State Futures, Illinois State Sen. Graciela Guzmán, and State Lawmakers from 6 States Continue Coordinated Push Against Federal Overreach
Lawmakers discuss enacted legislation, 2027 priorities, and growing cross-state response to federal overreach
CHICAGO, IL – July 29 – Today, State Futures and Sen. Graciela Guzmán hosted 8 state legislators from 6 states for a joint press conference highlighting a multi-state effort to respond to escalating federal actions that continue to undermine constitutional protections, target immigrant communities, and disregard court orders.
Speakers include members of State Futures' Federal Response Coalition — a 112-lawmaker coalition spanning 35 states that has been coordinating since late 2025 to defend civil liberties, uphold the rule of law, and protect state authority — including three of the coalition's nine co-chairs: Sen. Guzmán, Colorado Senator Mike Weissman, and Maryland Delegate David Moon.
Lawmakers shared updates on legislation from the 2026 session, previewed policy priorities for 2027, and discussed the growing power of coordination across state lines.
"The federal government seems to be betting that a constant churn of new controversies will keep the public from noticing — and states from responding," said Gaby Goldstein, President of State Futures. "It's not working. The lawmakers in this coalition are more coordinated than ever. This is not a moment of retreat. It is a moment of resolve. States will keep doing what the federal government won't: following the law and protecting their people."
WHO: State Futures, a national nonprofit supporting 850 state policymakers from 49 states. Through working groups, policy research, and strategic support, State Futures empowers state policymakers to take coordinated action across states.
SPEAKERS, including
Gaby Goldstein, President of State Futures
Illinois Senator Graciela Guzmán (State Futures Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair)
Illinois Representative Lilian Jimenez
Illinois Rep. Norma Hernandez
Colorado Senator Mike Weissman (State Futures Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair)
Maryland Delegate David Moon (State Futures Federal Response Coalition Co-Chair)
Maryland Delegate Nicole Williams
Oregon Representative Farrah Chaichi
Wisconsin Representative Ryan Clancy
California Assemblymember Sade Elhawary
BACKGROUND:
In the 2026 legislative session, State Futures tracked nearly 300 bills introduced across the country. So far, legislators passed over 50 bills in 15 states on a suite of rule-of-law protections, including:
Bans on 287(g) agreements between state/local police and ICE
No Secret Police bills prohibiting masked law enforcement and requiring visible identification
Protections for sensitive locations such as schools, churches, libraries
Private rights of action allowing residents to sue under state law if their civil rights are violated by federal agents
Regulations on detention centers including increased oversight authority and zoning restrictions
Data and privacy protections such as restrictions on data sharing between government agencies and limits on automatic license plate readers
These protections form the backbone of a coordinated, cross-state response to federal overreach - and lawmakers are now working together, across states, to bring this momentum into 2027.
Journalists are encouraged to reach out to State Futures for comment and for connections to speakers.
About State Futures: State Futures is a national nonprofit that supports a network of 850+ values-aligned state policymakers, including legislators and State Financial Officers. Through working groups, policy research, and strategic support, State Futures empowers state policymakers to learn from each other, innovate together, and take coordinated action across states.
Media Contact: Kristen Wilder, Communications
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