Even with gerrymandering making some headlines, the states tend to get lost between local and national news cycles. And yet they are often pushing national policy conversations, and consistently influencing the daily lives of citizens. In the next three episodes, we attempt to give states their due.

We kick off by considering why states are so relevant to both national politics and our daily lives. That, plus a quick look at what they're actually doing up there in that dome.

#008 State Legislatures Part 1: Nuts and Bolts

Inspiring Americans to think about how we live together, with short explainers, conversations, and surprising stories about the institutions and ideas we invent to govern our lives at the local level. It's local government for non-wonks and above-average citizens, covering everything from district attorneys, to city charters, to zoning, to public schools.

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An Interview with Josh McNeil, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of PA.

As the Trump administration rolls back environmental protections at the nation level, some states will serve as bulwarks, enacting their own state level protections. Currently, Pennsylvania is not one of those states. Not by a longshot. Josh McNeil is working to change that.

https://www.conservationpa.org/

#011 Environmental Issues at the State Level

Elizabeth Fiedler was a respected reporter for Philadelphia public radio station WHYY. In 2017, she set her career aside to run for a State House seat in South Philly. Not only did she win handedly--turnout in the district was as high as it had been in the last Presidential election.

Amanda McIllmurray was at the helm of the campaign through that May primary. We talk about the tactics and principles that led to Fiedler's win, and which may have led to such a stunning turnout for the district.

#010 Anatomy of a Winning State House Campaign

In episode 008 we took a look at the way state legislatures work. But when we only talk about the way institutions work today, it’s easy to accept that that’s how they were meant to be, or how they must be. A look back can rid us of the assumption that history is a straight line, and that our institutions are always progressing.

On this episode, we look back at a few evolutionary milestones, and ask the question: are today's institutions where where we want to be?

#009 State Legislatures Part 2: a (Brief) History

Every week a city employee or contractor comes and whisks your trash away to some far off place. But it turns out 'away' isn't that far, and it's filling up fast. Hear about one city's plan to curb their waste and litter problem.

#008 State Legislatures Part 1: Nuts and Bolts

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