A big week for progressives, despite the looming Trump event; there will be many voices against his brand of politics. And Maryland progressives must keep an eye on state government, where the governor's budget is likely to drop this week. Plus the past week's blog posts, with summaries and links.

Progressive Maryland’s Weekly Memo for January 16-22

Well, the week we hoped would never arrive is here, and rather than dreading the actual inauguration of Trump in silence progressives plan to be plenty loud about it, as you’ll see below.

And it’s the week when Larry Hogan will submit a budget to the Assembly, probably featuring more public money for private schools and watered-down versions of progressive initiatives such as the paid sick leave program. Hogan may hope that the Trumpstravaganza, including plenty of protests, will provide cover for his rightism with a smile. Alertness will be required – by progressive activists, not just the Democrats in the legislature who can sometimes be swayed by well-funded business lobbyists.

Not a week to let our guard down by any means. It’s both harder and more important to begin the week honoring Dr. King by embracing principles of both nonviolent protest and resolute and unsparing pursuit of economic and social justice.

COMING UP:

HAPPENING TOMORROW (Tuesday, Jan. 17) the Montgomery County Council will vote on the $15 minimum wage bill. 9:30 a.m. in the County Council offices, 9:30 a.m. third floor hearing room, 100 Maryland Ave, Rockville 20850. The Montgomery County Council is returning from their winter recess and the first order of business will be whether to pass a $15 minimum wage. Montgomery County is one of the most expensive regions in the country and working families need at least $15/hr just to afford their basic needs. Help us pack the council chamber to show the County Council we won't back down until we win $15. Here’s how to step up and push this vital measure for working families through the process. Volunteer leader Dylan Shelton organized supporters to make our voices heard at last Wednesday's budget forum with Ike Leggett. Video here: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154971581201953&id=332381081952

Tues., January 17, DC Central Labor Council’s Free LaborFest preview at Takoma Busboys and Poets [almost in Maryland] 6pm – 8pm… labor film previews, local labor history discussions and strike stories. Part of the monthly labor series Bread and Roses.

 Friday, January 20: INAUGURATION PROTEST: We Maryland progressives are gathering at Columbus Circle, the plaza in front of Union Station, and marching with protesters from around the country to show President Trump we will not be silent under his reign of terror. With our proximity to the nation's capitol, Maryland will be on the front lines of the movement and we need a massive showing of grassroots power on January 20th. Details here.

Saturday, Jan. 21:  Progressive Cheverly is organizing a group to attend the Women's March on Washington (see   www.womensmarch.com).  We tentatively plan to meet at the Cheverly Metro at 9:00 a.m. and go as a group to Independence & 3rd St. SW for the rally which starts at 10 am.  Everyone is welcome; many are coming with families.  We encourage you to invite friends and neighbors to come along.  Final plans will be posted once the march schedule and route are publicized.  Please contact  [email protected] or [email protected] if you have questions or want to help.  

Jan. 21 and 22, Prince George’s Peace and Justice Coalition sponsors successive workshops in Greenbelt on Nonviolent Communication and Restorative Practices with practicioner Jane Connor McMahon. Saturday: “Energy for Building a World of Compassion;” Sunday: “Connecting Across Differences - Post Election”. Both 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Greenbelt Community Center, Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt. More information: email [email protected].

Friday, January 27, 7 p.m., Progressive Cheverly 12th Annual District 47 Legislative Forum -- with Senator Victor Ramirez and Delegates Diana Fennell and Jimmy Tarlau.  Come hear your elected representatives speak and answer your questions about Maryland state issues.  Hoyer Education Center (cafeteria) 2300 Belleview Ave. (Parking Available) Cheverly

 Reading the Progressive Maryland BlogSpace: our blogs for the previous week are shown below, but if you want a handy way to keep track – and never miss a blog post – you can sign up to get this Weekly Memo by email. Remember this is your blogspace and your participation is heartily invited. See something going on that you don’t like – or that you do like and hope to see more of? Send us your thoughts; submit to the moderator at [email protected].

We recently published these:

January 12, 2017  Progressive agendas take on vested interests in 2017 Assembly session

While legislators play footsy with the Governor over the roads and budget, progressive agendas will challenge the Maryland General Assembly members to help ordinary people -- as they are

January 11, 2017  Trump tax reform plan may be mixed bag for Marylanders

The "tax plan" promoted by the President-elect may be more advantageous to some in relatively affluent Maryland, but others will get little or no benefit and the state may suffer from the consequent lowered federal revenue and drop in federal spending -- important for a state with a high dependence on federal spending for its continued prosperity. A detailed recent analysis from

January 10, 2017  The schools' humiliating "begathon" before the money people

Forcing state school leaders to grovel before the Gov and his henchpersons for the money they deserve is an old and despicable custom, usually with political knives out, that should be ended, says Barry Rascovar in Maryland Reporter (posted Monday, Jan. 9). And, to show that His Trumpness is not the only thin-skinned jerk in the cosmos, alleged Democrat Peter Franchot, the Comptroller, sent a mouthpiece to complain about Rascovar's colossal nerve in having an opinion about the matter.

January 09, 2017  Progressive Maryland's Weekly Memo for January 9-15

The Maryland General Assembly opens this Wednesday (Jan. 11) and the fun begins. See some previews and the calendar of get-togethers for PM and allies as the session gets under way, plus the week's blog posts with summaries and links. One-stop progressive shopping.

Keeping up with the blogs is easier with the index. The blogs published in the PM BlogSpace since June 2015 are all available with descriptions and links here.