Over a week has passed since the elections, where we are all facing the reality of a second Trump presidency. We brace ourselves for what this administration has laid out, including policies targeted to harm our communities and undo significant progress we’ve made towards racial, gender and economic justice. We want to remind you, as part of Local Progress’s work to build a platform for multi-racial organizing, that our chapters were formed with the intention of building community and creating a safe healing space where members are able to deepen their connections and celebrate one another. We encourage you to find strength and support within the chapter, as well as within the larger Local Progress network.Â
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Welcome back to the final quarterly LPNY State Download for the year. Here’s a look at some of what LPNY has been up to the last couple of months– and what’s been happening across the state. We are continuing to build momentum with our Road to Good Cause campaign and working towards the legislative session next year. More information on that down below!
This summer, Local Progress New York launched the Road To Good Cause campaign to win renter protections in every town, village, and city across New York. Our Gold Standard resource for Good Cause aims to support our members in bringing a strong network of tenant protections across the state.Â
(Road to Good Cause Workshop on August 20, 2024)
Across New York, local leaders are continuing to push for critical renter protections. In every town, village, and city, tenants and local elected officials are united in the fight to turn Good Cause Eviction Protections into law. We’ve mapped out every locality across the state with an active Good Cause campaign and every area where our movement has won! If you don’t see your town, village, or city on the map, check out our template legislation, ready to be introduced in your area. You can also go check out information from one of our partners, Housing Justice For All, to get connected with tenant leaders fighting for Good Cause in your locality. If you missed our workshops and want to learn more about the campaign, please reach out to Melissa Carrera-Solano, mcarrera@localprogress.org for more information.Â
(NYC Council Member Sandy Nurse October 3, 2024. Photo Credit: New York City Council)
During Climate week in October, New York City Council Member Sandy Nurse and the NYC Council passed a bill for solar panels on public buildings. This bill requires that the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) install at least 150 megawatts of solar panel roof systems on city-owned buildings by 2035. DCAS will be required to report eligible and ineligible rooftops, and identify city-owned properties that already have solar panels installed. Funding for the installations would come from city capital and expense funds. This is a huge win in our flight towards climate justice. Â
Earlier this month, Local Progress partnered with the Working Families Party to convene members across the NY Chapter, along with movement allies, in a post election reception during the annual SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico. We had over a dozen elected officials across the state present, along with our labor and partner organizations, Make the Road NY, Citizen Action NY, CUFFH, New York Immigration Coalition, and Advocacy Institute. Taking place just a few days post election, it was important to lean into community and crowdsource information with our network. We will continue to work with our partners and members to defend and protect our communities from the incoming administration.Â
Photo Credit: Jason Beeferman/POLITICO
Alexander Marion, MPA joined the Local Progress NY Organizing Committee this summer. He serves as the Syracuse City Auditor, ensuring our community receives the most value for its limited resources. The Auditor does this by providing oversight over the decisions made every day in city government and serving as an independent voice on the issues impacting Syracuse. Alex is breathing new life into the Auditor’s office, leveraging its broad mandate to promote transparency, equity, and competence in Syracuse.
He’s uncovered waste in parking enforcement and has raised the issue of increased borrowing costs. He’s been Syracuse’s leading champion for tenant protections supporting Good Cause Eviction.Â
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Alex successfully advocated for a $5 million increase in state aid and worked across party lines with Syracuse’s Independent Mayor and Republican Member of Congress to fight for more federal dollars to support the SurgeLink subsidized broadband internet program. His priorities include ensuring that federal funds provided to Syracuse in the wake of COVID-19 are spent wisely, examining the impact of climate change on city services, and ensuring our economic development and housing policies are transparent and delivering on the biggest needs in our community.
A native of the Syracuse area, Alex served as an aide to Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner and New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris before being sworn-in as Auditor in 2024. He received his undergraduate degree in Government from St. John’s University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College.
🧰 New Resources:Â
In other news, here are some of our newest resources:
The Progressive Governance Academy exists to ensure that local elected officials around the country who align with our values have the resources, assets, tools, and skills they need to become powerful and effective leaders. The program is jointly hosted by Local Progress, re:power Fund, and State Innovation Exchange.
Whether you are newly elected, serving your first term, or just want to strengthen your leadership skills, we invite you to attend the final Progressive Governance Academy Training of the year from December 9-12, 2024. Each session will be from 2:00 to 4:30 PM EST.Â
We strongly recommend that participants attend the ENTIRE training. Upon acceptance of your application, you will receive detailed logistical information about the training series.
đź’ť LP Caucuses
LP now has three identity-based Caucuses: the Black Caucus, Women’s Caucus, and our newest, the Nuestro Caucus, for Latinx members. Additionally, we have heard a clear and consistent call among Local Progress’s LGBTQ+ members, including at the recent National Convening in Oakland, to create a formal space within the network to support and build with one another. Over the next several months, we want to hear directly from interested members on what you would like to see in the emerging Pride Caucus! You can share your input in this survey, and we invite you to join a listening session (details for our December session below)!
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Caucuses are a safe space for community building, organizing, and collective healing. Caucuses meet regularly to support elected officials in their governing and leadership positions. Our caucuses will have end-of-year meetings in December that you can engage in. Sign up to join an identity caucus HERE.
We are organizing a partners pipeline briefing to connect the existing movement pipeline to support the transition from candidate to election as they step into these new roles to lead and govern. During this briefing, partners will:Â
- Learn about LP and the Impact Lab’s network and our strategic framework.
- Learn about the impact of LP and the Impact Lab’s work.Â
- Gain an understanding of how they can support the movement pipeline from candidate to governance.
