Local Solutions Support Center

The Local Solutions Support Center (LSSC) is a national hub focused on the misuse of state preemption, documenting its consequences - particularly on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, and working people - and devising counter-strategies to affirm and strengthen local democracy to advance equity.

We believe that our democracy should work for all people. A healthy democracy should allow historically excluded people to build power and exercise agency over their own lives and communities. State preemption of local policymaking - a higher level of government stripping authority from a lower level of government - should only be used to protect the health and well-being of residents and should create the foundation upon which localities can go further in advancing equity and addressing their communities’ needs. Unfortunately, preemption today is being abused to undermine a healthy democracy and harm marginalized communities.

Building a more just society means that every community should have the authority to advance equitable policies and decide how to most urgently meet the needs of their residents. LSSC is committed to supporting this work by both sharing best practices and supporting locally-led strategies that center local expertise and lived experience. You can read more about LSSC’s vision, values, and strategic priorities.