WCPT 820 Interview: Daniel Squadron

Patti Vasquez talks to Daniel Squadron, president and co-founder of Future Now and author of “The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union” (2026). They discuss the critical importance of state-level governance in addressing systemic issues like health care, labor rights, and economic inequality.

Daniel Squadron's Background
- Squadron grew up in New York City in a family deeply committed to public service and civil rights.
- His father was a lawyer who participated in the 1963 March on Washington, while his mother worked with the ACLU and participated in the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer.
- Squadron emphasizes the influence of historical figures like Bayard Rustin and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his worldview regarding universalism and equality.

The Power of State Government
- Squadron argues that state governments have a more direct impact on citizens' lives than the federal government in Washington, D.C.
- He left his position in the New York State Senate to focus on political shifts occurring across the other 49 states.
- The discussion highlights how state-level decisions determine critical outcomes for residents, such as Medicaid expansion and minimum wage levels.

Labor and Economic Stability
- The conversation explores how organized labor provides benefits like predictable scheduling, paid leave, and retirement security through negotiation.
- Squadron notes that even when private-sector union membership is low, these negotiations significantly shape the broader labor market and public policy.
- He argues that full-time work should provide a path to a reasonable life, including stable housing and the ability to support a family.

Healthcare Disparities by State
- Squadron compares health care access in Texas, where Medicaid was not expanded, to states like Colorado or Illinois, where it was expanded.
- He illustrates how state-level decisions impact families' ability to afford medical care during critical moments like childbirth or illness.

Media Influence and Civic Values
- Patti and Daniel discuss how conservative media consolidation has created an imbalance between progressive and conservative voices in radio broadcasting.
- Squadron suggests that Democrats should focus more on shared American values rather than just debating specific policies or partisan grievances.
- He advocates for grounding political movements in the "promissory note" of equality found in the Declaration of Independence to reach a wider audience.

Mobilizing Through Local Action
- Patti shares her personal motivation for entering politics, driven by advocating for social services for her son who has a rare genetic disorder.
- Squadron recommends three ways for citizens to engage: supporting The States Project, organizing at state capitals, or running for local office themselves.
- The dialogue concludes with an emphasis on moving from feelings of powerlessness toward active participation within state legislatures to protect democracy.