February 2019 in #FightingForFamilies, Family Economic Security, Paid Family and Medical Leave
By Jessie Ulibarri, Executive Director of the State Innovation Exchange While many pundits and politicos have been focused on Washington this week, we at the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) are focused on the progressive legislators who are fast at work in state capitols advancing legislation to improve the lives of working families. That is why […]
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February 2019 in Fighting for Families, Paid Family and Medical Leave
By Ellen Bravo and Vicki Shabo Ellen Bravo is a co-founder and director of Family Values @ Work, a network of broad coalitions working for—and winning—policies such as paid sick days and family leave insurance. Vicki Shabo is vice president for workplace policies and strategies at the National Partnership for Women & Families. When the Family […]
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February 2019 in #FightingForFamilies, Family Economic Security
Recent polls coordinated by SiX in states across the country show that state policies that will help families thrive are overwhelmingly popular. SiX tested support for policies that would ensure equal pay, overtime pay, paid sick leave, paid family leave and childcare funding in North Carolina, Maine, Washington, Arizona, Virginia, Maryland and Colorado. Those opposed? […]
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February 2019 in #FightingForFamilies, Labor
By: AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler In her response to President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night, Stacey Abrams encapsulated the sentiment of our current times when she said, “Under the current administration, hard-working Americans are falling behind, living paycheck to paycheck, most without labor unions to protect them from even worse harm.” […]
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in #FightingForFamilies, #MeToo, Workplace Policies
By Andrea Johnson, Senior Counsel for State Policy, National Women’s Law Center When #MeToo went viral in October 2017, there was a scramble by state and federal lawmakers to meet the bravery of the survivors coming forward and enact meaningful, substantive policy reforms to stop and prevent sexual harassment. Our phones at the National Women’s […]
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February 2019 in
By: Victoria Torres, 1 in 3 Campaign Activist with Advocates for Youth Victoria Torres, 21, is 1 in 3 Campaign activist with Advocates for Youth, a national organization dedicated to uplifting policies and programs that allow young people to make the best decisions about their own reproductive and sexual health. As a peer wellness educator and […]
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in #FightingForFamilies, Equal Pay
By Kim Churches, the chief executive officer of the American Association of University Women. We’ve been hearing the same grim story about the gender pay gap for far too long: Working women take home, on average, 20 percent less than working men—and the gap is even wider for women of color. While the median annual […]
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January 2019 in Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council, Reproductive Rights
The Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council is the only national, cross-state cohort of pro-choice state legislators in the country, with 326 members from 46 states. The RFLC is a project of State Innovation Exchange (SiX). The 46th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision Roe v. Wade comes at a critical time in our […]
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December 2018 in #FightingForFamilies, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Working Families
The annual SiX #FightingForFamiliesWeek of Action is a national, coordinated effort to highlight the work of progressive state legislators to create an economy that works for all, not just the wealthy few. The next Week of Action will be February 4-8, 2019. WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN Join a national movement to highlight the work of […]
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September 2018 in #MeToo, Reproductive Rights, Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following yesterday’s powerful testimony from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and with action by the U.S. Senate on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court imminent, the State Innovation Exchange (SiX), issued the following statement: “We believe survivors, stand with Dr. Ford, and join millions of Americans in opposing […]
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September 2018 in
Published in The State September 14, 2018. See the original post here. As Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings wrap up and Roe v. Wade remains at risk, my colleagues and I in state legislatures across the country have our work cut out for us in defending the rights and reproductive health care for women and families. […]
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August 2018 in Economy, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Paid Sick Days, Workers' Rights, Working Families
By: Michelle Sternthal, Senior Domestic Policy Advisor, Oxfam America Popular rhetoric in the U.S. pits workers against businesses. How often does one hear, “Worker protections saddle businesses and stall the economy! Increasing the minimum wage will scare away businesses! Regulations kill jobs!” In so many policy conversations, we are told that labor laws must be […]
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August 2018 in Brett Kavanaugh, Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council, Reproductive Rights, Supreme Court
The reality is chilling: if conservatives have their way, the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision could be overturned and the legal status of abortion could be decided state by state, leaving millions of women to cross state lines in order to access legal abortion care. The risk of the Supreme Court of the United States […]
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June 2018 in Conversion Therapy, Fecteau, Maine, Ryan Fecteau
To honor and acknowledge June as LGBT Pride Month, SiX is highlighting the work and leadership on issues affecting LGBT communities with a Member Spotlight of Rep. Ryan Fecteau from Maine. Across the country, state legislators are introducing bans on the practice of so-called “conversion therapy” which seeks to change a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation. Rep. […]
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June 2018 in Legislator Spotlight, Student Debt, Virginia
Del. Price represents the 95th legislative district in the Virginia House of Delegates, covering parts of the cities of Newport News and Hampton. SiX spoke to her about her work helping Virginians address student loan debt. Why is combatting the student debt crisis an important issue to you? Everyone brings their life experiences with them to their work as […]
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April 2018 in #MeToo, Legislator Spotlight, Pennsylvania, Sexual Harassment
Rep. Krueger-Braneky represents the 161st legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. SiX spoke to her about her work to combat sexual harassment. – Why is addressing sexual harassment and assault an important issue to you? As more reports of sexual harassment have come to light, it’s become clear that our current system does not […]
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February 2018 in Arizona, Colorado, correction facility
Arizona State Representative Athena Salman is making global news with her efforts to secure access to an unlimited, free supply of feminine hygiene products for the state’s incarcerated women, who are currently limited to 12 sanitary pads per month. Rep. Salman’s work on this was inspired in part by similar efforts in Colorado in 2017, […]
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February 2018 in New Jersey, Reproductive Rights
By New Jersey Sen. Loretta Weinberg The resistance is alive in the Garden State. Just a few weeks into 2018, we in New Jersey are already reversing eight years of setbacks to reproductive rights and health that former Gov. Chris Christie so outrageously spearheaded. New Jersey was one of two states, along with Washington, that […]
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February 2018 in #FightingForFamilies, Center for Reproductive Rights, Contraception, CRR, Week of Action
By Agata Pelka The ability to plan, time, and space children is inextricably linked with economic opportunity, stability, and security for women and families. This is no surprise to the majority of women who report using contraception as a means to complete their education, keep or get a job, and to support themselves and their […]
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in #FightingForFamilies, Michigan, Retirement Security
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Michigan Rep. Jon Hoadley (D-Kalamazoo), wrote a guest blog on the importance of supporting our country’s aging population by improving access to long-term care for seniors and ensuring caregivers are paid fair wages. By Michigan Rep. Jon Hoadley By 2030, Michigan’s senior population will double, meaning that in just over […]
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February 2018 in #FightingForFamilies, AFLCIO, Unions, Week of Action
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Liz Shuler, the Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO wrote a guest blog about the importance of women in the labor movement, and how labor unions are helping advance policies at the state level that support working families. By Liz Shuler Women in the workplace have made […]
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in #FightingForFamilies, #MeToo, NWLC, Sexual Harassment, Week of Action
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Andrea Johnson, the Senior Counsel for State Policy at the National Women’s Law Center, wrote a guest blog about how legislators can fight for systemic, structural changes in our workplaces to alleviate the gender power imbalances that have allowed sexual harassment to persist. By Andrea Johnson From the moment it was announced that the National […]
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February 2018 in #FightingForFamilies, CBPP, Tax Cuts, Week of Action
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Erica Williams, the Director of State Policy Initiatives with the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, wrote a guest blog emphasizing how state governments can move away from tax cuts for the wealthy, and raise and spend tax revenue in ways that profoundly affect families and communities. By Erica Williams Choices states make about investing […]
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in #FightingForFamilies, AAUW, Equal Pay, Week of Action
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Kim Churches, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of University Women wrote a guest blog about the importance of fighting for equal pay for all women coast-to-coast. By Kim Churches Women and families are hurt by the gender pay gap. Taking home 13 percent, 20 percent, 37 percent, 41 percent, 43 percent, or 46 percent less than a colleague […]
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February 2018 in #FightingForFamilies, Infrastructure, Millions of Jobs Coalition, State Innovation Exchange, Week of Action
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Tate Hausman, the Executive Director of the Millions of Jobs Coalition, wrote a guest blog on the importance of public infrastructure investment that doesn’t rely on private investment or place an undue burden on state and local governments. By Tate Hausman It’s no secret – America’s infrastructure is failing. The crumbling state of our infrastructure earned it […]
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in #FightingForFamilies, Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, AROS, Education, Week of Action
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Lyn Hoyt, State Alliance Coordinator for the Tennessee Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools, wrote a guest blog on the importance of investing and supporting K-12 public schools and advancing local efforts supporting community schools in Tennessee and nationwide. By Lyn Hoyt Public schools are the vehicle through which we guarantee all children a free education from kindergarten through 12th grade. In our collective […]
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February 2018 in #FightingForFamilies, FMLA, National Partnership for Women and Families, NPWF, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Vicki Shabo, Week of Action
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Vicki Shabo, the vice president for workplace policies and strategies at the National Partnership for Women & Families, wrote a guest blog commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and explaining the importance of fighting for a real national paid family and medical leave plan that doesn’t leave anyone behind. […]
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January 2018 in
The State Innovation Exchange (SiX) thanks North Carolina Representatives Deb Butler, Joe John, Mary Belk, Cynthia Ball, and Chaz Beasley and Senators Jay Chaudhuri and Jeff Jackson for standing up for working families in North Carolina by fighting for affordable childcare and early education, equal pay for equal work, and access to job and vocational […]
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January 2018 in Executive Director, Nick Rathod, SiX, State Innovation Exchange
As we gear up for a new year and our state legislative work gets underway, I wanted to give you some exciting news about our work as well as changes at SiX. Four years ago, I was hired to build an organization to support progressive state legislators across the country. This critical infrastructure has eluded […]
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January 2018 in Fighting for Families, SiX, State Innovation Exchange, Week of Action
Between February 5 and 9, 2018, the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) is proud to host our 2nd annual #FightingForFamilies Week of Action. We host this special week each year to shine a light on policy solutions progressive legislators are advancing at the state level to build an economy that works for all of us, not […]
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November 2017 in coverage, Get America Covered, health insurance, Open enrollment
By: Emily Barson, Get America Covered The deadline to sign up for health insurance is December 15 in most states—just a month away. With new deadlines and a lot of misinformation out there, we need your help to get the word out about open enrollment. Take Action! This year, the federal government is not interested in […]
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November 2017 in Bump stock, guns, Massachusetts, SiX, SiX Action
By: Representative David P. Linsky, D-Massachusetts Last week, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to ban bump stock and trigger crank devices after the Las Vegas tragedy. Following the tragedy in Las Vegas, in which bump stocks were used to murder 58 innocent people and wound hundreds more, I reviewed the Massachusetts General […]
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October 2017 in
The State Innovation Exchange (SiX) is pleased to announce its continued growth this fall with the addition of eight new staff members, including Neha Patel as Chief Development and Strategy Officer and Victoria Simarano as National Legislative Director, positions that will help SiX deepen our ability to advance progressive policies in the states. SiX is also […]
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October 2017 in georgia, pay equity, pay gap
By: Representative Park Cannon, Georgia I grew up in a single parent home shaped by domestic violence. My mother worked as a pharmaceutical representative to keep us fed. We needed every penny she earned so that we could stay afloat. Many Georgia families know what it’s like to grow up struggling. They understand hardships. They […]
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August 2017 in Leigh Warren, Nick Rathod, State Innovation Exchange
SiX is thrilled to announce the hiring of Leigh Warren to serve as our Chief Operating Officer, marking the first time the organization will have a senior staff member fully dedicated to overseeing our human resources, finance and compliance, and IT functions. As SiX enters an important period of growth and expansion, Warren will be critical to […]
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July 2017 in Kelly Baden, Nick Rathod, Reproductive Rights, State Innovation Exchange
This week, SiX is excited to announce a new program—led by state policy and advocacy expert Kelly Baden—that will expand our capacity to help legislators advance and defend policies that safeguard reproductive rights at the state level. As SiX’s first-ever Director of Reproductive Rights, Baden will work to fully integrate this critical issue into the work of the organization and its […]
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July 2017 in Communications, Karyn Bruggeman, Katy Fleury, Nick Rathod, Progressive, State Innovation Exchange
As part of our ongoing work to support state lawmakers who are fighting to advance and defend progressive policies all across the country, SiX is thrilled to announce an expansion of our communications shop—with the addition of Press Secretary Karyn Bruggeman and Deputy Director for State Communications Katy Fleury. Karyn Bruggeman, who is based in our Washington, D.C. office […]
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March 2017 in Climate Change
By: Vien Truong, National Director of Green For All As the head of Green For All, I travel the country working with grassroots leaders and state electeds to craft policies that prioritize families and workers living in the most polluted cities in America. My heart breaks every time I hear about another Flint or Standing […]
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February 2017 in cyberbullying, Digital citizenship, digital footprints, media literacy, privacy
JR Starrett is a Senior Director of National Advocacy for Common Sense Kids Action Kids and teens today are using the immense power of digital media to explore, connect, create, and learn in ways never before imagined. With this power, young people have extraordinary opportunities, and yet they face potential pitfalls, too. Meanwhile, schools are […]
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January 2017 in ALEC, Eric Holder, Gerrymandering, Nick Rathod, Progressive, Redistricting, SiX, State Innovation Exchange, State Policy, State Politics
We marched. Now what? In states across the country, SiX is already on the front lines of the fight to protect the progress made over the last eight years. But we need your help. This video explains what SiX is doing and why it matters. Want to help us spread the word? Share this video with your friends, family, […]
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December 2016 in Donald Trump, Nick Rathod, NPR, Progressive, State Innovation Exchange
In a recent interview with National Public Radio, SiX Executive Director Nick Rathod sat down to discuss SiX’s work and how state lawmakers can lead the progressive resistance to President-elect Trump and his conservative allies in Congress. “Let’s have some debates about policies and see where things shake out,” said Rathod during the interview. “I […]
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December 2016 in Clean Energy, Climate Change, Climate Justice, Colorado, Conservation Colorado, Denver, Environment, NRDC, Sierra Club, State Innovation Exchange
In partnership with Conservation Colorado, Sierra Club, NRDC, and other environmental groups, SiX brought together 40 Western state legislators for a day-long Regional Climate Academy in Denver, Colorado. During the academy, legislators had the opportunity to network with other state lawmakers in their region, learn more about effective communications and targeted messaging, and expand their knowledge around climate […]
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December 2016 in Donald Trump, Joy Reid, Moral Monday, MSNBC, Nick Rathod, North Carolina, Progressive, Rev. Barber, State Innovation Exchange
SiX Executive Director Nick Rathod recently appeared on AM Joy on MSNBC to discuss the North Carolina governor’s race, Rev. Barber’s Moral Monday movement, and how progressives can resist President-elect Trump’s agenda by organizing at the state and local level. “You can win back people’s hearts and minds by focusing and being where they are,” said Rathod during the segment. […]
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December 2016 in 2016 SiX Conference, Cory Booker, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Elizabeth Warren, Eric Holder, Nancy Pelosi, Progressive, Rev. Barber, State Innovation Exchange
From December 4-6, 2016, SiX hosted its national legislator conference in Washington, D.C. – bringing together more than 400 state lawmakers from across the nation. The conference was the first major gathering of state legislators, members of Congress, and progressive movement leaders since the 2016 election. Attendees discussed how to advance a positive vision of progressive […]
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December 2016 in Mandela Barnes, Margaret Ann Morgan, Mississippi, POLITICO, State Innovation Exchange, Wisconsin
As the SiX staff continues to grow, we are thrilled to announce two new members of the team: Press Secretary Margaret Ann Morgan and Deputy Director of Strategic Engagement Mandela Barnes. Barnes most recently served in the Wisconsin State Assembly. During his tenure there, he authored legislation to protect voting rights, provide small businesses with […]
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November 2016 in Donald Trump, Kansas, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Nick Rathod, North Carolina, Progressive, State Innovation Exchange, State Legislation, Washington Post, Wisconsin
In her latest column for the Washington Post, Katrina vanden Heuvel – editor and publisher of The Nation – called on progressives to take their fight to the states, with a Trump presidency looming. “A state-based strategy also represents the best and perhaps only opportunity to advance progressive policy goals in the near term,” vanden […]
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November 2016 in Nick Rathod, Resources, State Innovation Exchange
As the State Innovation Exchange’s executive director, I want to be the first to welcome you to SiX’s brand-new website!
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October 2016 in Arriana Belkin, Karen Moldovan, Nick Rathod, Progressive, State Innovation Exchange, Vanessa Harmoush
When three groups merged in late 2014 to form the State Innovation Exchange (SiX), the purpose of this consolidation was clear: we wanted to build an organization that was uniquely positioned to help legislators drive a progressive agenda forward in states across the country. And that’s exactly what we are doing. Today, SiX supports a […]
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July 2016 in 2016 Session, Climate Change, Conservative, Criminal Justice Reform, Education, Election Reform, Equal Pay, Health, Immigration, LGBTQ, Minimum Wage, Paid Family and Medical Leave, Paid Sick Days, Politics, Preemption, Progressive, Reports, Reproductive Rights, Retirement Security, Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights, State Innovation Exchange, State Legislation, Voting Rights, Wage Theft, Working Families
As we look back at 2016 legislative activity in statehouses across the country, and as partisan gridlock in Washington keeps Congress at a standstill, it’s clear the most important policy fights have shifted to the states. This year, progressives and conservatives continued to battle at the state level over laws that will impact our lives […]
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