Driving It Home with Patti VasquezPatti Vasquez talks to Daniel Squadron, co-founder of The States Forum and The States Project, and author of "The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union."
Squadron and Vasquez discussed the impact of recent state legislative shifts and how states can deliver visible results for voters. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Squadron said new majorities and broken supermajorities create opportunities to advance policies such as paid family leave, higher minimum wages, and Medicaid expansion.
- In states with divided government he argued that governors and legislatures should seek common ground on affordability, health care, wages, housing, and child care.
- He urged new majorities to address affordability and corruption, including entrenched practices and special-interest influence.
- He said voters should judge whether elected officials deliver results, rather than accept explanations that divided government prevented action.
- Squadron advocated for states to assess budgets over 10 years, arguing that this can reveal the long-term public and fiscal benefits of effective programs, including maternal home visiting and early intervention. He recently published a piece on Substack, "Democracy’s Burning. Time For An Esoteric, Technical Change To Expand Opportunity."
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).
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