San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo was selected as one of 20 elected officials from across the country to join a prestigious Democratic leadership program.

Campillo, a Harvard-trained lawyer who was elected last November to succeed Scott Sherman, will participate in the decade-old NewDEAL program, whose name is an acronym for “developing exceptional American leaders.”

The 20 participants this year were chosen from more than 1,650 nominations. The group will support each other in addressing the challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 by innovating, convening virtually, and sharing good ideas.

“We are in a unique moment for state and local leaders as we must find solutions for the urgent challenges created by COVID-19 while not losing focus on longer-term issues that will continue to affect the economic security of San Diego and other communities for decades to come,” said Campillo.

“I look forward to sharing lessons with and learning from other leaders who are setting the standard for effective governance, and I am excited to be part of NewDEAL’s efforts to expand opportunities for Americans in communities nationwide,” he added.

Senator Troy Singleton Named Finalist in NewDEAL National Ideas Challenge

Work on civic education goals is recognized as one of the most innovative/impactful state or local policy proposals for healing our democracy and rebuilding community

Washington, DC – The NewDEAL announced today that State Senator Troy Singleton’s (D-Burlington) efforts to better inform and educate students has made him a finalist in the 2021 Ideas Challenge – a competition among rising and innovative state and local policymakers to propose the most effective solutions on an array of issues. Policy experts vote for the proposals that best improve Americans’ economic well-being and overall quality of life, and that makes the government work more effectively to meet communities’ needs.

After evaluation by a diverse panel of judges (see list below), Singleton’s Civics Education idea is a finalist among submissions for healing our democracy and rebuilding community, which includes ideas aimed at promoting the right to vote, engaging people in civic society, and healing divisions in our society, especially by addressing systemic inequality. His initiative is designed to ensure “students are not indoctrinated into any one particular political ideology, but rather become informed and educated citizens who will shape our nation for generations to come.” His idea starts with requiring at least one course in civics in middle school starting with the 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, Singleton has introduced legislation that would require students at public universities to complete at least one course of American government and civic engagement before graduating. (More finalists are listed below.)

The NewDEAL announced today that State Senator Will Haskell’s (D-Westport) efforts to address student debt and the cost of college have made him a finalist in the 2021 Ideas Challenge – a competition among rising and innovative state and local policymakers to propose the most effective solutions on an array of issues. Policy experts vote for the proposals that best improve Americans’ economic well-being and overall quality of life, and that make government work more effectively to meet communities’ needs.

After evaluation by a diverse panel of judges (see list below), Haskell’s Student Loan Repayment Tax Credit is a finalist among submissions for expanding access to education, which includes ideas aimed at creating opportunities at every level — from early childhood to post-secondary — to prepare students to make the most of their abilities. Haskell’s submission involves a corporate tax credit for any business that helps to pay off the student loans of the employees. The credit can be valued up to $5,250 per year to sync with a federal tax benefit available to employers. (More finalists are listed below.)

“State and local leaders face enormous challenges as they work on the frontlines to rebuild from a persistent pandemic, close the long-standing inequities highlighted by COVID-19, and ensure our communities emerge with more economic opportunity for everyone,” said NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan. “The Ideas Challenge shows how a group of innovative state and local officials are rising to the occasion of finding solutions. Senator Haskell and his fellow finalists have made proposals that, together, set an important governing agenda for the country to follow, including to make the most of the critical federal funds from the American Rescue Plan and to ensure that our nation makes good on the promise to build back better.”

The Challenge was open to the 178 members of the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), an organization that supports state and local pro-growth progressive elected officials through the exchange of ideas and engagement with other top public, private, and non-profit sector officials. U.S. Senator Chris Coons (DE), U.S. Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Columbia, SC Mayor Steve Benjamin serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the group.

The five winners of the Ideas Challenge will be announced on Thursday, November 18, at the eleventh annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig has been selected as one of 20 local and state  “innovative and rising” elected Democratic officials by the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders) organization.

The officials were chosen due to what NewDEAL states as their “unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity as they work to build back better in their communities and reject the idea that policymakers can or should want to turn the clock back to a prior era.”

According to NewDEAL, Craig was specifically added to the slate due to her efforts following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on issues ranging from public transportation and homelessness to small business grants and providing vaccination sites for Manchester residents.

“State and local leaders must address the challenges created by COVID-19 while at the same time, focusing on long-term solutions that will positively impact the economic development of our communities for decades to come,” said Craig. “At a time when we are navigating simultaneous challenges happening in cities across the country related to public health, the economy, justice, and more, I look forward to sharing information and learning from other leaders who are setting the standard for effective governance. I am excited to join NewDEAL’s efforts to expand opportunities for Americans in communities nationwide.”

The list of NewDEAL list members now includes 198 elected officials in 47 states, a full list can be seen here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

October 28, 2021

Contact: Jonathon Dworkin, 202-660-1340 x5

NewDEAL Statement on Build Back Better Framework Announcement

CEO Debbie Cox Bultan applauds President Biden announcement on legislation that would deliver for state and local leaders and the people they represent

Washington, D.C. – NewDEAL released the following statement from CEO Debbie Cox Bultan in response to the announcement by President Biden of an agreed framework for Build Back Better legislation:

“The Build Back Better framework announced by President Biden today represents a historic opportunity to address some of our country’s biggest challenges and inequities. I urge members of Congress to pass legislation based on this framework.

“The pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated shortcomings in our social safety net. State and local leaders fighting for more equitable access to critical needs will be especially grateful for an infusion of federal support for affordable health care, early education, and economic opportunity for all Americans.

“Furthermore, after years of being on their own in responding to a dangerously warming climate, NewDEAL Leaders are thrilled to see that the framework includes unprecedented resources for a clean energy future and advances key initiatives they have pursued in areas like electric vehicles and renewable power.

“This legislation also sets the stage for passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill approved by the Senate, which will invest in major projects and priorities that state and local officials have long sought to achieve in their communities, including improved public transit and expanded broadband access.

“Together, the proposals now before Congress will build on the pandemic recovery successes we are already seeing with the American Rescue Plan. They confirm an extraordinary commitment by the Biden Administration to the priorities that state and local leaders are pursuing on the frontlines as they respond to economic, public health, and climate challenges.

“We look forward to the incredible opportunity to continue to work with the Biden Administration, Congressional Democrats, and NewDEAL Leaders around the country to implement this agenda.”

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