Welcome back to the LPNY State Download – our quarterly newsletter! Here’s a look at some of what LPNY has been up to the past few months – and what’s been happening across the state. To kick things off, we’re launching our new and improved legislative toolkit here. More information on that down below! As we face new threats to our democracy, it’s important now more than ever that local leadership is courageous and proactive. Local Progress New York is committed to challenging and upholding democratic values while ensuring our communities are safe.Â
2025 Legislative Session
As we kick off another legislative session in Albany, our chapter is busy at work in adding pressure to the state legislature and moving towards a more equitable and affordable state for all New Yorkers. With Governor Hochul putting emphasis and blame on the federal government for the lack of resources and funding across the state, we know that our members are ready to add pressure and ensure we provide for the working class. In order to truly make NY truly affordable for all, Gov. Hochul must prioritize policies that will make a real, tangible difference in our lives, like the Working Families Tax Credit, Universal Childcare, and truly affordable housing. Our members across the state are ready to step up and continue to collaborate with members of the state legislature during the 2025 session.Â
We welcome back our legislative toolkit after a year of rebranding and building on what would be most effective for our membership, this document serves as a guiding force for the work we are prioritizing as a Chapter. You can directly link and engage via social media on the current active campaigns our partner organizations are driving at the state level. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Chapter Manager Mel Carrera-Solano with any questions.Â
Albany Caucus Weekend Social
Every year, the NY Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus holds a weekend in Albany to share legislative priorities of the caucus with elected officials and partners from across the state. On February 15, LPNY joined forces with some of our partner organizations across the state, including New York Working Families Party, and Invest in Our NY to host a caucus weekend reception.Â
This was our fourth year as LPNY creating space with partners and allies in the progressive movement, outside of regular caucus weekend programming. The event was anchored by 15 of our very own Local Progress New York members, including: LPNY Co-Chair, Michele Hirsch and LP Board member, Tiffany Cabán.
Syracuse Comptroller ReportÂ
Local Progress New York Organizing Committee member and Syracuse City Auditor, Alexander Marion released a report detailing funds the city received from the federal government. With the goal of transparency, Auditor Marion wants residents to understand how federal resources are being used, including key programs benefiting the community. Check out his report to see how you can communicate to your communities on the impact of federal funds.Â
Apply to join our Organizing Committee
A great way to get more involved with our work throughout New York is through our LPNY Organizing Committee! Our Committee meets once a month and works with LP staff and our community partners to set our state chapter’s priorities and define our mission and vision for our work. It’s also a great space to build community with other LPNY members. If you’re interested in learning more about this Committee, fill out this form.
Upcoming Lobby Day
This year Local Progress NY members are participating in Advocacy Day at the State Capitol. This is one way to get engaged and participate in active campaigns led by our grassroots partners. Join our partner the New York Immigration Coalition for their upcoming Working Families Tax Credit Lobby Day on February 24.Â
Are you a county legislator interested in utilizing funds to invest in youth diversion programs, after school programs and other critical initiatives that help strengthen your communities? Please reach out to Mel Carrera-Solano.Â
Amanda Wallwin is a Local Progress NY Organizing Committee member and Trustee of the Union Free School District of the Tarrytowns, having been first elected in 2022. She is proud to have been part of securing a historic $87 million bond to renovate schools across the district. She sits on the policy committee, leading a full review of the district’s policy manual. In her professional life, Amanda lobbies for state level policy changes to prevent and correct wrongful convictions in state capitals across the country with the Innocence Project. Prior to that, she served over a decade as chief of staff to New York State Assemblymember Dan Quart. In that role, she drafted and passed legislation to decriminalize pocket knives and face masks, and to permit seniors to synchronize their prescriptions.Â
She also worked to initiate the first public hearings into sexual harassment of New York legislative staffers in over 25 years, and to force NYPD to comply with federal standards in reporting sexual assault statistics. Amanda is a graduate of Vassar College and also holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. She lives in Tarrytown with her husband Philippe, and her son, Jamie.
❤️ Fund our Communities. Protect our Neighbors.
Congress is soon expected to consider H.R. 32 – the “No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities” Act – a bill that would force localities and states to choose between facilitating mass deportations or losing otherwise unrelated health, education, transportation, and other local funding. This bill is a blatant attempt to scapegoat immigrant communities and punish localities that stand up for them. We need local electeds to take bold action—this means speaking out, rallying your communities, and holding your members of Congress accountable. Check out our Fund Our Communities Digital Toolkit and accompanying talking points.
Please also add your name to our sign-on letter for state and local officials to demand Congress reject this harmful and divisive bill.
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💪🏾 Public School Strong Training Series
Our partners at HEAL Together have kicked off Solidarity 2025 – an eight-week training series designed to equip activist parents, educators, school board members, students, and allies to unite against the attacks on public education outlined in Project 2025. The training series is part of the Public School Strong campaign and is designed to empower participants to advocate for students, schools, and communities at local school boards and beyond. Participants will gain critical insights into federal policy proposals, actionable strategies for mobilizing around shared values, and tools like model policies, school board resolutions, and organizing lessons. Register here.
đź“Ł Communications Resources for YOU
Need a quick brush up on interviewing best practices before an interview? Want to engage with your community on social media, but not sure what platform is best for you? Check out LP’s new Communications Tools & Guides!
From the full-time city council member to the part-time school board member, every local elected official uses communication tools. But not all members and staff have the same resources and knowledge at their disposal to take advantage of news cycles, viral moments, or respond to bad faith attacks. The above resources are now live, so you can build confidence and skill using communications tools at your own pace!
Have additional questions or need 1:1 comms support? Reach out to helpdesk@localprogress.org to get in touch with the comms team!
🏡 Your New Caucus Home
Introducing our one stop shop for caucus events! Trying to remember when that next Women’s Caucus meeting is? Looking for the link to complete your Pride Caucus Survey? Look no further! This link will continuously be updated with all upcoming Caucus events and asks so that you can constantly refer to it and make sure you’re up to date on when your next caucus meetings are.
On the calendar for March
- 📆 Pride Caucus Listening Session – Tuesday, March 4 at 12pm ET/9am PT
- 📆 Black Caucus general membership meeting: Wednesday, March 12 at 7pm ET/4pm PT
- 📆 Nuestro Caucus general membership meeting: Monday, March 24 at 5pm ET/2pm PT
- 📆 Women’s Caucus general membership meeting: Thursday, March 27 at 5pm ET/2pm PT
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⚡️ National Convening Registration OPEN for Members & Alumni!
Join us in Chicago on July 10-12! We’re bringing together Local Progress members, partners, and movement allies from across the country for a weekend of strategy building, peer learning, and leadership development – complete with dozens of workshops, sharing sessions, community spaces, and site visits! As local elected leaders in this moment, we must continue organizing in our communities and across the country. And in the face of hostile state and federal actors that have shown us they will only govern for the wealthy few, it is our moral responsibility and democratic duty to govern for everyone. That’s why we are proud to share the theme for this year’s convening: Organize Together. Govern for All. Members, check your email for your invite and register by March 3 for an Early Bird Discount!
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.Â
- Gain an understanding of how they can support the movement pipeline from candidate to governance.
