The Executive Editor of the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Stateline Project says while there may be gridlock in Washington, at the state level, there is a lot of action.
The State of the States reportis being released this week. It follows major issues in several states.
Stateline Executive Editor Scott Greenberger says some states allow for Republicans or Democrats to enact reforms favored by their party. But Greenberger says since most states require a balanced budget, there is usually less gridlock, even if power is divided between the two political parties.
This year the State of the States report is focusing on higher education, Medicaid expansion, criminal justice reform, budgets and housing. Michigan’s problems are similar to many other states. Greenberger says that includes trying to find ways to boost money for transportation. Greenberger says criminal justice reform seems to be getting traction in Michigan, as it is in other states.
The ongoing water crisis in Flint is a main focus in Michigan. But Greenberger says aging water infrastructure is a problem throughout the country. He says it could be an issue that other states take up in the near future.
Greenberger says criminal justice reform is one issue where there is bi-partisan agreement that action is needed in many states. He says there is also growing agreement that something needs to be done about college costs and high student debt. But Greenberger says it’s not year clear whether agreement can be reached on solutions.