Six Key Moments from the 2024 Ideas Summit
NewDEAL Forum hosted its annual Ideas Summit in Phoenix, Arizona in mid-April. The gathering brought state and local policymakers together with thought leaders from the public and private sectors to share ideas, hear about models from Phoenix, and engage in conversations about key issues facing communities across the country.
Attendees discussed the plethora of opportunities to catalyze local climate solutions using federal investments, the challenges of administering safe and secure elections in the face of physical and digital threats, and the possibilities for effective governing solutions offered by artificial intelligence.
Here are six key takeaways from the conference:
- New Poll Shows Voters Concerned about Freedom.
NewDEAL Forum CEO Debbie Cox Bultan shared recent polling data showing that the issues of freedom and democracy top voters’ concerns in 2024. Democrats hold a slight advantage in the minds of Americans when it comes to which party is more likely to defend their freedom. At the same time, Americans of all parties are increasingly worried about the state of American democracy.
“When it comes to whether this will matter come election day, majorities nationally and in Arizona say that the party they associate with freedom will influence how they vote,” Cox Bultan said. “This underscores the need to make the case for a freedom-framed agenda.”
- Learn more about the NewDEAL Leaders’ & New Dems’ joint 2024 Freedom Agenda here.
2. Election Officials Confident 2024 Elections Will Be Safe and Secure.
Despite acknowledging legitimate threats to democracy in 2024 — including misinformation and targeted efforts to suppress voting — experts and elected officials struck a confident, determined tone, putting their faith in the American people. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes provided a first-hand account of the state of our elections system, noting specific actions he is taking to ensure the state’s election workers are prepared for any and all eventualities in an ever-changing world. He was joined by Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates and Jefferson County, CO, Clerk & Recorder Amanda Gonzalez for an in-depth conversation about running safe and secure elections when some actors seem hostile to free and fair elections.
- Learn more about the NewDEAL Forum’s Democracy Playbook here.
3. Cleveland Mayor Praises Dynamic Impact of Biden-Era Legislation.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb discussed the successful implementation of federal funds into a number of community projects. In a conversation with Ryan Coonerty, co-host of the NewDEAL’s podcast, An Honorable Profession, Bibb detailed how he has taken advantage of Biden-era laws like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan Act to create jobs, modernize city hall, address public health concerns, bolster climate solutions, and more. He also emphasized that “these funds are giving cities a once-in-a-generation opportunity to focus on equality, bridging the racial wealth gap.”
- Learn more about the impact of the American Rescue Plan here.
4. Education Poll Shows Partisan Divide on Education Issues.
CEO of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) Jorge Elorza previewed new polling from DFER displaying the partisan divide on education issues and the importance of these debates for state and local leaders. Democrats still hold an advantage for caring about education but not on who’s delivering on education, Elorza noted. He encouraged elected leaders to focus on public school choice, as opposed to private school choice.
“When education is done right, it’s the great equalizer in society,” Elorza said. “When it’s not done right, it’s probably the greatest source of inequality in our society.”
- Learn more about NewDEAL Forum’s work on education policy here.
5. Focus on Developing a Strong Workforce for the Green Economy.
The Biden-Harris adminstration is investing billions of dollars to address the climate crisis, and state and local elected officials can take advantage of that funding to create good-paying green jobs for their residents, according to experts and elected leaders at the NewDEAL Forum Summit.
New Hampshire Senator and co-chair of the NewDEAL Forum’s Climate Policy Group Rebecca Perkins Kwoka led Summit attendees through a conversation on local climate solutions. Michigan Senator Sam Singh addressed how to make climate-friendly procurement decisions, take immediate steps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and leverage recent federal investments while creating good jobs. And Sen. Singh emphasized the need to move immediately in order to make the greatest impact while this funding is available.
“We’re not going to avert the climate crisis as a whole, but we’re never going to get another opportunity like this,” Sen. Singh said of the possibilities presented by the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments in climate solutions.
- Learn more about the NewDEAL Forum’s work on climate policy here.
6. The Upside of Artificial Intelligence for State and Local Governments
State and local governments can use artificial intelligence to enhance and amplify the work they are already doing, according to Stephen Caines, Chief Innovation Officer for San José. He noted that integrating AI does not have to be transformative, but can be additive to what local governments are already doing.
“Understanding what generative AI can do can help people understand why this is such a powerful tool when used in the right manner,” Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Ahmad Thomas said, as the panelists encouraged attendees to take small steps towards AI tools rather than worry about massive technological overhauls.
- Learn more about the NewDEAL Forum’s work on AI and democracy here.
If you want to dive in deeper, videos of many sessions, including opening remarks from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, are available here.
