Democracy is under attack
Cities and towns in the U.S. are facing an emerging threat to their sovereignty: the problem of preemption. Preemption is a legal tactic used by non-local entities and lobbying groups to establish state-level policies that strip local governments of their power to enact the will of their people.
How preemption undermines democracy
Preemption is not inherently bad or good, nor is its use inherently partisan. Historically, preemption has been used to advance well-being and equity, when local laws are inconsistent with state laws.
However, recent efforts to consolidate power at the state level and end local authority over a wide range of issues are part of a different kind of national, long-term strategy. Driven by corporate interests and very often orchestrated by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an industry-funded organization of state lawmakers and lobbyists, a strategy to undermine local democracy in favor of corporate profits has succeeded at an alarming rate.
Preemption is harming communities:
Minimum wage
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25 states now preempt local minimum wage laws.
sick days
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22 states now preempt local sick days laws.
immigration
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At least 10 states have now made it illegal for cities to refuse to help federal authorities detain and deport immigrants.
transportation
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41 states now prohibit local regulation of ride-sharing companies.
Defending democracy at the local level.
With legal support and educational tools
How we support local democracy
The Local Solutions Support Center (LSSC) is a centralized resource center providing legal support and educational tools to local officials, advocates, and the public to help defend democracy at the local level. Our services include:
legal research
technical assistance
legal referrals
amicus briefs and other tools
education
Contact the legal team now.
Dilini Lankachandra at A Better Balance Can be reached via this contact form or call 212-430-5989 for immediate technical assistance on preemption issues.
Local communities know best
To solve problems, advance inclusion, equity, and social justice, local democracies must be able to make laws that reflect the views, values and needs of their unique communities.
Partnering at the local level
LSSC supports organizing efforts with deep research about the impact of state interference on local communities’ ability to protect people’s civil rights, solve problems, and improve lives. By developing strategic communications and educational tools, our team of lawyers helps local representatives and advocates defend democracy in their cities and towns.
We know that locally-elected representatives know best how to protect the health, safety and economic well-being of their residents. To solve problems, advance inclusion, equity, and social justice, local democracies must be able to adopt policies and set standards that reflect the views, values and needs of their unique communities.