From the Dispatch

Solar Energy Continues to Make Its Case - Now as a Job Creator

Fabiola Carrion — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:27:11 -0800

With more people worried about job security and the economy, state policy leaders and several corporations are making the case for renewable energy legislation as a job creator.

Solar energy creates and retains jobs, including those in the manufacturing industry. Texas business leaders noted in a recent report, Lone Star Power: How Texas Businesses Can Supply the World with Solar Energy, one of the great advantages of solar plants is the large number of components that are involved in installing solar power systems.

State Policymakers Need to Respond to Growing Clout of Latino Voters Nationwide

Suman Raghunathan — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:19:43 -0800

A recent report from the advocacy group America’s Voice highlighted the growing power of Latino voters in the upcoming 2010 elections. Latino voters played a critical role in 2008 to propel President Obama to victory in several key swing states that previously trended Republican, including Virginia. Latino voter registration and turnout rates have exploded over the past few years: roughly 10 million voted in the 2008 Presidential election alone, a 2.5 million increase from 2004 and 4 million person increase since 2000. Latino voter registration grew by over 54% between 2000 and 2008, and turnout grew 64% over the same time period.

Job Creation and State Fiscal Relief Resolutions Moving in the States

Altaf Rahamatulla — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:12:03 -0800

In the State of the Union speech, President Barack Obama stated, "...jobs must be our number-one focus in 2010, and that's why I'm calling for a new jobs bill." With the fiscal crisis forcing states to layoff hundreds of thousands of teachers, nurses and police officers, the need for more federal job creation and state fiscal relief support is clear. And there is substantial momentum building around this issue in the states.

State Job Creation Strategies Part I: Finding the Money and Investing in Human Capital and Physical Infrastructure

Nathan Newman — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:59:28 -0800

As this Dispatch will highlight, the first step is to fund jobs that support long-term economic competitiveness, notably by investing in people and physical infrastructure. While the economic climate for profit-making business opportunities is more limited, investments in education, health care, transit and energy efficiency can create immediate jobs while strengthening building blocks for long-term growth.

Focus on Jobs: The Next Step in National Economic Recovery and State Fiscal Relief

Altaf Rahamatulla — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:01:45 -0800

On Tuesday, December 8th, President Barack Obama delivered an address to the Brookings Institution on the need for increased focus on the job crisis that is affecting so many working families across the country.

Green Jobs Programs to Drive Economic Recovery

PSN — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:06:04 -0700

This Dispatch will focus on the long-term investments and policies that will be central to the creation of good jobs in a 21st century green economy.

Assuring Accountability and Equity in Recovery Spending

Nathan Newman — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:20:48 -0700

In this Dispatch, we emphasize that any stimulus spending has to be tied to increased accountability and transparency in spending decisions, especially by government contractors who often operate like a shadow government with little oversight. One key reality is that those most in need often don't receive help from government spending without transparency and accountability measures built into the rules. While the recent federal recovery plan made real strides in expanding such accountability, additional measures are still needed if the recovery plan is going to deliver real equity in our economic recovery.

Washington State Legislature Passes Legislation Aimed at Increasing both Access and Adoption of Broadband

PSN — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:10:00 -0700

With the passage of HB 1701 the Washington State legislature once again demonstrated its understandingthat when combating the digital divide states must not just addressaccess issues, but must also focus on dealing with the barriers to broadband adoption by individuals.

New PSN Report: The Anti-Immigrant Movement that Failed

Nathan Newman — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:28:00 -0700

Today, the Progressive States Network is releasing a new report: The Anti-Immigrant Movement that Failed: Positive Integration Policies by States Still Far Outweigh Punitive Policies Aimed at New Immigrants. The Executive Summary is available online, as well as the full report in PDF and HTML format.

Averting Layoffs and Revitalizing the Manufacturing Economy: Lessons from the Great Lakes States

Nathan Newman — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:00:17 -0700

As the country enters into a recession and suffers increasing job losses, the Great Lakes Region is facing a particularly acute crisis. Literally millions of decent-paying manufacturing jobs have disappeared from the region in recent years. How regional political leaders are responding to that crisis provides lessons for state policymakers across the country.