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Black and white photo of the Texas Capitol in Austin.

Judge Strikes own Lege’s Power-grab Against Cities, HB 2127

Local Progress Texas Chapter Manager Tannya Benavides underscores that today's ruling impacts not only Texas cities, but local communities across the country under attack by conservative state governments.
Photo of the Texas Capitol building in Austin lit up at night

Texas “Death Star” Law Ruled Unconstitutional Two Days Before Taking Effect

Local Progress Texas, the Texas AFL-CIO, Every Texan, ACLU of Texas, and Workers Defense Project stress that the Death Star Law directly contradicts Texas' core values of democracy and freedom.
Photo of three people standing in front of a Texas flag -- one of whom is El Paso County Commissioner & LP Member David Stout

Nueva ley afectará a Texas

El Paso County Commissioner David Stout warns that the Death Star Law's impact on local democracy will be devastating.
Photo of a large group of people part of a UPS Teamster Practice Picket holding up signs that read "Photo of a group of UPS workers in uniform and holding up signs that say "UPS Teamsters: Just Practicing for a Just Contract" with Scabby in the background

What the UPS Contract Means for Collaborative Governance

UPS workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of a historic contract that will mean higher wages, better benefits, and more growth for 340,000 employees and that raised labor standards across the country. Here's what that means for how local electeds should collaboratively govern.
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.

Empowering Leadership & Transformative Change: Progressive Governance Lab and Our Partnership with Bay Rising

The partnership between Bay Rising and Local Progress Impact Lab through the Progressive Governance Lab brings together the power of grassroots activism, collaborative governance strategy, and policy expertise.
Image of the El Paso skyline with a desert foreground.

El Paso and other Texas cities are getting ready for Abbott’s ‘Death Star Law’

El Paso County Commissioner David Stout, along with LP members representing Austin and San Antonio, explain how the Death Star Law will hinder their ability to meet their communities' most urgent needs.

Two New Resources Help Electeds and Community Members Advocate for Strong Rent Stabilization Policies

A new rent stabilization toolkit in partnership with Power Switch Action and a messaging guide to support local elected officials developing their own ordinances.
Illustration by Lincoln Agnew of the Texas flag with black and white photos collaged within it, including an image of an eye.

Texas Lege’s ‘Death Star’ Bill Is the Latest to Target Austin

“It is important to me as a local policymaker to keep the faith that we will continue to fight for our communities despite all the barriers that the state Legislature wants to put on localities,” said Austin City Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes.
A photograph of downtown Ithaca, New York featuring old buildings and pedestrians walking and biking along the street.

New Resource Helps Local Electeds Maximize Federal Funds for Equity

Our newly released memo shares tools and best practices to help local electeds maximize federal funding opportunities to advance equity.
A masked person holding up a sign that says "not going back."

Texas Cities Are Getting Ready For The State’s ‘Death Star’ Law

Three LP members representing El Paso, Austin, and San Antonio speak out against the Death Star Law -- warning of the detrimental local, state, and national implications of such a far-reaching power grab.

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.

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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:

Factory workers and UAW union members form a picket line outside the Ford Motor Co. Kentucky Truck Plant in the early morning hours on October 14, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Michael Swensen / Getty Images)

Workplace Militancy Isn’t Enough for Labor

Progressive labor movement must collaborate with like-minded local, state, and federal elected officials through networks such as Local Progress, the State Innovation Exchange, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus to expand and sustain hard-won gains.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services has been asked to extend the work eligibility period for people with pending renewals on their permits to work in the states. Photographer: John Moore/Getty Images

Immigrant Advocates Push Work Permit Fix as Deadlines Near

LP member Pious Ali – a city council member in Portland, Maine – stresses the importance of work authorization for new arrivals. “They are transforming the face of the workforce and the face of the community in a very positive way,” he said.
Image of a hammer smashing a city (TAP)

Pre-Preemption

Conservative states have now taken to blocking liberal cities from even thinking about legislating on behalf of their residents. LP's Francesca Menes weighs in.
Hyndai and Kia logos side by side (ABC News)

Philly councilmember among group calling for recall Kia, Hyundai vehicles due to alarming theft rate

Philadelphia City Councilmember Kendra Brooks has joined a group of elected leaders from around the country, demanding a federal recall of Kia and Hyundai vehicles over the alarming theft rate nationwide.

press Releases

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. 

Local Leaders Denounce Senate Deal That Would Gut Asylum

In response to the Senate’s proposed border deal that would gut asylum in exchange for foreign military spending, Local Progress released this statement.

📬 LP Network Download | Traffic safety, ceasefire, history in Minnesota, & more! | January 2024

Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network this month.

Local Electeds Call on NHTSA to Recall Kia & Hyundai with Theft Vulnerabilities

A coalition representing elected officials from 8 municipalities across the country – including Baltimore, New York City, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Austin – called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a recall of Kia and Hyundai models with theft vulnerabilities.

Local Progress joins 100 tenants in DC at Homes Guarantee’s Tenant Takeover

Local Progress joined over 100 tenants at Homes Guarantee's Tenant Takeover to urge the federal government for vital tenant protections.