The latest season of Pew’s “After the Fact” podcast looks at the innovative solutions some states are developing to meet long-standing problems. From making small loans more affordable for consumers, to improving community flood preparedness, to designing corridors for wildlife to migrate safely across high-traffic roads—protecting animals and drivers—state leaders are working together to tackle big challenges.
We speak with Sue Urahn, Pew’s new president and CEO, about the role of data in state policymaking and share five of these stories of innovation from around the nation. Join us as we explore how states are finding new ways to solve problems, even during a pandemic, and hear from the leaders and experts who are making a difference.
Public employees count on pensions when they retire, but most states haven’t adequately funded their obligations. As of 2018, the funding gap for all the states totaled $1.24 trillion.
Pastor Carl Ruby of Central Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio, helped to lead efforts among faith leaders, local organizations, and community members to build support for payday lending reforms. Ohio’s bipartisan Fairness in Lending Act was passed in 2018, creating more reasonable and affordable small loans for consumers and saving borrowers there $75 million a year.
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Over the past several decades, payday loan storefronts have become familiar sights in many cities across America. First created to provide people with access to smaller amounts of credit for short periods, payday loans in some places actually keep many borrowers in longer cycles of debt as fees add up when they cannot afford to repay the full loans. Ohio and Virginia have instituted innovative reforms to make small loans fair and affordable for consumers.
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South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signs a bill in October 2020 creating an Office of Resilience to direct disaster preparedness and minimize the effects of flooding on taxpayers, communities, and the environment.
Brad Nettles
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In Houston, Texas a house sits completely submerged in flood water in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, which created about $125 billion in damages state-wide and was the second most costly hurricane to hit America’s mainland since 1900. Research shows that every dollar invested in disaster mitigation can save $6 in damage costs and help minimize the devastating impact on communities.
Marcus Yam
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
David Zee takes medication to combat opioid use disorder at his home in Baltimore. Zee is an advocate for outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder, which allows people to take medication at home rather than at a clinic, so there is less disruption to their everyday lives. Such treatment has become increasingly important since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This wildlife overpass stretches across Interstate 80 on Pequop Summit in northeastern Nevada, allowing mule deer and other animals to continue along migratory routes unobstructed. These wildlife corridors protect people and animals, reducing the risk of costly, and sometimes fatal, collisions with drivers.
The Pew Charitable Trusts
In Wyoming, researchers tag mule deer with GPS collars to better understand their migratory routes, which can span hundreds and sometimes even thousands of miles. Over the past 15 years, advances in the technology have helped broaden conservationists’ knowledge of animal movements and target locations where wildlife crossings would benefit animals and people.
Benjamin Kraushaar
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