Welcome to our winter Pennsylvania State Download! We’re wrapping up a year of major achievements and momentous growth, and we’re looking forward to accomplishing even more in 2025. Below you’ll find updates, recaps, and the resources you need to get involved with Local Progress PA.
Before we dive in, we want to recognize that a month has passed since the election, and we are fast approaching the reality of a second Trump administration. Local elected officials will play a critical role in defending our democracy, which is why it’s more important than ever to grow our network and our collective power. Stay tuned for opportunities to collaborate, strategize, and build a movement together!
🏠 Philadelphia Bans Rental Price Fixing
Thanks to LPPA Member Leader and Philadelphia City Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke, Philadelphia has become the second major U.S. city to ban landlords’ use of algorithmic software like RealPage to illegally fix rental prices. Philadelphia City Council passed the ordinance in October with a veto-proof majority. Once it is signed into law, any landlord in violation will be subject to a fine of up to $2k per incident, or face lawsuits from current or prospective tenants.
“I am extremely grateful to my colleagues for unanimously passing this bill, marking a significant step towards protecting tenants and preventing unfair rental practices in our city,” said Councilmember O’Rourke. “I look forward to implementing these protections, working with organized
🤝 Philadelphia Meetup
On October 24, Local Progress Pennsylvania held a meetup for members, partners, and prospective members in the Philadelphia area. The meetup was hosted by Philadelphia City Councilmember and Minority Leader Kendra Brooks along with Norristown School Board President Christopher Jaramillo. The event had over 40 attendees including Philadelphia City Councilmembers Rue Landau, Isaiah Thomas, Nicolas O’Rourke, and Jeffery Young. Also in attendance were Lehigh County Commissioner Jon Irons and Allentown Councilmember Ce-Ce Gerlach. Partner organizations included WFP PA, API PI, ACLU of PA, POWER, PCCY, AFSCME DC 47, AFT 2026, 215PA, Black Worker Project, and NDWA-PA.
❤️🩹 Public Safety Primer
On Nov 20, LPPA hosted a workshop to create alignment within our membership using LP’s Public Safety policy and messaging resources. As we build our chapter, LP members have the opportunity to support their communities by investing in what people need to thrive instead of relying on policing and the criminal legal system. Click here to check out our Reform/Transform toolkit to learn more about key programs and pass which meet people’s basic needs and help keep everyone safe.
🦅 2025 State Strategy Meeting
In early 2025, members are invited to join Local Progress Pennsylvania for our first State Strategy meeting in Philadelphia! We will be bringing together members and partners from across the state to strategize for 2025, and we want YOU to bring your passion, extensive base of knowledge, lived experience, and strategic vision to the meeting. This meeting will be a pivotal moment in building our chapter. Please note that the date has been changed and a new date is forthcoming.
💪 2025 National Convening
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!
💰 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.
🫀 Apply to join the LPPA Organizing Committee
LPPA’s newly forming Organizing Committee is the heart of our chapter. As we build our chapter, the Organizing Committee will play a key role in setting the agenda for our work together for 2025 and beyond. If you or someone you know would be a good fit for the Organizing Committee, fill out this form as soon as possible. If you need more information about the Organizing Committee, reach out to Devan.
❤️ 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!
🌟 Meet Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato!
Sara Innamorato was sworn in as Allegheny County Executive on January 2, 2024 as the first woman to be elected to the role, and joined Local Progress as a member later in the year.
In November 2023, Sara launched the All In Allegheny survey to hear from residents countywide. This survey represented the most inclusive community engagement initiative in the county’s history. The results of the survey were synthesized into the All In Allegheny Action Plan: a comprehensive 91-step plan to fight for community priorities.
Sara is a lifelong resident of Allegheny County with a deep commitment to fighting for her community. Before taking office as County Executive, Sara served as a State Representative, during which she introduced dozens of bills to fight for what her community needs, including affordable housing, a living wage, a safe and healthy environment, a compassionate approach to the opioid epidemic, and accessible reproductive healthcare.
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.
