Local communities are losing the power to make their own decisions. Over the past decade, instead of allowing local officials to enact policies that best address local needs, state legislatures have given themselves the power to set local safety, health, economic, and even municipal voting laws. But there is a way to stop the erosion of local decision making. We can counter this abuse of state preemption by updating home rule.

Throughout the pandemic, legislators in several states, angered by having to follow necessary public health restrictions, have worked to undermine the authority and independence of health departments and local governments.

Some state legislatures have singled out LGBTQ people - particularly transgender youth - with bills designed to undermine their humanity and dignity.

Recently, we’ve seen a number of state legislatures attempt to take control of local budget decisions and processes – particularly as it relates to local control of police budgets.

Increasingly, some state lawmakers have enacted preemption laws that make it difficult for cities to offer immigrants sanctuary status.

The volume of housing preemption that occurred in the years before the pandemic left many local governments unable to respond to the ongoing public health crisis and uneven economic recovery.

A new raft of bills criminalizes many types of protests and threaten localities that fail to respond according to state dictates.

Many state legislatures have made it illegal for local governments to adopt these measures in recent years.

Localities must be able to respond to the unique needs of workers who cannot survive on the federal or state minimum wage.

Cities must have the authority and flexibility to use tools proven to combat the causes and consequences of climate change and protect the health and safety of their residents.

Over the last year, we’ve seen a number of state legislatures move to curb the long-fought for, hard-won right to vote.

Efforts to ban classes that explore the ways in which a history of inequality and racism in the U.S. continue to affect American institutions and society today set a dangerous precedent for state interference in local classrooms.

It’s time for state lawmakers to acknowledge the fundamental need to increase access to strong, reliable and affordable broadband.