Microenterprise Development
Microenterprise offers a unique opportunity for low-wage workers, especially women and minorities, to increase their income. This model legislation proposes new funding to support technical assistance for budding micro-entrepreneurs.
 

UI – Alternative Base Period
The increased use of part-time and temporary employment has eroded the reach of the Unemployment Insurance program. This model legislation creates an alternative base period (ABP) that extends coverage in a way that more accurately corresponds to the contemporary job market.
 

Contingent Work
Non-standard or contingent work makes up a large and growing segment of the American job market. This "Temporary Worker Bill" of rights reinforces contingent workers' right to unemployment insurance, family medical leave and basic safety standards.
 

EITC model legislation
The Earned Income Tax Credit Act provides low-income workers with a refundable state tax credit based on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. This legislation creates a state add-on to the existing Federal EITC.
 

Absentee Early Voting
Voter turnout has declined during the past 40 years, and much of this is because millions of Americans cannot appear in-person at their polling places on Election Day. Two simple policies—no-excuse absentee voting and early voting—make it easier for these citizens to vote.

Civics in School
Between 1972 and 2002, the percentage of young people who voted in presidential elections fell to 35 percent. One way to increase early interest in politics is through a comprehensive civics education curricula for all high schools.

Ballot Initiative Reform
Wealthy special interest groups have dominated the ballot initiative process for most of the past 25 years. To limit the power of national special interest groups, states should require all persons, groups, or entities that fund ballot measure campaigns to register and provide full financial disclosure to the state in a timely, accurate manner.

 

Clean Cars
The exhaust from internal combustion engines contains many harmful by-products that are a danger to public health. States can mitigate this danger by enacting stricter emissions standards.

Building Rehabilitation Codes
The housing stock in the United States is rapidly deteriorating. The rehabilitation and reuse of old structures can both increase the supply of affordable housing and decrease energy consumption.

Green Buildings
Buildings have a huge impact on our consumption of energy and the quality of our environment. Getting energy use and pollution under control, necessitates the implementation of stricter energy efficiency standards for new and existing buildings.
 

This legislation creates an Electronic Health Records Task Force Act task force to study and develop a strategy for the adoption of state electronic health records that is consistent with emerging national standards and promotes interoperability of health information systems.

Prescription Drug Pricing
The health of Americans is threatened by skyrocketing prescription drug prices. This legislation lowers state pharmaceutical costs by using their bulk purchasing power to negotiate lower prices.