| CNL Summer 2023 Newsletter | |  | NLAS D.C. NLAS D.C. last month was a special event. Hundreds of New Liberals from across the country attended the three day summit for a convening on the importance of building a broad center-left political coalition and a discussion of what a New Liberal is. Representatives Jeff Jackson (NC-14), Scott Peters (CA-50), Val Hoyle (OR-04), and Brad Schnieder (IL-10), as well as other leading voices from the Democratic Party’s center-left, spoke about the need to organize young center-left activists in support of a new, pragmatic approach to policy and realigning U.S. politics around a center-left majority.
NLAS D.C. kicked off on Thursday evening with an opening reception attended by nearly 200 New Liberals. Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) and Representative Jeff Jackson (NC-14) provided remarks, emphasizing the importance of having young advocates who can campaign for pragmatic policy goals — such as permitting reform — and develop a stronger message for the center-left that appeals to a majority of voters.
On Friday, our attendees heard from Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) on the importance of apprenticeships in the new economy and Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10) delivered a keynote address on the importance of youth activism for a durable majority. Afterwards, New Liberals were given the opportunity to tour Capitol Hill and speak with their Congressperson including Reps. Norma Torres (CA-35), Lou Correa (CA-46), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Jason Crow (CO-06), Greg Landsman (OH-1), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Wiley Nickel (NC-13), Deborah Ross (NC-2), Lucy McBath (GA-07), Terri Sewell (AL-07), David Trone (MD-06), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Jennifer Wexton (VA-10).
On Saturday, the final day of NLAS, the New Liberals attended a series of training sessions to help sharpen their skills as advocates and organizers. The conference was capped with the inauguration of the 2023-24 CNL Steering Committee. We want to thank everyone who was able to make NLAS D.C. from around the world and look forward to seeing all the ways our chapter and members continue to get involved in their communities.
For a look back at an amazing weekend, please see our photo gallery on the CNL Website
| | Steering Committee Elections Culminating at the NLAS D.C. Conference, our members voted for the Center for New Liberalism Steering Committee. As our grassroots board, the Steering Committee represents the voices of our members and chapter leads in bimonthly meetings with CNL leadership. They are involved in setting the agenda for CNL long term operations and provide feedback and suggestions on proposed initiatives and CNL activities. After a weeks long campaign and vote, we are pleased to announce the 2023-24 CNL Steering Committee:
Chair - Ben Akselrod - New York City, NY Vice Chair - Cathy Reisenwitz - Huntsville, AL
Members at Large: Briana Coyle - Columbus, OH Laura Duffy - Washington, DC Morgan Rinehart - Charlotte, NC Tibita Kaneene - New York City, NY Ramsey Kilani - Toronto Imar Koutchoukali - Estonia Micah Erfan - Houston, TX
Congratulations to the incoming Committee members, we are excited to continue building a stronger organization together! | Welcome to the Week of Action! This week (August 13-19), CNL Chapters around the world will be hosting social, political, and service events to get out into the community for our third annual Center for New Liberalism Week of Action. During the Week of Action our chapters organize events that showcase their ability to get involved locally. In years past, chapters have put together petition drives, organized trash clean ups, welcomed refugees, and held socials. This year we have cleanups, homeless outreach, discussions on ballot initiatives, the clean energy future, and much more. Our chapters are excited to welcome you to join us, some events are even virtual, and all are free to attend. We hope you can join us at any of our events. You can find events listed here. | |  |
31 May 2023 Publication: Diplomats Magazine Title: Economic Diplomacy of Bangladesh Author: Imran Khan Pull Quote: Diplomacy is the art of negotiation, persuasion, and compromise. Being an emerging leading voice of the Global South, Bangladesh is moving forward with strong footsteps through its own style of economic diplomacy. Featured: Imran Khan (Dhaka Chapter)
14 June 2023 Publication: The xxxxxx Title: How Progressive Abandoned Progress for Process Author: Jeremiah Johnson Pull Quote: The progressive love affair with process is crippling our cities, our economy, and our climate. We have to care more about tangible results than we do about the paperwork that gets us there. It may seem like process helps in a variety of ways—it ensures rules are being followed, it strives for equity, it guarantees community input. But if your process has brought you to the point we’re at now, of what real use was the process? Featured: Jeremiah Johnson
21 June 2023 Publication: Politico Title: Biden vs. Trump and the Future of Debate Author: Derek Robertson Pull Quote: There are a lot of people for whom politics is really just a tribal war, mostly divorced from policy…Of course it’s funny to see Trump and Biden talk in weird internet meme stuff, but this stream also seems designed to play with the idea of ‘politics as fandom’... It hits that cheap dopamine rush of dunking on the other side, and Twitch is a platform that’s already very in tune with ‘debate me, bro’ culture and tribal political wars. Featured: Jeremiah Johnson
13 July 2023 Publication: TribLive Title: Plans for 234 Apartments in Pittsburgh's Strip District Receive Planning Commission Approval Author: Julia Fenton Pull Quote: “continued addition of new housing units to the Strip District neighborhood” and the city as a whole, said Dmetri Black…”Building more housing, especially in neighborhoods like the Strip (District) that are walkable and nearby to so many amenities is great for our residents, the city and the region,” Black said. Featured: Dmetri Black (Pittsburgh Chapter)
14 July 2023 Publication: CapX Title: Why Would We Spend 15bn Turning Private Homes into Council Houses? Author: Tom Spencer Pull Quote: Most CapX readers will know well that there is no solution to our housing crisis that doesn’t involve pretty serious planning reform. A bigger supply of homes is not just about a long-term stabilisation in prices, but also giving more options to renters and, in so doing, more bargaining power with their would-be landlords. Featured: Tom Spencer (London Chapter)
24 July 2023 Publication: News of Orange Title: Local Focus: Hughes Hones Plans For Public Work Author: Dale Edwards Pull Quote: “I found my purpose is in local government,” said Hughes, who is one of very few openly gay, African Americans in politics. “You can see the impact you’re making, sometimes immediately. If you go into the state legislature — especially the legislature today — I don’t think you see that. You don’t see the progress. You don’t see as many people who are there for the right reasons. You don’t get to readily interact with your constituents.” Featured: Matt Hughes (Raleigh Chapter)
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Tuesday, 15 August 2023 - 7pm Chapter: Salt Lake City Event: SLC New Liberals August Social Gathering Location: Poplar Street Pub (242 South 200 West) Details: Join us on 15 August at 7pm at Poplar Street Pub for our monthly social gathering. Come have a drink or two and some snacks on us. If you don’t see us in the front, try checking in the back or outside. (Look for our sign.) Our website is here. Twitter here. |
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| Wednesday 16 August, 2023 - 5pm Chapter: Denver Event: Building a Better Colorado Location: Metropolitan State University of Denver, Tivoli Student Union - 640 Zenith Room (890 Auraria Parkway) Details: Join the Denver New Liberals on August 16th at the Metropolitan State University of Denver at the 640 Zenith Room in the Tivoli Student Union for an informative event. This gathering will bring together community leaders and passionate individuals to address topics that are important to Denver and Colorado as a whole. Starting at 5:00 PM, the event will include a fireside chat featuring a distinguished keynote speaker. We will also have panel discussions focused on maintaining the momentum for Democrats and fostering green growth in Colorado. The event offers an opportunity for attendees to connect, listen to ideas, and collaborate to improve Denver and Colorado.
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| Wednesday, 16 August 2023 - 5:30pm Chapter: Charlotte Event: Roofs Above Service Event Location: Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts (1030 Woodward Ave.) Details: Hillrock Estates is a 341-unit affordable housing complex that Roof Above purchased to preserve affordable housing in Charlotte and expand Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Today, 25 units at Hillrock are set aside for people who have experienced chronic homelessness and need Permanent Supportive Housing. On Wednesday night, we will be hosting a game night for the PSH residents at Hillrock. We will build community and learn more about homelessness and housing in Charlotte! |
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| Thursday, 17 August 2023 - 7pm Chapter: Los Angeles Event: LA New Liberals Present: The Dysfunctional Metropolis Location: Virtual Details: The LA New Liberals are proud to host Emily Jacobson, author of "The Dysfunctional Metropolis: Reforming Los Angeles’s Land Use Planning and Entitlement." Emily will be presenting and discussing this report, which details the layers of subjective and often contradictory processes that stand in the way of multi-family housing production in Los Angeles. Her work specifically calls out discretionary review and the disincentives and moral hazards involved in this opaque, inconsistent, yet critical part of the City of Los Angeles's entitlement process.
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| Thursday, 17 August 2023 - 6pm Chapter: Miami Event: Miami New Liberals Trivia Night Location: Veza Sur Brewing Co. (55 Northwest 25th Street) Details: We're gonna piggy-back trivia night at Veza Sur sponsored by Debris Free Oceans to whom the proceeds with go. So fun for a good cause. I'm pretty good with history and er, the Jones Act, but hoping we can get a few people up on pop culture, where I have my gaps. We will have some drinks and snacks for the table (paid for by New Democracy) |
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| Thursday, 17 August 2023 - 7pm Chapter: Columbus Event: What’s next after Issue 1? Location: Columbus Metropolitan Library Meeting Room 2B (96 South Grant Ave.) Details: Join the Columbus New Liberals for a post-mortem discussion on Ohio's infamous Issue 1. |
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| Thursday, 17 August 2023 - 5pm Chapter: Charlotte Event: Housing and Homelessness Follow Up Conversation Location: Virtual Details: Joe Hamby, Director of Community Education at Roof Above, joins us for a conversation on housing and homelessness in Charlotte. After serving at Hillrock Estates, our Week of Action continues! We will be joined by Joe Hamby, Director of Community Education at Roof Above, to learn more about the current landscape of Charlotte's housing crisis and how we can advocate. |
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| Saturday, 19 August, 2023 - 1pm Chapter: Seattle Event: Week of Action Burke-Gilman Bike Bar Crawl Location: Fremont Mischief Distillery (132 North Canal Street) Details:We will start at Fremont Mischief Distillery at 1 PM. Once we gather enough people and enjoy our fair share of food and drink we'll head off to the following locations in order: Fremont Brewing Agua Verde Burke-Gilman Brewing Magnuson Cafe & Brewing
Here's a Google Maps link showing the route Feel free to join anywhere along the route! We will most likely spend 30-45 minutes at each location. |
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| Saturday, 19 August 2023 - 6pm Chapter: San Diego Event: San Diego New Liberals August Meet Up Location: Gravity Heights (9920 Pacific Heights Blvd.) Details: The San Diego New Liberals will meet Saturday, 8/19, at 6 pm with special guest Matt Zwolinski. Professor Zwolinski is the director of the University of San Diego's Center for Ethics, Economics, and Public Policy, director of USD’s undergraduate minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and co-director of USD’s Institute for Law and Philosophy. |
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Saturday, 19 August 2023 - 10am Chapter: Salt Lake City Event: Salt Lake City New Liberals Service Project: Neighborhood Cleanup Location: Panaderia Flores (904 South 900 West) Details: Join us on 19 August at 10 AM at Panaderia Flores to work with the Glendale community to clean up their neck of the woods. Equipment and refreshments will be provided. Our website is here. Twitter here.
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| Saturday, 19 August 2023 - 6pm Chapter: Charlotte Event: Kannapolis Baseball and Downtown Walk Location: Atrium Health Ballpark (One Cannon Baller Way, Kannapolis, NC) Details: We believe many of the issues facing Charlotte are regional, not limited to the city limits. To end our Week of Action, we will be visiting Kannapolis to see how its downtown revitalization has created new opportunities. Here's the plan: Meet at Old Armor Beer Company (211 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081) at 6pm. We'll have a quick drink, and then walk through Kannapolis' downtown en route to Atrium Health Ballpark. Enjoy the game and fellowship! There will also be fireworks after.
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| Saturday, 19 August 2023 - 5pm Chapter: Huntsville Event: Huntsville New Liberals Clean Up McMillian Park Location: McMillian Park Double Helix Trail (Double Helix Trail) Details: Let’s get our hands dirty getting this park clean! The Huntsville New Liberals are cleaning up McMillian Park as part of our Week of Action. Join us! |
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| Monday, 21 August 2023 - 8pm Chapter: Seattle Event: A Conversation with Cathy Moore: District 5 Location: Virtual Details: Come learn about the candidates running for Seattle City Council in our "A Conversation With" series. This time we are speaking with Cathy Moore, candidate in district 5. |
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| Thursday, 24 August 2023 - 6pm Chapter: Huntsville Event: Drinks and Conversation With Dennis Madsen Location: The Camp (5909 University Drive Northwest) Details: The Huntsville New Liberals are stoked to announce that a mere two months after our very-first happy hour, the Huntsville New Liberals are hosting our very first expert speaker! Dennis Madsen, Manager of Urban & Long-Range Planning at the City of Huntsville is joining us to talk about what’s happening at the Huntsville Housing Authority and how you can help! Dennis is the brains behind Big Picture Huntsville, the City of Huntsville’s comprehensive master plan. To learn more about housing and homelessness in Huntsville, check out our recent post. |
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| Friday, 25 August 2023 - 5pm Chapter: Miami Event: Miami Bayfront Park Beach Cleanup Location: Alton Food Park (955 Alton Rd. Miami Beach, FL) Details: Clean Miami Beach is doing a shoreline cleanup at Bayfront Park. Let's show them how neoliberals clean :-) Afterwards, if people are interested we can find somewhere to have a drink. Please sign up both here and with Clean Miami Beach. For those coming, I'll let you know how to find the group. Hope to see you there! |
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| |  | Who Controls Our Technology Ft. Daron Acemoğlu and Simon Johnson Technological progress is the ultimate driver of economic progress, but do we need to think about who controls the direction of technological development? Daron Acemoğlu & Simon Johnson join the podcast to discuss their new book Power and Progress, where they argue that without guidance, new technology does not necessarily benefit the masses. We discuss the history of technological development, whether automation is inherently good or bad, and both the benefits and the pitfalls of the democratic control of technology. |
| Should America Have More Apprenticeships Ft. Taylor Maag Should America have more workers moving through apprenticeship programs? Taylor Maag is the Director of Workforce Development Policy at PPI and joins the show to talk about apprenticeships. We discuss whether apprenticeships make sense for the modern economy, whether our current labor market policies are too focused on 'college for all', and if the government should be in the business of subsidizing apprenticeships. |
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| Why You Should Consider Donating a Kidney It's the four year anniversary of Jeremiah's kidney donation, and in this episode he makes the argument that you, the listener, should also consider donating. Jeremiah discusses why kidney disease is such a large problem, how much good a donated kidney can do, and why the risks of donation are minimal. He also answers commonly asked questions about the logistics of giving up a kidney, and argues that listeners should seriously think about doing it themselves.
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| Why Progressive Value Process over Progress It takes far too long to build housing, infrastructure or green energy in America, even in progressive areas that say they want those things. Why? Jeremiah explores the history of how progressives turned their back on progress in favor of process. This episode covers the myriad of ways in which bureaucratic process is killing America's ability to accomplish its goals, the understandable reasons why progressives started down this path, and what we need to do to pull ourselves out of the mess.
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| Building a New Ukraine Ft. Tamar Jacoby The war to fight Russia's invasion is the most important story in Ukraine. But what comes after the war? Tamar Jacoby, head of The New Ukraine Project, joins the podcast to discuss Ukraine's efforts to build a stronger society. We discuss Ukraine's history of poverty and corruption, what's being done to address issues like corruption, what the Ukrainian people really want, and how much more liberal and democratic Ukraine can become in the near future. |
| The New Liberal Podcast’s Best Books of 2023, Part 1 It's the return of the Best Books series! Jeremiah walks through the books he's read in the first half of 2023, including books on political theory, language, urbanism, Georgism, internet culture, technology and more. Plus, reviews of the best sci-fi and speculative fiction from this year!
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| Ugh, Capitalism - Joint Episode w/The Free The Economy Podcast In this episode, Jeremiah was invited to the Free The Economy podcast to talk about one of his recent articles "Ugh, Capitalism". Jeremiah details how capitalism became every commentator's favorite punching bag, why things are varied as bad architecture, loneliness, astrology and the color beige are all capitalism's fault, and what's really going on under the surface for the people who blame everything on capitalism. |
| Hollywood on Strike Ft. Jeff Maurer Why are writers and actors both striking in Hollywood for the first time since 1960? Television writer and Writer's Guild of America member Jeff Maurer joins the show to discuss the strike. We talk about how technology is changing the entertainment industry, why writers and actors feel like they're getting a raw deal, and how long the strike might last. |
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| The Urbanism of Tokyo Ft. Joe McReynolds Joe McReynolds, author of the book Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City joins the podcast to talk about the urbanism of Tokyo. We discuss why urbanists love Tokyo so much, the role of markets vs plans and designs, how Tokyo makes use of small and neglected spaces, and what he calls emergent vs corporate led design.
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| How Rich Neighborhoods Excluded the Poor Ft. Richard Kahlenberg How do rich people keep poor folks from living in their neighborhoods? Richard Kahlenberg is a senior fellow at PPI and the author of the new book 'Excluded'. We discuss how 'snob zoning' was used to create a class-based discrimination system that replaced race-base discrimination, the benefits of having more class-integrated neighborhoods, and the most important political obstacles to overcome in order to build more housing. |
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| Upcoming Podcast Episodes | |  | Calling new leads! Do you have five hours per week, and a desire to advocate for pragmatic liberalism in your local community? We’re looking to help you start a chapter in your community, help run one of our existing chapters or take over one of our inactive chapters. If interested, please book a time with our Community Outreach and Training Director, Markose Butler, on his Calendly page. We’re especially targeting the following cities: Atlanta Boston Cleveland Richmond, Virginia San Diego Sydney
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