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LPNY State Download 🍂 | Organizing committee meeting, housing, immigration work & more! | September 2023

This edition of the Local Progress New York newsletter covers our recent NY Organizing Committee meeting, the fight for immigrant justice in NY state, and movement on housing justice in Kingston!
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Members of the North Carolina Public Service Workers Union rally.
  • Economic Justice

Workers in the South Aren’t Letting Anti-Labor Laws Stop Them From Organizing

From a recent work action in Durham, North Carolina to union drives at REI and at academic institutions, workers are taking important steps to organize the South.
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A delivery worker rides his bicycle along a path on the West Side Highway in New York City.
  • Economic Justice

States and cities eye stronger protections for gig economy workers

In the past five years, lawmakers in at least 10 jurisdictions — including cities such as Chicago and Seattle — have proposed new protections for ride-share drivers and food delivery workers. LP's LiJia Gong weighs in on the importance of local gig economy legislation.
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Two people wearing hats who look like farmers shaking hands in a field as the sun sets behind them.
  • Economic Justice

Here’s What Rural Leaders Say Their Communities Need

The 2023 Rural Policy Action Report finds that rural Americans need policies that invest in rural communities, help small farmers compete with big agri-businesses, and hold corporations accountable.
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The Best Moments from our National Convening in St. Louis! #LP2023

This was our largest and most exciting national convening to date – with more than 44 different strategy meetings, workshops, and site visits, covering everything from workers’ rights and rent stabilization to reproductive justice, federal implementation, and navigating the challenges and opportunities in elected office.
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Megan Green, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, is sworn into office during her inauguration ceremony in the rotunda at St. Louis City Hall on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022. Photo by David Carson
  • Home Rule

St. Louis board president to announce bills challenging state laws

St. Louis Aldermanic President Megan Green is expected to announce eight new bills on Saturday aimed at fighting back against abusive state preemption and advancing local democracy.
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  • Economic Justice

📬 The Network Download | Labor Day edition | September 2023

Check out the work our network is doing to advance workers' rights!
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Republican Gov. Greg Abbott speaks Texas State Capitol in Austin on May 18, 2020.
  • Home Rule

‘A Huge Win’: Texas Judge Finds Law Limiting Local Rule Is Unconstitutional

"When local policymaking is stifled, community voices are silenced," said Local Progress Texas, Texas AFL-CIO, Workers Defense Project, the ACLU of Texas, and Every Texan.
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Henry Gomez uses a blower to dry his clothes after working with a crew to remove a tree during a heatwave in Houston, Texas, on 24 August. Photograph: Adrees Latif/Reuters
  • Home Rule

Texas judge blocks bill that would allow state to override local water breaks rules

Local Progress Texas, Every Texan, Texas AFL-CIO, ACLU Texas, and Workers Defense Project explain what this win means.
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Members of the Fe Y Justice Worker Center hold signs to protest House Bill 2127, dubbed the "Death Star bill," during a press conference at Houston’s City Hall on July 14. Credit: Douglas Sweet Jr. for The Texas Tribune
  • Home Rule

Judge blocks new Texas law that would erode cities’ power to enact local rules

The Death Star Law was scheduled to go into effect on Friday. Today, a Travis County judge declared it unconstitutional. Local Progress Texas members and partners weigh in.
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LPTX members, staff, and partners posing in front of a sign that says "Fighting for Texas Workers."
  • Home Rule

Local Progress Texas, Texas AFL-CIO, Every Texan, ACLU of Texas & Workers Defense Project Celebrate Win for Local Democracy

In response to the ruling of the Travis County Civil District Court in the case of The City of Houston v. Texas, Texas AFL-CIO, Local Progress Texas, Every Texan, ACLU of Texas, and Workers Defense Project celebrate a win for local democracy
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Black and white photo of the Texas Capitol in Austin.
  • Home Rule

Judge Strikes own Lege’s Power-grab Against Cities, HB 2127

Local Progress Texas Chapter Manager Tannya Benavides underscores that today's ruling impacts not only Texas cities, but local communities across the country under attack by conservative state governments.
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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.
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  • Housing

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.
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Portland Street Response crisis worker Angela Sands and EMT Kaya Ascott respond to a 911 call in Portland, Ore. (Kaia Sand)
  • Public Safety

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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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.
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press Releases

A group of local elected officials holding a letter in the Colorado state capitol
  • Housing

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
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An image of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
  • Public Safety

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. 
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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
  • Public Safety

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.
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A large group standing around while one person speaks at a podium.
  • Housing

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.
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  • Economic Justice

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.
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