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  • School Boards

LP School Board Download 📚 | Tackling the educator shortage and resources for safer schools! | April 2023

Welcome to our first-ever School Board Newsletter! Each month, we will share important updates around upcoming events, policy resources, and more!
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LPFL members and staff posing next to a LPFL sign.

As Florida State Interference Soars, LPFL Members Show up for Localities in Tallahassee

Local Progress Florida members representing communities across Florida gathered in Tallahassee last week to speak on behalf of their communities.
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Skyline view of Texas city
  • Home Rule

State Interference Threatens Local Power, Safety, and Support

Dallas City Councilmember Adam Bazaldua details how TX HB 2127 would stifle local democracy and put workers' lives in danger.
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  • Housing

Local Progress Members Submit Amicus Brief in Support of Housing First

This week, Local Progress Impact Lab filed an amicus brief in support of Housing First approaches. 63 LP members signed on in support of a court decision to require sufficient shelter for all unhoused residents before making encampment sweeps.
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Computerized image of a police officer
  • Public Safety

The Accountant Who Wants to Take On the Police

How a new set of progressive controllers, including LA's Kenneth Mejia and NYC's Brad Lander are curtailing the cops, one spreadsheet at a time.
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  • Home Rule

Local Governments Advocate for Democracy in Tennessee

We stand in solidarity with Tennessee state representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. We applaud the Nashville Council Members who upheld the will of their communities and voted in favor of reinstating them.
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  • Economic Justice

Workers’ Rights Local Government Round Up | April 2023

Check out some of the landmark workers’ rights policies that passed across the country over the last few months, as well as news of recent enforcement actions!
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Florida's Capitol building in Tallahassee
  • Home Rule

Florida’s local elected officials worry state preemption bills could ‘chill’ local policymaking

Local elected officials in Florida are sounding the alarm on a slew of preemption bills that they worry would undermine efforts to pursue local solutions to issues affecting their communities.
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LPTX members, parters, and staff posing for a photo in front of a mural that says "Fighting for Texas Workers" in Austin, Texas.

LPTX Members and Partners Convene in Austin to Fight for Local Communities

Local electeds have a critical perspective that state legislators must hear. That’s why LPTX members representing localities across Texas gathered together in Austin last week.
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Screenshot of Joshua Simmons speaking during a virtual press briefing
  • Home Rule

As Florida State Legislature Attempts to Silence Local Governments, Local Leaders Speak Out

Five local leaders, and Local Progress Florida members, representing communities across Florida spoke up this morning and shared how attacks on local control would impact their communities.
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Community groups, local electeds, faith leaders, and labor partners standing in solidarity against HB 2127 with signs.

📬 The Network Download | Fighting abusive state interference, piloting guaranteed income programs, digging into climate policy and more | March 2023

Check out what our network has been up to this month!
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An arial view of the capitol in Austin, Texas

Local Democracy in Texas is Endangered

Former Mayor of Prairie View, Texas Brian Rowland makes the case for local control in Texas.
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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

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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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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