We defend and advance local democracy.
Across the country, local governments are taking the lead on tackling our greatest challenges head-on, enacting laws to protect public health, improve workers’ rights, reduce inequity, respond to emerging environmental threats, advance technological innovation and other policy solutions. At the same time, the increased abuse of state preemption is removing or reducing the power of local governments to act on policies that would meet the needs and represent the values of their communities.
Local Solutions Support Center (LSSC) is a national hub that connects, coordinates and creates efforts to counter the increasing misuse of preemption and strengthen local democracy.
The Latest on Preemption
Updates from the Local Solutions Support Center
We take a look at preemption trends in state abusive preemption legislation, even as the new federal landscape further emboldens state lawmakers to advance harmful preemption bills, with a particular focus on anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-DEI legislation.
Throughout the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, local governments have been leaders in securing new rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. However, the ability of local officials to lead on LGBTQ+ equality and protect transgender youth is increasingly under assault.
In an effort to carry out the federal administration's agenda on immigration, state governments are stepping in where the federal government is limited and forcing controversial immigration policies on localities through abusive preemption.
Just seven weeks into 2025, we’re already seeing more of the same concerning activity. As of February 14, LSSC was tracking 344 abusive preemption bills in legislatures across the country. Many of them are in Tennessee and Texas.
LSSC’s new report, Winning Strategies for Combating Abusive Preemption, can serve as action-oriented inspiration for both the well-tenured and emerging leaders whose creativity and passion pushes our fight forward.
“Whenever we have a setback, that doesn’t mean it’s not the time to invest. In fact, that’s the time to double down. “
Resources About Preemption
LSSC and our partners have developed resources designed to help advocates end state overreach and strengthen the ability of local governments to pass policies that protect health and safety and promote equity. The information, strategies, and tools aggregated here were developed by and for attorneys, elected officials, advocates, and coalitions working to stop the increased misuse of state preemption.
View Resources by Type
Sort our resource library by our four core program areas: Legal, Communications, State Campaigns, and Research.
View Resources by Topic
Use these pages below to segment our resources – and partner resources – by topic area, from immigration to labor to technology.
