Our Texas chapter has been championing a variety of issues this summer! See what opportunities are coming up for you to take action and build community with us in the fall!
🎉 Save the Date for our LPTX Regional Meet Ups this Fall!
Our LPTX Chapter is gearing up for a series of meet ups across the state to engage members, partners, and allies as we plan for our 2025 legislative priorities and agenda.Â
Join us in San Antonio on Friday, September 27th from 12pm-6pm!
Stay tuned for more details on our Houston and Rio Grande Valley meetups in October and November, respectively!
Our 2024 National Convening in Oakland brought together more than 420 local elected officials, partners, and allies, including 25 LPTX members!Â
Members and partners had the opportunity to ground themselves in this year’s theme, “Rooted in Reshaping Our Future,” in over 60 different strategy meetings, workshops, and site visits. Check out our full recap here with our photo album on Facebook and highlights on Instagram and Twitter!
đź“ś LPTX Members Defend Communities Against SB4
This summer, our LPTX Organizing Committee co-chairs Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua and Austin City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes spearheaded the charge against SB4 by sponsoring local resolutions to condemn the harmful anti-immigrant legislation:Â
- In June, the Dallas City Council voted in favor of the resolution which condemns the state law that essentially empowers law enforcement officers across Texas to detain anyone who they suspect is a noncitizen. SB4 is currently tied up at the federal courts in the Fifth Circuit after a hearing was held in April.Â
- In August, the Austin City Council voted in favor of a similar resolution, which deprioritizes enforcement of the law and additionally moves the city manager to work with local law enforcement and other government entities to enact policies that protect immigrant communities, including providing “Know Your Rights” trainings. Â
Our Local Progress Texas members are committed to protecting their constituents from the dangers of harmful anti-immigrant sentiment and racial profiling and will continue to follow the lead of partner organizations as we affirm Texans’ rights and protection.Â
🌟 Federal Implementation Wins for Housing & Healthcare
Our members have been hard at work ensuring that federal funds are being leveraged to ensure their respective community’s needs are being met.Â
- In San Antonio, LPTX Organizing Committee Member & Council Member Teri Castillo worked with her colleagues to allocate $26 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to establish the Center for Health Equity in South Texas (CHEST).Â
- In Travis County, Judge Andy Brown worked with the County Commissioners to approve a $35 million contract for 640 supportive housing units to address homelessness and housing affordability.Â
đź“Ł Join Our Partner Pipeline BriefingÂ
Are you a 501(c)4, Labor, Political Action Committees, Political Committees and pipeline partners whose work focuses on candidate identification, cultivation and endorsement of local races? We want to talk to you! LP and the Impact Lab are currently conducting an asset mapping to support the movement pipeline from elections to governance. Complete this form today to receive an invitation to our 2025 Partners Pipeline Briefing.
đź’– Building Out Our CaucusesÂ
Nuestro Caucus members came together at our National Convening in Oakland to finalize their Statement of Values, which will be unveiled later this year! Nuestro Caucus will have several opportunities for you to engage in the coming months and into 2025. These opportunities will include the potential for LP members to apply to join the Leadership Committee or attend one of our general meetings via Zoom! If you’re interested in learning more and joining Nuestro Caucus, you can sign up for updates here!Â
You can also learn more about our Women’s Caucus, our Black Caucus at our Local Progress Caucus page on our website!Â
đź’° ARPA Deadline is Fast Approaching!
Leaders across the Local Progress network seized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronaivrus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for recovery programs informed by the principles of advancing equity, reimagining public safety and advancing worker’s rights. The deadline for local governments to obligate ARPA SLFRF funds is December 31, 2024. Remember, budgeting is not the same as obligating. For more information about what obligating means, check out this resource.Â
🧰 Resources & Opportunities
In other news, here are some of our newest resources:
- New Toolkit: Advancing Culturally Responsive Curriculum: A Toolkit for School Boards
- New Report: Â How Local Government Can Stand Up for Workers When States Try to Stand in Their Way
- New Video: Community Responder Programs: What They Are, How They Work, and Why They’re Taking Off
This year, we’ve hosted an incredible series of Policy & Strategy Primers, which are virtual learning sessions designed especially for new members and newly elected folks. Visit the site for upcoming trainings and in the meantime, browse through our resources library here.
That’s a wrap for our September newsletter! See you soon!
