NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan’s Op-ed in RouteFifty: Roe is Gone. States and Localities Must Protect Reproductive Rights

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By Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO, NewDEAL

JUNE 27, 2022 05:14 PM ET

 

COMMENTARY | The 50-year era of Roe v. Wade has ended. We need a new movement in America to elect leaders who will restore the rights that have been ripped away.

 

In a deeply troubling 6-3 decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, the Supreme Court eliminated the 50-year constitutional right to seek an abortion—going against the will of the majority of Americans. Now, access to reproductive care is at the mercy of politics, erasing the protections that Roe provided.

It will cost lives, eliminate access to health care for millions, especially low-income people and people of color, and fundamentally change the relationship between people and the government.

As a result of this decision, the next battle for reproductive rights will move to states and local governments.

At least 13 states have in place so-called “trigger laws” that will completely eliminate access to abortion in those states the moment that the decision in the Dobbs case is certified. Other states have—and will continue to—further limit access to health care and family planning services to the point where it’s nonexistent.

States Defending Reproductive Rights

But all is not lost. Across the country, some courageous state and local leaders are standing up and fighting for the right to choose.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, are taking significant steps to fortify access to abortion including for out-of-state residents. Colorado passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act, guaranteeing access to reproductive care before and after pregnancy.  New York has approved measures to shield providers and patients from out-of-state legal action.

In Maryland, the Democratic-controlled state legislature passed a law (overriding a veto of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan) that would provide training for medical professionals including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurse midwives to perform abortions. It also provides funding to reduce health disparities and ensure that Maryland Medicaid funds can support abortions.

In Oregon, the legislature spent more than $15 million to help the state expand its health-care workforce, and Connecticut approved a bill that would shield providers from facing penalties from other states.

Meanwhile, some local prosecutors in southern right-leaning states such as Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee have said that they will not enforce abortion bans or use scarce resources to investigate and try patients and providers accused of breaking state laws.

And mayors across the country have weighed in with resolutions and public statements, reaffirming their strong support for safe, comprehensive reproductive health care.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Pragmatic progressive leaders at every level of government are looking for additional ways to expand access to care, protect patients and health-care providers and ensure that abortion access going forward isn’t just limited to the wealthy.

Looking Ahead

In the short run, state and local leaders should band together, share policies that work, and do all they can to preserve meaningful access to health-care and family-planning services in America, recognizing that limits and bans on abortion could also affect access to other services.

Long term, we must face the reality that Americans can no longer expect the justice system to intervene to protect individuals and their doctors from political interference in this very personal health decision.

That’s why we need a new movement in America to elect leaders who will restore the rights that have been ripped away. While that must include strong majorities in Congress and Democratic presidents, state and local elections are vital. Every vote that reduces the extremism in state legislatures, elects governors and legislators who will protect reproductive rights and elevates key leaders in other positions, like the prosecutors mentioned above, will help Americans get access to the care they deserve.

Roe is gone. There’s nothing we can do about that. Now we must begin the long road back to reestablishing the guarantees that stood for half a century—starting at the state and local level.

Debbie Cox Bultan has 25 years of experience in politics, public policy and nonprofit leadership. As CEO of NewDEAL, she oversees strategy and day-to-day operations for the organization. Prior to helping launch NewDEAL, she spent 15 years at the Democratic Leadership Council.

Rebecca Perkins Kwoka Opinion in the Concord Monitor: Climate change is our generation’s make-or-break moment

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By Rebecca Perkins Kwoka

Rebecca Perkins Kwoka is a state senator representing NH’s 21st District. She is a member of NewDEAL’s national network of state and local policymakers. She lives in Portsmouth with her wife and daughter.

In the 1960s, America brought together the best scientists and engineers to engage in the “space race.” Half a century later, when a global pandemic struck, we supported scientists to develop safe, effective vaccines in record time, saving lives here and around the globe.

When our nation commits to big things, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. And when historians look back on the 2020s, I hope it will be written that we seized the moment to stem the impacts of human-made climate change.

A recent report from the United Nations stated that the window to act to prevent unsustainable climate chaos is rapidly closing. But it is not closed yet. We have time to make key changes that will create and sustain a healthy, vibrant planet for generations to come.

Late last year, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. Just as important as its impact on repairing roads and bridges, the IIJA represents the greatest opportunity our country has ever had to invest in clean energy, including to tear down some of the biggest barriers to the energy transition our country, and our plant, so desperately needs

As New York Times columnist Tom Friedman recently noted, one of the major obstacles to clean energy is delivering solar and wind energy from where it is produced to where it is needed. In other words, reliable transmission lines.

In many years working in the green energy industry, I observed this obstacle firsthand. The IIJA provides $11 billion for upgrading and fixing our transmission infrastructure, including $2.5 billion specifically to “improve access to cheaper clean energy sources.”

It is imperative that my fellow legislators in New Hampshire, and around the nation, seize this moment to implement big, bold initiatives while also leveraging private sector partnerships to unlock more funding.

But how do we do that?

I recently returned from a summit organized by NewDEAL, which brings together state and local elected officials and outside experts to identify solutions to our biggest challenges. In a panel I led with other leaders in the climate sector, we discussed how the IIJA, if invested and leveraged in the right programs, can usher in a clean energy economy while creating quality jobs and advancing equity, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color.

And we can start making progress right away.

As we look toward transitioning from dirty energy to green energy, the Department of Energy will join with the Department of Transportation to build out the nation’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. More electric vehicles on the road not only reduces our need for dirty energy, it will make our nation more energy-independent, relying less on oil that comes from nations that may or may not hold our best interests at heart.

In order to help people in their homes, the Department of Energy announced in March that it was accepting applications from states and localities for more than $3 billion in funding for its Weatherization Assistance Program. Some of that funding can help low-income households across New Hampshire with various upgrades that will reduce energy costs.

Improvements might include installing insulation; updating heating and cooling systems; and upgrading electrical appliances. Nationwide, homeowners typically save almost $400 per year through this program.

The bipartisan bill also provides funding to help make our schools more energy efficient. Beginning this fall, school districts can apply for grants to make clean energy upgrades and improvements. There’s an additional $5 billion available to help localities purchase electric school buses rather than diesel ones.

While electric buses cost more initially, they save taxpayers money in the long run because of reduced maintenance and fuel costs. Plus, they will further reduce our dependence on foreign oil and keep harmful pollutants out of the air our children breathe.

In the New Hampshire Senate, I’m working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make these and other clean energy policies as successful as possible. And because the IIJA encourages it, I’m looking for opportunities to work with legislative partners in other states in order to amplify our efforts and reap combined benefits.

We’re at a critical moment in not only our nation’s history, but our planet’s history. As President Biden has said, “There is nothing America can’t do if we put our minds to it.”

Climate change is our generation’s make-or-break moment. There’s no time to waste.

NewDEAL Statement on Supreme Court Opinion Overturning Roe v Wade 

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For Immediate Release:                                                                

June 24, 2022                                                                         

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin (NewDEAL), 202-660-1340 x5, jonathon@newdealleaders.org

 

NewDEAL Statement on Supreme Court Opinion Overturning Roe v Wade 

Washington, DC – NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan released the following statement responding to today’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade:

“This decision marks a historic setback for women’s health and the reputation of our highest court. By removing rights protected for a half-century by Roe v Wade, the Court has put women’s access to reproductive care at the mercy of politics, making abortion illegal immediately in many states, with more to follow, and creating unacceptable inequities in access to reproductive health care for millions of women. 

“While we should call for action in Congress, and fight for strong majorities to reverse the impact of this decision through federal policy, anyone angered by today’s ruling must recognize the critical role that state and local leaders will play moving forward. They must have support to band together, share policies and strategies, and do all they can to preserve meaningful access to women’s health care and family planning services. In addition, every vote at the ballot box that reduces the extremism in state legislatures, elects governors who will protect women’s reproductive rights, and elevates leaders in other key positions will help American women maintain access to the care they deserve.”

About NewDEAL

NewDEAL supports a network of about 200 state and local officials — statewide officials, legislators, mayors, council members, and other local leaders across the country — who are pro-growth progressives. The organization brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable. Most importantly, NewDEAL facilitates the exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy, and private sector leaders.

NewDEAL’s Honorary Co-Chairs are U.S. Senator Chris Coons, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Columbia, SC Mayor Steve Benjamin.

Debbie Cox Bultan and Commissioner Ken Lawrence Op-Ed: Op-Ed: State, local leaders a firewall against attacks on democracy

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State, local leaders a firewall against attacks on our democracy

by Debbie Cox Bultan, Commissioner Ken Lawrence
May 28, 2022

In the aftermath of the 2020 election, the United States came dangerously close to full democratic upheaval with the January 6 insurrection and efforts to overturn election results. Were it not for the heroic actions from a handful of state and local elected officials, the outcome could have been far worse.

And far from this threat being over, in the months since January 6, a multi-pronged attack has escalated, including extreme gerrymandering, laws aimed at making it harder to vote, and efforts to put people in positions to oversee future elections who falsely allege that the 2020 election was stolen. It is imperative — and urgent — that we shore up our democratic process to withstand future attacks on its legitimacy.

That’s why — as a network of pragmatic progressive state and local leaders gathers in the birthplace of democracy, Philadelphia — the NewDEAL Forum is forming a working group to protect voter rights, secure and expand access to the ballot box for every eligible voter, ensure election integrity, and promote civic education and engagement. This comes at a moment when Pennsylvania once again has an election that won’t be decided on Election Night.

From city council members to mayors and governors, all elected positions touch a part of the democratic process. In Pennsylvania, where Ken serves, and many other states, counties are charged with administering elections. Ultimately, every state and local elected official is positioned to impact the future of our democracy.

Our goal: give these leaders the tools and information they need to resist those who would undermine our democracy.

This campaign to roll back voting rights is simply unprecedented. “At least 19 states passed 34 laws restricting access to voting. More than 440 bills with provisions that restrict voting access have been introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions,” according to the independent, nonpartisan, Brennan Center for Justice. These numbers are extraordinary: state legislatures enacted far more restrictive voting laws in 2021 than in any year since the Brennan Center began tracking voting legislation.

In Pennsylvania, which was a central focus of the former president’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election amid bogus allegations of fraud that the courts determined were baseless, some lawmakers and candidates on the right have continued to push the Big Lie, while advocating for expanded voter ID laws and a ban on mail-in ballot drop boxes.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 90, imposing broad restrictions on mail voting, which will have a considerable impact on Black voters in the state. The law “severely limits the availability and accessibility of mail ballot drop boxes and requires voters to put their state ID number or Social Security Number on their mail ballot application without providing an alternative for voters who lack such information. It also limits who can assist voters with returning their mail ballots.”

And in Arizona — in perhaps the most brazen move — the GOP took the power to defend state election laws away from the Democratic Secretary of State and gave it to the Republican attorney general.

At the same time, there are examples of best practices for state and local leaders to emulate.

In March of this year, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that her office will distribute $8 million in election security grants to help local election officials protect integrity. She also announced new measures to make it easier for voters to update their voter registration, while implementing secure list management protocols to ensure security and accuracy.

In Nevada, the legislature passed legislation to adopt a permanent vote-by-mail system and require election officials to send a mail ballot to every active registered voter. The bill was signed into law by Governor Sisolak in June.

And in Santa Barbara, California, the local school board approved a measure to facilitate the registration and pre-registration of eligible students to vote. Registration efforts were accompanied by instruction to help students develop an understanding of the importance of civic participation in a democratic society.

With the 2022 and 2024 elections looming, the time is now to devise and proliferate smart solutions that can fortify our democratic institutions and election systems.

That is why NewDEAL Leaders are forming a working group to work collaboratively on the best ways to fight back against continued threats to our democratic values and democratic process and to share and spread ideas that work.

Here’s the bottom line: In 2020, state and local leaders proved to be the shield protecting our democracy from unprecedented attacks.

As we look to the future, we must arm state and local officials with the tools, education, and resources they need to protect our institutions and stand up against those who would undermine the very foundations of our democracy.

Debbie Cox Bultan is CEO of the NewDEAL and NewDEAL Forum. Ken Lawrence is a county commissioner in Montgomery County, where he also serves on the county elections board.

NewDEAL Forum Launches National Initiative to Defend Democracy

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“If democracy is to be strengthened, we must address the needs of state and local officials,” says Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of the NewDEAL Forum.                

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin (NewDEAL)

202-660-1340 x5, jonathon@newdealleaders.org

 

Philadelphia, PA (May 24, 2022) – The NewDEAL Forum has launched the Democracy Working Group at a convening of rising state and local policymakers from across the country. The group, consisting of elected officials and experts intimately familiar with our election systems, will highlight the vital role state and local officials play in our elections, including where, how, and when Americans can vote. A first convening of the group took place at the NewDEAL Ideas Summit in Philadelphia, where a discussion among state and local elected officials was led by co-chairs County Commissioner Ken Lawrence (Montgomery County, PA) and Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui (Las Vegas Valley, NV).

“Since the 2020 election, many states have taken repeated, intentional actions to both make it harder for Americans to vote and easier to subvert the will of the people after the votes are cast,” said Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of the NewDEAL Forum, at the launch of the working group. “Amid these attacks on democracy, state and local officials from legislators to executives to county clerks play a critical role in protecting Americans’ fundamental rights and maintaining the integrity of our elections. The Democracy Working Group will give state and local leaders a forum to share ideas and the tools and information they need to resist those who would undermine our democracy.”

More than 440 bills to restrict the right to vote were introduced in 49 states during the 2021 legislative session, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Of those, more than 30 bills to restrict voting access were passed and signed into law. The nonprofit organization called the slew of laws “extraordinary,” noting that it was the largest quantity of anti-voting laws enacted since the group started tracking such laws in 2011.

“Pennsylvania has seen some of the most dramatic efforts to undermine election integrity, and our experience in 2020 demonstrated the vital role of local officials in protecting the democratic process,” said Commissioner Lawrence, who set the context for the Working Group’s priorities. “The Democracy Working Group will focus on ways to combat injustices and ensure that all Americans are able to exercise their most fundamental right: the right to vote.”

“The time to act is now,” said Assemblymember Jauregui, who spoke at the event about the progress Nevada has made since 2019 with laws such as automatic and same-day voter registration. “While voter suppression laws were passed, so were laws to expand access to voting. In those places, we need to share policies and ideas to make sure voters are aware of all their opportunities to vote – whether early in-person, in-person on Election Day, or by mail.”

The Democracy Working Group will focus on efforts to protect voter rights; secure and expand access to the ballot box for every eligible voter; ensure election integrity; address security, and promote civic education and engagement. The working group will pay special attention to communities that historically have faced voter suppression efforts, including voters of color.

The NewDEAL Forum has a strong track record of bringing together policy experts and elected officials to promote forward-looking policy recommendations. The Democracy Working Group will join other initiatives focused on broadband, climate change, education, and the future of work, as well as a Renewing American Task Force.

About NewDEAL Forum

The NewDEAL Forum is a Washington-DC-based non-profit organization which identifies and promotes innovative, future-oriented state and local pro-growth progressive policies that can improve the lives of all Americans. By facilitating the identification and spread of policy ideas, the NewDEAL Forum seeks to foster economic growth, reduce barriers to opportunity, and promote good government in communities throughout the country.

Its sister organization, the NewDEAL, supports a network of about 200 state and local officials — statewide officials, legislators, mayors, council members, and other local leaders across the country — who are pro-growth progressives. The organization brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable.

 

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Route 50: Biden Administration Official Offers Tips For Tapping Broadband Funds

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By Kery Murakami, Senior Reporter
Andy Berke, a senior broadband advisor, spoke to state and local officials about $45 billion in pending federal money to expand high-speed internet service.

Andy Berke, the former mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee and now a senior broadband advisor in the Biden administration, has some advice for local officials who want to expand internet service in their communities.

They should get to know the lead person in their state who is overseeing billions of dollars in federal infrastructure spending aimed at expanding broadband service. “Virtually every state has a broadband coordinator,” Berke said during the annual NewDEAL Ideas Summit, a meeting of progressive state and local officials.

“You can help your constituents if you’re tight with that person,” he said.

Berke’s comments come as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration this month opened up $45 billion in funding for broadband projects available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

States have until July 18 to notify NTIA that they plan to apply for the money. They can also request up to $5 million in planning funds.

Berke said that so far 38 states have submitted notices or have said they will seek funding. After receiving planning dollars, states will have 270 days to submit a five-year action plan on how they intend to use the broadband money.

“The president has said every American will have access to reliable high-speed internet,” he said. “And we had a bipartisan group of legislators who put their money where their mouths are and funded this program.”

At the start of the Biden administration last year, Berke was named special representative for broadband at NTIA, which is part of the Commerce Department.

As mayor, Berke helped spearhead a program giving free high-speed internet to local families with children eligible for free or reduced lunch. Chattanooga’s decision to lay its own fiber earlier in the 2000s through its electric utility, was transformative for the city, he said.

“It brought new jobs to what has traditionally been a very old economy,” he said.

Berke acknowledged, though, that expanding high-speed internet across the country will involve challenges—including coming up with accurate maps of where service is currently available. The Federal Communications Commission plans to release maps this fall showing broadband speeds at every parcel in the nation to guide future projects.

A previous version of the maps measured whether broadband was available by census tract. This led to a situation where even if only one home in a neighborhood had service the entire area appeared connected.

“To put it kindly, they weren’t very helpful,” Berke said of the old maps.

He said cities should be ready to verify whether the updated maps are accurate and to file challenges if they see that they are not.

“This is going to be an ongoing process,” Berke noted.

He added that the Commerce Department is considering how to avoid supply chain problems that could arise with many states trying to build more fiber at the same time.

In addition to rising material costs, “we’re going to need workers to dig trenches,” he told the state and local officials, flagging another concern at a time when the labor market is tight. “I’d be thinking about that right now if I were in your shoes.”

Zach Wahl’s Op-Ed in The Gazette: Collective climate action is needed

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Collective climate action is needed

by Zach Wahls
May. 18, 2022 12:13 pm

In the early 1980s, an innovative effort led by a bipartisan group of lawmakers helped Iowa become a leader in wind energy production. As we grapple with a volatile energy crisis and an increase in historic floods and devastating droughts, we must look to our past to remember how to move forward together to build a sustainable future.

The recently released United Nations report on climate change reveals a rapidly-shrinking window to act to combat climate chaos. Extreme weather events are disrupting our communities and agricultural industry. We all share a responsibility to do our part to advance climate solutions.

In a rare but consequential moment, Congress came together to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and, with it, $550 billion to invest in long-term climate solutions that will help drive down energy prices for Iowans and prepare workers for green-collar careers. This funding can also help advance environmental justice and ensure all communities, particularly rural and communities of color, are part of our climate policies.

Our state must leverage new programs, such as the State Energy Program and the Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas, to make significant improvements to our state’s infrastructure, such as updating our clean energy delivery systems to be more resilient and reliable. The BIL also offers direct assistance to families, such as the Weatherization Assistance Program.

As a member of the NewDEAL, a network of two hundred state and local elected officials, I’ve learned from my fellow leaders across the country who have demonstrated how to maximize the climate benefits of these once-in-a-generation funds. We can make a major down payment for a sustainable future.

Natural disasters impact us all without prejudice to which county or city we live in or which political ideology we ascribe to. Collaboration will be key to maximizing the climate impact of these funds. This requires changing old mindsets and encouraging policymakers across the state to develop long-range plans.

Municipalities can partner on larger regional projects and leverage more matching dollars from various agencies. That could include combining climate resiliency and job training funding to realize renewable energy production while simultaneously creating the pipeline to train, upskill, and reskill the local workforce.

While we don’t agree on everything, we toured energy facilities across the state to learn how to support our renewable energy sector. Our caucus successfully protected consumers from harmful taxes on solar energy users by finding common ground with stakeholders.

We must also take additional actions in the legislature. In the Senate, I hope to revisit legislation that authorizes the Iowa Energy Center to establish a strategic plan for 100 percent of our state’s energy demands to come from renewable sources by 2050.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a historic opportunity for our state. Let’s not miss this moment to make our communities more resilient and our economy more prosperous for generations to come.

Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville is the Democratic Leader in the Iowa Senate.

NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan’s Op-ed in The Well News: Lessons for Pragmatic Leaders From Mallory McMorrow’s Viral Speech

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May 10, 2022

by Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO, NewDEAL

Lessons for Pragmatic Leaders From Mallory McMorrow’s Viral Speech

COMMENTARY

Many people felt a political earthquake when we saw Democratic Sen. Mallory McMorrow’s recent speech on the floor of the Michigan state Senate. I certainly did. I was moved by her passion, her clarity, and her moral outrage at the despicable, outlandish charges from a colleague who called her a pedophile and a groomer.

And I knew immediately that this was the blueprint for fighting the GOP’s culture wars against the LGBTQ+ community, teachers, and people of color.

But countless others have decried the same divisive and discriminatory rhetoric that has become so popular among the GOP in election years. So what exactly was it that McMorrow captured in those four minutes and 43 seconds that transformed a state Senate floor speech into a viral moment with the power to change hearts and minds? Now, with the Supreme Court likely to strike down Roe v. Wade, dividing our nation even further, understanding this moment is more important than ever before.

Having worked to support rising state and local leaders for many years, including the past decade at the NewDEAL network, of which McMorrow is a member, I see four things that made her speech so compelling:

 

First, McMorrow’s authenticity came through, and it was grounded in her experience, story, and values. “I’m a straight, White, Christian, married, suburban mom” who is “the biggest threat to a hollow, hateful scheme” because she’s “another parent standing up to say, ‘No!’” She explained who she is and what she stands for. She made a compelling case for why all of us need to bring our voices to the conversation.

Second, she cut through the noise and brought clear, common sense to the larger culture war that has thus far been defined by lies, caricatures, and extremes. For example, she acknowledged that no one alive today is responsible (or should be made to feel guilty) for the horrors of slavery, but that everyone alive today is responsible for where we go from here, and learning our history is a vital part of informing how we move forward with compassion and understanding. We know that the majority of the country agrees with this — and believes that slavery and race should be taught in schools.

 

Third, she threw out the old conventional wisdom that says that responding to outlandish accusations only gives them credence. Instead, she landed a direct hit — with passion and impact. It’s hard to believe we live in a world where a growing number of people believe crazy, unsubstantiated accusations, but that’s our new reality. At the end of the day, you have an elected official calling someone they don’t agree with on policy a pedophile and a groomer. It’s nuts. Yet here we are, with a scary percentage of one of our major parties believing conspiracy theories. These charges must be debunked and dismantled immediately, no matter how crazy they are.

Finally, she did not just respond on their rhetorical turf; she laid out her values and her agenda for change. McMorrow rightly called out these culture wars for what they are: a distraction from the important issues and policies that actually impact Americans’ lives. As she laid out, these distractions will not help raise teachers’ salaries, lower health costs, fix our roads, or make children feel seen, heard, and supported. Some people just want to make a statement. McMorrow wants to make — and is making — a difference.

As we head toward November, the rhetoric, the charges, and the lies will get more ludicrous, and breaking through that noise will become even more difficult.

Maybe I’m naive, but I still believe that most people in America want their elected officials to work to address the very real challenges they face — putting food on the table, finding affordable housing and child care, and ensuring the next generation will grow up in safe, prosperous communities.

So as pragmatic progressive leaders think about how to stand up to the attacks and antics they will face from Republicans, look to how McMorrow did it — principled, direct, passionate, from a position of authenticity and with moral clarity — calling out the crazy and making the case for an agenda that will help people.

 

The blueprint is there. Now, let’s get to work.

Debbie Cox Bultan has 25 years of experience in center-left politics, public policy, and nonprofit leadership. As CEO of NewDEAL, she oversees both strategy and day-to-day operations for the organization. She previously served as executive director for the Civic Leadership Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit that prepares underserved youth for college, career, and civic life. Prior to helping launch NewDEAL, she spent 15 years at the Democratic Leadership Council where she served in a number of capacities, including national political director and chief of staff. Among her accomplishments at the DLC was developing a network of, and policy tools for, state and local elected officials across the country. You can reach out on Twitter @debbiecoxbultan and @newdealleaders.

NewDEAL Forum Broadband Task Force Co-Chairs Commend White House’s Broadband Affordability Announcement

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For Immediate Release:                                                           

May 9, 2022                                                               

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin (NewDEAL Forum), 202-660-1340 x5, jonathon@newdealleaders.org

 

New DEAL Forum Broadband Task Force Co-Chairs Commend White House’s Broadband Affordability Announcement

Leaders of NewDEAL Forum’s working group release statement on partnership with 20 ISPs to lower costs

Washington, DC – Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, San Jose, CA Mayor Sam Liccardo, and Florida State Senator Loranne Ausley, who are co-chairs on the NewDEAL Forum Broadband Task Force and members of the NewDEAL Leaders network, applauded today’s announcement of a White House partnership with 20 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to provide high-speed and affordable internet plans. The announcement also included the launch of GetInternet.gov to help families and individuals navigate options and resources to access home broadband. 

This initiative is the latest effort by the Biden Administration to close the digital divide, following last year’s signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes over $65 billion to invest in expanding broadband access and creates major opportunities for state and local officials. One of the new programs, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), provides qualifying families and individuals with a $30 monthly internet credit. 

An estimated 48 million households in rural, urban, and suburban communities are eligible for the ACP and can access home internet at no cost. The ISPs involved in today’s announcement, which cover more than 80% of the U.S. population across urban, suburban, and rural areas, have committed to either increasing speeds or cutting prices to ensure they offer ACP-eligible households internet plans that meet the Administration’s criteria for being sufficiently high-speed (at least 100 Megabits per second in download speeds everywhere that the provider’s infrastructure is capable of it).

“As the pandemic has underscored, high-quality, high-speed internet access is no longer a luxury, but essential to nearly every aspect of people’s lives,” said co-chairs Gilchrist, Liccardo, and Ausley. “Today’s announcement represents another major step towards closing our country’s digital divide. With access to affordable high-speed internet as our tool, we can grow our economy, create jobs, and reduce costs in our communities. This public-private partnership between the administration and the ISPs will reduce costs and help more households access home internet connections at little to no cost.

“We commend President Biden for his unwavering commitment to solving this challenge and for recognizing the important role of state and local leaders. Throughout their efforts, the Biden Administration continues to empower leaders who understand the needs of their communities and are driving innovative solutions to address access, affordability, and digital literacy.”

The NewDEAL Forum’s Broadband Task Force was established last year, bringing together state and local officials with policy experts and partners from the non-profit and private sectors to: identify major obstacles limiting access to high-speed internet; develop state and local solutions; and advocate for a strong federal-state-local partnership. Earlier this year, the group released a report, Bridging the Digital Divide: Policy Proposals to Increase Broadband Access for All, highlighting promising policy solutions to address some of the biggest obstacles to internet access, including around: improving mapping and data collection; building new broadband networks in unserved and underserved communities; innovating to address affordability and adoption; enhancing digital skills; and increasing access to telehealth.

“I congratulate the Administration on another major accomplishment in their ongoing efforts to ensure everyone has access to high-speed internet,” added Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of the NewDEAL Forum. “Our Broadband Task Force is ready to spread the message about their efforts to a larger network of policymakers. A coordinated effort at the state and local level will help ensure more eligible-households access these benefits and get online.”

 

About NewDEAL Forum 

The NewDEAL Forum is a Washington-DC-based non-profit organization which identifies and promotes innovative, future-oriented state and local pro-growth progressive policies that can improve the lives of all Americans. By facilitating the identification and spread of policy ideas, the NewDEAL Forum seeks to foster economic growth, reduce barriers to opportunity and promote good governance in communities, cities, and states throughout the country.

Its sister organization, the NewDEAL, supports a network of about 200 state and local officials — statewide officials, legislators, mayors, council members, and other local leaders across the country — who are pro-growth progressives. The organization brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable.

NewDEAL Statement on Supreme Court Draft Opinion to Overturn Roe v. Wade 

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For Immediate Release:                                                    

May 3, 2022                                                        

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin (NewDEAL), 202-660-1340 x5, jonathon@newdealleaders.org

NewDEAL Statement on Supreme Court Draft Opinion to Overturn Roe v. Wade 

Washington, DC – NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan released the following statement responding to the leaked draft opinion from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito that would overturn Roe v. Wade:

 

“This opinion, if it is ultimately agreed to by a majority of the justices, would mark a historic setback for women’s health and the reputation of our highest court. Whatever the ultimate outcome, it seems clear that the Supreme Court is poised to take away rights that have been protected for a half-century by Roe v. Wade. Such a decision would immediately make abortion illegal in many states, with more to follow, leading to unacceptable inequities in access to reproductive health care for millions of women.

“These events provide a stark reminder of the importance of strong leadership at the state level, where legislators and governors make so many of the decisions that directly impact people’s lives. While we should call for action in Congress, anyone angered by today’s news must recognize the critical role that state leaders will play moving forward, and the support that pro-choice leaders will need to respond.”

About NewDEAL

NewDEAL supports a network of about 200 state and local officials — statewide officials, legislators, mayors, council members, and other local leaders across the country — who are pro-growth progressives. The organization brings together leaders focused on expanding opportunity, helping them develop and spread innovative ideas to spur economic growth that is broadly-earned and sustainable. Most importantly, NewDEAL facilitates the exchange of ideas among its members and connects them with other pro-growth progressive political, policy, and private sector leaders.

 

NewDEAL’s Honorary Co-Chairs are U.S. Senator Chris Coons (DE), Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Columbia, SC Former Mayor Steve Benjamin.

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NewDEAL Statement on Supreme Court Opinion Overturning Roe v Wade 

For Immediate Release:                                                                 June 24, 2022                                                                          Contact: Jonathon Dworkin (NewDEAL), 202-660-1340 x5, jonathon@newdealleaders.org   NewDEAL Statement on Supreme Court Opinion Overturning Roe v Wade  Washington, […]