- ▹
LPCA State Download 🌟 | Local Progress CA’s very first State Download 📣✨
Local Progress CA’s very first State Download 📣✨
- ▹
The Best Moments from Our 2024 National Convening in Oakland!
This was our largest and most exciting national convening to date – with more than 420 local leaders, partners, and allies, and 50+ different strategy meetings, workshops, and site visits, covering everything from workers’ rights, community responder programs, and social housing to welcoming new arrivals, federal implementation, and navigating the challenges and opportunities in elected office.
- ▹
📬 LP Network Download | Bans on rental price fixing tech, historic federal funding opportunities & more! | July 2024
Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network this month.
- Housing
- ▹
San Francisco Passes First-in-Nation Municipal Ban on Rent-Fixing Software
Today, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the nation’s first local ordinance, sponsored by Board President Aaron Peskin, banning the sale or use of software which enables price collusion among large corporate landlords for the purpose of rent-gouging.
- Housing
- ▹
Rigged: Corporate behemoths are using junk fees and technology to keep prices high
Algorithmic price fixing has played a significant role in double-digit rent increases across the country. These inflated rents are exacerbated by consolidation in local housing markets that leads to both higher rates of eviction and higher profits for landlords.
- Climate Justice, Economic Justice, Housing, Leveraging Federal Resources
- ▹
Minnesota’s New Green Bank Is Powering a Net-Zero, Mixed-Use Development With Affordable Housing
St. Paul is tapping Inflation Reduction Act funds and the state’s new green bank to turn an abandoned golf course into a large-scale mixed-use development. Plus, it all runs on geothermal energy.
- Climate Justice, Economic Justice, Housing, Leveraging Federal Resources
- ▹
How Saint Paul, MN is leveraging federal funds for justice
Saint Paul is leveraging federal funds for environmental benefits, affordable housing, and good green jobs. Find out how in our new case study!
- Home Rule
- ▹
Cities Want To Give Worker’s Heat Breaks. States Are Stopping Them.
As the climate heats up, LP's LiJia Gong makes the case that abusive state preemption is prohibiting localities addressing climate change.
- Housing
- ▹
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.
- Leveraging Federal Resources
- ▹
I’m the Mayor of St. Paul. Here’s How Our City Is Erasing $100 Million in Medical Debt.
More and more local governments are using federal funds to relieve residents’ medical debt. Mayor of Saint Paul Melvin Carter explains why it's a simple, straightforward way to meet our communities’ needs.
- Home Rule
- ▹
Opinion: One Year Later, Local Leaders Must Be Bold Despite “Death Star” Law
July 1, 2024 marks one year since the City of Houston sued the state of Texas over the Death Star law. San Marcos City Councilmember Alyssa Garza makes the case that now is the time to be bold – to advance policies that uplift the very communities our legislature wants to silence.
- Housing
- ▹
Is this European city a model for Philadelphia’s affordable housing? One Council member thinks so
Philadelphia City Councilmembers Jamie Gauthier and Kendra Brooks visited Vienna earlier this year with Local Progress to learn about its housing polices.
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:
- ▹
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.
- ▹
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.
- ▹
State and local Dems form a firewall against Trump DOJ’s intimidation tactics
Across the country, the Trump administration is targeting local officials to bulldoze opposition to their agenda. Today, 190+ local officials stand in solidarity against this intimidation.
- Housing
- ▹
Rent-Setting Algorithms Find Legal Lifeline
RealPage stands to benefit as GOP tax bill seeks to bar state and local oversight of AI and automated decision systems for 10 years.
press Releases
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Housing
- ▹
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
- ▹
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.
