A new wave of progressive big-city elected officials has taken office in recent months and they are re-shaping the national dialogue. From Seattle to Pittsburgh and New York City to Minneapolis, mayors and city legislators are pushing a reform agenda to combat inequality and expand inclusion.

Many of these elected officials are part of Local Progress, the municipal policy network founded in 2012 by CPD, SEIU, and the Public Leadership Institute. Local Progress is helping advance a progressive policy agenda in cities around the country by helping elected officials share their best practices, build solidarity across cities, and coordinate their work to elevate key issues into the national dialogue.

Seattle Mayor and Local Progress member Ed Murray is currently considering raising the minimum wage for all workers in the city to $15 per hour, a groundbreaking effort that could transform the national debate about inequality and good jobs.

On March 27, Local Progress and the City of Seattle are co-hosting a day-long symposium on the minimum wage to highlight the proposal and consider experiences of leaders from other cities.

The new mayor of Pittsburgh, Local Progress member Bill Peduto, came into office on an avowedly progressive platform after driving forward campaign reform laws in the City Council. His first term agenda includes building more housing and expanding livable streets through parking reform and expanded bike and transit use.

In New York City, Local Progress members Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito are driving forward on priorities like expanding workers’ rights to paid sick days, the creation of a municipal ID card for all residents, and universal free pre-kindergarten.

On March 4, Local Progress is hosting a webinar on innovative racial equity policies that will feature Betsy Hodges, the new mayor of Minneapolis, and UC Berkeley professor John Powell, among others. The webinar is free and open to the public and we invite you to RSVP here.