Itâs hard to believe we are well into 2026! Our Local Progress Texas Chapter has lots in store this year as we work to grow our membership and support member leaders through a range of networking and development opportunities. We see this year as a key time for us to build Local Progress in Texas and develop leaders like you across the state, especially at a time when local democracy and governing are at the front lines of defense.Â
As local elected officials in cities, counties, school boards, and small towns, you have the ability to shape this crucial moment in our history and democracy by addressing the current reality being threatened by federal overreach. Whether itâs a resolution to halt funding for DHS or constitutional protections for all, or a vote to prevent the building of a data or detention center, your leadership matters now more than ever. Hereâs an inside look at some of the ways our Texas chapter has been leading across our great state.Â
đ County & City of El Paso Oppose Detention Centers
Earlier in February, the El Paso City Council unanimously approved a measure calling for ICE accountability as it pertains to arrests without judicial warrants and also explores the possibility of a moratorium on permitting, zoning, and licensing of detention centers. Amidst reports of multiple deaths at Camp East Montana inside Fort Bliss, El Paso residents took to City Hall and the Commissionersâ Court with hours-long hearings calling on local leaders to take a stand. El Paso County Commissioners adopted a plan of action to express their opposition to ICE and DHSâs planned detention centers.Â
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â Harris County Condemns ICE & DHS EnforcementÂ
The wave of local governments rising up to the federal governmentâs cruel immigration enforcement actions continues in Texas, in the fourth-largest metro area in the nation: Houston, TX. In the aftermath of the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Harris County joined a friend-of-the-court amicus brief in the State of Minnesotaâs case challenging the deployment of masked ICE and CBP agents. The County Commissionersâ court then passed a motion condemning ICE and DHSâs actions as a way to push back against the agencyâs federalism overreach.Â
đą San Antonio Makes Moves Towards Diversion ProgramÂ
In January, San Antonio City Council Member & LPTX Organizing Committee Member Teri Castillo filed a request to create a joint city-county ad hoc committee to develop the framework for a centralized diversion and recovery system. The program would provide wraparound services, behavioral health treatment, and housing support intended to stabilize individuals in the long term and reduce repeat contact with law enforcement. Bexar County is one of the last remaining counties of its size without a diversion program and would join the likes of Travis County and Harris County, who have implemented similar programs to reduce law enforcement interactions and lower the result of jail time for low-level offenses, mental health, or substance use disorders.Â
đ§Â San Marcos Votes to Block $1.5B Data CenterÂ
In a massive community win, the San Marcos City Council voted to block the land-use change to allow a $1.5 billion, 200-acre data center project. This win comes at the heels of broader action being considered by Hays County on water-intensive projects as the Edwards Aquifer hits historic lows. LPTX member, Councilmember Amanda Rodriguez said, “I came as an organizer, and I’ll have to say what I saw today is what organizers dream of accomplishing, and I’ve never been able to,” she added. “And so to see a group of people is able to do it across so many political spectrums, across every demographic, it gives me so much hope for humanity.”
đ Announcing the 2026 Texas School Board Collaborative Governance LabÂ
The Collaborative Governance Lab (CGL), originally launched in 2016 as the New Leaders Bootcamp, exists to ensure that values-aligned local elected officials have the resources, assets, tools, and skills that are needed to become powerful and effective leaders. Our sessions explore how to navigate bureaucracy effectively, build an effective office, and collaborate within the organizing ecosystem. Topics covered in previous CGLs in other localities include: Working with your City Administrator/City Solicitor/Superintendent; Budgets and Revenue; Media Relationships and Communications; and Legislation/Policy Creation and Implementation Planning.
This year, weâll be launching a CGL specifically for Texas school board members. If you are interested in learning more about the 2026 Texas CGL, please email me. Stay tuned for the application launch in March!
đĄ SXSW Defending Democracy Panel & Reception
As federal authoritarianism threatens civil rights, immigration, and economic justice, cities are stepping up to defend democracy. If democracy survives this moment, it will be because local elected leaders held the line. On March 18, join Local Progress staff and member leaders Austin City Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes, Los Angeles City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks as they share diverse, frontline perspectives in this conversation moderated by Francesca Menes, Managing Director of the Membership & Organizing Team at Local Progress. Then, join us that evening for a partner & member networking reception! RSVP here.
đ Introduce a Resolution to Demand: ICE OUT!
Congress failed to meet their February 13 deadline to reach an agreement on how and whether to fund DHS, including ICE and Border Patrol, triggering a partial shutdown of the department. Negotiations are ongoing as some members of Congress try to leverage funding for more restrictions on immigration enforcement. As local elected officials, we must use our power and our voices to turn the pressure up and together say: ICE OUT.Â
Local Progress members have been calling on Congress to use the power of the purse to stop ICE. Last month, Local Progress member Teresa Mosqueda (King County, WA) introduced and passed a first-of-its-kind resolution calling for funding restrictions and regulations for DHS. We are following her lead and organizing members like you across the country to pass resolutions of your own. Weâve created sample resolutions for cities, counties, and school boards to give you a head start. Will you join our organized force to protect our communities and stop ICE and DHS from wreaking more havoc?
This funding impasse gives us a chance to restrain their barbaric tactics. The resolution calls on Congress to:
- End enforcement surges in places like Minneapolis;Â
- Prohibit masks and end racial targeting and targeting of daycares and schools;
- Place strong guardrails on ICE including requiring judicial warrants and allowing localities to investigate misconduct;
- End detention center abuses and restore people’s access to bond hearings; and
- Make deep cuts to the $170 billion dollars given to DHS in last yearâs funding legislation.
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âĄď¸Â From Campaigns to Governance: A Partnerâs Guide to Building Our Base Together
Do you know someone who won last November? With nearly 1,800 members, Local Progress continues to be the best place for values-aligned local elected officials to be in community with one another. As one member shared in our survey last year, âThe support and friendship I have built over the years are what keep me going!â With your help, we can identify new members to join the network and have the community you have come to cherish. Check out our partnerâs guide.Â
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đď¸ Listen to the Preemption Download
Across our membership, nearly every local official has faced some form of preemption or encroachment on local control. From state capitals to D.C., state and federal representatives continue to pass new laws that strip local governments of their powers. But across our network of nearly 1,800 local officials, there are many incredible stories of resistance and new strategies for fighting back.Â
Local Progress is proud to launch our new audio series, âThe Preemption Downloadâ! Over the course of ten episodes, weâll introduce you to ten local elected officials who have faced preemption and came away with a stronger understanding of how to fight it. For our first episode, we spoke with Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter about the everyday preemption battles she faces as a local elected official in Florida. You can listen here on our Instagram.
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đŁď¸ Want to get more involved with our chapter? Letâs talk!Â
Local Progress members have access to a slew of policy and strategic resources, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. Letâs 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!
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đş Interested in Stepping Up Your Leadership? Join the Nuestro Caucus Leadership Committee!Â
Are you interested in developing your leadership in our network and donât know where to start? Nuestro Caucus is seeking new leadership committee members! To express your interest, fill out our Google Form or email me.Â
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đĄ Your One Stop for Caucuses
Trying to remember when the next Nuestro 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
âĄď¸ National Convening Registration is now OPEN!
Are you ready for this yearâs convening? We canât wait to see you in Baltimore, MD on July 9-11! Over the past year, the community care amongst the incredible Local Progress network in this moment makes crystal clear what weâve always known â that even in the midst of relentless attacks on immigrants, Black and Brown folks, LGBTQ+ people, workers, youth, and our communities â localities are not only at the forefront but serve as the bedrock of transformative change. It is this movement of local elected officials leading fearlessly to build a world where all of us can be grounded in our joy and freedom that inspires our 2026 theme: Fearless Leadership * Joyful Liberation. Check your email for your personalized invite link and register today!
Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, San Antonio City Council Member, District 2, Local Progress Public Safety Steering Committee
Jalen McKee-Rodriguez was elected to serve District 2 of San Antonio in June 2021. He serves as a fierce advocate for equitable investment in San Antonioâs infrastructure, increased focus on the social determinants of health, accountability and transparency in city operations, and the re-imagination of public safety to prevent crime. When elected, Jalen became the first openly gay man to serve on the City Council in San Antonio and the first openly gay Black man to hold any seat in Texas.
Jalen prides himself on taking an organizerâs approach to governance. You will commonly see him with his team block-walking, hosting open office hours at local businesses, texting and calling constituents, conducting ride-alongs with city departments, and participating in community clean-ups. and providing direct assistance, such as meals and supplies, to families in need.
Jalen joined Local Progress on Congressman Greg Casarâs recommendation. âThe prospect of joining an organization of progressive leaders, often navigating the same challenges Iâm experiencing in Texas, was incredibly exciting! Since joining, Iâve enjoyed serving on the Public Safety Steering Committee, where we often share tools, resources, and strategies to address the foundation of community safety in a meaningful way, the exact type of experience I had imagined when joining.â Â
Jalenâs favorite moments at LP have been our National Convenings. âEach time Iâve gotten to make new friends with members from across the country, brainstorm ideas on a variety of topics, and attend site visits to learn more about how other communities are navigating their communitiesâ needs.â A little-known fact about his city, San Antonio, is that it’s home to the oldest park in Texas and second oldest park in the nation, the San Pedro Springs Park!Â