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Gayle McLaughlin speaking at a podium.

Left Politics in California: An Interview with Gayle McLaughlin

An interview with Richmond City Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin about her work to hold polluters accountable.
Photograph of Kristerfer Burnett speaking a podium.

Opinion: The Right to Privacy: A Call for Accountability in Baltimore’s Surveillance Practices

Baltimore must act now to create a system that prioritizes equity and transparency over control, writes LP Board Member and Baltimore City Councilmember Kristerfer Burnett.
Courtesy of Open Arms of Minnesota| Open Arms delivers free medically tailored meals to critically ill Minnesotans and their loved ones—and that’s just one of the almost 70 orgs here that can use your support.

Mad? Sad? Motivated? 60+ MN Orgs Working to Make the Next 4 Years (and Then Some) Suck Less.

Check out LPMN's feature in this sprawling list of organizations, groups, and collectives who are determined, political headwinds be damned, to make Minnesota a better place.
A group of people in a ballroom listening to someone speak

LPNY State Download 📣 | Road to Good Cause, and more! | November 2024

Welcome back to the LPNY State Download – our quarterly newsletter! Here’s a look at some of what LPNY has been up to the past few months – and what’s been happening across the state.
Photograph of a person walking in front a sign that says "APARTMENT FOR RENT STUDIO: Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Big Cities Take Up Fight Against Algorithm-Based Rents

The federal government’s price-fixing lawsuit against rental-software firm RealPage could take years to resolve. Rather than wait, some cities and states are already cracking down on the company.
Image of a police car driving (retrieved from the Fayetteville Observer)

Do Fayetteville, NC police stop more Black drivers?

LP's former Legal Fellow Kat Kerwin and LPNC's Mario Benavente weigh in on the importance of reducing pretextual stops.

Local Matters Now More Than Ever. We Must Govern in a Second Trump Administration.

Check out our statement about what this moment means for our democracy.

📬 LP Network Download | Rental price-fixing win, equitable traffic enforcement, Pride Caucus, ban on new gas stations & more! | Oct 2024

Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network this month.
The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and Homelessness hearing testimony in chambers.

Council Committee Advances Landlord Anti-Collusion Bill

The Philadelphia City Council advanced a bill introduced by LPPA member Councilmember Nicholas O’Rourke that would ban price-fixing by landlords.
Eduardo Martinez speaks during a press conference at a homeless encampment in Richmond, California, on September 15, 2022. (Jane Tyska / Digital First Media / East Bay Times via Getty Images)

Richmond Progressive Alliance’s Lessons for Local Organizers

It doesn’t often make national headlines, but the city of Richmond, California, has been home to a successful progressive political reform project in recent years. Here are ten lessons for other municipal reformers from the Richmond Progressive Alliance.

LPCO Collective Bargaining Workshop

On October 10, 2024, Local Progress’ Colorado chapter hosted a webinar with CWA Local 7 and Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) on the benefits of Collective Bargaining for municipal workers. This workshop was directly related to the November ballot initiative in Denver County, a long fought issue for LPCO members on the Denver City Council.

📬 LP Network Download | Anti-gentrification ordinance, abortion travel funds, environmental win & more! | Sept 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:

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.