There have been a few shakeups in Maryland after (and maybe as a result of) the stunning results of the Midterm elections. Maryland remains ho-hum Blue but new members of the Moore administration (and a departure or two) plus changes in legislative leadership show how the vibe shift has also shifted the terrain underfoot, even here.

The newly empowered Congress, with Democratic leadership in both houses, will tilt anew against Trump and his new chief of staff, the cruelty maestro Stephen Miller. No peace pipes will be passed, at least not for a while, after the new Congress is seated in January. But levels of leverage, without question, have shifted along with the vibe.

Trump and his minions have done an amazing amount of harm, and reversing that will be a heavy lift. Because a good deal of the harm created might have been done illegally or (same thing) unconstitutionally, the urge to investigate will be overwhelming. It would be useful, however, to lower the immediate apparent temperature and sidestep the inevitable showboating among electeds. Congresspersons and Senators come and go, but good staff is a constant that can explore and tie up in a bow the perfidies of Trump, his family and his crony cabinet members.

The flood of new Dem electeds will have plenty to do learning to collaboratively govern -- even within the potentially fractious Dem caucuses, let alone with (well, maybe a few) newly chastened and enlightened GOP members. The example of Rep. Bennie Thompson's calm and measured leadership of the special House committee on the Jan. 6 riots is the model to look for now -- deep staff work and -- wait for it -- impact without showboating. Revenge, the dish "best served cold," will be even sweeter that way.  

After months of coalition building, voter outreach, and grassroots organizing, PMD celebrates major election victories and the strength of Maryland's progressive movement

Maryland – Progressive Maryland is celebrating major victories following Election Day, including the passage of Constitutional Amendment Question 3 and the election of endorsed candidate Karl Bickel as Frederick County Sheriff, defeating longtime incumbent Chuck Jenkins.

These victories reflect months of organizing, coalition building, and voter mobilization to protect democratic representation, strengthen communities, and elect leaders accountable to the people they serve.

The Memo will be posted here after the email version has been sent.

The determined redistricting effort by Maryland Dems runs into lots of pushback from its target -- dissident voters in Western Maryland and on the Eastern shore. Passage or failure, many say, may depend on how understandable the ballot language turns out to be for most voters. In other, more competitive states, the races are actually exciting. 

Maryland news, even a week prior to the midterm election, is about how school reform is going (slowly, but with better attendance), and how hard it can be for the state government to explain (abnd account for) all the ways it spends money. More broadly, states are ginning up regulations on AI as the Trump administration takes a pass on regulation; more women run for state legislatures than ever before in US history, and (Trump again) the GOP Congress declines to enforce its own rules against executive overreach.

Does it all sound familiar? Alas, yes. Life might be different next year as a result of what happens next Tuesday; we'll see. Meantime we'll just continue to keep our eyes out for News You Can Use.

If you think we are missing important news, you should let the writer know, or write your own blog post and submit it. 

National-type news abounds with a Maryland imprint -- college sexual assault prevention, managing ICE depredations in the state, auto and cycle accident frequencies diverge, struggles over the cost of power -- and all as elections approach. The plebiscites in Maryland are likely to be boring, but there are some states where real alertness will be required as state officials try to cut the number of eligible voters. Also: cheap plug-in solar OKed in more states and an upbeat report on Chesapeake Bay health. Nevertheless, here and in most every state,  we find tussles about data centers, called "the biggest financial bet in US history." It's News You Can Use.

Remember that early voting in Maryland starts this Thursday, Oct. 22. Friends don't let friends stay home when it's time to lift every voice.

Author: Giacomo Bologna

Climate Defiance and Progressive Maryland members challenged utility executives and state regulators over soaring energy bills, corporate profits, and the growing burden of energy infrastructure costs on working families.

HYATTSVILLE, MD — Marylanders with Progressive Maryland's Affordable Energy Now campaign disrupted a panel at the Maryland Clean Energy Conference Tuesday morning, directly confronting Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) CEO and President Tamla Olivier and Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) Commissioner Odogwu Obi Linton over BGE's proposed $156 million electric rate increase. As utility executives and regulators discussed the future of energy inside, advocates rallied outside to demand an end to rate hikes, greater corporate accountability, and a regulatory system that puts Maryland ratepayers ahead of utility profits.