Welcome back to our quarterly state download! Over the past couple of months, Local Progress MN members have been fighting for change at the local and state level – from housing to public safety to securing protections for workers.
In May, our state organizing committee selected new co-chairs to lead our chapter into the next stage of growth and action. And we are gearing up for our National Convening – Rooted in Reshaping our Future – in Oakland, CA this summer; read on below!
🚗 MINNEAPOLIS
Local Progress members of the Minneapolis City Council worked with state legislative leaders during the recent legislative session to ensure protections and fair wages for rideshare drivers in MN. This historic win at the state level was possible because local leaders united to pass bold local policy that was then leveraged for statewide change. As Local Progress member and Minneapolis City Council VP Aisha Chugtai said, “This was only possible because Minneapolis council members held firm in passing comprehensive protections for drivers last year, and held firm on wages this year. Without high standards as the baseline, the corporations’ constantly shifting goal posts would’ve further gutted regulations.”
🏡 MINNETONKA
Local Progress members in Minnetonka led the charge to usher in the creation of new affordable housing units. In May, after months of debate, the Minnetonka Council unanimously passed a zoning change and financing to move forward with building new affordable units. Local Progress Organizing Committee member and Minnetonka City Council Member, Kimberly Wilburn, perfectly summed up why this is such an important step toward housing justice: “The outcome of denying density is denying affordability. Even if that is not your intention, that is the outcome.”
🤝 STATE ACTION
During the 2024 Minnesota Legislative Session, the Local Progress MN Organizing Committee and members took bold action alongside movement partners by fighting for holistic public safety in our schools, supporting housing first approaches to keep families in their homes, advocating alongside ISAIAH-MN for zoning changes to allow for more housing density and affordability in our cities and towns, and signing on to pass equal rights for all Minnesotans by joining the coalition in support of passing the MN ERA.
Local elected officials continue to lead the way on innovative policy solutions by working alongside their communities, movement and labor partners and state leaders to collaboratively move solutions forward in Minnesota at all levels.
Do you have a recent win you want to share with the LP network? Let us know about it! Reach out to Jillia!
⚡️ Represent MN at #LP2024
Learn from your peers, get rooted in our shared values, get inspired by and be in community with like-minded local elected officials and enjoy some West Coast vibes! Join us this summer as we head to Oakland for our National Convening! The deadline to register is fast approaching! Check your inbox for your personal invitation to register!
Questions? Reach out here.
Since our formation as a state chapter in 2022, we have been led by our formidable founding co-chairs, Mitra Jalali and Robyn Gulley. At our May Organizing Committee meeting, they passed the torch to our newly elected co-chairs, Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong and Minnetonka Council Member Kimberly Wilburn. We are thrilled to welcome our new LPMN Co-Chairs as they lead us into our next phase of growth and action as a state chapter. Read more about our newly elected officers below!
Dr. Kimberly Wilburn is an at-large Councilmember in Minnetonka. She was elected in 2021 and is currently serving her first term on the council. Kimberly is a doctor of Veterinary Science and a community organizer, and she brings decades of experience to her role on the Minnetonka City Council. She is passionate about community safety and criminal justice reform, clean energy and affordable housing. Since joining Local Progress, Kimberly has been active in the network, including attending our state meetings and national convenings, and most recently participated in our national Black Caucus Convening and Leadership Collaborative in Nashville, TN. Kimberly has been serving on the LPMN Organizing Committee since 2023 and we’re thrilled to have her as our newest co-chair!
Mai Chong Xiong serves as a Ramsey County Commissioner, representing District 6 in Saint Paul. After winning the 2022 election, she was sworn into office in January 2023 and is currently serving her first term. Mai Chong’s top priorities are affordable housing, accessible transit, and investing in the development of East Side Saint Paul. For the past ten years, she has served as a leader with TakeAction Minnesota, a grassroots organization that has worked closely with Local Progress. Mai Chong is a proud Saint Paul Public Schools mom of two and has a pet cat named Chopper. Mai Chong has participated in Local Progress state meetings and national convenings. She has served on the organizing committee since the beginning of 2024. We are so excited to welcome Mai Chong Xiong as our newest co-chair!
💻 Policy & Strategy Primer Series
Check out LP’s new and improved 2024 Policy & Strategy Primers series that offers you a wide range of workshops across our key issues.
🧰 New Resources:
- New Messaging Guide: Welcoming & Supporting New Arrivals
- New Policy Memo: Rental Price Fixing
- New Policy Memo: Cash for Communities
💝 Join a LP Identity Caucus
In the past few years, Local Progress has launched two identity-based community spaces: the Black Caucus, and the Women’s Caucus! A third identity space, Nuestro Caucus, is currently in formation. These spaces were created by and for LP members to gather and share their lived experiences in governing and leadership positions. Our caucuses will have several opportunities for you to engage in this year. Sign up to join an identity caucus HERE.
