Welcome to the first-ever Local Progress Pacific Northwest (PNW) Regional Download! As summer settles across Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, we’re excited to launch this new way to stay connected and highlight the incredible work happening across our region. Over the past year, Local Progress has been intentionally investing in building a stronger Pacific Northwest network by deepening relationships, expanding partnerships, and creating more opportunities for local elected officials to learn from one another. Whether we’re protecting immigrant communities, defending public education, tackling the housing crisis, or strengthening collaborative governance, our members are proving that local leadership is one of the most powerful tools we have to advance justice.Â
In this edition, you’ll read about a major transparency and immigrant rights victory led by Local Progress member Sameer Kanal in Portland, the graduation of the second Washington Collaborative Governance Lab cohort, and the launch of a new statewide School Board Collaborative Governance Lab. You’ll also find opportunities to get involved, connect with fellow members, access support through the Impact Lab Help Desk, and learn about upcoming leadership development opportunities across the region.
Thank you for being part of this growing community of local leaders working every day to build more just, equitable, and resilient communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.
🤝 Building Stronger Local Governance Across Washington
From January through June of this year, Local Progress Impact Lab and Sage Leaders proudly welcomed 16 local elected officials from across Washington into the second Collaborative Governance Lab (CGL) and Local Elected Leadership Institute (LELI). The cohort included city council members, deputy mayors, county commissioners, and other local leaders representing communities across the state, from Aberdeen and Pasco to Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Port Angeles.Â
Over six months, participants sharpened their skills in collaborative governance, values-based leadership, budgeting, communications, and policy development while gaining practical tools to navigate bureaucracy and deliver meaningful results for their communities. Just as importantly, they built lasting relationships with fellow elected officials from across Washington, creating a stronger network of progressive leaders ready to tackle shared challenges, support one another, and advance bold, community-centered solutions. As the cohort graduated in June, participants left with new skills, stronger connections, and a renewed commitment to governing collaboratively in service of Washington communities.
❤️ King County Takes Action to Protect Immigrant Communities
This spring, King County scored a major victory for immigrant communities by unanimously approving an emergency one-year moratorium on new or expanded detention facilities in unincorporated King County. Championed by Local Progress board member and King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, the measure immediately blocks the development of potential new ICE detention centers while the county develops permanent protections. The action reflects the power of local leadership to respond quickly to emerging threats, safeguard immigrant communities, and advance policies rooted in dignity, public safety, and community well-being.Â
🧊 Portland Advances Landmark Police Transparency Protections
This spring, Portland City Councilmember and Local Progress member Sameer Kanal successfully led the passage of the “Right to Know Who’s Policing You” ordinance, a major victory for transparency, accountability, and community trust. The ordinance prohibits most local law enforcement officers from concealing their identities with masks and requires them to display visible identification during interactions with the public.
Introduced in response to concerns about masked federal immigration enforcement operations, individuals impersonating ICE agents, and growing fears around government accountability, the measure strengthens transparency in public safety while helping protect immigrant communities. Although the ordinance does not directly regulate federal officers, it directs local law enforcement to verify the identity and authority of masked agents operating in the city. The victory highlights the bold leadership Local Progress members are providing to safeguard civil rights, strengthen public trust, and advance community-centered approaches to public safety.Â
đź“š Washington School Board Members Strengthen Superintendent Accountability Practices
This summer, Washington school board members came together for a session focused on superintendent evaluations and the critical role boards play in ensuring districts remain accountable to students, educators, and communities. Members discussed state requirements and best practices for superintendent evaluations and explored strategies to strengthen relationships with teachers, increase community engagement, and keep student needs at the center of district decision-making.Â
⚡ Pacific Northwest Members Showed Up and Showed Out in Baltimore!
The Pacific Northwest made a strong showing at this year’s National Convening in Baltimore, with more than 50 Local Progress members and partners from Alaska, Oregon, and Washington coming together to represent the region. Members brought their experience, leadership, and commitment to collaborative governance, contributing to conversations, workshops, and strategy sessions throughout the convening. The PNW delegation reflected the diversity of our region, with leaders representing large cities, small jurisdictions, and rural communities. School board directors, city council members, county commissioners, and other local elected officials all came together to learn from one another, strengthen relationships, and return home better equipped to serve their communities. Read the full recap in our blog!
✍️ Applications Open this Fall for the 2027 Washington Collaborative Governance Lab
Building on the success of the first two cohorts, Local Progress Impact Lab and Sage Leaders are already planning the third annual Washington Collaborative Governance Lab (CGL) and Local Elected Leadership Institute (LELI), set to launch in January 2027. The program will continue to bring together local elected officials from across Washington to strengthen their skills in collaborative governance, build lasting relationships with peers, and gain practical tools to advance community-centered solutions. Stay tuned for application information and recruitment opportunities later this year.
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🗳️ Election Protection Webinar Series, Stay Ready So You Don’t Have to Get Ready!Â
Throughout the summer, Local Progress Impact Lab will be launching a series of webinars to prepare the network to protect the 2026 midterms and ensure free and democratic elections in the face of authoritarian threats. Each call will feature guidance from expert partners on key election protection strategies and space for individualized technical assistance. Our first webinar is on Wednesday, August 12, 12pm ET/9am PT.
đź“„ You Deserve to Feel Safe While Serving, Develop Your Personal Safety Plan Today!
Over the past two years, Local Progress Impact Lab (the Impact Lab) has been collaborating with Women’s Democracy Lab (WDL) to develop a set of resources for our Local Progress members. As local leaders, your communities are calling on you to take bold action and fearless leadership in this time of increasing authoritarianism. However, wielding your power can also put a target on your back. You and your loved ones deserve to feel safe while serving in elected office!Â
WDL has developed this personal safety plan, serving as a starting point for assessing your safety preparedness, identifying any potential gaps, and outlining your personal action plans. Download it, work your plan, consult your loved ones. We keep each other safe!
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đź’» No Buildout for Billionaires: A Local Guide to Stopping, Slowing, and Restricting Data Expansion
Big Tech is spending billions in its race to build data centers across the country – and local communities are paying the price. From strained water and energy resources to spiked utility bills and drained public budgets, the costs fall on working people while corporations pocket the profits.Â
But local governments have real power to fight back. Whether you’re getting ahead of proposed data centers, updating existing laws, or mitigating the impacts of harmful data centers in your community, you’ll leave with tools to strengthen public participation, build community power, and ensure decisions about land, water, air, and technology benefit people, not corporations. Check out our guide to stopping, slowing, and restricting data center expansion.
đź’¬ Want to Get More Involved? Let’s Connect!
As a Local Progress member, you have access to a wide range of leadership development opportunities, policy resources, strategic support, and peer learning spaces. With so much available, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start.
RubĂ©n Lucio oversees Local Progress organizing across the Pacific Northwest and would love to connect with you. Whether you’re looking to deepen your engagement, explore leadership opportunities, connect with peers, or access support for your work, we’re here to help point you in the right direction. Reach out to schedule a conversation and learn more about getting involved. Schedule a quick check-in with RubĂ©n.
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▶️ Pay It Forward! Recruit a New Member Today!
With more than 550 members and partners from 41 states, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, the 2026 national convening in Baltimore is now in the record books as our largest gathering to date! During the convening, we learned new strategies, shared new resources, and strengthened our bonds and community. As many of you have shared, this network is your political home, where you find the strength and courage to be bold and brave, particularly in this moment! Now, we are asking you to pay it forward! Recruit a member today by sharing the join us form. For movement and labor partners, we’ve also developed this guide to support connecting the pipeline from campaign to governance!
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🏡 Your One Stop for Caucuses
Trying to remember when the next Pride Caucus General meeting is? Want to join the Black Caucus signal group chat? Or find your caucus playlist? Look no further! Your one-stop shop for all things caucus is right here!Â
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âť“ Need Support? Contact the Help Desk
Have a policy, strategy, or communications question? The Local Progress Impact Lab Help Desk is here to help. Through the Help Desk, members can access policy research, strategic guidance, communications support, connections to fellow Local Progress members, and expertise from trusted partner organizations. Simply email your question and timeline, and an Impact Lab team member will follow up with resources, recommendations, and next steps tailored to your needs.
Meet our PNW Members!
✨ Mark Figueroa, Councilmember, City of Pasco, WA
Since joining Local Progress through a connection with Sage Leaders, Pasco Councilmember Mark Figueroa has embraced opportunities to learn from fellow local elected officials and access practical tools to strengthen his leadership. “LP has been extremely helpful with tangible resources and toolkits,” he shared.
Mark ran for office because of his deep love for Pasco and a desire to be a voice for everyday residents while helping build a stronger future for the next generation. Over the next six months, he is focused on strengthening relationships with residents, improving transparency in local government, and advancing practical solutions that support public safety, infrastructure, and economic opportunity.
One of Mark’s favorite parts of the Local Progress community has been connecting with passionate leaders from different backgrounds who share a commitment to serving their communities and creating meaningful change for underserved residents.
For those who may not know, Pasco is one of Washington’s fastest-growing and most diverse communities. With a rich agricultural heritage and a strong sense of family and community pride, the city sits at the crossroads of waterways, railways, highways, and byways, making it a vital regional hub.
✨ Candace Avalos, Councilmember, City of Portland, OR
Candace Avalos ran for Portland City Council because she believes that government should be accountable to the people it serves and that East Portland deserves leaders who will fight for the investments, infrastructure, and attention its communities have been denied for too long. As a first-generation Blacktina, the daughter of Black Americans from southern Virginia and Guatemalan immigrants, she believes the people closest to the problems should be closest to the solutions.
Over the next six months, Candace is focused on advancing a housing agenda that helps keep people housed, speeds up the production of housing Portland desperately needs, and makes government work better for those most affected by the housing crisis. Just as importantly, she is investing in long-term community power through initiatives like the Shared Power Collective, Youth Leadership Academy, and Workshop With Me. As she puts it, “The goal is not just to pass good policy. It is to build the next generation of leaders, deepen civic participation, and shift power into the hands of the community.”
Candace first connected with Local Progress through a training for newly elected officials. “I remember feeling so grateful to learn that LP existed, because stepping into local office can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to govern with your values and figure out how to move meaningful policy in a complicated political environment.” Since then, one of her favorite experiences has been attending the Local Progress Housing Convening in Seattle, where she connected with local leaders advancing bold housing policies and tackling shared challenges related to housing stability, displacement, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
While Portland is often defined by national headlines, Candace sees a city where people organize, testify, volunteer, and expect their government to be accountable. She hopes more people get to know East Portland’s neighborhoods, mutual aid networks, small businesses, cultural communities, and families who continue fighting for each other.Â