Localities Fight for Local Control as State Interference Surges
With legislative sessions well underway, localities are seeing yet another wave in state interference and attacks on local control. In Tennessee, state legislators have introduced several proposals to take awayĀ NashvilleāsĀ ability to effectively govern. This comes along the heels of racially motivated state interference by Mississippi legislators to take power away fromĀ Jackson, and by Missouri lawmakers pursuing legislation to strip power fromĀ St. LouisāĀ prosecutor. Meanwhile, the Florida legislature is once again attempting to restrict cities’ abilities to address their communitiesā urgent housing needs.Ā Orange County Commissioner Emily BonillaĀ put it simply in a recentĀ op-ed: āIn fact, they are taking a sledgehammer to local freedom amid the worst housing crisis in our lifetimes.ā And inĀ Texas, local leaders are pushing back against sweeping power-grabs attempting to bar cities from everything from regulating oil and gas drilling to passing any ordinance stricter than state law. Five LPTX members, includingĀ San Marcos City Councilwoman Alyssa GarzaĀ andĀ El Paso County Commissioner David StoutĀ spoke outĀ about how theseĀ far-reaching proposalsĀ would impact their local communities.Ā Read more ā
Localities Continue to Explore and Implement Guaranteed Income Programs
Amid rising rents, high inflation, and the end of many COVID-19 emergency benefits, localities across the country areĀ pilotingĀ guaranteed income programs in an effort to alleviate poverty and address underlying inequities ā and it seems to be working. InĀ Stockton, participants improved financial security, reduced anxiety and depression, increased full-time labor force participation, and spent more time with family. The Stockton pilot was spearheaded by LP member andĀ former Stockton Mayor Michael D. Tubbs, who foundedĀ Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, which has grown to include over 100 mayors since its founding in 2020. At the county level, LP members ā includingĀ Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis,Ā Ramsey County Board Chair Trista MatasCastillo, andĀ Durham County CommissionerĀ Commissioner Nida AllamĀ ā have joined forces as founding members of theĀ Counties for Guaranteed IncomeĀ coalitionĀ to launch pilot programs themselves. InĀ Durham, a guaranteed income pilot for formerly incarcerated individuals proved to be quite successful in its first year ā decreasing recidivism and re-incarceration, increasing employment, and improving economic security.Ā Read more ā
As āSocial Housingā Passes in Seattle, Proposals Move in other Localities
On March 1,Ā SeattleĀ officially passed a ballot initiative creating a new affordable housing agency for the city to pilot publicly owned, mixed-income āsocial housingā ā defined by the law as permanently affordable housing, where tenants have a say in how itās run. The initiative ā inspired by existing programs in Vienna, Austria andĀ Montgomery County, MDĀ ā could be next in a wave of social housing initiatives across the country. InĀ Washington, D.C.,Ā Councilmember Janeese Lewis GeorgeĀ has vowed to reintroduce her social housing proposal, the āGreen New Deal for Housingā bill, this council period. InĀ New York City, housing advocates ā joined by social housing bill sponsors includingĀ City Comptroller Brad LanderĀ ā are calling for the passage of seven social housing bills and resolutions that would ensure renters are prioritized over profits.Ā Ā Read more ā
Localities Continue to Pave the Way for Real Public Safety
Across the county, local communities are continuing to show us what it looks like to advance real public safety by listening to and investing in communities. This past month,Ā Somerville, MAĀ voted to permanently remove police from city schools, and to develop a set of recommendations for how and when to call police to schools during emergency situations. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved plans toĀ create an unarmed crisis response programĀ ā an effort co-led byĀ Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. In Harris County, TX,Ā Judge Andy Brown, along with County Commissioners, took theĀ first step to create a mental health diversion center. In Montgomery County, MD,Ā Councilmember At-Large Will JawandoĀ introduced theĀ Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing (STEP) ActĀ to limit traffic stops, which occur at far higher frequency for drivers of color and can result in unfair search and racially-driven violence.Ā Read more ā
š Digging Deeper into Climate Policy
Weāve heard from you loud and clear that climate justice is a key priority for you and the communities you represent. To help us best support your leadership, we need to determine priorities, challenges, and opportunities. Please take about ten minutes to complete thisĀ surveyĀ about yourself, your district, and climate policy. Your responses will help the Local Progress Impact Lab to set our climate priorities and develop a climate justice program that meets the needs of your communities.Ā Take the survey ā
š§ Upcoming Policy & Strategy Primers
OurĀ Policy & Strategy PrimersĀ are a series of foundational learning sessions on policy tools and strategy designed to help local electeds and staff figure out where and how to get started on key issues. The series operates on a regular, recurring schedule throughout the year focusing on issues related to housing, community safety, economic justice, and communications strategies. Next up isĀ Police Accountability and Harm ReductionĀ in April andĀ Community SafetyĀ in May.
š Save the Date for #LP2023!Ā
Itās no surprise that one of our favorite events each year is our national convening ā bringing together the most inspiring group of unapologetically bold local elected leaders, partners, and allies to be in community and create shared strategies for equity and justice. This yearās convening will beĀ September 6-9Ā inĀ St. Louis, MO!Ā Make sure to save the date and keep an eye out for additional registration details.
š New Research Details Four Ingredients for Equitable ARPA Implementation
PolicyLinkĀ and theĀ Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy at The New SchoolĀ released new research highlighting how cities and counties across the nation are using ARPA recovery funds to advance racial equity. This latest research includes:Ā
- Four case studiesĀ describing how Boston, St. Louis, Savannah, and Los Angeles County are operationalizing equity in their ARPA investment processes and strategies, featuring LP membersĀ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu,Ā St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, andĀ St. Louis Board of Aldermen president Megan Green.
- A research briefĀ that highlights the important role that chief equity officers play in designing and implementing equitable ARPA investments.Ā
Ā New Resource for School Board Members
Attention school board members! Check out HEAL Togetherās powerful newĀ Equity Policies ToolkitĀ for school boards, featuring current district policies from across the country addressing a range of equity-related topics.Ā Sign up here to receive the toolkit ā
