Our Blog + Latest News

Local Governments Advocate for Democracy in Tennessee

We stand in solidarity with Tennessee state representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. We applaud the Nashville Council Members who upheld the will of their communities and voted in favor of reinstating them.

Workers’ Rights Local Government Round Up | April 2023

Check out some of the landmark workers’ rights policies that passed across the country over the last few months, as well as news of recent enforcement actions!
Florida's Capitol building in Tallahassee

Florida’s local elected officials worry state preemption bills could ‘chill’ local policymaking

Local elected officials in Florida are sounding the alarm on a slew of preemption bills that they worry would undermine efforts to pursue local solutions to issues affecting their communities.
LPTX members, parters, and staff posing for a photo in front of a mural that says "Fighting for Texas Workers" in Austin, Texas.

LPTX Members and Partners Convene in Austin to Fight for Local Communities

Local electeds have a critical perspective that state legislators must hear. That’s why LPTX members representing localities across Texas gathered together in Austin last week.
Screenshot of Joshua Simmons speaking during a virtual press briefing

As Florida State Legislature Attempts to Silence Local Governments, Local Leaders Speak Out

Five local leaders, and Local Progress Florida members, representing communities across Florida spoke up this morning and shared how attacks on local control would impact their communities.
Community groups, local electeds, faith leaders, and labor partners standing in solidarity against HB 2127 with signs.

📬 The Network Download | Fighting abusive state interference, piloting guaranteed income programs, digging into climate policy and more | March 2023

Check out what our network has been up to this month!
An arial view of the capitol in Austin, Texas

Local Democracy in Texas is Endangered

Former Mayor of Prairie View, Texas Brian Rowland makes the case for local control in Texas.
LPFL members and staff posing for a photo in front of the old capitol in Tallahassee.

LPFL State Download 🔥 Lobby days in Tallahassee, HB 5 amicus brief, & courageous governance | Mar 2023

2023 legislative session is off to a rocky start. The needs of Floridians are being ignored. Our LPFL state chapter is fighting back. Join us.

Introducing Workers Rights: A Deeper Dive

To dive deeper into the full array of policies advancing workers’ rights, we are introducing a new series for Local Progress members and staff — Workers’ Rights: The Deeper Dive.

Building Our Collective Power | Leadership Collaborative 2023

At Local Progress, we understand that we are all stronger when we collectively organize as local electeds across the country and in deep partnership with grassroots allies towards a shared vision. The Leadership Collaborative is how we deepen that work.
Community groups, local electeds, faith leaders, and labor partners standing in solidarity against HB 2127 with signs.

Texas Local Electeds Sound Alarm on Harmful Preemption Bill

Alongside community organizations, faith leaders, and labor unions, Local Progress Texas (LPTX) members from across the state are speaking out against HB 2127, a wide-reaching preemption bill that would strip local governments of this basic right.
LPTX members and partners posing together in front of a mural in El Paso, Texas.

LPTX State Download 🌷 | Legislative round-up & more! | March 2023

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:

Advocates demonstrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on April 22, 2024, during oral arguments for the Grants Pass homelessness case. Aparna Raj/ Local Progress/Handout via Thomson Reuters Foundation

Ahead of Trump term, U.S. cities grapple with homelessness

While the Trump administration plans to accelerate encampment sweeps, cities are ready to support people experiencing homelessness with dignity. LP leaders make the case for housing over jail time or fines.
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.

press Releases

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.

How Localities Use Community Responder Programs to Keep People Safe

This new video from Local Progress and Local Progress Impact Lab focuses on three specific localities: Durham, Oakland, and Albuquerque to explain what community responder programs are, how they work, and why hundreds of localities are starting to adopt them.

After Grants Pass: organizing to house all our neighbors

In response to the Supreme Court's cruel decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, we will continue to organize for housing for all.

Local Progress Condemns Cruel Supreme Court Decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson, Local Progress put out the following statement.