Subject: State Leaders
From: Denise Cardinal <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:00:59 -0500 (CDT)

::: ProgressNow - Advancing Progressive Agendas, State by State ::: 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Below are a few great examples of how we are highlighting the work
of our state leaders - good, bad and yet to be determined. These
are just 3 of our 21 states doing what we do every day - make
progress happen, and happen NOW.

As always, let me know what you think, or even better, contribute to
us here.

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=A-5xbff_l4Oi_Z6_cUGgPQ

Best,
Denise Cardinal
Executive Director
ProgressNow
ProgressNow Education

 

Progress Florida Shines Light on Middle Class Champions

Now that the legislative session has started, Progress Florida is
working to promote their 2013 Middle Class Agenda. This agenda was
delivered to all 160 legislators on the first day of session as a
precursor to the annual  "Middle Class Champion"
Awards  which will be announced come the end of session. Progress
Florida,  in partnership with Florida Watch Action and America
Votes, uses the agenda and awards as a way to guarantee that middle
class issues are a focus point during session, and to recognize those
leaders that work tirelessly for the middle class. In conjunction with
the first day of session,  The Tampa Tribune published the
2013 Middle Class Agenda editorial.
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=cFIae3dkFPGeOBz4d05_HQ
http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=JTWfwIIZ1teHyAl9BRD_QA

Progress Michigan Condemns Conservative Leaders on Their Dishonest and
Violent Rhetoric

Progress Michigan is calling on conservative leaders to drop the
irrational attacks and to stop using violent rhetoric when talking
about people they disagree with. Conservative leaders in Michigan,
including Jack Hoogendyk (chair of several Tea Party groups) and Scott
Hagerstorm (state director of Americans for Prosperity) have used this
harmful rhetoric. In an email blast sent out to the "Center
Right Coalition" list about the issue of Medicaid expansion,
Hoogendyk said that his opponents should "keep your powder dry
for the next battle." In an equally as violent comment,
Hagerstorm explained Americans for Prosperity's plans to shut
down grassroots efforts to put Right To Work on the ballot, by saying
"I call it hand-to-hand combat with Michigan citizens."
Progress Michigan acknowledges that this type of rhetoric is not
beneficial and instead asks that these conservative leaders join the
adults in a real conversation about moving Michigan forward.

Progress Texas Reminds George P. Bush That Despite His Ties to
Politics, He Will Be Assessed the In Same Way as Any Candidate

George P. Bush (nephew of George W. Bush) announced that he is running
for State Land Commissioner and Progress Texas released a statement
reminding George P. Bush that namesake is not everything. He still has
to go through the same public screening as any other candidate, and
since the Land Commissioner's office oversees investments made
to the Permanent School Fund, his policies around schooling should be
examined. Progress Texas's Executive Director, Matt Glazer,
said, "polls show that Texans strongly reject the standardized
testing an privatization policies his family has promoted. Unless
George Bush can prove he's not just another Bush, his candidacy
is likely to be met with strong opposition across the state."

http://progressnow.pnstate.org/site/R?i=1BGvYJV4TtdkmHp8qjYkxA

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