The States Forum is dedicated to advancing the American Promise: that all people are created equal with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that government secures these rights with the consent of the governed. To realize this foundational promise and the four key principles that derive from it—representative democracy, effective government, fair markets, and personal freedom—The States Forum is building a network of thinkers and practitioners from across the country who are working on solutions to today’s most pressing issues. Our goal is to foster, develop, and refine innovative policy solutions focused where they can go the furthest: in the states.