Solutions are Possible

Report and Methodology

Wisconsin Citizens Are Invited to Make Their Voices Heard on Abortion and Family Well-Being

Citizen Solutions initiative encourages people statewide to weigh in on policy proposals co-created by 14 Wisconsinites with widely different views on abortion

April 24, 2024 — Today, Citizen Solutions, a national civic experiment that gives citizens the power to co-create solutions to divisive issues, comes to Wisconsin. Through May 31, people statewide are invited to visit www.citizensolutions.us/wi and weigh in on five consensus-based proposals that address some of the root causes of abortion and support women, children, and families.

The call to participate provides citizens with a way to take action following a state legislative session where many priorities, including an extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage and a 12-week paid family leave program, went largely unaddressed. The citizen-authored proposals are being unveiled as leaders keep close watch on a decision from the Wisconsin Supreme Court regarding the legality of a 19th century law prohibiting abortions and as citizen-led efforts to codify abortion gain momentum nationwide.

Fourteen Wisconsinites (the “WI14”) from across the state, including Milwaukee, Rock, Chippewa, Door, Brown, Grant, and Dane counties, and who have a wide range of experiences with and views on abortion, set out to demonstrate just how problematic the overly binary, simplistic conversation on abortion has become. They created the following proposals as a way of proving that common ground solutions are possible when we collaborate across lines of difference:

• Require “human development” education that is comprehensive, medically accurate, and developmentally appropriate
• Require pro-life pregnancy resource centers, abortion providers, and all other prenatal care providers to provide standardized, medically accurate “all options” information to those accessing their services
• Extend public health insurance (Medicaid) postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months
• Provide a fully refundable state child tax credit
• Enactpaid family leave, including for foster and adoptive parents

The proposals aim to empower and support those making decisions about their reproductive health and family planning. A vision statement crafted by the unlikely allies reads, in part, “We agree that the circumstances surrounding abortion are rarely simple. As a society, we should strive to minimize the number of unwanted pregnancies while treating those who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy with compassion and support regardless of the choice they make.”

The WI14 created the proposals at a three-day “solution session” facilitated by Convergence Center for Policy Resolution. Together, they explored common values, built a shared understanding of the complexity of the issue, and broke down stereotypes to develop solutions that integrate many views. Once they receive public feedback, the WI14 will mobilize to ensure lawmakers know where the public stands and to encourage them to prioritize problem-solving over partisanship for the good of Wisconsin’s families.

Of her experiences at the session, participant Kai Gardner Mishlove, Executive Director of Jewish Social Services, said, “We don’t know each other’s battles, histories, or experiences, and we don’t often get to walk in other people’s shoes. Our goal was to come together on shared experiences and figure out a way to work together for the common good.”

Participant Jeff Davis, a pro-life advocate, said, “While my beliefs on the sanctity and protection of all human life have not changed, my experience with attendees who think much differently than I do has increased my compassion for what mothers go through and helped me realize that this issue has a lot of complexities.”

Wisconsin is the second state to participate in Citizen Solutions, which was piloted in Tennessee on the issue of gun rights and safety. During that public feedback period, more than 30,000 Tennesseans weighed in on eight proposals, and five majority-supported proposals were ultimately brought to the state legislature.

“Americans want policy solutions over political stalemates,” said Ashley Phillips, Head of Programs at Starts With Us Builders. “As the national conversation around abortion continues, we encourage Wisconsinites to weigh in on these proposals created by citizens who, despite the polarization that surrounds them, had the courage to think outside of the binary box usually associated with this issue.”

Citizen Solutions was launched in response to a national poll that found 82% of Republicans and 80% of Democrats think it’s important for citizens to be involved in finding solutions to the country’s problems. Both sides, however, are skeptical that political leaders share this desire, with only 29% of Republicans and 27% of Democrats saying that addressing the needs of constituents is important to elected officials.

To learn more about Citizen Solutions go to www.citizensolutions.us and to show support for or against the proposals, visit www.citizensolutions.us/wi.

About Citizen Solutions

Citizen Solutions is a project of Starts With Us Builders, a national, nonpartisan movement equipping Americans to overcome toxic polarization and extremist thinking to solve our toughest problems. Starts With Us Builders does this by illuminating the causes and effects of toxic polarization, demonstrating the power of citizens working together across lines of difference, and activating Americans from all walks of life with the skills to become more effective problem solvers. In addition to more than three million followers, Starts With Us Builders is supported bymore than 250 ideologically diverse leaders across sectors from business, entertainment, academia, faith, sports, journalism, technology, and national defense. It is a project of Builders Network, Inc.

About Convergence Center for Policy Resolution

Convergence is the leading organization bridging divides to solve critical issues through collaborative problem-solving across ideological, political, and cultural divisions. For a decade and a half, Convergence has brought together leaders, doers, and experts to build trusting relationships, identify breakthrough solutions, and form unlikely alliances for constructive consensus-based change on seemingly intractable issues. Convergence’s process is improving the lives of Americans and strengthening democracy for a more resilient and collaborative future. Learn more at www.ConvergencePolicy.org

Tennesseans Push State Legislature to Address Gun Rights and Safety and Other Priority Issues by Establishing Bipartisan Solutions Committee

Citizens equipped with their own consensus-based solution proposals take democracy into their own hands at the Capitol following a months-long process

NASHVILLE — This morning, as the 2024 Tennessee legislative session commences, a group of ideologically diverse citizens (the “TN11”) gathered at the State Capitol to unveil five citizen-authored
proposals on gun rights and safety and urge lawmakers to create a bipartisan Solutions Committee. They’re asking for this Committee to explore existing consensus amongst Tennesseans on priority issues, including gun rights and safety, which has long been divisive across the state and the nation.

All 132 members of the Tennessee General Assembly, as well as Gov. Bill Lee and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, were invited to the unveiling, which took place in the Legislative Lounge, across from the Senate Chamber and just beyond the House Floor. A bipartisan group of Republican and Democratic legislators were in attendance, including Reps. Scott Cepicky (R-64) G.A. Hardaway (D-93), Torrey Harris (D-91), Dave Wright (R-19) and Bo Mitchell (D-50) as well as Sens. Charlane Oliver (D-19), London Lamar (D-33), Heidi Campbell (D-20), and Art Swann (R-2). Staff members for Sens. Raumesh Akbari (D-29), Sara Kyle (D-30), and London Lamar (D-33) were also present.

The TN11 presented five solutions proposals:

• Allow courts to temporarily remove someone’s firearms if they are deemed to be a danger to themselves or others based on certain criteria showing they are at risk of committing violence

• Develop and promote tools for responsible gun ownership and offer training on how to use
these tools

• Broaden the School Resource Officer (SRO) role beyond standard law enforcement to include human services practices, such as mental health first aid, trauma-informed care, and principles
of child development

• Reduce Adverse Community Environments and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult trauma that leads to gun violence by investing in youth and community development

• Develop gun issue literacy resources for schools, communities, and the media.

The proposals, which can be viewed in full here, were created this August at a three-day “solution session” hosted by Starts With Us and Convergence Center for Policy Resolution. They were subsequently shared online, and 30,267 Tennesseans representing all 95 counties weighed in on them. During the five-week public feedback period, the aforementioned proposals received majority support, meaning more than 50% of respondents agreed with them.

“We are told that solutions are not possible — that we are too divided, too polarized, maybe even too dangerous to be trusted to hold space for one another. The real danger is that not only do American citizens have the capacity to find common ground, but we are great at it,” says Adam Luke, a member of the TN11 and a licensed family and marriage therapist from Columbia, Tennessee. “We are calling on legislators to lean into this strength by creating a bipartisan Solutions Committee that would put forth
proposals representing existing common ground amongst Tennesseans.”

The TN11 is comprised of 11 citizens who live across the state and have different lived experiences and stances on gun policy. The solution session they participated in was part of a Starts With Us civic experiment called Citizen Solutions, which empowers Americans to tackle divisive issues.

“Through my involvement in Citizen Solutions, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of conversation — the ability for individuals to lower their guard, listen for understanding, and speak to be understood,” says Jaila Hampton, a member of the TN11 and a college student from Memphis. “Today, we implore lawmakers to not only consider the proposed solutions but also to embody the spirit of constructive dialogue as they commence their own legislative session.”

“Through Citizen Solutions, we set out to bring solutions back to the center of our political discourse and our lives,” says Ashley Phillips, Head of Programs at Starts With Us. “Tennessee was the first state in the nation to participate, and its citizens were up to the challenge. Now, it’s time for lawmakers to follow their lead.”

Photos and soundbites from the event are available for the media here.

To learn more about Starts WIth Us visit www.startswith.us. Media inquiries: please contact media@startswith.us.

About Starts With Us

Starts With Us is a nonpartisan civic movement equipping Americans to overcome toxic polarization and effectively solve our country’s toughest problems. In addition to more than 3 million followers committed to engaging constructively across lines of difference, Starts With Us’ mission is supported by 240+ ideologically diverse leaders in business, entertainment, journalism, faith, sports, academia, and national defense. Starts With Us is a project of the Lubetzky Family Foundation. To join the movement,
visit www.startswith.us.

Tennesseans Take Back the Agenda on Guns in New Citizen-Powered Initiative to Tackle Divisive Problems

Innovative Civic Engagement Platform by Starts With Us Launches Online for State Residents to Make Their Voices Heard on Eight Gun Rights & Safety Proposals

TENNESSEE, October 30, 2023 — Today, Tennessee becomes the first state in the nation to participate in a civic experiment empowering citizens of all parties and perspectives to tackle divisive issues together. Now through late November, Tennesseans can weigh in on eight proposals addressing gun rights and safety via an interactive online platform. An ideologically-diverse group of 11 citizens (the “TN11”) from counties including Shelby, Madison, Davidson, Hamilton, and Carter authored the consensus-based proposals with input from subject matter experts. Their collaboration comes as part of Citizen Solutions, an innovative problem-solving process created by Starts With Us, a nonpartisan organization building a movement to overcome toxic polarization in America. 

In August, the TN11 — which includes a pastor, a firearms instructor, a high school teacher, a therapist, a former Highway Patrol Captain, and a public safety official — gathered in Franklin for a three-day solution session hosted by Starts With Us and Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, the leading organization bridging divides to solve critical issues. The process guided attendees to discover common values and debunk stereotypes on the path to creating a set of solution proposals to advance both gun rights and safety. The proposals they drafted include: 

• Allow courts to temporarily remove someone’s firearms if they are deemed to be a danger to themselves or others based on certain criteria showing they are at risk of committing violence
• Broaden the School Resource Officer (SRO) role beyond standard law enforcement to include human services practices such as mental health first aid, trauma-informed care, and principles of child development
• Take an incentives-first approach to gun ownership rights and responsibilities 
• Develop and promote tools for responsible gun ownership and offer trainings on how to use these tools  
• Ease the path to — and expand opportunities for — restoration of gun ownership rights for certain people formerly convicted of felonies 
• Reduce Adverse Community Environments and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and adult trauma that leads to gun violence by investing in youth and community development
• Develop gun issue literacy resources for schools, communities, and the media
• Require a handgun carry permit to possess a loaded handgun in public (note: the TN11 reached majority but not unanimous consensus on this proposal and now asks the public for feedback) 

The current public feedback period, powered by the newly-launched digital platform, will help ensure the final proposals incorporate a wide range of perspectives and concerns and serve as a representation of Tennesseans’ viewpoints.  

The participants, who were initially skeptical of their ability to reach consensus, felt a renewed optimism and hope for Americans’ ability to cooperatively solve problems after their time together. Arriell Gipson Martin, a Memphis community advocate, was struck by the importance of listening to others’ experiences before making assumptions about what they believe. “For three days, we dived past stereotypes and political catchphrases and talked about real people in real life. We talked about solutions. I’d be lying if I said we agreed on everything. I’d also be lying if I said we walked away unchanged,” she said.

Jay Zimmerman, a veteran from Elizabethton who works in mental health and suicide prevention, echoed this sentiment, saying, “I deal with my problems in the mountains, and others deal with theirs in the city, and they look awfully familiar. This process has broadened my perspective. We are all in this together, and we’ve got to find a way to solve problems together as Tennesseans.”

Following the solution session, eight subject matter experts on gun violence prevention, the Second Amendment, and firearm policy reviewed the proposals and offered suggestions on feasibility and implementation. These experts, along with the session participants, will review the public’s feedback and incorporate it where applicable; once final, the proposals will be publicized. Citizens will be empowered to use the proposals, and the example set by the TN11, to press politicians and the media to stop pushing divisive narratives and capitalizing on wedge issues and start being accountable to the will of the people.

Citizen Solutions is a response to the emerging tide of citizens exhausted by political division and ready to roll up their sleeves and solve problems. A Starts With Us poll found that 8 in 10 people across partisan lines believe it is very or extremely important for citizens to be involved in finding solutions to problems facing our country. Meanwhile, the public’s trust in politicians continues to wane, with only 32% of Republicans and 37% of Democrats saying that solving problems is extremely or very important to elected officials.  

“In three days, eleven Tennesseans courageously did the hard work of democracy while, just a few miles away, their elected leaders remained gridlocked on some of the same issues,” says Ashley Phillips, Head of Programs at Starts With Us. “We’re grateful to have piloted this participatory process in Tennessee and now, with insights from everyone who made it happen, will expand Citizen Solutions to give citizens nationwide a reason to believe that solutions are possible.”  

“The TN11 developed the kind of wise and durable solutions that only come from incorporating the concerns and needs of citizens who see the world very differently from each other. We are grateful to the TN11 for demonstrating that working together works,” says Mariah Levison, Interim CEO of Convergence and a seasoned consensus builder. “In doing so, they are inspiring and equipping their fellow citizens to follow in their footsteps.”  

To learn more about the process and weigh in on the solution proposals, go here.

Media inquiries: please contact media@startswith.us.

Open Letter from Solution Session Participants in Tennessee