Take State Action to Defend Against Authoritarianism!

I am writing at a moment of grave concern for our democracy, civil liberties, and the safety of our communities. The current federal administration has undertaken a series of actions that threaten fundamental freedoms, undermine state authority, and endanger residents. While these actions originate in Washington, states retain the power—and the responsibility—to protect their people. Among the most alarming actions we are witnessing across states include: • Federal agents conducting raids on schools, churches, and community spaces. • Tracking of people who visit abortion clinics through data brokers. • Prosecution of political opponents while pardoning violent allies. • Use of emergency powers to divert funds Congress allocated for disaster relief. • Construction of detention camps. • Surveillance of journalists, community leaders, and peaceful protesters. In addition, the administration has recently: • Frozen or redirected federal funding to silence programs it opposes. • Ordered investigations and subpoenas targeting providers of gender-affirming health care, even in states where such care is legal. • Imposed restrictions designed to suppress voting and interfere with state-run elections. • Launched investigations into state Medicaid programs that serve immigrant communities. • Directed federal immigration enforcement campaigns that override local laws and sanctuary protections. • Attempted to weaken renewable fuel standards in ways that harm state economies and clean energy efforts. • Interfered with public health by undermining vaccine access and coordination across states. These actions collectively amount to an assault on constitutional rights, democratic governance, public health, and the principle of state sovereignty. States must not be passive in the face of this overreach. Not all of these actions have happened in our state-yet.  But we urge you to take immediate steps, through both legislation and executive action, to include coordination and compacts with other states, to: • Protect the privacy and safety of patients, providers, journalists, and community members. • Ensure continued access to reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, and vaccines. • Safeguard the integrity of our elections and ensure that voting remains free, fair, and accessible. • Strengthen sanctuary and privacy protections so local and state resources are not conscripted into federal crackdowns. • Establish legal and financial protections against sudden federal funding freezes. • Defend clean energy standards and the authority of states to chart their own climate and energy future. We recognize the weight of this responsibility, but history reminds us that states can serve as the strongest bulwark against federal overreach and authoritarian practices. By acting decisively now, you will ensure that our State remains a place where constitutional freedoms are preserved, communities are safe, and democratic institutions are protected.