Our Blog + Latest News

📬 The Network Download | Passing rent caps, supporting LGBTQ+ communities & more | June 2023

Check out what our network has been up to this month!

School Board Members Are Organizing to Build a Multi-Racial Democracy

More than 40 school board members from 16 states across the country gathered in Baltimore for two days of strategy, peer learning, community building, and leadership development at our first-ever school board convening. Check out the highlights here!
A group photo of LPMN members, staff, and partners at the 2023 state meeting in St. Paul.

LPMN State Download 🌻 | Tenant protections, legislative recap & more! | June 2023

Check out what LPMN is up to!
LPTX members, staff, and partners posing in front of a sign that says "Fighting for Texas Workers."

LPTX State Download ☀️ | Legislative round-up & exciting announcements! | June 2023

See what our LPTX Chapter has been up to!
Peaceful demonstrators holding up signs saying "Abortion is health care" adn "bans off our bodies."

Republicans Are Systematically Blocking Cities’ Ability to Protect Abortion

As we approach the one-year mark of the devastating Dobbs decision, LP's LiJia Gong & Gaby Goldstein with Sister District sound the alarm on state legislatures interfering with cities' attempts to advance reproductive justice.

LPNC State Download ☀ | ARPA Strategy Meeting, legislative session updates, and more | Summer 2023

Here's some of the latest news and exciting updates from our North Carolina chapter.
Picture from Getty Images of the current Supreme Court Justices

Federal Advocacy Roundup | June 2023

The June 2023 Local Progress Federal Advocacy Roundup breaks down the debt ceiling deal, the Trump indictment, the Supreme Court's decision in Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. Teamsters, and the status of asylum seekers post-Title 42.
Group photo of LP Minnesota members and partners at the 2023 state meeting in St. Paul.

Minnesota local leaders strategize for the next wave of change

As Minnesota's 2023 state legislative session comes to a close, local leaders across the state came together last week to strategize on housing policy and narrative, learn from one another, build community, and dream up change.
HB 1 poster image: Our Cities, Our Rights

Six Florida Cities Succeed In Reducing Harm Of HB 1, End Court Challenge

Southern Poverty Law Center shared a press release marking the end of six Florida cities' lawsuit against HB 1, Florida's anti-protest and anti-local control bill.

55 Local Elected Officials From Across New York State Call on Legislature to Pass New York For All

The New York Immigration Coalition, Local Progress, and the NYC Council Progressive Caucus released a sign-on letter from 55 municipal, town, county and school district elected officials from all over New York State calling on the NYS Legislature to pass the New York For All Act before the end of the legislative session.

Announcing Our Next Executive Director: Ivan Luevanos-Elms!

We're thrilled to announce our next Executive Director: Ivan Luevanos-Elms! We couldn’t be more excited to support Ivan as he prepares to officially step in on August 21.

LPNY State Download ⚡️ | State budget updates, our housing summit & more! | May 2023

The Local Progress New York newsletter covers the NY Housing summit, a gas-free future in Beacon and New York State, rent stabilization in Kingston, and the New York State Budget.

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:

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.
RealPage is contending with state and local efforts to outlaw algorithmic rent-pricing systems. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg News

Rent-Setting Algorithms Find Legal Lifeline

RealPage stands to benefit as GOP tax bill seeks to bar state and local oversight of AI and automated decision systems for 10 years.

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.