Across a variety of policy areas, state legislatures wield 86% of the power to impact our daily lives in the United States, more than six times the power of the federal government.
The constant barrage of executive orders coming from the Oval Office is not governing, and it isn’t about making people’s lives better. It’s a blatant power grab by Trump and his billionaire buddies.
But in a nation of laws, one with checks and balances against any one person having complete and total power, there’s one place for hope and action: state legislatures. TSP’s research shows that state legislatures have six times the power of the federal government to impact people’s daily lives. And, it’s where pro-democracy lawmakers still have the power to govern; they can block Trump’s radical agenda, and pass policies to protect the people they serve.
Putting Money in Americans’ Pockets
In an affordability crisis, where working people can no longer afford essentials like food or rent, state-level laws can cushion some of the blow. For instance, while there hasn’t been a federal minimum wage increase since 2009, 30 state legislatures have since enacted minimum wage, an increase of $1.5 trillion annually in additional income for workers. And while there is currently no nationwide paid family leave policy, in the 13 states that have now enacted this policy, 66 million employees have accrued 700 million weeks of guaranteed leave that they can use to take care of their children or elderly relatives.
Quality, Affordable Healthcare
Trump’s executive orders have made it more difficult and expensive for millions to access quality healthcare. But who represents you in your state legislature is a greater determinant of your ability to see a doctor and pay for your prescriptions. There are 40 state legislatures that have enacted medicaid expansion, which covers 72 percent of the total population — 243 million people across the country. And, since Roe v. Wade was overturned, 60% of Americans now live in states where state legislatures have the final say over abortion access.
Strong, Effective Public Education
True to his campaign promises, Trump issued an executive order to close the Department of Education and has fired half the staff. While federal support for students attending college and kids with special needs is now at risk, 92 percent of revenue for elementary and secondary education ultimately comes from state revenues. And, 86 percent of direct spending in higher education — primarily for campus operations and maintenance — occurs at the state level.
Infrastructure
By executive order, Trump has attempted to roll back investments meant to improve our nation’s infrastructure while creating good jobs. However, much of the power to maintain and improve our infrastructure lives in the states. State and local governments provide 75% of highway and road funding – approximately $150 billion annually. State governments also regulate 80% of water dams across the United States.
Clean Air, Energy, and Water
While Trump slashes environmental protections and guts federal agencies, state legislatures are on the front lines of advancing policies that prioritize health and safety for us and the planet. Trump has rolled back the EPA’s ability to protect drinking water from harmful and invisible forever chemicals, but in 10 states that have passed policies to establish safe drinking water standards, 80 million people are protected from these pollutants. And 14 states have enacted policies to achieve 100% clean energy standards by 2040.
Defending Democracy
But it’s not only life-impacting policies that state legislatures are responsible for: it’s our very democracy. 71% of congressional districts are subject to state legislative control in redistricting — that means states can literally shape congressional majorities. And Trump has directed states to impose voter ID mandates through executive order because 100% of state legislatures administer the “times, places, and manner of holding elections.” He knows that the power to control how elections are administered across the country lies in state legislatures.
The Bottom Line
Across a variety of kitchen table issues state legislatures wield 86% of the power to impact our daily lives in the United States, more than six times the power of the federal government. This is why we must focus our attention on these often ignored centers of power. Because even though they receive only a fraction of the attention of federal races, state legislatures have more power to impact our daily lives. Those of us who believe in and want to protect our democracy can’t afford to lose any of the progress we have made in state legislatures. They are decentralized sources of power where we can protect against the complete annihilation of government’s ability to protect our well-being and safety, and where we have clear opportunities to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
