A look back: several examples from history illustrate how an innovative idea from a state can sweep the nation.

• Author: Simmons, Tricia
• Position: STATE POLICY

The national debate on health insurance has been in the state/federal spotlight the last few years. It's clear that the federal law incorporated many elements developed first in states. But it's far from the first time a state innovation became a national model. Often, a policy idea that germinates in a state, sweeps the country and ends up in Congress. Here are just a few examples from the past.

Women's Right to Vote

Women's suffrage was born in the Wild West. "Giving women the right to vote," says Wyoming Representative Rosie Berger (R), "was key to attracting people to the sparsely populated Western territories, allowing them to expand quicker in their quest for statehood."

In true pioneer fashion, the Wyoming Territory was first in granting women the right to vote in 1869. From there the movement caught fire, spreading to Utah in 1870, Washington in 1883 (repealed four years later but reinstated in 1910), Colorado in 1893, and Idaho in 1896.

When Congress threatened to deny statehood to Wyoming if it didn't rescind women's right to vote, the territorial government sent a telegram to Washington, D.C., stating it would rather "remain out of the Union 100 years than join without women's suffrage."

Women took their right seriously. Not satisfied with only men to vote for, women starting running for office--and winning. Colorado was the first to elect women to the state house. Three won office in 1894. Utah elected two in 1897. Then Idaho elected three in 1899. In 1916, Montana elected the first female representative to Congress. But it wasn't until 1920 that the 19th Amendment was ratified and women in all states were welcomed at the polls. Today, women account for roughly 24 percent of state legislators nationally.

Sales Tax

This might not rank as a popular innovation with the public--or some lawmakers--but the modern general sales tax was another state innovation borne from a need.

Mississippi adopted it first, in 1930. In the midst of the Great Depression, the state was looking for ways to help pay for a $13 million deficit, about $220 million in today's dollars. Mississippi charged consumers 2 percent on their purchases, leading the way to becoming one of the primary sources of revenue for a majority of states.

Twenty-four states ran with the idea during the Depression years. Vermont, in 1969, was the latest to enact a sales tax. Today, 45 states have a state sales tax, and in 2012, they collected $242 billion from it. The five states...