The Gov Hub: June 5, 2023

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Gov Hub
June 05, 2023

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.

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The Action Items

ACTION 1:

The Ask: Tell your [federal] reps to pass paid leave for all.

The Action: Hit send on this pre-written note to your rep and tell them to make paid leave for all a reality for all with the FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act.

The Background: According to Paid Leave For All…

  • Only 25% of US workers have access to paid family leave through an employer

  • 1 in 4 mothers return to work within 2 weeks of giving birth

  • 1 in 5 retirees have left the workforce earlier than planned to care for an ill family member

  • In the lowest quarter of wage earners—predominantly women and women of color—only nine percent have access to paid family leave

The US is one of the only industrialized countries without a national paid leave policy, making it incredibly hard for most to welcome a new child into the world or take care of a sick loved one. Changing policy to ensure people can care for themselves and their families with paid leave for all protects workers, employers, and the economy. Have a question on any of this? The podcast will be hosting Paid Leave For All’s Director, Dawn Huckelbridge this week to talk about this topic in depth. Add your Q to the list by simply replying to this email.

ACTION 2: 

The Ask: Tell your [federal] reps to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act [RAWA], a bipartisan bill to fund wildlife and habitat conservation.

The Action: Send this digital note from the Nature Conservancy to your reps and tell them why you support protecting America’s wildlife.

The Background: This action is proof that bipartisan bicameral bills in 2023 do in fact exist. This one, best known as RAWA, was reintroduced this spring, and if passed would do the following:

  • Fund conservation efforts for more than 12,000 species of wildlife and plants in need of assistance by providing $1.4 billion in dedicated annual funding for proactive, on-the-ground efforts across the country.

  • Provide Tribal nations $97.5 million annually to fund proactive wildlife conservation efforts on roughly 140 million acres of land.

  • Ensure wildlife recovery efforts will be guided by the Congressionally-mandated State Wildlife Action Plans, which identify specific strategies to restore the populations of species of greatest conservation need.

  • Accelerate the recovery of approximately 1,600 U.S. species already listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

  • Include improvements to ensure funds are appropriately targeted to the areas of greatest need and facilitate additional investments in protecting at-risk plant species.

Back On Our BILLsh*t

New bills, new BILLsh*t. We’re always keeping an eye out for the bills that make us go YAY and the ones that make us scream NAY. For ones that are floating our boat, see these:

  • PENNSYLVANIA: In a positive twist of events, GOP State Senator Dan Laughlin introduced a bill that would more than double the state’s minimum wage. The bill would raise the minimum wage from the federally mandated floor of $7.25 to a state mandated minimum of $15.00 by 2026. The hike scale would begin with a $11 minimum at the start of ‘24, and then hit $15 in ‘26, and have its increases permanently indexed to inflation.

  • PENNSYLVANIA: PA is popping off with good bills rn, including with the introduction of H.B. 1286, which is designed to do double duty – fight student hunger and reduce food waste. The bill would allow schools to redistribute unused food to students in need, and according to the bill’s author, Rep. Merski, “The [shared table] program would allow students with unwanted, unused food to deliver it to a safe designated spot, where other students could discreetly obtain the food throughout the day or take it home with them at the end of the day.”

  • NEW JERSEY: Next door in NJ, State Senator Troy Singleton intro’d a bill that would establish an AI Officer. TBH, when we first saw the news about it, we went, “...wait creating a robot…?” but then we kept reading and found that it would task a PERSON with the regulation of AI and automated systems within the NJ state gov. This designated human would also get an AI Advisory Board off the ground and build it out with the goal of the board being to advise state agencies on AI use and provides informed POV’s on proposed regulations.

…and for a bill that made it into law:

  • WASHINGTON STATE: Washington became the first in the nation to create a state-wide program to address the racial wealth gap and the long term impacts of redlining and discriminatory homeownership policies. The program comes to life through HB 1474 and into practice as the Covenant Homeownership Program. As reported by the Seattle Times, the law creates new downpayment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers who “either were themselves excluded by the covenants in the state before the Fair Housing Act or are the descendants of those affected.” The long term impacts of these covenants are visible in the rate of homeownership amongst Black families versus white, with 34% of Black families in the state owning homes versus 68% of white families. This program is designed to break down some of the barriers faced and will be funded by a $100 fee on documents that are recorded with county auditors [ex: new mortgage filings].

…and for two bills that are dumpster fires:

  • LOUISIANA: Following in Florida’s footsteps, the Louisiana legislature has advanced its own variation on a bigot-based theme of the Don’t Say Gay bill. This bill. HB466 by Republican Rep. Dodie Horton, would ban discussion of gender and sexual orientation in schools and prohibit teachers from using a student’s preferred name or pronoun without their parent’s written permission if it differs from their biological sex. In addition, the bill would prohibit public school employees from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity during extracurricular academic, athletic or social activities with students. To make matters worse, the bill has a buddy in HB 81, which would require parents to submit a form in order for public school teachers and employees to use a name that isn’t on the student’s birth certificate or to use pronouns that are “not in accordance with the student’s sex.” And for the twist – the bill also outlines teachers would NOT be required to use pronouns for students that differ from pronouns that align with the student’s biological sex if doing so would be contrary to their religious or moral convictions. Yes, yes, we are also searching for the parents rights argument here – where did it go? Is it wearing a disguise? We’ll apparently, this is the bill’s answer to it as reported by CBS affiliate WWL: “If a parent disagrees with a teacher’s decisions to refrain from using a name that differs from that on the student’s birth certificate or from using pronouns that do not align with the student’s sex, the parents would be able to move their child to another teacher’s class.”

New On Girl and the Gov, The Podcast

Disney’s enemy #1 [Governor DeSantis] has been a busy beaver [not to insult beavers], and the latest #GATG eppy dissects two of the many bills [SB1718 & SB7050] that are causing a ruckus in Florida and beyonds its borders. Made possible by the ever-wonderful, Devon Murphy-Anderson, the co-founder of Mi Vecino, an on-the-ground voter engagement and registration org in the state, a walk-through of each of these bills and what they mean for Floridians is front and center. One such touchpoint: the economy, which is already feeling the impacts. The conversation goes into depth on what the Mi Vecino team is seeing on the ground, and the strategies they have in place to right the ship. The full nine yards is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, and YouTube:

PREVIEW: This week’s interview is with West Virginia Delegate Kayla Young is the pod’s very first deep dive into WV politics. If you’ve been confused by Manchin the Menace, this eppy will help to clear it up. If you’re curious about how Jim Justice is not being served justice and is running for Senate while running his companies into the ground from the governor’s office, then yep – this episode is for you. If you’re curious about the child marriage debate that kicked up dust, debris, and debate this spring in the state and brought eyes to a practice that’s scarily legal in most states – you’re in luck. If learning how funding childcare can change the course of investment and the economy is up your alley – again, you’re going to want to hit play on Wednesday, when the interview makes its way to airwaves near you.

LIKE-MINDED LISTENS

Grab these [political] shows on the go to stay in the know:

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

Candidate Watch ‘24

The following have said put me in coach for….

  • NJ Working Families Party state director Sue Altman has put her hat in the ring for a hotly contested congressional seat in NJ currently held by NJ political nepo-baby, Republican Tom Kean Jr. Learn more about the race here.

  • Joe Kerr, a retired fire captain has announced that he’s running for Congress, with the aim of flipping a red seat blue [district 40]. Learn more about his campaign here.

  • Clemmie Harris shared that he is officially running for Congress in New York. Learn more about his campaign here.

  • Eugene DePasquale has announced that he is running to be PA’s next attorney general. Learn more about the landscape for this 2024 race here.

Election Szn ‘23

  • Jersey voters, it’s your time to shine [part 1], because tomorrow [Tuesday] are the primaries for state senate, general assembly, and some municipal elections. Get up on the FAQs and head to the polls from 6:00am to 8:00pm.

GET IN, WE’RE GOING SHOPPING

Political finds and add-to-cart must-haves for you and the whole crew

  • HE/SHE/THEY, How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters by gender identity expert and trans activist, Schuyler Bailar, is coming to shelves in October with an informative and conversational look at the language and context around gender. Thoughtfully crafted and conversational in nature, the book addresses everything from gender affirming care and its critical nature to how being transgender is not a choice, and so much more in a ‘meet the reader where they are’ format. Signed copies of this gorgina work of words can be ordered now.

  • Speaking of TikTok trends and algorithms, staying on top of it all can be a lot. Add in how to apply trends to politics, and well, it goes from chaotic to complicated real quick. This weekly drop makes it easier to manage, sharing social media content trends and how-tos that work specifically in political applications.

  • The best shippable sweet treats are these rainbow all-year in a million different combinations cakes and cookies from Zola Bakes. Best yet, this combo donates $5 of its proceeds to The Trevor Project.

Have you forwarded this newsletter to a friend yet? Make their inbox shine, send it their way :)

FULL SEND….IT TO A FRIEND

  • Mike Pence on a motorcycle, leather vest included – we had to see it, we can’t unsee it, and now you can see it – here [at your own risk]. The Q really is, will he wear this getup to announce his run for president this week?

  • Somehow we still haven’t figured out as a society that sandbags are tripping hazards, and Biden’s self-bamboozle is sure evidence of this. All that have also tripped over a sandbag at an event, please raise your hand [it’s us].

WEEKEND CATCH UP — THREE TOP STORIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

  • FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TN DRAG BAN: Friday night yielded a bit of great news – a federal judge [one appointed by the Trump admin nonetheless] ruled that Tennessee’s law restricting drag shows is unconstitutional. Explained over the course of 70 pages [and people say we’re long winded], U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker argued that the law was not just unconstitutional, but also that it encouraged discriminatory enforcement.

  • NYC JAILS WILL NO LONGER ANNOUNCE DEATHS HAPPENING BEHIND BARS: In a huge hit to accountability, transparency, and reform of the NY jail system that has been a death sentence to many, the Department of Corrections has announced that they will no longer follow a de Blasio-era practice of notifying the press when someone dies in a detention facility. This move also comes at a time when the DOC has failed to properly inform the federal monitor involved with overseeing the department of recent deaths. It also comes at a time where Rikers and NY jails continue to fail to be held accountable for the violence they commit.

RSVP, YES PLEASE

Political events to have on your radar, to roll to, and to bring a friend to.

Drag is Lit! Celebrating Queer SF Past, Present, Future

About: Drag is Lit brings Drag Story Hour, The Academy, and the GLBT Historical Society together for a fabulous fundraiser. The event includes a cocktail reception and ticket sale proceeds will go to Drag Story Hour and the GLBT Historical Society.

When & Where: IRL at The Academy [2166 Market Street, SF, CS 94114], June 14, 2023 – 6:00-9:00PM.

RSVP: Grab your tickets here.

Blasian Pride, NYC

About: A stunnnnin’ pride event scheduled for June 11, 2023 in NYC, Blasian Pride provides an opportunity to celebrate the Black, Asian, and Blasian LGBTQ+ community. The third annual edition, the rally will feature speakers, performers, and food.

When & Where: IRL at Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11201 – 2:00pm on June 11, 2023

RSVP: None needed :) Grab a pal and go!

Arizona Voting Rights Coalition Sie Die Press Conference

About: The Arizona Voting Rights Coalition will be hosting a press conference focused on voting rights related bills from the 2023 AZ State Leg sesh. The event will include speakers from All Voting is Local, Mi Familia Vota, Opportunity Arizona, Progress Arizona, Sierra Club, and Unidos US.

When & Where: IRL at the Arizona Capitol Museum [1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007] – 12/noon-1pm on June 13, 2023.

RSVP: Sign up to attend, here!

One Year Post Roe: Reflections on US and Global Abortion Rights

About: The Guttmacher Institute is hosting a panel discussion on what we’ve seen post-Roe – reflecting on the changes, the challenges, the wide-ranging consequences of the decision felt around the world. The panel will be moderated by Melissa Murray, JD and the speakers include Dr. Herminia Palacio, President and CEO, Guttmacher Institute; Paula Avila-Guillen, Executive Director, Women’s Equality Center; Kelly Baden, Vice President for Public Policy, Guttmacher Institute; Jessica González-Rojas, New York State Assembly member; Kwajelyn Jackson, Executive Director, Feminist Women’s Health Center; Mallah Tabot, Lead Architect of Cooperation – Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Regional Office; and Irum Taqi, JD, Interim Director of Public Policy, Global and Federal Issues, Guttmacher Institute.

When & Where: IRL at 2 W 64th St, New York, NY 10023 from 7:00-8:30pm [and online] on June 29, 2023.

RSVP: Register for the in-person event here and for the online version here.

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 connect 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.

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Other *tings* of note on the comms front:

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