Our Blog + Latest News

▹ May 14, 2018

Seattle Scales Back Tax in Face of Amazon’s Revolt, but Tensions Linger

After intense lobbying by local businesses and a bold threat by Amazon to curtail development in its hometown, the Seattle City Council on Monday approved a smaller and more limited tax on big companies than originally envisioned.

Economic Justice
▹ May 11, 2018

50+ Local Elected Officials Stand with Seattle

More than 50 elected officials across the country, including in Amazon HQ2 shortlist cities, signed a letter encouraging ..

Economic Justice
▹ April 3, 2018

Eight Local Progress members featured in The Nation this week!

All across the country, Local Progress members are fighting the dark money takeover of our democracy.

▹ March 19, 2018

A powerful, inspiring weekend: Recap of the 3rd Local Progress NY convening

This year’s inspiring keynote address was given by national leader and activist Linda Sarsour ..

▹ February 12, 2018

Local Progress Reacts To Trump’s Infrastructure Plan

Local Progress is a network of progressive local elected officials from around the country united by our shared commitment..

▹ February 12, 2018

Join us in Minneapolis July 12-14 for the 2018 Local Progress Convening!

Coming off an exciting 2017 election night, progressives across the country are stepping up and running for office because our ideas are popular ..

Public Safety
▹ December 12, 2017

Local Progress members, CPD leaders gather to advance racial justice initiatives

To those of you who attended the Summit and to all of you working hard to advance this work in your communities, thank you so much.

Immigrant Justice
▹ August 30, 2017

Local Progress Responds To Ruling Blocking SB4

Today’s ruling showed that, when cities come together, there are few limits to what local lawmakers can achieve.

▹ August 12, 2017

Local Progress Statement on Charlottesville

We stand with Wes and the city of Charlottesville against hatred, violence and racism.

Immigrant Justice
▹ April 12, 2017

After Sanctuary Cities Convening, 100+ Local Lawmakers Pledge To Uphold And Expand Sanctuary Policies

NEW YORK – On the heels of the country’s first-ever convening of municipal elected officials devoted to improving sanctuary city policies..

Immigrant Justice
▹ November 1, 2016

American Leaders Against Hate and Anti-Muslim Bigotry Campaign

Hate crimes have spiked drastically since the 2016 presidential election. Xenophobic and racist rhetoric..

▹ January 4, 2016

Meet the lefty club behind a blitz of new laws in cities around the country

A new group for liberal city council members is pushing the limits of what municipalities can do for their residents.

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:

Housing
▹ July 22, 2025

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.

Public Safety
▹ June 24, 2025

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.

▹ June 3, 2025

Ivan Luevanos-Elms and Sarah Johnson: This Is What Authoritarian Intimidation Looks Like

In this op-ed, LP ED Ivan Luevanos-Elms and former LP ED Sarah Johnson make the case that Trump's attempts to bully and intimidate local leaders is yet another sign of growing authoritarianism.

▹ May 29, 2025

Report: How local governments can prioritize responsible AI adoption

Earlier this month, OpenAI & Microsoft lobbyists called for a shutdown on AI regulation. Our new report details the harmful impacts of unrestricted AI on our communities and what local governments can do.

press Releases

Housing
▹ May 16, 2025

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

Public Safety
▹ May 9, 2025

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.

Public Safety
▹ May 8, 2025

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.

Housing
▹ December 10, 2024

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.

Economic Justice
▹ September 2, 2024

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.