Conference Program Detailed Agenda December 6-8, 2010 The Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta, ga
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Conference Program Detailed Agenda December 6-8, 2010 The Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta, GA About EARN The Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) is a network of state and regional multi-issue research, policy, and advocacy organizations. The network currently includes 56 organizations in 42 states. EARN is coordinated by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) and works with a broad range of other national organizations. EARN’s mission is to improve the lives of Americans through state and local policy, and change the nature of the national policy debate—state by state. EARN seeks to advance progressive policy at the state and regional level, to deliver important national messages, and to use the collective capacity of its organizations to develop new ideas and strategies. While EARN staffers at EPI – Mary Gable, Stephanie Scott, Kai Filion, and Kathryn Edwards – have contributed so much to this year’s conference, we are also very pleased to have so many non-EARN EPI staff joining us for this year’s conference.
Progressive States Network aims to transform the political landscape by sparking progressive actions at the state level. Through this collaboration, nearly 60 progressive state legislators from across the country are participating in the conference. We look forward to exploring further ways to build on this critical collaboration. EARN and the Economic Policy Institute wish to thank our colleagues at Progressive States Network (PSN) for their many contributions to this year’s conference. Special thanks to Interim Co-Directors Nora Ranney, Lauren Smith, and Marisol Thomer, for their tireless efforts and to Iowa Senator Joe Bolkcom for his wise counsel. Our Funders EARN at EPI would like to thank the Open Society Institute, and the Ford, Public Welfare, W.K. Kellogg, Charles Stewart Mott, and Annie E. Casey Foundations for their generous support of our work. Their support makes this conference possible, allowing progressive policymakers, researchers, advocates, and legislators to discuss strategies for achieving a national progressive agenda. We also recognize and thank the many funders (including those above) and donors whose support sustains the work of our state partners. Detailed Agenda Monday, December 6, 2010 6:00 pm-7:00 pm Peachtree B, C, 8th Floor Dinner 7:10 pm-8:40 pm Peachtree D, E, 8th Floor Opening Plenary Session: The 2010 Elections - Charting a Progressive Course in a Changed Landscape The November 2010 elections resulted in a sweeping change in the state political land scape, with hundreds of incumbents losing their seats and nineteen state legislative cham bers switching from Democratic to Republican control. With state budgets historically strained and jobs and public services under sustained attack by the Right, what lessons should progressives take from the 2010 elections as we chart our course forward? Strat egists Ruy Teixeira and Drew Westen will provide an analysis of the 2010 elections that includes an overview of the new state political landscape and the demographics and motiva tions of those who voted. They’ll also offer their take on what progressives must do now to champion progressive policies and re-build lasting political power. Speakers Ruy Teixeira, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress and The Century Foundation Drew Westen, Professor of Psychology at Emory University and Founder of Westen Strate gies, LLC
Recently released reports from three separate commissions examining the federal budget deficit have each proposed measures that will seriously undermine the well-being of Ameri can working families. This session articulates an alternative, progressive and fis cally responsible vision that starts from the premise that significant budget choices reflect important collective values. John Irons, EPI Director of Research and Policy, will outline the basic parameters of the current deficit situation, will highlight the “Budget Blueprint” recently released by Demos, The Economic Policy Institute, and The Century Foundation, and will emphasize why it’s important for state-level policy makers, researchers, and advocates to actively engage in public discussions of the federal deficit. Axel Aubrun, Founder of the Topos Partnership, will draw on recent ground-breaking research to educate conference participants in specific methods of communicating about budget issues that help to advance a progressive and responsible budget agenda that lays a foundation for shared prosperity. Moderator Doug Hall, Director of EARN, Economic Policy Institute Speakers Axel Aubrun, Principal of Topos Partnership and Principal of Cultural Logic John Irons, Director of Research and Policy, Economic Policy Institute
The lingering effects of the recession continue to devastate state budgets across the country. Because so many states have already made deep cuts, it is crucially important for lawmakers to pursue progressive revenue generation to protect education, health care and essential programs that people are depending on more than ever. This session will offer insight and experience on building successful revenue cam paigns from the perspectives of lawmakers, grassroots organizations and policy experts. Moderator Karen Kraut, Coordinator, Tax Fairness Organizing Collaborative Presenters Representative Stacey Abrams, Georgia House of Representatives Rob Brown, Co-Director, Opportunity Maine Sara Beth Gehl, Deputy Director, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Robb Gray, State Project Coordinator, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Lingering unemployment throughout the nation demonstrates that job creation and economic development need to be among the nation’s top priorities. Policymakers must secure sustainable infrastructures that will achieve this goal. It is crucial that state governments put in place the regulatory framework that will achieve broad band adoption to all. Job creation under this sphere goes beyond positions in the technology field: broad band is the tool we use to search for jobs, apply for them, and perform them. The purpose of this work shop is to deepen the connection between state legislators and progressive advocates, helping to reframe the technology issue as part of the broader progressive agenda. This session will identify the key barriers to broadband access, adoption, and fluency, and will offer concrete solutions, messaging, and strategies to place broadband as a crucial component of a more sustainable economy. Tuesday, 10:00am-11:30am (cont’) Presenters Jason Llorenz, Executive Director, Hispanic Technology and Telecommunications Partnership Beth McConnell, Executive Director, Media and Democracy Coalition Nicol Turner-Lee, Vice President and Director, Media and Technology Institute, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies International D, 6th Floor Taking on Privatization: Recent Cases and State-Based Responses Certain states and localities are being lured into misguided privatization schemes by the promise of a sup posed short-term budget fix. However, privatization often comes at the expense of long-term investments in the community, sustainable fiscal policy and public accountability. This workshop will feature a discus sion of recent privatization issues and cover proactive legislative and advocate responses. Presenters Phineas Baxandall, Senior Analyst for Tax and Budget Policy, U.S. PIRG Representative Garnet Coleman, Texas House of Representatives Shar Habibi, Resource Center Director, In the Public Interest Kerry Korpi, Director of the Department of Research and Collective Bargaining Services, AFSCME
State minimum wage campaigns broke new ground in the 2000s and made economic justice a national issue. Yet wage standards have declined so far that the new federal minimum wage is still 30% lower than it was at its peak in 1968 – leading to historic levels of income disparity that contributed to the economic collapse and recession. For a true economic recovery, we must raise the base level of the minimum wage to support a robust middle class and index it to inflation to prevent wage-levels from eroding again in the future. Presenters will highlight new research that advocates can use in their campaigns to raise the minimum wage and lay the foundation for a more stable and equitable economy, and discuss current and future campaigns. Tuesday, 10:00am-11:30am (cont’) Moderator Tim Judson, Workers’ Rights Policy Specialist, Progressive States Network Presenters Sylvia Allegretto, Research Economist, U.C. Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Jen Kern, Minimum Wage Campaigns Coordinator, National Employment Law Project
On its current course, the U.S. labor market is headed for a slow, jobless recovery characterized by persistent unemployment, long job searches, and slow wage growth. However, states can play a crucial role ensuring a robust economic recovery by shoring up and modernizing the safety net for jobless work ers, and by developing innovative programs to prevent further layoffs, lay the infrastructure for industrial revitalization, and get people back to work in higher quality jobs. This workshop will put the current state of the U.S. labor market and its outlook in context and discuss policy options and joint federal-state initia tives ramping up for 2011 and the years to come. Moderator Andrew Stettner, Deputy Director, National Employment Law Project Presenters Lynn Minick, Workforce Development Specialist, National Employment Law Project Heidi Shierholz, Economist, Economic Policy Institute
Conference Participants are encouraged to sit together to discuss common interests. Those interests can be defined either thematically or geographically. Tuesday, 1:10pm-2:10pm Concurrent Sessions by PSN & EARN International B, 6th Floor Paid Sick Days: Strategies for Ensuring a Pro-Worker, Pro-Family Economic Recovery Nearly one-quarter of U.S. residents report having lost their job or been threatened with job loss for miss ing work due to illness. High unemployment during the recession means even more people are forced to go to work sick or lose their jobs. As a growing portion of the workforce, women are affected dispropor tionately, particularly among low-wage workers. Establishing paid sick days as a new basic labor stan dard is not only a vital measure for improving economic security for working families and protecting public health, it enjoys deep popular support throughout the country and across all demographics. State campaigns to enact paid sick days are not just key to advancing the policy nationally, they provide an important opportunity to take back the national debate on the economy and set the agenda for recovery. Join this discussion on messaging and campaign strategies on how state legislators and advocates can advance paid sick days in 2011. Moderator Tim Judson, Workers’ Rights Policy Specialist, Progressive States Network Presenters Vicki Shabo, Director of Work and Family Programs, National Partnership for Women and Families International C, 6th Floor The State Bank of North Dakota: A Dynamic Model for Economic Growth North Dakota, with a large budget surplus and one the lowest unemployment rates in the country, is the only state that runs its own bank. Leaders in several states are looking towards the state development bank model with aim to create jobs, spur local lending, generate revenue, and reduce dependence on Wall Street by bringing greater financial power to working and middle class families. This session will fea ture a discussion of the economic benefits of state banks, potential campaigns, and upcoming legislative proposals. Presenters Representative Bob Hasegawa, Washington House of Representatives Sam Munger, Managing Director, Center for State Innovation Jason Judd, Director of SEIU’s Banks Campaign Tuesday, 1:10pm-2:10pm (cont’) International D, 6th Floor Financial Reform and Fighting Foreclosures: Update from Washington, DC Over the past 2 years, the Obama Administration and Congress have passed a number of laws and pro grams to reform the financial system and relieve the foreclosure crisis. Panelists Lisa Donner of Ameri cans for Financial Reform and Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research will provide an overview of what’s happened so far, how successful these efforts have been, and what still needs to be done. Presenters Dean Baker, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research Lisa Donner, Executive Director, Americans for Financial Reform
This workshop will highlight the importance of using transparency and accountability as guiding principles for economic development, introducing workshop participants to two important new tools from Good Jobs First. The first is an online 50+ state toolkit, AccountableUSA.org, designed to be of direct organizing benefit to anyone running a campaign to defend or enhance state revenue in the 2011 legislative sessions (and beyond!). Specifically, it will provide dozens of elements tailored for every state on how to improve economic development subsidy transparency and accountability -- essentially how to spend less and get more. The second is a report card, “The State of State Disclosure”, that highlights how well (or poorly) states disclose online their job subsidies’ costs and benefits. Speakers Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer, West Virginia House of Delegates Greg LeRoy, Executive Director, Good Jobs First Representative Diane Russell, Maine House of Representatives Tuesday, 1:10pm-2:10pm, (cont’) Plaza Ballroom, 10th Floor Progressive Federalism, Again! Money, Politics, and Law This workshop will explore the evolving relationship between the federal government and the states, exploring the legal, political, and fiscal dimensions of that relationship, and suggesting areas in which a positive, progressive federalism can emerge. A free-ranging discussion of the obstacles and opportunities for a new deal between fiscally-strapped states and the federal government will explore the bounds of the possible, and lay out a path for pursuing such a model. Speakers Joel Rogers, Director, Center on Wisconsin Strategy David Shreve, Economist, Virginia Organizing Project Delegate Tom Hucker, Maryland House of Delegates Tuesday, 2:20pm-3:05pm International B, 6th Floor Education Reform: Responding to “Superman” and Shifting Political Sands Though there is broad consensus that improved educational outcomes will play an important role in shaping America’s economic future, there is considerable debate about how best to approach educational reforms. This workshop will debunk recent messages that paint teachers’ unions as the enemies of change, and will draw on recent state-level work to highlight the challenges and opportunities for state groups interested in wading into education reform debates. Speakers Edward Muir, Deputy Director of Research and Information Services, American Federation of Teachers Amy Hanauer, Executive Director, Policy Matters Ohio
New research tackles head-on the prevailing myth that public sector workers are paid too much relative to their private sector counterparts. Presenters will highlight studies that examine the data at the state level (such as recent studies in California and New Jersey), and also at the regional level, in New England. Speakers Sylvia Allegretto, Research Economist, IRLE, UC Berkeley Jeff Thompson, Assistant Research Professor, PERI, UMass
The US Census Bureau will soon be releasing data on the supplemental poverty measure, a new and potentially more accurate measure of poverty. This workshop will discuss what “real” poverty is, how the traditional and the supplemental measures differ, and what that means for those who deal with poverty and economic security issues. Speakers Shawn Fremstad, Director of the Inclusive and Sustainable Economy Initiative, Center for Economic and Policy Research Annette Case, Strategies to Eliminate Poverty (STEP)
This workshop will provide an overview of labor force statistics and how to use them. First, for new users, presenters will give a summary of what state data is available monthly, quarterly, and annually from the BLS and EPI. Next, for more experienced users, presenters will highlight some more complex uses of these data; for example, how to calculate the jobs gap while accounting for population growth, and counting ‘missing’ workers who have dropped out of the labor force. Tuesday, 2:20pm-3:05pm (cont’) Speakers Kai Filion, Policy Analyst, Economic Policy Institute Heidi Shierholz, Economist, Economic Policy Institute
Currently 17 states are operating work-sharing programs (a.k.a. short-time compensation) to help reduce unemployment, by allowing the payment of partial UI benefits when workers' hours are reduced, rather than laying them off. Close to 300,000 workers benefited from work-sharing in those 17 states in 2009. There is federal legislation that would reduce pressure on state UI funds by providing states with federal financing for work-sharing benefits, as well as start-up funds for the remaining 34 states. Speakers Dean Baker, Co-Director, Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) Zach Schiller, Research Director, Policy Matters Ohio
Historically, careers in the construction trades provided a reliable path to the middle class for a wide array of workers. However, over the past few decades, the quality of jobs in the construction industry has eroded, in part because of new public policies that make it harder for high-quality construction firms to win public work. With enormous public resources directed towards the construction industry, decision-making around this spending should open doors to careers for new workers have access while creating family-supporting jobs with benefits that include safety and skills training and provide real credentials. This workshop will explore successful campaigns that bring together local hire, apprentice utilization, and union construction careers in two major metropolitan areas. First we’ll hear from Atlanta, Georgia, where new construction career standards in this Red state expand local hire and apprentice utilization. Then, to Tuesday, 3:15pm-4:00pm (cont’) Los Angeles, California, where construction careers aimed at transit and goods movement are replicating the model and bringing it to scale. Moderator Jennifer Lin, Research Director, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy Speakers Melissa Conrad, Associate Director, Policy and Training at Georgia Stand-Up Jackie Cornejo, Research and Policy Analyst, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE)
In recent years, there has been increasing recognition that low-income workers need access to both job training and income supports, and that these programs can be more effective when provided in an integrated fashion. Learn about federal funding streams that can support a blended model for providing workforce development, benefits access, and asset-building services. Speaker Abigail Newcomer, Policy Analyst, CLASP International E, 6th Floor Race, Ethnicity, and Economic Disparities Description: Many progressive advocates find it difficult to talk about race and poverty, due to the complex relationship between the two. This panel will present two avenues that advocates can take to cover these topics. First, Dr. Algernon Austin will present research and data on poverty, race, and single parent families, showing why it is important to keep the issues of poverty and family structure separate. Second, Launce Rake will present findings from a report that focuses on state legislators and their votes on issues of racial equity. Speakers Algernon Austin, Economic Policy Institute Launce Rake, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada
The health care plenary will focus on next steps for state legislators given the changing polit ical environment. Speakers will discuss strategies to employ in the states to ensure progres sive reforms, hold onto advances, and beat back conservative efforts to stop, stall, or dilute reforms. Emphasis will include messaging (including the need to frame health care reform in the context of addressing jobs and economic crisis) and opportunities to collaborate with the Administration and advocates to ensure that states move ahead. Speakers Anton Gunn, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Stoll, Deputy Director, Families USA
For too long the discussion about Social Security has been dominated by people interested in decreas ing benefits and undermining the universality of Wednesday, 10:00am-11:30am (cont’) Social Security. Inside-the-beltway policy makers, both Democrats and Republicans, seem to be colluding to lessen Social Security, at the very moment when, with the collapse of defined contribution options and the underfunding of defined benefit programs, we need it the most. In this workshop we will lay out the actual facts regarding Social Security’s financing, show the tools we have developed to defend Social Security, and discuss our agenda for increasing ben efits, how, why, and when. Speakers Dean Baker, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Policy Research John Burbank, Executive Director, Economic Opportunity Institute Monique Morrissey, Economist, Economic Policy Institute Alex Stone, Communications and Technology Manager, Economic Opportunity Institute
States play an important and often understated role in setting the environmental and energy agenda in the United States. By pioneering and advancing clean energy policies, states have leveled the playing field for clean energy sources to compete with foreign fossil fuels. This session will explore how state policy can continue to advance a national progressive clean energy agenda. Panelists, among them pro gressive policymakers, analysts, and advocates, will discuss how states are creating demand for green investment and jobs through a series of innovative measures. Moderator Sam Munger, Managing Director, Center for State Innovation Speakers Representative Pricey Harrison, North Carolina House of Representatives Jason Bailey, Research and Policy Director, Mountain Association for Community Economic Development James Irwin, Senior Associate, Center on Wisconsin Strategy Wednesday, 10:00am-11:30am (cont’) International E, 6th Floor Pro-Immigrant Labor Policy: Raising Wage Standards for All through Wage-and-Hour Law Enforcement Immigrants account for a significant share of residents and workers in the US in a broad spectrum of industries and roles. Yet many immigrants remain vulnerable to exploitation and working conditions at the hands of unscrupulous employers. In response, legislators and advocates are intensifying efforts to en force existing wage and hour laws and crack down on employers who seek to circumvent worker protec tions. This workshop will examine immigrant labor-force participation and their effect on wage levels and state and local economic bases. Speakers will also provide updates from a state, local and national level on efforts to advance wage enforcement legislation and campaigns to uphold the rights of workers regard less of their immigration status.
Suman Raghunathan, Immigration Policy Specialist, Progressive States Network Speakers Senator Joe Bolkcom, Iowa Senate David Dyssegard Kallick, Senior Fellow, Fiscal Policy Institute Rebecca Smith, Coordinator, Immigrant Worker Justice Project, National Employment Law Project Ted Smukler, Public Policy Director, Interfaith Worker Justice
Experts will be on hand to address best practices in developing, implementing, and messaging progres sive exchanges, maintaining Medicaid, and working with Medicaid expansion. Emphasis will be on both the policy and the politics. This will be an opportunity for legislators to ask questions and allow for the exchange of initiatives and ideas between state health care lawmakers. Attendees will leave with key policy takeaways, the ability to identify the pros and cons of various exchange models, and an under standing of opportunities presented by Medicaid. Wednesday, 10:00am-11:30am (cont’) Speakers Jon Kingsdale, Managing Director, Wakely Consulting Judy Solomon, Co-Director of Health Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Even during the best of economic times, with a few brief exceptions, American workers have little job security and high unemployment. Yet most benefits have always been tied to work in this country, and the ties between work and benefits have only increased. Health insurance and retirement benefits always came with the job. Cash assistance, through both TANF and the EITC, are now also much more tightly limited to those who have won the job lottery. And some of our biggest forms of economic redistribution - the home mortgage deduction and the 401(k) to name two - are not only tied to work but are more gener ous to those who earn more. In the stimulus, we succeeded in including provisions to modernize unemployment compensation, extending protection to those with lower quality or more precarious jobs. And of course the UC extensions enabled many jobless to hang onto some security and income. But for the working poor, the precariously employed, and those who can’t find work, our work-based safety net is not catching all it should. This session will assess the safety net’s response to the great recession and the slow recovery. Which programs worked and which failed badly? What gaps has the long recession exposed? And what fundamental changes are needed - even if they are not on the near horizon? Join a session that will think outside the box, but then come back to a practical discussion of reform initiatives at the state and federal level. Moderators Amy Hanauer, Executive Director, Policy Matters Ohio Andrew Stettner, Deputy Director, National Employment Law Project
Lauren Damme, New America Foundation Lisa Codispoti, Senior Council, National Women’s Law Center
Business cycles are inevitable, but the Great Recession has caused more financial hardship than any oth er downturn in recent history. A new paper, “Failure by design”, explains how social and political choices over the past 30 years have made workers more vulnerable to these downturns. By taking a step back from the current crisis to look at the causes, this paper highlights the important roles of public structures and regulations in ensuring economic security for workers. Dr. Bivens will discuss the primary findings of this paper, and what can be done at the state and local level to help minimize the pain of future downturns. Speaker Josh Bivens, Economic Policy Institute International E, 6th Floor Expanding Democracy: Ways to Boost Turnout and Get Money Out of Politics The 2010 midterm elections were dominated by wealthy donors and corporate interests who shattered independent political spending records without having to disclose a single donor. Now, the right-wing is continuing its assault on democratic values with plans to reintroduce photo ID and proof of citizenship legislation, which disproportionately suppress turnout amongst low-income and minority voters. Consider ing that conservative statehouses will also be controlling the redistricting process in a majority of states, the 2011 legislative session has the potential to further alienate historically disenfranchised populations as well as stall the progressive issues that they traditionally care about. Fortunately, there are ways to preserve their voice and bring their concerns back to the fore. This session will discuss opportunities to expand democracy by both increasing participation at the polls and mitigating the effects of unregulated independent political spending. Moderator Representative Jefferson Smith, Oregon House of Representatives Speakers Diallo Brooks, Director of Field Mobilization, People For the American Way Steve Carbó, Senior Program Director, Demos
Speakers will emphasize the capacity legislators have to enforce federal law and impact insurance reform in the states to maintain or improve upon existing regulations using progressive models. Policy experts will identify regulations that reduce consumer protections and emphasize opportunities to raise the state bar above federal regulations. Cost containment and upcoming issues including out-of-state insurance regulations will be identified and explored to give legislators the resources and contacts to progressively impact reforms and defeat regressive ones. There will be opportunity for open discussion, with focus on the nuts and bolts strategizing on the political landscape and what states can do. Speakers JoAnn Volk, Co-Director of Health Policy, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute Lisa Codispoti, Senior Council, National Women’s Law Center
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