Welcome to The Gov Hub Newsletter by Girl and the Gov®. This weekly pop of politics is designed to share action items, resources, and quick links to civic engagement tools and topics to inboxes far and wide. Typos included free of charge.

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THE ACTION ITEMS

Jump right in

ACTION 1: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, South Carolina, Washington

The Ask: Tell your state legislators to ban child marriage.

The Action: If you live in one of the above states, send this pre-written digital letter to your state reps via Unchained At Last.

The Background: Unknown to many, child marriage is a huge issues across the US, with the practice still being legal in the majority of states, including California. Those married under 18, mainly young girls to older men, can’t enter a contract, can’t file for divorce or initiate another legal proceeding, can’t make medical decisions for themselves, and the practice undermines statutory rape laws. For these reasons and more, there is a growing movement for outlawing child marriage. The laws are different state by state and the change needs to happen at the state level.

ACTION 2:

The Ask: Tell the Biden Admin to declare a climate emergency.

The Action: Sign this petition and share it with a friend.

The Background: Climate change is not the future, it’s now, and we need as many resources as possible to stop the bleed. As catastrophic climate event after catastrophic climate event occurs, changes to the status quo of policy clearly need to be made, including from the top.

ACTION 3:

The Ask: Check your voter registration.

The Action: Pop on over here and share this link with the crew.

The Background: Whether you moved recently or not, it’s always key to keep on top of your voter registration. Make sure things are spick and span, and use the practice to reach out to the whole crew and make sure they know what to do to check their registration or to register in the first place.

Looking for more action items? Check our library of past Gov Hub’s.

FULL SEND…TO A FRIEND

Just about guaranteed to make it to the group chat

• So what happens when a bill gets signed? Is it law then and there or does it go through a longer waiting period than a person looking to purchase a firearm? This quick explainer from Maine Women's Lobby answers those q’s and more.

• Rafting has never gotten a better promo than this – if this is rafting, sign us up.

@pattiegonia

just a little splash at the water park with my family!!! 💦🚣‍♂️⛲️🦩🏖️🏊‍♀️ #drag #dragqueen #whitewaterrafting #rafting #outdoors #gay #queer

• The “but they’re voting against their best interest, I don't get it” head scratcher explainer everyone needs to watch, absorb, and share.

• DC’s worst kept secret that’s not a secret gets a moment in the limelight in this spiffy little number.

• All eyes are on the Iowa State Fair for political pageantry and punditry, but let’s BFFR, the Illinois State Fair Butter Cow Cam is where the real star of the show shines.

• DeSantis made a request for Chicago’s infamous Wieners Circle to move to Florida. The response from Wieners Circle will have you saying hot diggity dog.

THE DOWNLOAD

The download on an app you should download

GOODS UNITE US: We vote at the polls and we also vote with our wallets. Consumers – ya, that’s us – have more power than we often realize, with the ability to impact a company's bottom lines based on dollars spent or lack thereof. And since our dollars end up in a corporation's bank account and that money then ends up in the hands of politicians and Supreme Court justices, it’s wise to know who’s sending money to who. That is easy to do with GOODS UNITE US, an intuitive app that lets consumers see where companies are putting their money. Our fave part is the donation distribution section – oh, and the Goods Score. Download it and try it here.

BOOKMARK IT

Don’t lose the link you love; bookmark it

THE FEC GLOSSARY: Beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful for those working on a campaign for the first time or the the millionth, the FEC term glossary is a must-bookmark. Searchable, easy-to-use, and complete with quick definitions of the top terms used in the campaigning space, the glossary is the apple of our eye. And tbh, even if you’re not working on a campaign, this glossary available at the top of fec.gov is the campaign translator you didn't know you needed until now. Bookmark it.

FWD, SUBSCRIBE

Inbox musts and mentions

ECO CHIC NEWSLETTER: The Eco Chic Newsletter provides a biweekly delivery of all things sustainability. Eco Chic is the eco-conscious lifestyle podcast, covering topics from fashion and wellness to science and policy. The newsletter goes out every other Tuesday with podcast recaps, product recommendations, sustainability news, and everything you need to guide you toward a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Subscribe here!

THE THINGS WE DON’T TALK ABOUT: This newsletter from diem is eye-opening, thought provoking, and yet also cozy?! It brings to the surface the ‘things’ we typically don’t talk about – or perhaps that things we’ve been told not to talk about. It also forges connections between the ever-evolving relationship that exists between technology, gender, and power, and puts a spotlight on the questions this intersection poses. Subscribe to get the takes shared or use the essay titles to prompt conversations amongst the friend group, whatever floats your boat. But if we were to advise on a starting point, this read would be it.

THE TL;DR: The GOP has Fox and Newsmax. The Progressives have Gov Hub [hi!] and the American Independent’s TL;DR newsletter. Set with explainers and providing daily political news through a progressive lens, the newsletter keeps you up to speed on what’s happening on key issues throughout the week.

THE ICK LIST

The rotten eggs of politics

MICHAEL COHEN: Because the male ego knows no limits, Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fixer is rumored to be considering a run for Congress in NY. If he did make the jump, he claims he’d be running as a Democrat, but as we know with fellow Ick List alum, RFK, a label is just a label. Again though, if he did run, he’d be primarying Rep. Nadler, so the likelihood of this getting off the ground is about -5%, but it certainly makes for an entertaining headline.

CLARENCE THOMAS: He’s back on the ick list yet again – Clarence Thomas makes another appearance for corruption after it became crystal clear that he has been taken on at least 38 luxury destination vacays by billionaires. He’s also taken rides on PJs and choppers, and even made his way round some cutie little islands on a yacht. The way his tab of free things is lining up you’d think he was an influencer… well we guess one could argue heavily that he is a direct influencer on the court and thus the lives of the American people, but that wasn’t exactly what we were getting at ;)

VIVEK RAMASWAMY: The GOP presidential candidate created cause for cringe after performing Eminem’s Lose Yourself at the Iowa State Fair. While that in and of itself isn’t a sin, the DJ bro or crypto bro vibes it gives is just criminal. If you don’t know what on earth we’re talking about, book yourself a trip to Miami and spend an evening at 11.

WAIT, WAIT UPDATE ME

ICYMI, droppin’ deats, ‘dates, and stories you might’ve missed

MENSTRUAL HEALTH: In the year 2023, the FIRST STUDY INVOLVING PERIOD PRODUCT ABSORPTION AND ACTUAL PERIOD BLOOD WAS DONE. Yes, you read that correctly. The first study comparing the absorbency of different period products using ACTUAL HUMAN BLOOD in contrast to water or saline solutions, was just published. So yea, period products had not actually been tested with the material it's supposed to collect…. What this means is a whole new look at what heavy bleeding actually is versus not because until this study, heavy menstrual bleeding was measured based on the period product…… This study is both a big step and also a big continuous indicator of how unstudied women’s health is.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Following the SCOTUS decision to gut affirmative action, the Biden admin has released a FAQ guide for colleges and universities on what means and methods are legal v. not in recruiting diverse student bodies. Would we have changed the font used in the FAQ? We’ll let you guess by checking it out here. Would we have possibly skipped this overview and just hit send on Dr. Shaun Harper’s discussion of legacy admissions? Obviously.

TRUMP TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS: It’s not looking peachy for Trump as we all await a possible fourth indictment in under a year for the notorious con man and former president. All eyes are on Georgia’s Fulton County DA Fani Willis who is expected to present her case this week and will possibly be responsible for those in favor of accountability hitting order on a few bottles of champagne. As for those who possibly hit publish on a set of criminal charges for Trump, only for them to be removed – we’re prayin’ for ya.

POST WEEKEND CATCH UP

Three top stories you might've missed

BIG WIN FOR YOUTH; MONTANA JUDGE SIDES WITH PEOPLE IN CLIMATE TRIAL: The first youth-led climate trial has notched a major W. Judge Kathy Seeley of Montana’s 1st District Court has ruled that Montana is violating residents’ right to a clean environment by passing a law that barred agencies from considering the climate effects of fossil fuel projects and/or providing permits for fossil fuel development. Specifically, Judge Seeley found that the state’s lawmakers openly disregarded the state’s constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by passing said law. This ruling follows through on the young activists’ claim that “Montana’s reliance on fossil fuels is lengthening the state’s wildfire season, drying up its rivers and worsening health conditions.” In other words, that the pro-fossil fuel approach by the state was taken and acted upon in detriment to the state’s environment, and in endangering the environment the rights of the state’s residents as afforded by the state’s constitution were violated. The case has been looked at as a possible bellwether for climate change related litigation and as a strategy to hit back at fossil fuel companies [and their lobbyist friends, as well as their elected buds]. Given this outcome, that possibility may just become a reality – even if the outcome is appealed and brought to Montana’s State Supreme Court. As they say, a win is a win, and this is a big one.

MAUI FIRE UPDATES; DEATH TOLL RISES: The horrifying wildfires that have scorched much of Maui and the historic town of Lahaina have become the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history. As of the time of this writing, the death toll has been confirmed at 96 people but is expected to increase as recovery efforts continue. FEMA is currently on the ground with 400 personnel working across numerous recovery segments, as well as the Hawai’i National Guard. The grounds surveyed thus far have only marked 3% of the total area. Concerns over toxic debris and the long term fall out from the fumes are also top of mind. As the efforts turn from rescue to recovery, fingers have been pointed at the government for not activating warning sirens and alarms, which would’ve prompted residents to evacuate. The response to the ire has been that a full investigation and review of what happened and what didn’t happen will occur. Discussion of how climate change factored into this devastating event and what can be done going forward is also a part of the current dialogue.

FOR DONATIONS: Hawai’i Governor Josh Green pointed to the Maui Strong Fund for those that wish to make a monetary donation to help with resources and recovery.

FEDERAL JUDGES REVIEW ALABAMA’S NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP: June offered many surprises including the SCOTUS ruling that told Alabama that their gerrymandered AF congressional map was in fact violating the federal Voting Rights Act. Now instead of that being that and Alabama taking that ruling, abiding by it, and creating a new, fair map, they said, hard pass. Alabama, in contrast to what they were told to do, drew a map that still failed to properly outline two majority Black districts, only enhancing the population share in one district. And now we’re here with a panel of federal judges reviewing this new map mess. The three judge panel had blocked the OG bad map before it went to SCOTUS, so talk about groundhog day. To that point, the panel will once again decide whether these maps are a no or a go. Arguments against the gerrymandered map are….see the word gerrymandered, focus on a 2022 finding that “Alabama should have two districts where Black voters comprise a majority or “something quite close to it.” When will we know the result? Unsure. Will we keep you updated? Of course.

MORE KEY STORIES TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR THIS WK & BEYOND:

• Teen Vogue: Appellate Courts Are Overwhelmingly White and Male – That Needs to Change

• Vanity Fair: How Rudy Giuliani and Donald Trump’s Toxic, Twisted Bromance Nearly Drove the Country Off a Cliff

• The 19th: These Louisiana sisters took their fight against big industry in ‘Cancer Alley’ to court – and won

• TIME: She Wasn’t Able to Get an Abortion. Now She’s a Mom. Soon She’ll Start 7th Grade.

JOB BOARD

Peruse & Apply

U.S. SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM: Details and dates surround the 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program Washington Week have been released. The program for high school juniors and seniors, brings two representative students from each state for a week in DC for an interactive and informative program geared toward showing those interested in government how the cookie is made. Those accepted and participating in the program are also awarded a $10K scholarship to be used for undergrad studies. To get the full scoop on application details, pop on over here.

VOTE MAMA PAC: The PAC focused on electing more moms into office and reducing barriers to run for office through advocacy and action is hiring for a number of positions. Currently, Vote Mama PAC is looking to welcome aboard a social media associate, a digital associate, a development associate, a communications associate, a research manager, a people operations director, and a political director. The quick skinny on the roles is avail here and the apps can be accessed here.

CIVIC INFLUENCERS: The non-partisan voter engagement org that’s known for its data-centric approach is hiring for a number of roles. Amongst those Civic Influencers are taking applications for are a data and research manager, a senior institutional gifts advisor, a senior stakeholder advisor, and a stakeholder advisor. The full kit list or roles and apps details can be found here.

BACK ON OUR BILLSH*T

New bill, new BILLsh*t

FEDERAL: Contrary to popular belief, bipartisan bills do exist, and this bill is a great example of that with over 31 bipartisan cosponsors. The bill, the STRIP Act, was introduced by Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett [TX-30, D] and Congressman Lance Gooden [TX-05, R], and aims to reduce fentanyl-induced overdoses. The Act aims to accomplish its goal by decriminalizing fentanyl tests, exempting “the possession, sale, or purchase of fentanyl testing equipment, including test strips, from the federal drug paraphernalia law.” The harm reduction approach has garnered an array of support across the political spectrum, even from some surprising characters.

…and for a bill that made it across the finish line:

DELAWARE: Infrastructure is the name of the climate change game in many ways, and this bill certainly underscores that notion. In Delaware, newly built homes, single and multi-family, will now be required to include electric vehicle charging conduits as a result of SB 103. In other words, it’s all fine and dandy if you get your hands on an EV, but if you have no way to charge it, that could be an issue to say the least. This bill aims to solve part of that problem, by ensuring that what’s built going forward is built with moving forward in mind.

Subscribe while you scroll, sign up for The Gov Hub Newsletter here if you’re not already on the list.

NEW ON THE POD

New week, new guest

Is child marriage still legal in your state? What you might be surprised to find is that child marriage is still legal, in at least some capacity, in the majority of states. What you also might be shocked to find is that this state is the one that’s pushed back the most on changing the status quo. Child marriage in the US is an issue that our guest Fraidy Reiss, the Founder/Executive Director at Unchained At Last is an expert on. A survivor of a forced marriage herself, and the founder of an organization that helps those fleeing forced marriages, Fraidy knows the ins and outs of this issue. To frame it with numbers, only nine and soon-to-be ten states have outlawed child marriage, a form of forced marriage – and that number is only as it is because of the work that Fraidy has led on. Why is this the case? She answers that. Should this be a national fight? She also answers that. What’s the difference between a forced and an arranged marriage? Also answered. And what do the people resistant to banning this say? Tune in on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts to find out. Or make yourself a girl dinner and pop it onto the big screen:

HIT PLAY

Explore more must-listens

PLAYBOOK DEEP DIVE – STATE FAIR POLITICS: There is something so interesting about seeing a bunch of mostly dudes in suits or attempts at dressed down outfits try and make a name for themselves at the state fair. Maybe it’s the worlds colliding effect or simply that we’re nostalgic for corn kid, but this walk-through of state fair politics for politicos got [and kept] our attention.

LOST DEBATE – “CLASSICAL EDUCATION”: The first thing we thought of when we heard the term “classical education” was that it must be related to classical music. Oh, we're so very wrong. It’s a little more like this and fans include DeSantis. HUGE yikes.

ALL THINGS GIRL AND THE GOV®

THE GOV CLUB: Focused on political networking and community amongst civically engaged besties, The Gov Club provides members access to free virtual networking events, 1v1s, and connections with one another. The Gov Club has also made moves from its old Slack channel home to the Geneva platform to make connecting with one another easy as pie. Sign up for the Gov Club, here.

#VIRAL, THE NEWSLETTER: Skip the meeting, make it an email – subscribe to Girl and the Gov®’s paid newsletter, #VIRAL, dedicated to providing the 411 on the social media trends, tricks and tips, and how-to’s for politicos is hitting inboxes with a splash, weekly. A sample of the newsletter, which we dub ‘social media consulting to your inbox,’ can be viewed here, and interested humans can subscribe here.

PODCAST AUDITS: Girl and the Gov®’s Podcast Audit service provides a comprehensive review of the client’s existing show with the goal of identifying areas of improvement. This is for clients with existing podcasts at any stage that wants to bring their show to the next level. Start the process with a Discovery Call.

SOCIAL MEDIA AUDITS: Think it’s time for a social media audit? Girl and the Gov® can help with that. Get up to speed on what needs to stay, and what needs to go on your social media accounts for it to go from zero to hero. Book a Discovery Call to learn more about what an audit can do for your accounts.

Other *things* of note on the comms front:

For pitches, PR, partnerships, collaborations, and more, send all details to [email protected].