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After the 2024 election, many voters were left feeling disillusioned with America’s highest governing body. Anxious citizens point to the federal government and national elected officials with growing alarm, but the broken political system they see in Washington is merely a symptom. The site of that break — and the best opportunity to mend it — lies in the states. In The Fourth Branch, co-founder of The States Project Daniel Squadron opens readers’ eyes to the oft-overlooked arm of government that has far more power than most people even realize: state legislatures.Nearly every major issue that Americans care about — from climate change to minimum wage, abortion access to criminal justice reform, gun control to paid family leave — can be determined without the involvement of the federal government. Detailing the systems, experiences, and strategic thinking that inform The States Project’s approach to making change — one designed to combat decades of conservative investment and manipulation at the state level — this guide is an urgently needed and galvanizing framework for participation in our democracy, made all the more engaging by Daniel’s stories of his time as a New York State Senator and his work with inspiring lawmakers around the country.
Daniel Squadron was elected as the youngest member of the New York State Senate in 2008, where he served for nearly a decade. He co-founded The States Project and The States Forum, initiatives of Future Now, where he is President. A graduate of Yale College, Daniel co-wrote Chuck Schumer’s book, Positively American: Winning Back the Middle Class Majority One Family at a Time. His book, The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union, was released in June.
Austin Jenkins covers tech, transportation and infrastructure policy for Pluribus News/State Affairs. Austin is also the longtime host of “Inside Olympia,” an Emmy-nominated public affairs program on TVW, Washington State’s public affairs network. Previously, Austin covered Washington State Legislature and state politics for Northwest NPR stations. Prior to that, Austin worked as a television news reporter. He currently serves as a fellow at the University of Washington’s Center for Journalism, Media & Democracy.
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