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photo of a group of construction workers wearing bright yellow vests and standing on the balcony of a building and staring at the construction site below

Workers’ Rights Local Government Round Up | Oct 2022

Here are some of the most exciting workers’ rights developments coming from local governments—large and small.

The Network Download: Community responder programs, our new co-chair, and more | Nov 2022

Here’s a look at some of what’s happening around the Local Progress network.
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How Localities Are Building Resilience and Responding to More Frequent Climate Events

The road to creating sustainable communities for everyone touches every aspect of local governance. Local electeds have and must continue to enact lasting solutions to climate change at the intersections of racial, economic and environmental justice.
The results are in: 8 in 10 Florida voters agree state should limit rent increases -- graphic with 8 out of ten humans shaded.

New Poll Finds Bipartisan Support for Limiting Rent Increases

The poll of 1,250 registered voters in Florida found that Republicans and Democrats alike are overwhelmingly concerned about housing affordability and that there is bipartisan support for ballot initiatives to limit rent increases.
Photograph of Kristerfer Burnett speaking a podium.

Announcing our new LP Board co-chair: Kristerfer Burnett!

With both Jillian & Kris at the helm, it is also the first time that our network has been led by two Black electeds. We couldn’t be prouder of this historic moment as we ensure our network reflects the multi-racial democracy we’re fighting for.

LP’s Women’s Caucus Elects First Co-Chairs: Johana Bencomo and Sherri Jones!

After the first formal in-person meeting in Denver this summer, the caucus formalized its leadership committee, which will play a critical role in shaping the vision and shared strategy of the caucus. Now, we’re thrilled to share that the committee has elected their first-ever co-chairs!

Learning from Portland Street Response

We brought two dozen local elected officials, government staffers, and community partners together in Portland to learn from Portland Street Response (PSR), the city’s mobile community response program.
Pile of books with an Enhanced Library Card

Enhanced Library Card Program Gaining Momentum in Texas

Five Texas localities – San Antonio, San Marcos, Harris County, Dallas, and Austin – have moved to implement Enhanced Library Card (ELC) programs.
photo of 6 zoom panelists

Localities can be laboratories of experimentation to advance workers’ rights

The Local Progress Impact Lab and the Harvard Labor and Worklife Program recently convened Local Progress members and unions to discuss how to build worker power at the local level during their webinar “Laboratories of Experimentation: Local Governments at the Forefront of Advancing Workers’ Rights.”

New Tool Helps Local Electeds Create Community Responder Programs

The new resource - titled Reform/Transform: Creating a Community Responder Program - will support local elected officials in their efforts to create and expand non-police community responder programs.
Texas Tribune Article: Texas continues imprisoning migrants without filing charges or appointing lawyers, court filings claim

LPTX Chapter Manager Witnesses Dehumanizing ‘Operation Lone Star’ at Texas-Mexico Border

Last week, Local Progress Texas Chapter Manager, Kara Sheehan, spent two days at the Texas-Mexico border to witness Operation Lone Star (OLS) firsthand. Here are her reflections.
Local Progress Texas members at the 2022 LP national convening in Denver

LPTX Fall State Download 🍂 | Budget roundup, witnessing Operation Lone Star, & more!

Here's some of the latest news and exciting updates from our Texas chapter.

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:

Portland Street Response crisis worker Angela Sands and EMT Kaya Ascott respond to a 911 call in Portland, Ore. (Kaia Sand)

This Organization Proved There Was an Alternative to the Police. Now It’s Being Defunded.

Portland, OR proved what we all know to be true: we keep us safe. LP's Reynold Graham talks to The Nation about Portland's program.
A black and white image of Trump with a yellow background.

Ivan Luevanos-Elms and Sarah Johnson: This Is What Authoritarian Intimidation Looks Like

In this op-ed, LP ED Ivan Luevanos-Elms and former LP ED Sarah Johnson make the case that Trump's attempts to bully and intimidate local leaders is yet another sign of growing authoritarianism.
An image of someone using a phone and computer at the same time (d3sign via Getty Images)

Report: How local governments can prioritize responsible AI adoption

Earlier this month, OpenAI & Microsoft lobbyists called for a shutdown on AI regulation. Our new report details the harmful impacts of unrestricted AI on our communities and what local governments can do.
Image of a lot of people protesting and speaking out

State and local Dems form a firewall against Trump DOJ’s intimidation tactics

Across the country, the Trump administration is targeting local officials to bulldoze opposition to their agenda. Today, 190+ local officials stand in solidarity against this intimidation.

press Releases

A group of local elected officials holding a letter in the Colorado state capitol

LP Members & Union Leaders Call To Overturn WPA Veto

Municipal Officials join labor leaders to call out the Governor for rejecting this Common-Sense legislation
An image of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

Statement: National Network of Local Officials Denounce Unjustified Arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

In response to the reported arrest and subsequent release of Newark Mayor and Local Progress member Ras Baraka, Essex County Commissioner and Local Progress Board Member A’Dorian Murray-Thomas released the following statement. 
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty who was sworn into office on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 speaking at the All Square restaurant in Minneapolis on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023 where supporters gathered to celebrate her election. Mshale Staff Photo by Panashe Matemba-Mutasa

Statement: Amid Federal Threats, Local Leaders Stand Strong for True Civil Rights

In response to the Trump Administration’s so-called “civil rights” investigation into Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s Office, Local Progress released this statement.
A large group standing around while one person speaks at a podium.

Road To Good Cause Campaign Scores 11 Victories Across Upstate New York

The coordinated campaign of local officials expand critical renter protections to thousands of tenants, setting their sights on Rochester next.

NEW REPORT: How Local Government Can Stand Up for Workers When States Try to Stand in Their Way

This new report for Labor Day 2024 highlights ways local elected officials can advance workers rights even when facing both hostile state preemption and federal labor law preemption.