City Taxpayers Fund Director Jack Porter’s work with National Progressive Group – Tallahassee Report

The Tallahassee Report has learned that taxpayers are paying for City Commissioner Jack Porter’s work with a national progressive group called Local Progress. This group provides information designed to help local elected officials advocate for a number of policies from a progressive perspective.

Policies include topics identified with neutral labels, such as household rules, housing, public safety, and economic justice. However, the group promotes positions such as law enforcement budget cuts, a guaranteed basic income, critical race theory, and sanctuary city policies.

Progressive Governance Academy

The group says, “Despite making huge investments in electing progressive candidates to public office, there are few resources available to support elected officials once they are elected to power.” It doesn’t exist.”

To address this issue, the group is working with Local Progress to fund a project called the Progressive Governance Academy.

The Progressive Governance Academy “exists to ensure that state and local elected officials can govern.” what matches us You have the resources, assets, tools, and skills you need to be a strong and effective leader. ” (emphasis added)

Porter is silent about his affiliation

A review of Tallahassee city records showed that taxpayers funded costs associated with Mr. Porter’s affiliation with the group. These expenses appear to include his attendance at his 2023 Local Progress annual conference in St. Louis. Missouri. TR requires detailed expense records, some of which are shown below. We will update the report as information becomes available.

Expense information from the City of Tallahassee’s online checkbook

Commissioner Porter has remained silent about his involvement with the organization, even though he is a member of the organization in Florida.

TR was unable to find any mention of Local Progress by Porter on social media accounts, websites or in the commissioner’s biographical information.

This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.