Casar named co-chair of national network

Austin City Council Member Greg Casar and Philadelphia City Council Member At-Large Helen Gym have been selected to serve as co-chairs of Local Progress, which the website describes as “a movement of local elected officials advancing a racial and economic justice agenda through all levels of local government.” When he was elected in 2014, Casar became the youngest Council member in Austin history. He easily won reelection in 2016 and again last month. Earlier this year, he championed redirection of city resources previously allocated to the Austin Police Department. He also led the effort to give all workers paid sick leave, although that program has not been implemented because it is in conflict with state law. He was a leader in Council’s effort to pass the largest affordable housing bond in Texas history. Casar and Gym released the following statement: “As we prepare to step forward together into a new year with the same challenges, we know that our cities and municipalities must continue to be the epicenter of progressive change in this country. By working together, we can drive transformative change across all levels of local government, build power with our communities, and impact policy and governance at the state and national level. Together, we are redefining what is possible. This is what Local Progress is all about.”