It can be easy to focus on all the things that need fixing – and there’s a lot that needs our attention, given today’s woke Left agenda! But the truth is, there’s also so much good to celebrate – especially in the states! In fact, much of what is happening at the state level is directly responding to the issues that concern us most – and protecting families in the process.

That’s why every year, Family Policy Alliance awards the states that did the most to protect families. Our 2023 “Craig’s List” results are in! (And no, this has nothing to do with the website where you sell your old couch – it’s named after our CEO, Craig DeRoche!)

We just announced the awards LIVE online – you can still watch the full awards show on-demand on YouTube, Facebook, SoConReport.com or right here on this page. Watch to hear from the people who made the victories possible in their states and walk away encouraged!

Prefer to read? All the winners are also listed below – read all the way through to see who won the top award, Most Pro-Family State of the Year!

Cutting Edge Award:
Florida

Florida has truly been on the “Cutting Edge” of protecting children and families, paving the way for other states to do the same. This year, Florida passed a law protecting children from exposure to sexualized performances (such as drag performances), a law protecting children from dangerous and irreversible transgender procedures, a law expanding their well-known “Parental Rights in Education” law, and a bill protecting the lives of children in the womb from the time a heartbeat can be detected. This was a banner session that set the standard for states around the nation – a victory due in no small part to Family Policy Alliance’s state ally, Florida Family Policy Council.

 Honorable mention: Virginia

This year, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin established model policies for Virginia schools that affirm parental rights by preventing a school from “transitioning” a child without parental consent. The model policies also remove aspects of dangerous gender ideology from schools. This is an important step that other states should consider emulating. Family Policy Alliance is grateful to its state ally, The Family Foundation, for their bold leadership in Virginia that makes wins like this possible.


Best Team Effort:
Nebraska

This session, Nebraska lawmakers introduced two bills that protected children at different stages of life. The first protected some of the youngest Nebraskans in the womb from the tragedy of abortion, while the second protected children young and old from the dangerous and irreversible effects of transgender procedures. Family Policy Alliance’s state ally, Nebraska Family Alliance, worked together with courageous lawmakers to bring both bills through the legislative process.

But, as Nebraska’s legislative session came toward a close, neither bill had yet crossed the finish line – and the pro-life bill had failed to pass by just one vote. It was then that conservatives in Nebraska had an idea: what if they paired the bills together? Both bills were aimed at protecting children and allowing them to grow up unharmed – and the name of one was even, “Let Them Grow.” In a bold team effort, the lawmakers paired the bills and passed them together with just minutes left on the clock till the session ended – gaining not one, but two victories for families through an all-out team effort.


Life-Saver Award:
Idaho

Idaho was among the states with a law in place that protected babies from abortion in the wake of Roe v. Wade’s overturn. But what really set Idaho apart? The Abortion-Trafficking Act, which prevents Idahoans from driving kids out of state to get abortions. This comes at a time when many states are advertising their abortions for out-of-staters – serving as a sort of advertisement for traffickers or others who may want to cover up a teen pregnancy, or who simply see a minor’s new baby as an inconvenience to be quietly killed. Idaho’s law takes a bold stand for both the lives of those babies, and for the wellbeing and safety of their mothers, by preventing such “abortion trafficking.” Family Policy Alliance’s state ally, Idaho Family Policy Center, played an important role in making this law a reality.


Victory of the Year:
Kansas

While the title of this award is “victory” of the year, it could easily be “victories” of the year in Kansas. This year, Kansas passed two key laws, overriding their governor to do both. The first was the Women’s Bill of Rights, making Kansas the first state in the nation to pass such a law. Importantly, this law defines “sex” as a person’s biological sex, which stands as a stark contrast to the woke Left’s agenda of allowing men to gain privileges and opportunities meant for women simply by claiming a female identity (or vice versa). Additionally, Kansas joined the ranks of the states with a Save Girls’ Sports law, ensuring that girls’ sports are reserved just for female athletes. This victory was long- and hard-fought. Kansas legislators had to override their governor to achieve this win.

But the victories don’t stop there. Kansans also managed to get a Democrat vote for every pro-life bill in Kansas – sending a strong message that life is not and should not be a partisan issue. Each of these victories was made possible through the work of Family Policy Alliance’s state ally, Kansas Family Voice.


Defensive Player of the Year:
Connecticut

While it’s easy to see and understand pro-family wins on the offense, it’s important to also recognize defensive victories where they happen. This year, Family Policy Alliance’s state ally in Connecticut, Family Institute of Connecticut, opposed 17 dangerous pieces of legislation. Of those, they were able to completely stop 14 and partially stop 2 – meaning the pro-family side won in nearly every instance. Among the bad bills were an assisted suicide bill, major pro-abortion bills, anti-religious freedom legislation, a bill establishing comprehensive sex-education, and even a bill that defined single males as being “infertile.” That’s a lot of “bad” that the citizens of Connecticut won’t have to face thanks to courageous pro-family warriors in their state!


Help Not Harm Award:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah 

Transgender procedures leave children sterile, missing healthy organs, and often facing years of regret. That’s why states across the country have worked to pass Help Not Harm laws, which protect minors from these procedures until they reach the age of majority. Help Not Harm also offers victims of childhood transition an opportunity to sue the surgeons or other professionals who harmed them.

This year marked a major milestone for Help Not Harm, with the law being passed in its 20th state! The first Help Not Harm law was passed just two years ago in Arkansas, and most of the 20 states passed their laws in 2023 – making this a true watershed year for protecting children. In recognition of that, Family Policy Alliance is honoring all 20 states with some version of a Help Not Harm law, and extends special thanks to the many Family Policy Councils and alumni of Family Policy Foundation’s Statesmen Academy who made these victories possible.


Most Pro-Family State:
North Dakota and Montana

For the first time in Craig’s List history, Family Policy Alliance is awarding two “Most Pro-Family State” awards. It’s a testament to what an incredible year 2023 was for the pro-family movement around the nation: it was impossible to choose just one winner! Both North Dakota and Montana had exceptional pro-family victories throughout the year.

In North Dakota, Family Policy Alliance’s state ally North Dakota Family Alliance supported 50 bills. Of those, an astonishing 83% were put into law. Many of the bills were focused on protecting families from the effects of radical gender ideology. For example, North Dakota passed a law that prohibits drag shows in public where children could see the event, and another law prohibits obscenity in children’s sections of public and school libraries. The state also joined the ranks of those protecting children from transgender interventions and female athletes from competing against male competitors. North Dakota also made important strides in protecting life, religious freedom, and more. It was a phenomenal year for North Dakota!

In Montana, Family Policy Alliance’s state ally Montana Family Foundation supported 34 bills and opposed 11 bills. Overall, they had a 77% success rate (including both bills they wanted to pass and bills they wanted to fail). Among the bills they successfully defeated were a bill that would have introduced comprehensive sex education into schools, and a bill that would have allowed partial-birth abortions and undone decades of pro-life work. On the offensive, Montana’s wins covered a sweeping variety of issues, from education and adoption tax credits, to religious freedom protections, to pro-life and parental rights protections. Montana was also among the states that passed a Help Not Harm law (protecting minors from transgender procedures). This was a well-earned award for Montana!


Congratulations to these states, and to all those around the nation who have made a difference to protect children and families! If you’re inspired and want to know how to get involved in your state, you can connect with your state’s Family Policy Council at www.familypolicyalliance.com/allies

And, if you don’t already, be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our emails. We’ll keep you abreast of the latest wins, issues, and opportunities for action. Just use the buttons at the bottom of this email to connect.

That’s a wrap on Craig’s List 2023. Thanks for joining us!

Meridian Baldacci
Director, Strategy

 

 

Craig’s List 2021 is here! And no, we’re not talking about that Craig’s List. An award series named in honor of our CEO Craig DeRoche, Craig’s List is the best and worst of family policy in 2021. You all voted on the WORST policies for families in 2021, and now it’s time to share the results! With a countdown from “Worst for Children” all the way to “Most Dangerous for America” these are the bills, ideas, and actions YOU thought were worst of all.

Ready for some good news? Read to the end to hear about Craig’s (Best) List!

With no further ado, here it is: the 2021 edition of Craig’s (Worst) List.

#8. Worst for Children: Mutilation for Minors

What policy this year was worst for children? You chose “mutilation for minors,” and we can understand why. In December, California’s Insurance Commissioner put out an “opinion letter” informing insurers that if a minor girl wants “male chest reconstruction surgery” (aka a double mastectomy) as part of a transgender “transition,” the insurance company may not deny her request solely based on her age. In other words, California is actively supportive of minors receiving damaging, life-altering surgeries in the name of “gender transition.”

#7. Worst for Life: License to Kill Act

This one was the tightest contest of all. 49% understandably voted the “worst” was “Overwhelming Support for Infanticide” in Massachusetts. Ultimately, though, 51% of you chose the “License to Kill Act,” a New Jersey bill that – if it became law – would legalize abortion up to birth. Not only that, but it would allow non-residents to come to New Jersey for taxpayer-funded abortions (if they are unable to afford it). That could open the door for human traffickers to bring vulnerable, pregnant girls for taxpayer funded abortions. Indeed, this would be a “worst for life” if it became law.

#6. Worst Retaliation: Canceled by Association

It’s been quite a year for cancel culture, and we gave you two choices of some surprising ways it showed up. But the winner was clear: “Canceled by Association.” A Minnesota man was kicked off his city’s human rights commission after his wife, a state representative, sponsored legislation to protect girls’ sports and was recognized at a gala hosted by our friends at Minnesota Family Council. Talk about cancel culture!

#5. Worst Dispute: Waiting for a Waiting Period

This is one legal dispute that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Last year, Iowa passed a law that required women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion. That gives women time to consider choosing life instead of being pressured into having an abortion right away. But this year, a district judge issued an injunction against the law. The bill will next head to the Iowa Supreme Court.

#4. Worst COVID Restrictions: Fined for Faith

You all spoke loud and clear on your vote for “worst COVID restrictions!” With 74% of the vote, “fined for faith” took the “award.” What happened? In the midst of COVID restrictions, some churches and churchgoers were actually fined for meeting. One example: in Mississippi, churchgoers were fined $500 for attending a drive-in church service. The church pointed out that members even kept their windows rolled up! That truly was a “worst” of COVID.

#3. Worst for Women: Not Your Grandma’s ERA

What was one of the worst policy proposals for women in America? Many of you thought it was the renewed effort for a constitutional “Equal Rights Amendment.” The amendment would “clarify” that men and women are equal under law. It was a major debate in the 1970s. But it’s unnecessary as men and women are already equal under the law. Plus, this proposed constitutional amendment is not your grandma’s ERA: it would almost certainly be used to promote abortion and gender identity. With the majority of you calling it “worst for women,” it’s no wonder it hasn’t become reality – and that’s a good thing!

#2. Worst Word Choice: “Abortion Care”

While it was a close contest between “birthing people” and “abortion care,” the majority agreed: the term “abortion care” is such an oxymoron it has to be named “worst word choice” of 2021. Abortion is cruel for both child and mother. That’s not care.

#1. Most Dangerous for America: The Equality Act

We aren’t surprised that this one took the cake. The federal Equality Act would allow men in women’s locker rooms and on women’s sports teams, while opening the door for abortion expansion – and more. It would force LGBT ideology in schools, law, doctors’ offices, and throughout our culture. The bill would accomplish such sweeping changes by declaring that a person’s self-identified LGBT status is a “protected class” – something on the same level as race or national origin. It’s one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation ever to come from Congress, and the title of “Most Dangerous for America” is well-deserved!

That’s it for the “worst” of 2021…but there’s more of “Craig’s List” to come! Later this week, we’ll be announcing the best of 2021.  

We’ll be dropping hints on social media this week, so follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram if you haven’t already!

We can’t wait to share the best of 2021. Will your state be in the mix?

Meridian Baldacci
Policy and Communications Strategist

 

We know what you’re thinking. Craig’s list? No, we’re not talking about that Craig’s List. This list, named for our CEO Craig DeRoche, names the best and worst of family policy in the past year.

Over the past year, our nation has faced a lot. COVID, a divisive election, unrest, and countless attacks on the family. Yet, it’s also been a year full of unprecedented victories for children and families. That’s why we’re so excited to share “Craig’s List” with you this August!

We’re naming the best and worst quotes, laws, and other actions that affect families across America. And we want YOU to be involved!

This year, we’re inviting you to vote in categories ranging from “worst for children” to “most dangerous for America.” Come tell us what you think were the biggest attacks on the family, and we’ll share the results soon!

Here’s how you participate:

  1. Click this link to find the “award” nominees.
  2. Vote for your favorite in each category!
  3. Hit “submit!” If you enjoyed voting, be sure to share the survey with friends!

This year’s “worst list” nominees include the Equality Act, the time that leaders referred to moms as “birthing people,” some startling moments of cancel culture – and many more!

Which do you think was the most concerning moment? Let us know now! And, be on the lookout for our announcement of the best pro-family moments of the last year – the truly award-worthy moments.

Voting for Craig’s List 2021 is officially open!

Happy voting!

Meridian Baldacci
Policy and Communications Strategist