Our Blog + Latest News

Local politicians decided to have police, policies evaluated. Results were shocking.

Of the 12 major cities that were evaluated, all still need significant improvements on police policies that regulate the use of force, provide strong independent oversight and prevent federal immigration enforcement from co-opting local law enforcement.

A new profile calls Local Progress the “strategic switchboard” for local progressives

Local Progress, a nationwide network of left-leaning municipal elected officials, is fast becoming the strategic switchboard for America’s increasingly liberal cities.

Reform/Transform: An Analysis of Policing in 12 Cities

A Policing Policy Toolkit to provide local elected officials, policymakers, and organizers with a resource on how to evaluate policing reforms according to a set of standardized criteria across jurisdictions.

Reflections from A Powerful Local Progress NY State Convening

Our state convening ended a little over a week ago, and now Local Progress members are back home putting what we discussed into action in their communities.

Everyone Needs a Safe Place to Call Home

There is a simple truth that connects every person in all of our cities, counties, towns, and villages across the country.

100+ Local Elected Leaders Call On McDonald’s to Clean Up Act on Sexual Harassment

More than 100 local government officials from over 70 jurisdictions and 30 states are calling on McDonald’s.

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.

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:

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.
Photograph of a person walking in front a sign that says "APARTMENT FOR RENT STUDIO: Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Big Cities Take Up Fight Against Algorithm-Based Rents

The federal government’s price-fixing lawsuit against rental-software firm RealPage could take years to resolve. Rather than wait, some cities and states are already cracking down on the company.
Image of a police car driving (retrieved from the Fayetteville Observer)

Do Fayetteville, NC police stop more Black drivers?

LP's former Legal Fellow Kat Kerwin and LPNC's Mario Benavente weigh in on the importance of reducing pretextual stops.
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.

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.