Thank you for being a supporter of Progressive Maryland. We are off to a strong start in 2024 thanks to you and to the dedication of our members, leaders, and staff. With the 2024 legislative session behind us, I’m writing to share some exciting successes, some areas where we fell short, and what we hope to achieve going forward.

Before I continue – we are a grassroots, member-led organization. Our work to oppose corporate influence and pass progressive legislation is only possible through the power of our organized membership. If you share our vision and are excited by what you read below, the most important thing you can do is become a member.

Our priority legislation – wins and losses

Each year, Progressive Maryland members, leaders, and staff develop a list of priority bills and plans to support their passage in the state legislature. In 2024, two of the bills designated as top priorities were able to fully pass, one was able to move through at least one legislative chamber, and one bill did not move forward at all. Additionally, an important housing bill that was not initially designated as top priority was surprisingly able to pass thanks to the critical intervention of Progressive Maryland leaders.

We want to share that our beloved Returning Citizens Taskforce Organizer, Kurt Stand, is retiring this week. Kurt has been a pillar of our organization, dedicating his time and energy to advocating for the rights and dignity of returning citizens. We extend our deepest thanks and heartfelt wishes for a happy retirement to Kurt.

Throughout his tenure with us, Kurt has brought passion and dedication to his work, drawing from a diverse background that includes roles as varied as bookseller, longshoreman, and documentary film researcher. His commitment to peace, social justice, and organized labor has been unwavering, shaped by his own experiences as a returning citizen who spent 15 years in federal prison.

Up Front: With the recent conclusion of the legislative session, we've publicized our endorsements for the upcoming 2024 primary elections. Find out who we're supporting in Baltimore City and Prince George's County below. Additionally, don't miss out on our important event tomorrow in Annapolis. For more details, check out the PM events section of this memo.

First and foremost, we want to honor Kurt Stand, our beloved Returning Citizens Taskforce Organizer, who is retiring this week. His monumental work in advocating for and assisting returning citizens has left an indelible mark on our organization and the communities we serve. Kurt, your tireless advocacy, boundless empathy, and infectious spirit have touched countless lives and transformed our organization for the better. While you're retiring from your current role, we're grateful that you'll continue to be part of the Progressive Maryland community bringing your invaluable insight and commitment to our cause. Thank you for everything, and we wish you a happy retirement. 

See more Progressive Maryland action, candidate endorsements and a note from Kurt Stand, below. Read on.

Lots of news from Maryland, other states and the Feds this week. Maryland's in the national news because some of the Assembly's work,  along with collaboration from the Governor's office, is providing models for other states. Even so, some of our state-level advocates are grumbling that the Assembly could have done a lot more. In the other states, we can see soime models growing there, too -- some progressive, some not so. And a flurry of international news over the weekend is deftly analyzed by People's Action's Megan E, who shows how the brakes can be put on dangerous conflict when legislators actually do their job instead of threatening those of others. It's all News You Can Use, sometimes abbreviated as NUCU

As the import of our loss of the Key bridge – compounded by the losses to families of the workers still awaiting recovery – sinks in, the General Assembly is hoping to bring the session to a close today, even though Gov. Moore has given them an extra ten-day extension if needed. There are certainly excellent bills still in danger of staying stuck in committee that would make all our lives better if they got to the governor’s desk. This Memo has today’s details on unfinished business, plus increasing curiosity about how such big ships made their way to the Port of Baltimore despite the known dangers. And we see, too, that other states are still finishing up legislative business as well, for better or worse. Finally, we feature a blog post by People’s Action’s leader, Sulma Arias, about why the costs of groceries didn’t come down when inflation abated. Maybe you were curious about that yourself. It’s all News You Can Use for this week, so read on.

As we embark on a new month, our hearts are heavy with the weight of recent events. In the wake of the devastating Key Bridge disaster in Baltimore, our thoughts and efforts are first and foremost with the people of Baltimore City. We mourn the loss and upheaval caused by this tragic event, standing in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones and those whose lives have been forever altered. 

Our community is facing a period of grieving and rebuilding, and in times like these, unity and support are paramount. As we come together to support one another, we urge you to join us in offering assistance to those affected by this tragedy. Your generosity can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the victims' families and the families of the survivors. You can contribute to the relief efforts by donating through this link provided by Baltimore City: Donate Now.

Read on for legislative updates, ways to get involved, and news you can use.

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

For Maryland, even with federal help promised, getting through the loss of both the Port of Baltimore and a major piece of our traffic availability is a heavy, heavy lift. News You Can Use has, well, overloaded on that topic, trying to build context with both local and more distant sources. But as always there is more – the home stretch for the General Assembly session complicated by Topic A, what is going down in other states, and the report on federal activity, brought to you by our strong-stomached experts so the rest of us can, well, look away. For better or worse, it’s News You Can Use.

As we step into the final week of March, we're reminded of the impactful journey we've taken throughout Women's History Month, celebrating the resilience and achievements of women who have shaped our world. Don't forget to check out the last edition in our Women's History Month section later in this memo.

But first, let's dive into some crucial legislative updates following last week's crossover day. In a wave of positive news, we're thrilled to announce that House Bill 1337 unanimously passed out of the House. Sponsored by our dear ally Delegate Jamila Woods, this bill pushes for greater transparency and accountability from health insurance carriers by requiring more data on claim appeals and outcomes. 

In the realm of housing, both The Tenant Safety Act and the Just Cause Eviction bill made it through crossover. The former ensures that residential dwelling units are fit for human habitation, while the latter safeguards tenants from landlord retaliation for organizing tenant associations. Turning to reentry initiatives, the Reentry Services for Women Commission and Pilot Program successfully passed out of their original chambers, aiming to create a comprehensive reentry plan for formerly incarcerated women. However, not all our news is uplifting. Despite our efforts, the Fair Choice in Housing Act did not pass out of the senate, which is a setback in our fight against housing discrimination based on criminal records.

In environmental matters, the EMPOWER Act did make it through, marking a significant stride towards energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction -- but the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act failed to pass as legislators never brought the bill to a vote, hindering our efforts to transition away from harmful energy sources like trash incineration.

Get more details about these wins and losses in the Memo.

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Taxes, taxes... two locomotives are a-bound to bump as the Maryland House is putting together a tax package and the Senate (no doubt considering that this is an election year and wondering "what are they thinking") is digging its heels in from the Senate Prez on down. And in the halls of Congress (officially empty for the next two weeks) a tax bill that would keep some child care subsidies alive is languishing. Nothing new there. Around the country, in state legislatures and administrations, some serious problems about housing are getting bemoaned and sometimes addressed. Landlords beware. But hey, the government is funded and there won't be another shutdown scare until, um, October, Bad timing, or what?

It's all News You Can Use, the good, the bad and the unseemly, predigested for your browsing pleasure.