Lower costs. Clean air and water. Civil rights. Good jobs. Most people think that the issues that impact our daily lives are decided in Washington D.C. They aren’t. They’re decided in state legislatures — the fourth branch of our government.
In The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union, co-founder of The States Project Daniel Squadron charts the overlooked power of state legislatures and hands readers a road map to impact the most critical center of power hiding in plain sight. It’s a must-read for anyone who cares about our country and wants to do something about where it’s headed.
At The States Project, we build power for state lawmakers, the most important policymakers in the country, to improve lives. But we can’t do it alone. Once you understand the power of state legislatures, it’s time to take action.
Get our guide to building power where it matters: state legislatures.
“Politics is not something done to us—it’s controlled by our nation’s citizens. If you’re one of them, it’s your duty to ask yourself what you want from the government and what you can do so that your vision for our country shapes its future.”
– Daniel Squadron, Author of The Fourth Branch and co-founder of The States Project
Meet Daniel and plug in to a community of activists working to make change at the state level at these stops on The Fourth Branch book tour:
| Date and Time | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Monday, June 8 |
New York, NY |
Daniel Squadron in Conversation with VIP Special Guest | Tickets |
|
Wednesday, June 10 |
Washington, D.C. |
Daniel Squadron in Conversation with EJ Dionne and VIP Special Guest | Tickets |
|
Monday, June 15 |
New Orleans, Louisiana |
Daniel Squadron in conversation with Tim Miller | Tickets (coming soon!) |
|
Tuesday, June 23 |
Los Angeles, California |
Daniel Squadron in conversation with VIP Special Guest |
|
Tuesday, June 30 |
Baltimore, Maryland |
Daniel Squadron in conversation In with State Senator Cory McCray | Tickets (coming soon!) |
Daniel Squadron on Winning State Legislatures
MAY 20, 2026
State lawmakers have the power to enact policies that can protect millions of Americans, and the overall direction of the country, from the worst impacts of a second Trump presidency.
Ready to work with us in the states? Sign up for our email list to make an impact — right from your inbox:
Ready to work with us in the states? Sign up to make an impact — right from your inbox.
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