We are feeling a mix of emotions in these moments where our ability to lead at the local level is more important than ever before. We stay grounded in hope and optimism that our power shines when we organize together and govern for all.Â
As the state and federal government collude to instill fear in our communities and attempt to stifle our collective power, we are reminded of why leading at all levels of government is crucial for our communities’ safety and well being.
Local Progress members and partners were a force to be reckoned with at the 89th Texas Legislative session earlier this year. LPTX continues to stand up for our communities, despite ongoing battles, like we are seeing with the first called Special Session. Local Progress Texas is over 110 members strong, representing over 50 jurisdictions. We are clear about our potential for impact, and the responsibility we have to keep organizing and raising our voices for our communities.
Want to get involved with our chapter? Let’s talk! Local Progress members have access to a slew of policy and strategic resources, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start, so let’s connect about it. I am based in Laredo and I would love to meet with you online or wherever you are. Schedule a meeting with me!
đź“Ť Redistricting Fight at Special Session
As we wrapped up the 89th Texas Legislative session, we knew that the important wins such as protecting the Texas Dream Act, defeating the THC ban, and preventing the expansion of abusive state preemption by way of the Death Star Law 2.0, were far from over and would require that we keep partaking in collective action to defend our communities’ voices.Â
The first called Special Session has so far been focused on the unfair, uncalled for mid-decade redistricting efforts by the Governor and the President who only seek to suppress our votes and voices for the sake of governing for the few, rather than all.
Our members have participated alongside their constituents in redistricting hearings in Austin, Houston, and Arlington, where thousands of Texans have registered to deliver in-person and virtual testimony to express their concerns with this unprecedented attempt to gerrymander our districts.Â
On July 28, DeSoto Mayor Pro Tem Crystal Chism (pictured above) waited six hours to testify and said: “I’m looking around in this room and I don’t think you’re going to get to hear everybody. That is not democracy. So I ask you, as our leaders, to make changes for this and future hearings to make sure that you do get to hear everybody.”Â
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đź“Ł Defending the Texas Dream ActÂ
Coming out of the 89th Legislative Session, it appeared the Texas Dream Act would survive as collective efforts by advocates and local leaders contributed to defeating both SB 1729 and HB 232.Â
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However, just a few days after sine die, the Department of Justice sued the state of Texas to repeal the 25-year-old in-state college tuition law. Just hours after the suit, the state’s Attorney General entered into a consent judgment, allowing the law to come to an end without any guidance for impacted stakeholders.Â
Many partner organizations, including the Texas Civil Rights Project and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas then moved to intervene in the ongoing federal litigation on behalf of La UniĂłn del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), the Austin Community College District’s Board of Trustees (ACC), and college graduate student Oscar Silva.Â
We applaud the leadership of Local Progress Texas college board trustees who are seeking to defend the Texas Dream Act, which is a life-changing policy for over the 50,000 Texans who benefit from it in hopes of building a better future.Â
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🤝 LPTX Members Stand With Communities Against Surveillance
Our LPTX members in San Marcos and Austin, supported by organizers and partners like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), led the fight to stop the expansion of surveillance technology and data collection through police departments contracting with Flock cameras for automated license plate reading (ALPR). Across the country, municipalities are beginning to hit the brakes on these systems, recognizing that mass surveillance introduces new safety issues, undermines democratic control of public infrastructure, and does more harm than good. Take a deeper look in our policy bulletin.Â
Local Progress supported our member leaders in Austin (Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes, and Council Members Zo Qadri and Mike Siegel), and in San Marcos (City Council Members Alyssa Garza and Amanda Rodriguez) in in successfully pushing back against the renewal and expansion of Flock cameras (ALPRs) in their jurisdictions by offering them strategic support and a policy bulletin to equip them with the tools to succeed.Â
In late July, San Marcos City Council Member Amanda Rodriguez again urged Hays County Commissioners to gather all the facts about the usage of data as it relates to Flock before purchasing additional ALPRs. Hays County Commissioners tabled the item after strong public comments by constituents and partner advocates at Mano Amiga (SM). If you are interested in learning more about ALPRs and the impact of increased surveillance in our communities, please reach out to helpdesk@localprogress.org for resources and support.
We are feeling inspired, energized, and grateful to have wrapped up our biggest National Convening yet in Chicago where over 500 members, partners, and allies gathered mid-July!
Organize Together, Govern for All was this year’s theme which served as a reminder that our collective efforts have a real impact in these times where our communities are unjustly targeted.
We had one of our biggest Texas delegation of attendees with nearly 30 participants coming from jurisdictions of all sizes from all over the state including Corpus Christi, Taft, Grand Prairie, and Iowa Colony! Member leaders Austin Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes and Dallas Deputy Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua got to share successes in collaborative governance with participants in sessions and plenaries, proving that despite far-reaching preemption in our state, local wins are possible when leaders work with labor partners and community groups.
đź“ť Member Survey
Our Member Survey is now live! At the National Convening, over 150 members shared their thoughts about Local Progress, and we want yours too! The results will help inform our future work and priorities. As a thank you for taking the time to complete the survey we’re offering a $25 virtual Visa gift card or donation to the charity of your choice. Â
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🧰 Tools to Interrupt Criminalization
As local elected leaders continue to stand with and fight for the protection of their immigrant communities, we want to ensure that you have the resources you need. Use LP’s updated guides–Protecting Immigrant Rights Under a Hostile Federal Administration and Let’s Talk Real Safety–to align around a strong, consistent narrative. New content includes Best Practices for messaging on immigration and guidance on Responding to a Raid in your Community; and Addressing Public Suffering and Ending Harm and Surveillance, emphasizing the urgent need to move away from carceral solutions and toward real investments that address the root causes of harm.
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đź“Ł What the Billionaire Tax Scam Means For Our Communities
The Trump Administration and its Congressional allies just took away life-saving healthcare and food assistance from millions of Americans. All to give themselves – and their billionaire donors – massive tax cuts. In this dire moment, local leaders will be the first line of defense to support our communities against a hostile federal government. Learn more about this billionaire tax scam, its impacts, and check out our messaging toolkit to find out how you can fight back.
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🛑How Local Leaders Can Protect Communities from AI and the Tech Oligarchy
This past May, OpenAI and Microsoft lobbyists called for a shutdown on AI regulation. And recently, Congress passed a tax bill with a provision that would restrict states from regulating AI for 10 years (though it faces a steep challenge in the Senate). Our recently released report details how local elected officials and local communities should approach governance as the tech oligarchy’s influence grows in the era of AI. You can also rewatch the webinar we held this past May with AI Now Institute, New York City Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez, and report author, former San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen where we discussed this topic and more.
Zohaib “Zo” Qadri– Austin City Council Member, District 9- made history as the first South Asian American and Muslim American elected to the Austin City Council, representing District 9—home to some of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods, including Downtown, Rainey Street, Clarksville, West Campus, Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, Mueller, Cherrywood, and more.
Since his election in 2022, Zo has been a strong advocate for addressing Austin’s housing affordability crisis, expanding equitable and accessible transit options, and uplifting historically marginalized communities. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to ensuring every Austin resident has a voice and access to the opportunities the city has to offer.
He currently serves as the chair of the economic opportunity committee, the vice chair of the mobility committee, the public health and public safety committees. He also serves on the board for CAMPO and CapMetro.Â
A proud Longhorn, Zo earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University and a Master of Global Affairs from Rice University. He’s a proud member of AFSCME Local 1624 and a member leader in our Local Progress Texas Chapter Organizing Committee.Â
🏡 Stay Connected to our Caucuses!Â
Join us for the November All Caucus Meeting – Wednesday, November 12th! We will bring together the general membership of each caucus to build community and share space across identities. This gathering will be an opportunity to learn from one another, deepen cross-caucus relationships, and strengthen our individual caucuses through the sharing of our collective brilliance. 👉 Register Here.
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​​👩‍💻 Steering CommitteeÂ
The LP School Board work is shaped by a Steering Committee made up of school board members from across the country. This group meets on zoom for about an hour every month (typically Friday afternoons) and helps set the agenda for our school board work across the network. We have a strong group but need help from more school board members across the network to add capacity to this important body! Are you interested in learning more? Fill out the form here.
