Our Blog + Latest News

Local Progress Files Amicus Brief in Support of Cities Suing Florida’s HB 1

House Bill 1 violates the Florida Constitution by unlawfully taking away power from local govs to respond to their communities’ needs and stand up for racial justice. Check out the amicus brief we filed today signed by 45 Local Progress members.

Local Progress takes progressive reproductive freedom agenda to local leaders

“I would say that many people in Texas who have the ability to be pregnant are now at risk,” said Kara Sheehan, the Texas chapter manager of Local Progress. “We are looking to our local officials to lead."
photo of people outside, protesting and holding pro abortion signs

The Network Download: Localities fight for abortion rights, worker protections and just cities | July 2022

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

How Local Governments Are Advancing Workers’ Rights, and Why Even More Should Get Involved

Cities are spearheading efforts to pass and enforce local labor laws that are improving standards for workers in their communities.

Abortion is a human right. Here’s what localities can do right now to protect it.

The Supreme Court’s draft opinion leaked earlier this week is at direct odds with what we know to be true: abortion care is healthcare and a constitutional right.

School Safety & the Senate’s Bipartisan Gun Control Bill

We need meaningful gun control coupled with the things that build truly safe schools – providing physical, psychological, and emotional safety for all students. That means fully funding our public schools to have the teachers, staff, materials and spaces children need.

Milwaukee hosts the Progressive Governance Academy

We’re mourning the children and teachers of Uvalde, TX

We join them in keeping the memories of their children and heroic teachers alive.

Standing in solidarity with Buffalo, NY

A white supremacist invaded our city and killed 10 people in a murderous rampage that was rooted in and emflamed by white supremacy and anti-Blackness.

Our 2022 national convening is in Denver on August 4-6!

With registration now open, we’re also thrilled to share this year’s theme: Resilience. Power. Transformation.

Cities Mobilize for Roe Reversal by Strengthening Abortion Safe Havens

City leaders are mobilizing after a draft U.S. Supreme Court decision was leaked that would overturn U.S. abortion rights.

Investing in real safety: the state of LP’s work on community safety

When we released Reform/Transform: A Policing Policy Toolkit back in 2018, we aimed to create a home base for Local Progress’s policing and public safety work.

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:

Casar has always approached political work with the same mindset forged as a labor organizer. (Robin Jerstad)

Greg Casar Is Organizing to Win

A must-read feature of former LP Co-Chair and now Congressman Greg Casar.

Multiple Cities Across the Country Are Resisting Rent Algorithms

Hoboken and Jersey city are two of the latest localities to join the nationwide movement to tackle corporate greed in the rental market and ban algorithmic rental price fixing.
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.

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.