It has been a month since Election Day which has given many of us across California the opportunity to celebrate good, local wins but it has also forced us to face the reality of a second Trump administration. It is now more important than ever to connect with one another to learn, share, and grow our racial and economic justice agenda at the local level. Leaders like you are giving us hope and reassurance during these troubling times.
This is our last LPCA State Download before the new year where we’ll look back at some of the work our members have been leading here in California.
💪 New Gains in the Rental Price Fixing Fight
Last month we shared that LP member and President of the Board of Supervisors, Aaron Peskin, led San Francisco to become the first city in the nation to ban algorithmic rent-fixing software. Now, LP member and San Diego Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera is proposing a similar policy in his city! The proposed ordinance comes after Councilmember Elo-Rivera initiated council discussion but the ban will be officially introduced in the new year. If you’re interested in joining San Francisco, Philadelphia, and other cities, you can view our policy memo with sample legislation and contact us.
🏘️ Exploring Social and Affordable Housing
Joined by our friends at LA Forward, Local Progress California led an Affordable Housing 101 workshop for 20 of our members from across Los Angeles County. We heard from community partners at Public Counsel and Occidental College on the local fight for tenants, from ACT-LA and Global Policy Leadership Academy on the social housing landscape across the globe, and from Liberty Hill Foundation and United Way LA on affordable housing funding streams that have been designed locally by advocates, labor, and are now being implemented by LP members through collaborative governance.
✍️ Setting the Tone fir Local Leadership on Homelessness
🩷 Thank you Dr. Kelly Kent
After four years of serving on the Local Progress Board of Directors and nine years on the Culver City Unified School District Board, Kelly is transitioning off of the board. We extend our gratitude to Dr. Kelly Kent for her support of Local Progress’s growth and the guidance she’s provided to us throughout the years.
From Local Progress California, thank you, Kelly!
💰 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.
🧰 Resources & Opportunities
The incoming Trump administration has promised to implement policies that will attempt to undo all the progress we have made toward building a more just multi-racial democracy. We know that a second Trump Presidency will be even more destructive than the first. We also know that we’re capable of meeting the moment. Local Progress members were at the forefront of fighting back during the first Trump Presidency, and as we approach another four years, it’s up to us to defend our communities and our democracy. Local Progress Impact Lab have designed a toolkit for local elected officials that outlines strategies to navigate the threats posed by an authoritarian regime: Toolkit for Local Elected Officials in Second Trump Administration
And check out this new policy memo: Unpacking the McKinney-Vento Act: Understanding Your School Districts’ Obligation to Students Experiencing Homelessness
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.
🌱 Join The LPCA Organizing Committee
Our Local Progress California is growing so fast! We have 220+ members across California- leading as mayors, on city council, school boards, college boards, water boards, among others- and we want to connect y’all! We’re building our Organizing Committee and still need a member to represent the San Diego, Inland Empire, Central Valley, and Sacramento regions. If you’re interested, please fill out this interest form.
❤️ Join an LP Caucus!
LP now has three established identity-based caucuses:the Black Caucus, the Women’s Caucus and the Nuestro Caucus, as well as one newly forming caucus: the 🌈 Pride Caucus 🌈! Each caucus represents a space for healing justice, community building and policy organizing with other members who share your lived experience. For LGBTQ+ members, we are calling on you to fill out our survey and join a listening session. The survey can be found here, and stay tuned for our next listening session dates in the new year!
Local Progress Black Caucus is hosting a post-election call on January 29 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET, where we will take time to talk about what this coming year will look like for all of us AND what tools we collectively have to take action and support one another. This call will be an opportunity to process questions or feelings you might be having going into 2025 in a safe space but will also ground us in the tools and systems of support that we have as part of this LP Black Caucus. Register here!
We are also excited to announce that on February 12 at 3pm PT / 6 pm ET, we are hosting our first All Caucus member call. This will be a space to reflect on the lessons learned over the last 5 years of caucus development, preview our plan for restructuring caucus staffing support and to do some healing justice and renewal work together. Register here!
Just announced: our 2025 National Convening will be in Chicago, IL on July 10-12! Local Progress’s annual National Convening is a space to exchange ideas, seek inspiration, and strategize together. It’s the place to feel seen in our struggles and affirmed in our resolve and resilience, and, most importantly, to find support and share joy – especially in the darkest moments. Information on registration, financial aid, and logistics is forthcoming but, for now, save the date to join us!
We are organizing a partners pipeline briefing to connect the existing movement pipeline to support the transition from candidate to elected as they step in these new roles to lead and govern. During this briefing, partners will:
- 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.
- Gain an understanding of how they can support the movement pipeline from candidate to governance.
As always, I’m here to support and amplify your work. If there’s anything you need, have questions about, or would like to share with our team, please do not hesitate to call or email me.
