Progressive Maryland and Advocates Celebrate Victory as Minimum Wage Indexing Bill Passes Unanimously Out of Committee

Residents, Advocates, and Union Leaders Push for Economic Fairness in Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County, MD — On October 7, Progressive Maryland alongside CASA, DC Metro Council, SEIU, and advocates across Prince George’s County, held a press conference outside the Prince George’s County Council building to formally launch a campaign urging County Council members to pass legislation that indexes the minimum wage to inflation. Following the event,  this critical bill passed unanimously out of the County Council’s committee. The event featured key speakers, including bill sponsor Tom Dernoga and co-sponsor Krystal Oriadha,who spoke passionately in support of this important legislation. The livestream of the press event can be found on Progressive Maryland’s Facebook page.

Bill Co-sponsor Krystal Oriadha speaking at the press conference in front of Prince George’s County Council building. 

“These days, so many people making minimum wage are not students. These are people with families, and they’re working two jobs or more and struggling to make ends meet. We all know about inflation—it eats away at people’s ability to live” said Tom Dernoga. “Prince George’s County should’ve moved on this long ago, and this is our opportunity to do it today, get this out of committee, and move forward to a public hearing next month.”

The campaign, a collaborative effort among community organizations, workers, and local leaders, seeks to promote economic fairness, enhance stability for working families, and advance racial equity. By tying wage increases to inflation, the initiative aims to protect workers from wage stagnation and economic shocks, particularly benefiting those in essential roles such as service, hospitality, and retail sectors.

The press conference also featured remarks from fellow co-sponsor Councilmember Krystal Oriadha, who emphasized the disconnect between wages and education: “You can have someone who went out, got a college degree, a master's degree, and they are still making minimum wage in this country. This has nothing to do with effort or a lack of trying or education... the idea that people aren’t trying hard enough is just not the reality.”

The campaign highlights significant benefits of wage indexing, including:

• Economic Fairness: Ensuring wages provide sufficient means for individuals to afford basic needs like housing, healthcare, and education.
• Stability for Working Families: Protecting families from the pressures of inflation and fostering financial security.
• Racial Equity: Bridging the racial wealth gap by uplifting Black and Latino workers who are disproportionately represented in low-wage jobs.

"When a number is fixed, the value of it decreases over time. The $15 I make today is not the same $15 I made yesterday and it’s not going to be the same $15 I make tomorrow" said Progressive Maryland Leader Ryan Hayes at the press conference. "We invite everyone to join us in this vital endeavor to uplift our community and ensure that every worker receives the compensation and dignity they deserve."

Ryan Hayes, Progressive Maryland leader speaking on the importance of the bill

The bill now moves to a public hearing next month, where residents and advocates will once again push for its passage to ensure economic justice for all workers in the county.

Progressive Maryland is dedicated to advancing the economic well-being of all residents in Prince George’s County. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, the organization strives to build a future where fairness and justice are at the forefront of economic policy.

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Maryland officials are busily leveraging new funds to attack the housing shortage in Baltimore through an "acquire and repurpose" program for the inventory of vacant or abandoned dwellings.  Officials are also planning to forgive debts on parole tabs formerly owed by state inmates, now made illegal by a new law. And they have to be basking in the news that many thousands of Maryland's children have been helped to get more nutritious food through a family grocery program this past summer. All that and more about Maryland, plus (sometimes startling) news from the other 49 states and in areas that affect the entire nation (no news from the Feds, of course; Congress is out for election campaigning after doing about as close to nothing as any session since Harry Truman). It's all in this week's News You Can Use.

Sean Dobson, a political analyst and campaigner as well as a longtime friend of Progressive Maryland, outlines how MAGA-GOP operatives could interfere with, and even overturn, a legitimate Democratic presidential victory. His several scenarios show that the Electoral Count Reform Act, useful as it can be, may still not prevail against operatives determined to put Trump back in office. Attention to swing states, by all large-D and small-d democratic forces, must be paid.

Happy last day of September! As we prepare to enter the fourth quarter of the year, it’s time to focus on finishing 2024 strong. With just a few months left, we’re more motivated than ever to drive meaningful change and build a brighter future for Maryland.

Last Thursday, we held our Annual Gala, and it was an incredible success! The evening was filled with inspiration, powerful conversations, and a shared sense of community. Nina Turner delivered a stirring keynote speech, reminding us of what’s at stake in this election and the importance of defending our democracy. If you missed her speech or want to relive the moment, you can watch it here. A huge thank you to all who joined us and to our sponsors, artists, and volunteers who made the night possible. We recognized some of Progressive Maryland’s outstanding volunteer leaders who helped to lead our healthcare, environmental, and housing justice work and who donate their time and expertise to our communications team and organizing staff. Check out our PM Events section later in the memo for the full list of awardees.

As we look ahead, we have just 36 days left until the election, 24 days until early voting begins, and absentee voting is already underway. Now is the time to do everything we can to defend our democracy! One of the most effective ways is by making sure voters have a plan to vote and know what’s at stake, especially in the critical Senate race.

We need your help! Sign up for a phone banking shift this Tuesday or Thursday—we have various times available, and whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, we’ll make sure you’re prepared to get out the word.

Sign up for a phone banking shift here:

Tuesday Phonebanking to Save the Senate

Throwdown Thursdays

We also encourage everyone to tune in to the Vice Presidential Debate tomorrow at 9 PM. It’s an important opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, and we hope you find time to watch.

As always, read on for updates from our task forces, issue campaigns, and the latest in state and national news.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Pretty amazing how a mere national disaster puts state news in the shade. Helene was like that, revving up to Cat4 in the superwarm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and delivering a haymaker up and down the Florida peninsula’s West Coast and into the Panhandle before going on to flood much of the Southeast up to… Virginia!. Florida has a state-backed home insurance plan; how much pressure will this latest disaster put on it, and the insurance industry as a whole?  See below for some early estimates on the total cost of one of climate change’s biggest recent tantrums. As we see below, POLITICO Playbook reported Monday a.m. that President Biden said he "may have to" call Congress back into session to pass emergency disaster funds. Yes, there is other news – also about climate. Maryland finally got around to protecting workers against our ever more superheated summers – now that summer is officially in the rear-view mirror. It’s all News You Can Use.

"Immigrants breathe new life into communities. Our hope, resilience and joy renews faith in what is possible when we live an “American Dream” of solidarity together." Read an account of what the real immigration problem is from Sulma Arias of People's Action. It is not immigrants -- who are keeping our economy vibrant and our culture ever self-enriching. Instead, it is ultra-nationalist demagogues like Trump and Vance, and the lies they use to prop up their failing effort.

Happy fall! With the season just starting, it’s a great reminder that the sprint to Election Day is officially on. Can you believe we’re less than 45 days away? Here in Maryland, absentee voting has already begun as of today, so there's no time to waste. Remember, you don’t need an excuse to request a ballot, but make sure to submit your application by October 29. Your completed ballot must reach state officials by November 5. For all the details you need, including how to get registered, check out our 2024 Voting Tools page.

This week, we’re gearing up for our big Annual Gala this Thursday, September 26, at Yellowfin Restaurant in Edgewater. Don’t miss your chance to join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and connection. Hear from our keynote speaker, Nina Turner, mingle with passionate progressives, and celebrate the strides we’re making to build a better Maryland. Tickets are going fast, but there’s still time to secure yours—grab your ticket here!

There’s plenty to catch up on in this week’s memo, including updates on our issue campaigns, state and national news, and ways to get involved. Let’s keep the momentum going as we head into this critical election season!

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Are we ready to spend $780 million on our school systems statewide? In the next ten days? Maryland school officials assure an inquiring reporter that they can do it before that federal deadline. We can imagine some proposals, from actual teachers. And as we enter October, voting gets under way -- mail voting sooner, early voting a little later, and fussing about the Senate race still under way. Read more about this, plus what's going on (good and bad examples) in other states and at the federal level, including (eeew) Congress. It's all News You Can Use.

We are excited to unveil our Progressive Maryland Swag Shop, a new way to show your commitment to our mission while sporting some fantastic gear. Our shop is designed to let you represent our shared values with pride.

What’s in the Shop? Hoodies, mugs, and tote bags

Your purchase directly supports our work in housing justice, environmental advocacy, healthcare reform, and more. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter!

Let's make a statement together. Visit our Swag Shop today and find the perfect gear to represent our shared values. Let’s continue pushing for the changes we all want to see in Maryland.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your support helps us make a real impact!