Background / Mission / Approach

State lawmakers today face enormous responsibility, from the air citizens breathe and roads they use to the schools their children attend. And a growing number of states are taking on broader issues, such as setting limits on greenhouse gases that cause global warming, that the federal government has not sufficiently addressed.

Pew's Center on the States (PCS) works to advance state policies that serve the public interest. PCS conducts credible research, brings together diverse perspectives, and analyzes states’ experiences to determine what works and what does not. We work with a wide variety of partners to identify and advance nonpartisan, pragmatic solutions for pressing problems affecting Americans.

PCS tracks and measures how well states are faring on a range of important issues through 50-state assessments, policy briefs, case studies and reports cards. Trends to Watch provides an integrated research tool that showcases critical pressures driving state policy in the 21st century. The Government Performance Project measures and grades the efficiency and effectiveness of state management.

Through research and a network of state-based partners, PCS focuses on policy areas of critical importance to advance effective solutions. PCS operates major initiatives in corrections and public safety, early education, elections and government performance. PCS also partners with other Pew projects in areas such as climate change, foster care reform and pandemic flu preparedness.

About The Pew Charitable Trusts

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life.

Pew is led by President and CEO Rebecca W. Rimel, who has concentrated the organization’s work on results-oriented, strategic investments. During Rimel’s tenure, the organization has expanded its national programs, while maintaining a significant presence in its home city of Philadelphia. Pew partners with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share its commitment to fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.

An independent nonprofit, Pew is the sole beneficiary of seven individual charitable funds established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew.  The assets of these trusts totaled $5.2 billion at the end of June 2008.  In fiscal year 2009, Pew will invest about $280 million in initiatives to serve the public interest.

For further information, please visit Pew's Web site at www.pewtrusts.org.