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  • Housing

Over 150 Current and Former Local Electeds Tell SCOTUS to Support Housing First, Not Criminalization

Grants Pass v. Johnson could give local governments the power to punish people for sleeping outside. 156 current and former local electeds remind SCOTUS that the only way to solve homelessness is to provide people with housing and resources, not to put people in jail.
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📬 LP Network Download | How localities are investing federal funds, affordable housing for educators, & more! | March 2024

Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network this month.
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Two people passionately hugging one another, in what looks like a welcoming embrace after they have't seen one another in a long time. Photo credit: Griselda San Martín, Documented
  • Immigrant Justice

New Resource Helps Local Electeds Reframe Crisis to Care: Welcoming New Arrivals

New messaging guide will help local elected officials speak publicly and proactively about welcoming and supporting new arrivals in their communities.
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US Citizenship and Immigration Services has been asked to extend the work eligibility period for people with pending renewals on their permits to work in the states. Photographer: John Moore/Getty Images

Immigrant Advocates Push Work Permit Fix as Deadlines Near

LP member Pious Ali – a city council member in Portland, Maine – stresses the importance of work authorization for new arrivals. “They are transforming the face of the workforce and the face of the community in a very positive way,” he said.
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  • Economic Justice, Housing

How Corporate Landlords are Colluding to Hike up Rents – And How Localities Can Fight Back

Across the country, landlords are turning to a new tool to raise rents and further exacerbate the housing crisis: software algorithms. Third party service providers like RealPage offer recommendations to landlords that promise to boost their profits while driving up housing costs. Our new memo explains what rent-setting software algorithms are and how local electeds can take action to protect their communities.
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A picture of a woman in a mask holding a sign
  • Housing

Over 50 Local Electeds Across New York Demand Good Cause Now

This week, nearly 60 Local Progress members from across New York sent a letter to Governor Hochul, along with legislative leadership in Albany, demanding the passage of Good Cause Eviction protections (S305/A4454). New York’s housing crisis is at a tipping point, with evictions rising in 40 of the state’s 62 counties and average rents across the state ranking among the top ten in the nation.
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A person holding up a sign that says "My students can't read if they can't breathe" at a protest. Credit: Mario Tama / Getty Images
  • Public Safety, School Boards

Minnesota Local Leaders Send Strong Message to State Leadership: Prone Restraints have NO Place in Schools

The LPMN Organizing Committee sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Governor Tim Walz today urging them to oppose HF 3489 / SF 3534, which would repeal the ban prohibiting school-based law enforcement from using prone restraints on students.
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All seven female St. Paul city council members, four new to the council, were applauded after they were sworn in at a ceremony. photo credit: RENÉE JONES SCHNEIDER, STAR TRIBUNE

LPMN State Download ☃️ | Recent victories and highlights, #LP2024 registration & more! | March 2024

Check out what LPMN is up to!
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📬 LP Network Download | Police-free schools, protecting local democracy, veto overrides, choosing welcome, & more! | February 2024

Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network this month.
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Group photo of the LPTX Organizing Committee meeting in Houston, TX in December 2023. Members gather around a LPTX sign.

LPTX State Download ❄️ | Organizing to defend reproductive rights & local control, plus upcoming events! | February 2024

Our Texas chapter has been hitting the ground running this year on several issues already! Check out what they are up to!
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  • School Boards

LP School Board Download 📚 | States’ voucher push, honest education, an important staff update | February 2024

Check out our newsletter about all things school board! This month, we’re sharing the latest news and resources around defending LGBTQ+ rights, fighting voucher expansion, and advocating for strong, equitable public schools across the country.
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Image of a hammer smashing a city (TAP)
  • Home Rule

Pre-Preemption

Conservative states have now taken to blocking liberal cities from even thinking about legislating on behalf of their residents. LP's Francesca Menes weighs in.
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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:

Photo of Seattle stadium
  • Economic Justice, Housing, Immigrant Justice

The World Cup Is Coming. Our Cities Must Protect Their People.

Op-ed: As elected officials from U.S. host cities, we know that local governments are the last line of defense against human rights abuses during the FIFA World Cup.
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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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press Releases

  • Immigrant Justice

Statement: Local Leaders Applaud Decision to Affirm Birthright Citizenship in the United States

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People watching a soccer game in a big stadium

Our Communities, Our World Cup

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Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

Statement: Local Progress responds to Department of Justice Charges Against Southern Poverty Law Center

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Group photo

Local Progress Carries Faith’s Legacy Forward

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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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