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New Resource: The Potential Pitfalls of Privatization

We are thrilled to share a new resource developed in partnership with In the Public Interest (ITPI): The Potential Pitfalls of Privatization.

New policy briefs on trans equity, drug policy, and workers’ rights

Local Progress is pleased to release three new policy briefs as part of its 2019 edition of Policy for Local Progress.

#LP2019: Our largest, most powerful convening yet

Last month, more than 250 local elected officials, community leaders, policy and labor partners from across the country gathered in Detroit for the largest, most diverse, and most powerful Local Progressconvening to date.

Local Progress Conference Brings National Gathering of Municipal Progressive Officials to Detroit

July 26-27 Local Progress and People’s Convention will bring 1900 progressive activists to Detroit.

Hundreds of Elected Officials Condemn Trump’s Threat of Family Separation Raids, Urge Congress to Defund the Deportation Force

As their communities respond to Trump’s threats of ICE raids, local elected leaders across the country call on Congress to stop funding his family separation agenda.

50+ NC local elected officials support Governor’s veto of anti-immigrant bill

On June 24th, dozens of local elected officials across North Carolina sent Governor Roy Cooper a letter in support of him vetoing anti-immigrant legislation.

The Minneapolis 2040 Story

Last year, Minneapolis did something historic. While it was years in the making, the current Council.

Local Elected Officials Call Amazon’s Decision a Victory Over Race-to-the-Bottom Development

In response to breaking news that Amazon will not locate its second headquarters in New York City.

Statement: Local Progress Condemns Trump’s State of the Union Remarks

In response to Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, Local Progress Director Sarah Johnson issued the following statement.

Introducing the newest Local Progress board members

Our network keeps growing in diversity and strength and in turn so does the Local Progress board.

Statement: New York Local Elected Officials Applaud Passage of Election Reforms

ALBANY, NEW YORK — Today, the New York State Legislature has taken a step forward to modernize

Local elected officials across Texas announce effort to raise wages to a $15 minimum

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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:

The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and Homelessness hearing testimony in chambers.

Council Committee Advances Landlord Anti-Collusion Bill

The Philadelphia City Council advanced a bill introduced by LPPA member Councilmember Nicholas O’Rourke that would ban price-fixing by landlords.
Eduardo Martinez speaks during a press conference at a homeless encampment in Richmond, California, on September 15, 2022. (Jane Tyska / Digital First Media / East Bay Times via Getty Images)

Richmond Progressive Alliance’s Lessons for Local Organizers

It doesn’t often make national headlines, but the city of Richmond, California, has been home to a successful progressive political reform project in recent years. Here are ten lessons for other municipal reformers from the Richmond Progressive Alliance.
A construction worker shelters from the sun during a water break. Local government ordinances mandating such breaks have been preempted in some states.(Al Diaz/TNS)

When States and Localities Disagree On Worker Protections, What’s the Way Forward?

Local governments across the country are enacting policies that protect workers. Unfortunately, state governments have increasingly acted to preempt these efforts. That's why some local leaders are finding ways to work around such barriers, demonstrating how local power can influence policy even constrained by state preemption.
Porchá Perry demonstrates with other workers in Lansing, Michigan, in favor of bills restoring local control to pass workforce and labor policies on Sept.13, 2023. A new report finds growing union organizing across the country has triggered an anti-labor legislative response in some states, but cities and counties are increasingly pushing back. (Photo courtesy of SEIU Local 1)

States are pushing back with anti-labor laws as union popularity grows, policy experts say

A new report co-authored by New York University Wagner Labor Initiative and Local Progress Impact Lab details how localities are fighting back against state anti-labor legislation.

press Releases

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.

180+ State and Local Elected Officials Urge Congress to Reject the EATS Act

LP and the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) released letters calling on Congress to protect local and state governments ability to create policy that is responsive to the issues their own communities face in the agricultural industry.