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:
- Democracy: Strengthening Rights and Participation
- Education: Preparing Students for the Future
- Health: Delivering Affordable, Accessible Care
- Housing: Expanding Development and Affordability
- Public Safety: Protecting Communities and Strengthening Trust
- Youth Investment: Providing Opportunities for the Next Generation
Democracy: Strengthening Rights and Participation
Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton:
Voting Rights Protection ActArizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes: Election Administration FellowshipGeorgia Representative Tanya Miller: Restoring Voting Rights
Education: Preparing Students for the Future
California Senator Christopher Cabaldon: Expanding College Access Through Direct AdmissionIllinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs: Student Empowerment FundConnecticut Senator James Maroney: Connecticut Online AI Academy
Health: Delivering Affordable, Accessible Care
Everett, WA Mayor Cassie Franklin: Emergency Mobile Opioid TeamShelby County, TN Mayor Lee Harris: Community Health HubsMaryland Senator Antonio Hayes: Health Equity Resource Communities
Housing: Expanding Development and Affordability
New Bedford, MA Mayor Jon Mitchell: Vacant Property InitiativeIllinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs: Infrastructure and Housing Impact FundColorado Senator Dylan Roberts: Innovative State Financing for HomeownershipArkansas Representative Nicole Clowney: Expanding Affordable Housing Through ADUsSanta Barbra, CA County Supervisor Laura Capps: Leveraging Public Land for Workforce Housing
Public Safety: Protecting Communities and Strengthening Trust
Columbus, OH City Attorney Zach Klein: Law Enforcement Community Immersion ProgramProvidence, RI Mayor Brett Smiley: Community EMS Bike Response ProgramMassachusetts Representative Tram Nguyen: Expanding Protections Against Coercive Control
Youth Investment: Providing Opportunities for the Next Generation
Connecticut Representative Kate Farrar: Early Childhood Education EndowmentMaine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau: Child Care Through Zoning ReformMilwaukee, WI Mayor Cavalier Johnson: Camp RISE
