A Community Led Strategy to Fight State Interference, Build Political Power and Win Progressive Policy
Type
Policy Brief or Report
Year
2018
Level
City or Town, County
State(s)
All States
Policy Areas
Democracy & Governance
State legislatures around the country have routinely worked to strip power from local governments. Aggressive corporate and special interests have moved state legislators and courts to gut the ability of local governments in a vast number of states to alleviate unemployment and protect their residents from threats to their health, safety, and civil rights. Numerous states restrict local policies on everything from minimum wage and labor agreements to tobacco and pesticide regulations. A campaign-based strategy is necessary to turn the tide and enable localities to better protect their residents and provide progressive leadership. This strategy should prioritize moving campaigns into key states, focusing on race and gender, exposing the drivers of state interference, and tapping into local organizing.