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In Solidarity with Antioch Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker & Monica Wilson

Antioch Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker and Monica Wilson are champions of justice and continue to show unwavering leadership in the midst of shocking and disturbing revelations about local law enforcement.
Ballot box image.

How this election is putting real safety on the ballot in Texas

LP members Austin City Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes and San Antonio City Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez highlight the growing trend of community-driven ballot initiatives seeking to advance and invest in real safety across Texas.
Headshot of Rep LaVon Bracy Davis and Commissioner Emily Bonilla

Attack on renter protection is another attack on local democracy

State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis and Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla stress that preemption bills like HB 1417 just take power away from everyday Floridians.

Federal Advocacy Roundup | April 2023

Though Congress has been quieter this month after their turbulent January, there’s never a quiet month in Washington D.C. February’s developments have put a bright spotlight on the actions—and inaction—of federal agencies. Here's our analysis.

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!
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.
Skyline view of Texas city

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.

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.
Computerized image of a police officer

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.

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.

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!
Florida's Capitol building in Tallahassee

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.

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:

Members of the North Carolina Public Service Workers Union rally.

Workers in the South Aren’t Letting Anti-Labor Laws Stop Them From Organizing

From a recent work action in Durham, North Carolina to union drives at REI and at academic institutions, workers are taking important steps to organize the South.
A delivery worker rides his bicycle along a path on the West Side Highway in New York City.

States and cities eye stronger protections for gig economy workers

In the past five years, lawmakers in at least 10 jurisdictions — including cities such as Chicago and Seattle — have proposed new protections for ride-share drivers and food delivery workers. LP's LiJia Gong weighs in on the importance of local gig economy legislation.
Two people wearing hats who look like farmers shaking hands in a field as the sun sets behind them.

Here’s What Rural Leaders Say Their Communities Need

The 2023 Rural Policy Action Report finds that rural Americans need policies that invest in rural communities, help small farmers compete with big agri-businesses, and hold corporations accountable.
Megan Green, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, is sworn into office during her inauguration ceremony in the rotunda at St. Louis City Hall on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022. Photo by David Carson

St. Louis board president to announce bills challenging state laws

St. Louis Aldermanic President Megan Green is expected to announce eight new bills on Saturday aimed at fighting back against abusive state preemption and advancing local democracy.

press Releases

LPTX members, staff, and partners posing in front of a sign that says "Fighting for Texas Workers."

Local Progress Texas, Texas AFL-CIO, Every Texan, ACLU of Texas & Workers Defense Project Celebrate Win for Local Democracy

In response to the ruling of the Travis County Civil District Court in the case of The City of Houston v. Texas, Texas AFL-CIO, Local Progress Texas, Every Texan, ACLU of Texas, and Workers Defense Project celebrate a win for local democracy
Austin City Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes speaking during a virtual press briefing.

Texans Warn Death Star Law Silences Communities

At a press briefing organized by Local Progress Texas, Every Texan, Workers Defense Project, and the Texas AFL-CIO, leaders talked about the devastating impact the Death Star law has for everyday Texans.

Using Federal Funds to Create More Just Communities in North Carolina

ARPA provided localities with a historic level of funding. Local electeds across North Carolina have allocated those funds towards a just recovery and look towards the future on how to leverage other federal programs to best support their communities.

74 Local Elected Leaders Urge Federal Government to Protect Tenants

Over 70 local elected officials submitted a comment calling on the federal government to pass tenant protections for enterprise-backed multifamily properties.
HB 1 poster image: Our Cities, Our Rights

Six Florida Cities Succeed In Reducing Harm Of HB 1, End Court Challenge

Southern Poverty Law Center shared a press release marking the end of six Florida cities' lawsuit against HB 1, Florida's anti-protest and anti-local control bill.