Home Rule

Local governments need the home rule authority to address the pressing problems facing their communities. And the new abusive state preemption suppresses local organizing for our agenda for racial and economic justice.

Our Vision and Work

Local governments must be able to pass laws and set standards that reflect the unique needs of their communities.

But in many states, legislators are undermining local power by prohibiting – and in some cases, punishing – local governments from passing specific local policies. This type of abusive state preemption threatens local democracy and silences the voices of the people.

As a network of local elected officials, state interference impacts all the work we do. Instead of treating preemption in an issue silo, we weave proactive preemption analysis and strategy into all of our work. Our work in this area includes preemption analysis to inform local policy solutions and strategies, proactive strategies – including statewide campaigns, in anticipation of and response to abusive preemption.

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Communities Rising Up Against Corporate-Driven State Bans

Check out how communities and local leaders are exposing the corporations interfering in our freedom to care for one another.

Blogs And Featured News

News Article ▹ August 30, 2023

Texas “Death Star” Law Ruled Unconstitutional Two Days Before Taking Effect

Local Progress Texas, the Texas AFL-CIO, Every Texan, ACLU of Texas, and Workers Defense Project stress that the Death Star Law directly contradicts Texas' core values of democracy and freedom.

Home Rule
▹ October 11, 2023

Less Politics Is Local: States Get Increasingly Aggressive About Pre-Emption

Preemption of local authority has been a major concern over the past decade. Now, states are not only blocking specific laws but stopping cities and counties from addressing entire areas of policy.

Home Rule
▹ September 8, 2023

St. Louis board president to announce bills challenging state laws

St. Louis Aldermanic President Megan Green is expected to announce eight new bills on Saturday aimed at fighting back against abusive state preemption and advancing local democracy.

Home Rule
▹ August 31, 2023

‘A Huge Win’: Texas Judge Finds Law Limiting Local Rule Is Unconstitutional

"When local policymaking is stifled, community voices are silenced," said Local Progress Texas, Texas AFL-CIO, Workers Defense Project, the ACLU of Texas, and Every Texan.

Resources

Policy Brief

Confronting Preemption

Want to Get More involved?

Check out our steering committees! Our work is member-led and our issue steering committees offer a big picture perspective on LP’s programmatic work.

Local Progress is a movement of local elected officials fighting for racial and economic justice. We build power with community to reshape what’s possible in our localities.