Newsroom - Local Progress

Progressive Governance Academy Hosts Southern Regional Training Series

The Progressive Governance Academy (PGA) is a newly-launched pilot project between Local Progress, State Innovation Exchange (SiX),and re:power to build and develop the leadership and governance skills of progressive state and local elected officials across the country. Despite large investments to get progressive candidates elected to office, very few resources exist to support elected officials once they begin to govern. The

Progressive Governance Academy Kicks off in Connecticut with First Virtual Training Series

Update from PGA Project Director Yterenickia Bell: Despite the pandemic and communities working to eliminate racial injustices, the Progressive Governance Academy (PGA) is navigating this new normal to support our elected officials around the country, when they need us the most, due to the unknown and uncertainties. These leaders are on the frontlines of this

Trump’s Surge of Federal Police in Cities is Dangerously Authoritarian. We Won’t Stand For It.

WASHINGTON, DC -- In response to President Trump’s announced intent to deploy federal law enforcement from the Department of Homeland Security into cities across the country, in addition to existing deployments in Portland and Kansas City, Local Progress released the following statement: “The President of the United States has actualized a threat he has made

How Local Elected Leaders Can Make it Easier and Safer to Vote During COVID-19

A new toolkit outlines high priority local reforms to protect democracy during the pandemic. Experts predicted the 2020 general election would shatter voter turnout records. Now, with COVID-19, it’s clear the US electoral system is not prepared to support that unless we make it easier and safer to vote. In response to

Local Progress Applauds Minneapolis Community and City Council Members for Historical Step in Reimagining Public Safety

“Transforming this system will not happen overnight. This is just the beginning -- but it will undoubtedly lead to long-lasting change.” MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Today, nine members of the Minneapolis City Council formally announced their intention to end the Minneapolis Police Department and create a new transformative model for cultivating public safety. In response, Local

Local Progress Condemns Trump’s Threats to Deploy Military Against Protests

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2020 WASHINGTON, DC -- In response to President Trump’s remarks threatening to deploy the US military in cities and states, Local Progress released the following statement: “It is clear that the President of the United States is blatantly overstepping his authority and disregarding the systemic issues at the center of

Local Leaders to Congress: Credit Cards Aren’t a Housing Strategy

For Immediate Release: April 30, 2020 Local Leaders to Congress: Credit Cards Aren't a Housing Strategy Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Louisville, Philadelphia, Hartford, San Francisco NATIONWIDE -- Today, local elected officials from cities across the country escalated their call on state and federal officials to act immediately to provide relief and protection to the

New Reform/Transform report analyzes police policy and budgets in Oak Park, IL

A new report released by Freedom to Thrive Oak Park and Local Progress highlights the need to reimagine budgeting in Oak Park amid the coronavirus crisis. The report showed that the village allocated 39.6% of its general fund expenditures to the police department while only five percent was dedicated to social services --

Local Progress Reacts to Lack of State and Local Funding in $484 Billion Coronavirus Aid Legislation

For Immediate Release: April 21, 2020 WASHINGTON, DC -- In response to the announcement that the Senate unanimously approved a bipartisan deal for additional coronavirus aid, Local Progress released the following statement: “This package is a half-measure that does little to bring communities the full relief they need. It ignores the direct aid that people

RELEASE: 100+ Elected Officials Call on Congress and Federal Reserve for Financial Relief

For Immediate Release: April 13, 2020 100+ Local and State Elected Officials Call on Congress and Federal Reserve for Financial Relief to All Cities, States, and Territories “In this critical moment, the federal government’s unique constitutional power of the purse is essential for ensuring our communities are able to survive and thrive.” NATIONWIDE -- State