Defending Local Democracy

Regressive State Laws Undermine Local Progress on LGBTQ Rights

May 8, 2018
Defending Local Democracy, LGBTQ

These license-to-discriminate laws allow businesses to refuse to serve individuals if doing so would be contrary to religious beliefs. While it is unfortunate that states are still working to undermine LGBTQ rights, ABB stands with those who are instead fighting for more inclusive and equitable laws.

Standing Up for Austin’s Paid Sick and Safe Time Law

May 7, 2018
Defending Local Democracy, Paid Sick Time

The challenge to Austin’s ordinance claims, among other things, that Texas’s minimum wage law limits the city’s authority to pass a paid sick and safe time law. Fortunately for Austin workers, the state’s minimum wage law—applying as it does to minimum wage, and not other employee benefits—does no such thing.

State Legislatures Are Blocking Equal Pay

April 10, 2018
Defending Local Democracy, Workplace Equality

Equal Pay Day is not a holiday. It is a day to recognize the many structural inequities, from sexism to racism to the maternal wage gap, that result in U.S. women earning 82 cents—and Black women earning 68 cents—for every dollar their white male counterparts make.

ABB Fights for Paid Sick Time Laws in Legislatures and in Courts

February 21, 2018
City Laws, Defending Local Democracy, Paid Sick Time

More and more cities and states, recognizing that paid sick time is an important tool to reduce the spread of infectious disease, are moving to require employers to provide paid sick days, and ABB is helping at every stage of the process.

Nashville, TN’s city council passed the Do Better Bill to encourage more transparency about conditions for workers and businesses

January 12, 2018
City Laws, Defending Local Democracy

Thanks to the leadership of our partners at the Central Labor Council and Stand Up Nashville, the Do Better bill will encourage more transparency about conditions for workers for businesses who receive tax breaks or grants from the City.

Fed Watch: The Supreme Court’s Huge Case on Voting Maps: What It Means for Progressive Advocates

October 5, 2017
Defending Local Democracy, LGBTQ, Paid Family Leave, Paid Sick Time

Partisan gerrymandering strikes to the heart of our political process, making it harder for progressive advocates to make their voices heard at all levels of government. In Gill v. Whitford, the Supreme Court has an opportunity to defend local democracy, we hope that they will seize it.

Supporting Immigrant Families Loud & Clear

August 31, 2017
Defending Local Democracy, National Laws

Immigrant families deserve the opportunity to live and work in their communities, without fear of arbitrary deportation decisions. That's why ABB is working to support and defend the rights of immigrant families.

Missouri Strips St. Louis Workers of Much-Needed Minimum Wage Increase

August 30, 2017
City Laws, Defending Local Democracy, State Laws

Beyond the political aspect behind these and other state-local conflicts, there is also an important racial justice element to the fight over minimum wage increases: since minority workers tend to earn lower wages, they stand to benefit more from minimum wage increases.

Victory in Texas: Special Session Ends Without Passing Anti-Transgender “Bathroom Bill”

August 18, 2017
Defending Local Democracy, LGBTQ, State Laws

Local laws can play an important role when it comes to protecting the rights of LGBTQ communities—the death of Texas’s anti-transgender bathroom bill is one more step towards preserving that power.