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Our Post-Election Mission is Clear
The road ahead will be long. There will be ups and downs. It will take every single one of us. But last night’s results show that we are already making our way together.
- Economic Justice
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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.
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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.
- Climate Justice
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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.
- Home Rule, Housing
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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.
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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.
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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!
- Public Safety
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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.
- Immigrant Justice
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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.
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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.”
- Public Safety
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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.
- Immigrant Justice
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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.
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:
- Public Safety
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
- Housing
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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
- Public Safety
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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.
- Public Safety
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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.
- Housing
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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.
- Economic Justice
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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.
