Our Blog + Latest News

Two New Brands. One Powerful Network.

Today, we are thrilled to share with you the launch of our new look! Here we share a bit of the history of how we got it and the process we took to create these two beautiful brands.

Colorado Progressives Celebrate Victories at National Conference in Denver

After two years of Zoom meetings, the return of the Local Progress convention to an in-person format was an opportunity for progressives such as Kniech to share what they've accomplished with people who'd flown in from across the country.
LPMN group photo

Minnesota becomes LP’s Fourth State Chapter

Local Progress Minnesota was officially certified as our fourth state chapter -- a statewide organization of Local Progress members with a formal leadership structure, a robust and representative membership, and typically a goal to raise money to hire staff capacity locally.

Local Governments Mobilize to Support Working Citizens

In recent years, a number of local governments have stepped up their programs to support workers, from enacting local minimum wage laws and pursuing wage theft to creating new offices to enforce labor laws.

The State Download: What LPNY Has Been Up To

Our Summer 2022 edition of our LPNY newsletter, which includes a summary of the state legislative session, info about some upcoming regional housing strategy sessions, and a spotlight of one of our LPNY members!
group of people standing outside holding

The State Download: What LPNC Has Been Up To

The Summer 2022 edition of our LPNC newsletter, which includes a summary of the state legislative session, information about some upcoming regional housing strategy sessions, and a spotlight of one of our LPNC members!

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.

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:

East Front of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, against blue sky and clouds. Photo: Tada Images via Shutterstock

Hundreds of State Officials Oppose Anti-Sanctuary City Act

Nearly 400 state and local electeds nationwide sent a letter to Congress today urging them to vote NO on HR 32 – a dangerous bill that would strip our communities of essential funding simply for undertaking reasonable policies that make all of us safer.
Photograph of the San Fransisco skyline. Photograph Source: Raydann

Social Housing Emerging in Cities Needs Local Govt Support

Local Progress founding board chair Nick Licata makes the case for local governments to support social housing.
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.

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.