecting the freedom of Americans’ to join together in union and negotiate for a fair return on their work. In Illinois, Rep. Emanuel Welch is working to advance a measure that would protect workers from wage theft.

In 2018, progressives are also fighting for quality, affordable health care for all American families, because families should be able to care for their health needs without fear of financial ruin, losing their paycheck, or losing their job. This week, Colorado Rep. Faith Winter and Colorado progressives are working to advance an expanded paid leave program for Colorado families.
The 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action is also timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) on Monday, February 5, 2018. The FMLA ensures that millions of Americans can access up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a newborn baby, to deal with personal illness, or to help a sick family member. Since its passage, five states and Washington, D.C. have expanded on the FMLA to offer fairer, more comprehensive paid leave to all working people. In honor of #FMLA25, SiX is proud to support legislators who are committed to expanding strong, meaningful paid leave policies at the state level in 2018.

#FightingForFamilies sponsor organizations include: Center for American Progress, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Women’s Law Center, Women Employed, Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO, Local Progress, Health Care Voter, Town Hall Project, Indivisible, Center for Reproductive Rights, 9to5, A Better Balance, American Association for University Women, The Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, Caring Across Generations, EARN, Economic Policy Institute, Family Values @ Work, The Center for Popular Democracy, Raise the Floor, National Institute for Reproductive Health, Progress Ohio, NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, Arizona Coalition for Change, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and Michigan United.