Ideas Challenge 2025: Innovative Policy Solutions Address Biggest Community Issues

The Ideas Challenge is a biennial policy competition open to NewDEAL Leaders, accepting policy submissions at any stage, from ideas to fully implemented policies. The ideas are rated by a panel of judges based on potential and/or actual impact and inventiveness. For its seventh Ideas Challenge, The NewDEAL aims to highlight policies that demonstrate how government can work effectively to solve problems and deliver results on the biggest issues facing your communities.

Governing is the media partner for the NewDEAL Ideas Challenge 2025. Selection of the finalists and winners is the sole responsibility of The NewDEAL, a national network for state and local elected leaders with innovative ideas to grow progress.

This biennium's 20 finalists are organized across six categories:

1. Democracy: Strengthening Rights and Participation
2. Education: Preparing Students for the Future
3. Health: Delivering Affordable, Accessible Care
4. Housing: Expanding Development and Affordability
5. Public Safety: Protecting Communities and Strengthening Trust
6. Youth Investment: Providing Opportunities for the Next Generation

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Democracy: Strengthening Rights and Participation

Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Voting Rights Protection Act</u>

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Election Administration Fellowship</u>

Georgia Representative Tanya Miller: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Restoring Voting Rights</u>

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Education: Preparing Students for the Future

California Senator Christopher Cabaldon: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Expanding College Access Through Direct Admission</u>
Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Student Empowerment Fund</u>
Connecticut Senator James Maroney: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Connecticut Online AI Academy</u>

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Health: Delivering Affordable, Accessible Care

Everett, WA Mayor Cassie Franklin: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Emergency Mobile Opioid Team</u>
Shelby County, TN Mayor Lee Harris: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Community Health Hubs</u>
Maryland Senator Antonio Hayes: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Health Equity Resource Communities</u>

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Housing: Expanding Development and Affordability

New Bedford, MA Mayor Jon Mitchell: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Vacant Property Initiative</u>
Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Infrastructure and Housing Impact Fund</u>
Colorado Senator Dylan Roberts: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Innovative State Financing for Homeownership</u>
Arkansas Representative Nicole Clowney: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Expanding Affordable Housing Through ADUs</u>
Santa Barbra, CA County Supervisor Laura Capps: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Leveraging Public Land for Workforce Housing</u>

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Public Safety: Protecting Communities and Strengthening Trust

Columbus, OH City Attorney Zach Klein: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Law Enforcement Community Immersion Program</u>
Providence, RI Mayor Brett Smiley: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Community EMS Bike Response Program</u>
Massachusetts Representative Tram Nguyen: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Expanding Protections Against Coercive Control</u>

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Youth Investment: Providing Opportunities for the Next Generation

Connecticut Representative Kate Farrar: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Early Childhood Education Endowment</u>
Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Child Care Through Zoning Reform</u>
Milwaukee, WI Mayor Cavalier Johnson: <u class="rte2-style-underline">Camp RISE</u>