We work to advance policies that improve kids’ oral health, allowing them to maintain healthy mouths, get the restorative care they need, and come to school ready and able to learn.
We focus public attention on the ability to move up or down the income ladder within a lifetime, or from one generation to the next.
We partner with state and local election officials, the private sector and others to foster an election system that achieves the highest standards of accuracy, convenience, efficiency and security.
We partner with policy makers and advocates to promote smart state policies and investments in quality, home-based programs for new and expectant families.
We work with states to advance fiscally sound, research-based sentencing and corrections policies and practices that protect public safety, hold offenders accountable and control costs.
We conduct ongoing research and analysis on how states can make strategic investments, run government more efficiently and effectively and be responsible fiscal stewards. Our work provides expertise and support for sustainable budgeting and wise investments in good times and bad.
We help states assess the costs and benefits of policy options, and use that data to make decisions based on results.
The Pew Center on the States conducts ground-breaking research in many areas of critical importance to state policymakers. Our research is tailored to help states make sound, data-driven policy choices.
The 50 states differ dramatically in how—and how well—they address critical policy issues, resulting in leaders and laggers.
The mission of The Pew Center on the States is to help build high-performing states that work efficiently and effectively to deliver better results, achieve long-term fiscal health through budget discipline and make smart investments in programs that provide the strongest returns. Learn more about our mission.
To see news, fact sheets, reports and more for each state, use the drop-down menu to the left.
The world is changing—that's no surprise. But the facts of just how the world is changing still have the power to startle—and elude us.
This is why the Pew Center on the States offers Trends to Watch, a project that seeks to help state policy makers, the media, and the general public follow the major trends shaping whether states thrive and track where the 50 states stand relative to each trend.
Demand for Democracy
Only 40 percent of those eligible to vote actually go to the polls in off-year elections. How can states reach the other 60 percent?
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Clean Energy Economy
The U.S. clean energy economy is an emerging source of jobs, businesses and investments that advance economic growth and protect the environment.
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Trillion Dollar Gap
A $1 trillion gap exists between the $2.3 trillion states and participating localities have set aside to pay for employees' retirement benefits and the $3.3 trillion price tag of those promises.
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