Democratic legislators in 30 states to rebut Trump's Congress address

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Democratic legislators in 30 states to rebut Trump's Congress address
Heidi M Przybyla , USA TODAY Published 6:03 a.m. ET Feb. 27, 2017


Democratic lawmakers in at least 30 U.S. states are either unveiling or highlighting legislation this week aimed at President Trump's working-class voters, in a nationwide coordinated rebuttal to the agenda the president will outline in his first joint address to Congress on Feb. 28.

It’s an attempt to form the legislative spine of a state-level resistance to Trump’s policies, Nick Rathod, executive director of State Innovation Exchange Action, which is overseeing the initiative, told USA TODAY.

The timing creates a juxtaposition between Democratic economic security prescriptions for workers, such as raising the minimum wage and paid family leave, and Trump tax reform and federal budget policies that, Democrats say, are at odds with his populist campaign oath to prioritize “forgotten” Americans from the factory floors of the Rust Belt to the sawmills of the Mountain West.

“If you work hard and play by the rules in this country, you should be paid enough to live on, to care for your family, and to retire securely,” Rathod said in an interview previewing the legislative “Week of Action” that will spotlight more than 130 bills in states from Oklahoma to Alaska.

Trump’s campaign promises stand “in stark contrast to the corporate, billionaire-driven agenda” now emerging, he said. SiX Action, a nonprofit trying to help Democrats regain power at the state level, marshaled 40 different left-leaning organizations to help coordinate the effort. It includes bill introduction ceremonies to draw media attention even in states where the legislative packages face an uphill battle because Republicans control both chambers.

State lawmakers are offering provisions that, according to polls, enjoy broad public support to also include overtime pay, paid family leave requirements and equal pay for women.

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http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/27/democratic-legislators-30-states-rebut-trumps-congress-address/98314184/