RFS feel-good update (12/4): Victory wrap up!
Best year yet!
Hi all -
It’s another big week for RFS.
First: After you’ve checked your Spotify Wrapped, check out RFS Victory Wrapped - a fun wrap up of our big wins in 2023 and what you all made possible.
Second: We’ve got an exciting new recruitment effort coming to your Instagram feed in the very near future. Make sure you’re following us there 👀👀👀
Stay tuned for more before the end of the year!
In more cheerful RFS community updates:
“Lindsay Vaughn, the 29-year-old state lawmaker who is leading efforts to tighten groundwater regulations, comes at the problem with the perspective of someone who could see the aquifer run dry in her lifetime. “If we don’t do anything differently, then there won’t be enough water left for people in my generation,” said Ms. Vaughn, who represents a Kansas City suburb.”
Berkeley City Councilmember Rigel Robinson is pushing for upzoning that would build more than 2,650 housing units. Let’s goooooo
In Montgomery County Council in MD, Kristin Mink and Andrew Friedson are leading on legislation to eliminate parking requirements for new housing near public transit, which would encourage developers to build more affordable housing because it would reduce the cost of new construction.
We’re seeing the same kind of progress in Durham, where Mayor-elect Leonardo Williams (currently on the city council) is helping pass ordinances that remove parking minimums.
Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb is making progress to develop climate resilience proposals that will reduce flooding and increase access to shorelines, especially for underserved communities.
Rep. Yadira Caraveo - an RFS alum now serving in Congress - talks about how to win rural communities like hers: Responsive leadership!
KY Rep. Josie Raymond is looking to run for Louisville Metro Council to be able to take more direct action to help her community.
NYC Councilmember Lincoln Restler is pushing for more emergency communications around future air quality-related emergencies. (Sigh.)
Alum Larry Jackson may have lost his race for MI State House in 2022 but that was not the end of his civic engagement — he spent the last year recruiting candidates, led a recall effort against a far-right conservative county commissioner, and is now chair of the Ottawa County Democratic Party.
In related listening: Tune in to this episode of The Focus Group, hosted by Never Trumper Republican Sarah Longwell, with guest Peter Hamby from Snapchat, talking about gen Z voters. I especially encourage you to listen from around 17 minutes in, when the young progressives in the focus group explain why they’ll cast their ballot for Joe Biden, sure, but they’re actually excited by and energized by the local candidates. Reverse coattails will be the story of the 2024 election, and RFS candidates are at the heart it.
There are just a few weeks left of 2023. If you’ve been putting off making a donation, now’s the time. (And if you’d like to make a tax-deductible gift to Run for Something Civics, a 501c3, you can do that, too!)
No time to waste. You’re making the magic happen.
- Amanda
I mentioned you guys in a Tiktok I made about the top three orgs I recommended for donations on Giving Tuesday. Hope it brought some money your way!