PLAN: Adapting Conservative Tactics for Progressive Ends!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
2/21/06CONTACT: Matt Singer, 406-544-0211www.progressivestates.org {http://www.progressivestates.org} NEWREPORT: The Battle For America's StatesStudy details how conservatives are using state policy to wage a war;Organization's website shows how progressives can fight back

Helena, MT – The Progressive Legislative Action Network (PLAN) todayissued a report that exposes many of the conservative movement'smethods of operation in state government and how progressives candeliver results.

The report is also in an article entitled "ForgetD.C. - The Battle Is In the States" that appears on the cover of thenew In These Times magazine, released today.

PLAN also formallyrolled out its new website at www.progressivestates.org{http://www.progressivestates.org} and blog atwww.progressivestates.org/blog{http://www.progressivestates.org/blog} - both of which will serve as the "virtual" war room in the fight for the states.

"For the past thirty years, conservatives of different stripes have had their efforts clearly coordinated with a long-term strategy inmind," says Nathan Newman, PLAN's Policy Director and Author of theReport. "The resulting policies in the states -- whether handouts tocorporations, wedge issues to pit progressives against each other, orstructural plans to weaken progressive institutions -- are not an accident, but the result of years of engineering by powerfulinterests."

The report's findings, featured in a cover story in the current issueof In These Times, outlines the fundamental importance of state policy and the many ways that conservative organizations have succeeded in advancing their policy goals at the state level, such as aiding Exxon in fighting global warming legislation and working for pharmaceuticalcompanies to block the reimportation of cheaper drugs from Canada.

The report also offers a set of policy solutions that progressives can advance to help America's families and to help stop the corporate conservative movement in its tracks. Among the solutions are minimum wage increases, paid family leave and clean energy policies that fight global warming while creating jobs in America.

"This report is a diagnosis of what is ailing state politics inAmerica. But it doesn't stop at concluding what is wrong. This report also offers PLAN's prescription for change in the states. It's our blueprint for how to fight and win for everyday America's interests,"explains Joel Barkin, Executive Director of PLAN.

The release of the report coincides with the rolling out of PLAN's new website, which serves as a centralized resource for informationon legislation, state policy news, and rising stars in thelegislative ranks. The site includes comprehensive policy sections with content being loaded regularly, a blog and newsfeed to find out the latest news from the states, a section featuring interviews withexperienced and successful legislators, and access to special resources for journalists and bloggers.

PLAN was established in 2005 to help coordinate and advance theprogressive agenda at the state level. It has gained the support andbacking of the AFL-CIO; Service Employees International Union (SEIU);American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees(AFSCME); United Steelworkers; MoveOn; and the Open SocietyInstitute, as well as legislators across the country.

PLAN on the Web: http://www.progressivestates.org/{http://www.progressivestates.org/} The Report:http://www.progressivestates.org/report{http://www.progressivestates.org/report} The In These Times story isattached, and at http://www.progressivestates.org/itt{http://www.progressivestates.org/itt} To schedule an interview withJoel Barkin or Nathan Newman concerning the report, the website, orthe organization and its strategy, contact Matt Singer atmsinger@progressivestates.org or 406-544-0211. *****************************http://www.progressivestates.org/itt{