Narrative-first, evidence-driven

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States control a lot of “the rules of the game” and the money pipelines. If local is the steering wheel, state is often the engine and the speed limits.

What counts as “state”

• State legislature (house/senate)
• Governor / executive agencies
• Attorney general
• State boards (licensing, education, utilities)
• State courts (interpretation and enforcement effects)

What state can actually move (the knobs)

Money + formulas

• School funding formulas
• Medicaid / health program administration (varies by state)
• Transportation funding allocation
• Local government aid

Standards + protections

• Labor standards and enforcement resources
• Consumer protection rules
• Insurance regulation and rate review (state-dependent)
• Utility regulation (often state commissions)

Preemption (the big one)

• What locals are allowed to do (housing, labor, environment, policing rules, etc.)
• If you care about local solutions, preemption is either the lock or the key

Housing supply (often decisive)

• Legalizing housing types statewide
• Streamlining approvals / limiting abusive delay tactics
• Funding for infrastructure tied to housing production

The state calendar (how timing works)

• Sessions are seasonal; committee deadlines matter.
• Budget cycles are where leverage concentrates.
• Agencies run rulemaking year-round.

Best core playbooks to pair with state

• 01 One-Ask Engine
• 02 Candidate Evaluation + Feedback (state reps matter a lot)
• 07 Public Comment + Rulemaking (agencies are huge)
• 08 Accountability / Watchdog Lite (follow the money + enforcement)

The “state move” (minimum viable)

1. Identify the committee + chair (where bills live or die)
2. Make one ask that maps to: rule, budget, or enforcement capacity
3. Submit one comment / make one call / attend one hearing
4. Follow up once with a measurable request

One-Ask examples (state)

• “Fund X additional inspectors/enforcement staff for [agency] and publish quarterly outcomes.”
• “Require rate review transparency standards and publish approvals/denials.”
• “Limit preemption in [area] so locals can address housing supply.”
• “Adopt a statewide permitting timeline standard for housing.”

Watchouts (state failure modes)

• Bill graveyard: “introduced” is not “moving.” Track committee action.
• Symbolic votes: great press, no implementation. Ask: who enforces?
• Capture risk: boards/commissions can become industry-friendly by default.

What success looks like (state)

• A rule with enforcement teeth
• Money allocated + staffing capacity
• A published metric and reporting requirement
• Preemption reduced (or clarified) so locals can act

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