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How Corporate Landlords are Colluding to Hike up Rents – And How Localities Can Fight Back

Across the country, landlords are turning to a new tool to raise rents and further exacerbate the housing crisis: software algorithms. Third party service providers like RealPage offer recommendations to landlords that promise to boost their profits while driving up housing costs. Our new memo explains what rent-setting software algorithms are and how local electeds can take action to protect their communities.
A picture of a woman in a mask holding a sign

Over 50 Local Electeds Across New York Demand Good Cause Now

This week, nearly 60 Local Progress members from across New York sent a letter to Governor Hochul, along with legislative leadership in Albany, demanding the passage of Good Cause Eviction protections (S305/A4454). New York’s housing crisis is at a tipping point, with evictions rising in 40 of the state’s 62 counties and average rents across the state ranking among the top ten in the nation.
A person holding up a sign that says "My students can't read if they can't breathe" at a protest. Credit: Mario Tama / Getty Images

Minnesota Local Leaders Send Strong Message to State Leadership: Prone Restraints have NO Place in Schools

The LPMN Organizing Committee sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Governor Tim Walz today urging them to oppose HF 3489 / SF 3534, which would repeal the ban prohibiting school-based law enforcement from using prone restraints on students.
All seven female St. Paul city council members, four new to the council, were applauded after they were sworn in at a ceremony. photo credit: RENÉE JONES SCHNEIDER, STAR TRIBUNE

LPMN State Download ☃️ | Recent victories and highlights, #LP2024 registration & more! | March 2024

Check out what LPMN is up to!

📬 LP Network Download | Police-free schools, protecting local democracy, veto overrides, choosing welcome, & more! | February 2024

Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network this month.
Group photo of the LPTX Organizing Committee meeting in Houston, TX in December 2023. Members gather around a LPTX sign.

LPTX State Download ❄️ | Organizing to defend reproductive rights & local control, plus upcoming events! | February 2024

Our Texas chapter has been hitting the ground running this year on several issues already! Check out what they are up to!

LP School Board Download 📚 | States’ voucher push, honest education, an important staff update | February 2024

Check out our newsletter about all things school board! This month, we’re sharing the latest news and resources around defending LGBTQ+ rights, fighting voucher expansion, and advocating for strong, equitable public schools across the country.
Image of a hammer smashing a city (TAP)

Pre-Preemption

Conservative states have now taken to blocking liberal cities from even thinking about legislating on behalf of their residents. LP's Francesca Menes weighs in.
Hyndai and Kia logos side by side (ABC News)

Philly councilmember among group calling for recall Kia, Hyundai vehicles due to alarming theft rate

Philadelphia City Councilmember Kendra Brooks has joined a group of elected leaders from around the country, demanding a federal recall of Kia and Hyundai vehicles over the alarming theft rate nationwide.
Members of the Fe Y Justice Worker Center hold signs to protest House Bill 2127, dubbed the "Death Star bill," during a press conference at Houston’s City Hall on July 14. Credit: Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribune

Texas local electeds are not giving up their fight for local democracy

Yesterday, nearly 60 local electeds from across the state of Texas banded together to once again tell the courts that they will NOT stand for the Death Star Law or any of the Texas Legislature’s efforts to undermine local democracy.

Local Leaders Denounce Senate Deal That Would Gut Asylum

In response to the Senate’s proposed border deal that would gut asylum in exchange for foreign military spending, Local Progress released this statement.

📬 LP Network Download | Traffic safety, ceasefire, history in Minnesota, & more! | January 2024

Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network this month.

Have a Media Inquiry?

Local Progress is a movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government. We are elected leaders who build power with underrepresented communities and fight to reshape what is possible in our localities all across the country. 

Want to get in touch with us for a story? Reach us at press@localprogress.org.

In The News

At Local Progress, we seek to make the aspirational pragmatic by showing how government can be a tool to create just and equitable outcomes and reshaping peoples’ understanding of governing from an institution to a collective responsibility. Here are some highlights of our media coverage:

Image of a hammer smashing a city (TAP)

Pre-Preemption

Conservative states have now taken to blocking liberal cities from even thinking about legislating on behalf of their residents. LP's Francesca Menes weighs in.
Hyndai and Kia logos side by side (ABC News)

Philly councilmember among group calling for recall Kia, Hyundai vehicles due to alarming theft rate

Philadelphia City Councilmember Kendra Brooks has joined a group of elected leaders from around the country, demanding a federal recall of Kia and Hyundai vehicles over the alarming theft rate nationwide.
A delivery person rides an electric bike through the streets of Manhattan on Nov. 15, 2022.Photographer: Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America

Gig Worker Protections Find Testing Ground in NYC, Seattle

Delivery drivers and others in the app economy made major labor strides in 2023. LP's LiJia Gong explains why continued local efforts to protect gig workers are so critical.
Ady Barkan (C) delivers remarks during a rally organized by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the U.S. Capitol December 19, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Ady Barkan Turned Dying Into an Act of Love

Former Executive Director of Local Progress Sarah Johnson and NYC Comptroller and LPNY Member Brad Lander reflect on the heartbreaking loss of Ady Barkan and his inspiring fight to make this world a better place.

press Releases

Local Leaders Denounce Senate Deal That Would Gut Asylum

In response to the Senate’s proposed border deal that would gut asylum in exchange for foreign military spending, Local Progress released this statement.

📬 LP Network Download | Traffic safety, ceasefire, history in Minnesota, & more! | January 2024

Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network this month.

Local Electeds Call on NHTSA to Recall Kia & Hyundai with Theft Vulnerabilities

A coalition representing elected officials from 8 municipalities across the country – including Baltimore, New York City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Austin – called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a recall of Kia and Hyundai models with theft vulnerabilities.

Local Progress joins 100 tenants in DC at Homes Guarantee’s Tenant Takeover

Local Progress joined over 100 tenants at Homes Guarantee's Tenant Takeover to urge the federal government for vital tenant protections.

Black Local Electeds Urge Biden to Center Black Communities in EV Transition

In an open letter to President Biden, more than 60 Black local elected officials from across the country highlighted the need to center the reality of Black workers as the country rapidly transitions into the era of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.