2014 Policy Book
Policies introduced and shared by members and partners of the YEO Network
Dear Friends,
With 2014 coming to a close, it is our hope that the momentum generated by the 2014 National
Convening continues to ignite each and every member of this dynamic network. As many of you
know, we left the Washington, DC beltway to take Convening back to the states - where real change
is underway.
The 2014 National Convening and policy agenda focused on the struggles against inequality that
lie at the heart of all our platform issues. The 2014 Policy Book is a reflection of the YEO community
and membership driven agenda. We used the lens of restoring power to the people and advancing
equality to compile over 80 policies for the 2014 Policy Book, over one third of which were authored
by YEOs. Introduced and shared by members and partners of the YEO Network, the policies
highlighted in this year’s policy book focus on the five issue areas most important to YEOs:
Defending Workers and Families
Convening opened with the theme “Defending Workers and Families” in recognition of
continued – and increasing – economic inequality combined with low social mobility, and
concentrated power and wealth in the hands of a shrinking elite. YEOs’ work to defend workers
and families entails initiatives at the state and local level to promote minimum – and equal –
wages, to ensure paid sick and family leave, and to ensure that every American’s labor is visible,
protected, and valued.
Ensuring a Sustainable Future
Elected officials today face the critical and interconnected challenges of ensuring a sustainable
future, spurring green innovation and job creation, and protecting the environment in both our
rural lands and our dense cities. We also face continued threats to the natural environment and
public health through reliance on the often unregulated fossil fuel industries and the expansion of
natural gas drilling and production. However, we also face unlimited opportunities for innovation,
increased efficiency, and smart growth that preserve our resources for the next generation.
Building a Healthy and Inclusive Society
With the successes of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), elected officials now undertake the
complex challenges of implementing and funding the ACA’s reforms, while addressing continued
health disparities and inequalities from food deserts to lack of health care access for certain
immigrant populations. We also continue to grapple with health crises such as unchecked gun
violence and unprecedented threats to women’s health and reproductive rights. However, there
are also new possibilities for preventative and comprehensive care through wellness initiatives
and more holistic models of well-being.
Empowering and Educating Communities
Faced with a persistent achievement gap and a number of underperforming schools, there has
been a growing movement to privatize education, undermine teachers and unions, and funnel
money to unregulated schools. In the coming year, elected officials will face the challenges of the
continued implementation of Common Core standards, high-stakes testing, and school funding
gaps. They will also meet new opportunities, including a renewed focus on early education and
supports-based learning, as well as a growing commitment to the eradication of the school-toprison pipeline, violence, and bullying in schools.
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Intro
Policy
2014 Book