NewDEAL Leaders Preview 2025 Legislative Agenda
Ahead of this year’s state legislative sessions, NewDEAL brought together top leaders in three states to preview what to watch in state policy this year. Moderated by NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan, the leaders focused on kitchen-table topics that impact families around the country, including housing, healthcare, and education.
The speakers included:
- Rep. Joanna McClinton, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House;
- Rep. Ben Bowman, House Majority Leader in Oregon; and
- Rep. Tanya Miller, House Democratic Caucus Chair in Georgia.
“State legislatures are the most important democratic institution in the country,” said Rep. Bowman when asked about potential harmful policies coming from the Republican-controlled Congress and Trump administration. As he and others are rightly worried about harmful policies from the federal government, these leaders are focused on how state governments can work to promote positive changes while simultaneously responding to what happens in Washington when required.
Throughout the conversation, the leaders emphasized three broad areas: a focus on the economy; how to deal with the incoming Trump administration; and key priorities for 2025.
A Focus on the Economy
Whether in a blue state (Oregon), purple state (Pennsylvania), or red state (Georgia), all three Leaders stressed the need to focus on the economy in the coming few years. In fact, a focus on the economy helped some local officials win in 2024 despite national headwinds against Democrats.
Speaker Joanna McClinton credited the Democrats holding the state’s House majority to key economic initiatives accomplished the previous year, including making prescription medications more affordable, tripling the state’s child tax credit, and more than $1 billion in additional resources for public education. And Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman credited economic messaging with helping Democrats gain a legislative supermajority in the Oregon House. Bowman specifically praised messaging from the 2024 NewDEAL Messaging Guide as “a really good framework for how we won in Oregon,” noting how candidates focused on the economy; freedom (including the freedom to access abortion services); and drawing sharp contrasts with Republican policies.
Looking ahead, Georgia Rep. Tanya Miller explained that the right messaging will ensure the residents of the state know what Democrats stand for, including a strong focus on how so many issues, from housing to jobs to education, are related to their economic prosperity.
“We are the party of opportunity,” Miller said. “We want every Georgian to prosper.”
In that vein, communications efforts from her and other Georgia elected officials will be “multi-streamed and multi-lingual,” a nod to the growing Hispanic and AAPI populations in Georgia. Miller wants to both leverage legacy media through more press conferences while also capitalizing on newer forms of media, including social media and podcasting.
The Looming Trump Administration
Donald Trump’s return to the White House was a major topic for the speakers. All generally agreed on two broad points.
First, there is no need to be drawn into every absurd statement or zany policy proposal that comes from the Trump administration. As Miller noted, she is determined not to get sidetracked by “every nutty thing from Washington” for the next few years.
Second, state legislatures can and must stand up against cruel and unjust policies implemented by the Republican-controlled Congress and/or President-elect Trump. Miller stated unequivocally that she and other Democrats will not remain silent about attacks and harmful policies that will hurt Georgians.
Each of the speakers noted that the best way to deal with the fallout of a second Trump term was to focus on delivering results for residents of their states.
Bowman admits that there will likely be “horrific things” coming out of the Trump administration, but his goal is for the Oregon legislature to “focus on making life better in our state.” He noted that half of the children in Oregon are on free or reduced school lunch, and Democrats must focus on issues close to home rather than react to every tweet or rumor coming from Washington, D.C.
In Pennsylvania, McClinton emphasized that she will not abandon bipartisan efforts even as a polarizing figure enters the White House. She noted that 95 percent of the bills passed last session garnered support from both Democrats and Republicans including the first gun safety bill in more than 10 years. At the same time, she is aware of major differences between the two parties. Democrats, she said, will not exclude anyone and must have a big tent. She drew a contrast with Republicans, “who will proudly ostracize folks with racism, misogyny, sexism — those are things that do not define the Democratic party.”
In Georgia, Miller emphasized a plan to point out differences between the two parties and highlight the positive alternative vision coming from Democrats. “We need to give folks a message to hold on to,” she said, emphasizing that the party cannot rattle off policy details, but must speak to people where they are.
Key 2025 Priorities
Across the board, these leaders emphasized getting back to basics in the coming years. There is a need not only to deliver results for constituents, but to ensure voters know what Democrats stand for.
Looking to 2025, McClinton hopes to build on previous successes and continue to focus on improving the lives of Pennsylvanians through smart, pragmatic leadership. Goals include cutting costs for residents, increasing access to health care, strengthening public safety, robust investments in public schools, and building an economy that works for everyone.
In Oregon, Bowman is laser-focused on making government work for the people. He wants to re-envision how legislatures view oversight, with the goal being less punitive and more focused on making government programs more effective. The job of legislators is not done when bills are passed, he said, but when policies are successfully implemented to make the lives of people better.
In particular, Bowman is particularly excited to address the rapid increase of private equities taking over smaller health care operations. Such corporate takeovers often result in higher prices and worse health outcomes.
And in Georgia, Miller emphasized a focus on messaging and communication with both the Democratic base in the state as well as swing voters. Her job, she said, is to communicate a positive vision for Georgia that stands in opposition to the policies put forward by Republicans. The external focus will ensure the residents of the state know what Democrats stand for, from housing to jobs to education, and that Democrats are seen as making the economy the top priority.
When it comes to potential victories in 2025, Miller pointed to two potential areas of bipartisanship cooperation: Expanding Medicaid in the state and support for gun storage laws.
The full, 40-minute discussion is available here. And to hear more from NewDEAL Leaders throughout the year, subscribe to NewDEAL’s award-winning podcast, An Honorable Profession, wherever you listen to podcasts.