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

What’s happening in Los Angeles is appalling. This abuse of power can occur anywhere, and in many ways, it is already pervasive.

This past weekend, we watched as community members in L.A. were abducted, detained without due process, and brutalized for demanding justice and safety. The deployment of the National Guard against residents is a violent escalation meant to silence dissent and sow fear. These tactics are authoritarian and fundamentally unconstitutional.

Resistance on the ground to excessive and terroristic behavior by ICE troopers trying to meet their quotas in Los Angeles has hit a peak even as much of the city is quiet, the Mayor says. Trump is enjoying the perceived opening to send the military against US citizens. It's like a prologue to the planned military-style victory parade for DJT's birthday this Saturday, bringing lots of signs of additional resistance locally. Here in Maryland, new methods of (hopefully harmless) penny-pinching could ease the strain on the state's coffers even as the bond rating has diminished (cut by only one of the three rating agencies). So life here stays interesting but the Trump rampages are directed elsewhere. For now.

Our priority legislation – wins and losses

Before each legislative session, Progressive Maryland members, leaders, and staff come together to identify priorities, draft legislation, and develop strategies to move bills through the state legislature. Going into this year, our focus was once again centered on environmental, housing, and healthcare justice. In general, we had mixed results- there were some setbacks and some advances. Here’s our summary:

At 17, I joined the U.S. Air Force driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact. I quickly realized that my passions did not lie in national defense, but in the defense of the planet we all share. As I transitioned out of the military, I began working to understand the links between environmental degradation and social injustice. Since then, I’ve channeled that energy into organizing. Working with Progressive Maryland’s Environmental Justice Task Force, as well as reviving the Baltimore hub of the Sunrise Movement, I have been fighting for meaningful climate action in my community. Living in Hampden, I stay closely attuned to how our local government supports (or fails to support) environmental action. So when I saw this year’s city budget proposal, I was deeply disappointed by the lack of investment in zero-waste initiatives, like composting and recycling. This is especially frustrating given that the Department of Public Works' 10-year solid waste management plan advocates for diverting 90% of our waste from incineration and landfills. Yet meaningful investments toward alternative disposal methods remain to be seen. 

June marks the beginning of Pride Month, a time to celebrate the courage, creativity, and history of the LGBTQ+ community, and to recommit ourselves to the fight for equality. Pride is more than a celebration. It’s a reminder of the ongoing struggle for dignity and safety, and a testament to the resilience of a community that has always shown up, spoken out, and refused to be erased. We honor that legacy, and we stand in full solidarity, not just this month but always.

Throughout June, we’ll be highlighting Pride events happening across the state in a special section of this memo. Be sure to check it out each week to find local celebrations and ways to show your support.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already halfway through the year and it feels like time is flying. So much has unfolded across the country, and here in Maryland, we’ve been playing both defense and offense in the fight for justice. Whether it’s protecting our communities from harmful federal rollbacks or laying the groundwork for bold state-level wins, our team is working every day to advance a progressive vision on every front.

Read on for important updates from our issue campaigns, ways to get involved,  plus key news from Maryland and around the country.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

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These "states fight back against Trumpworld" headlines are starting to get old, sure, but that's what's actually happening. Zone floods, states turn on the pumps. Again. Just like last week.

We start in Maryland, where sanctuary questions roil some jurisdictions, farmers report worries about future supply but no significant harm from Trump tariffs -- yet -- lots of talk about Gov. Moore running in the 2028 presidential, to which he says "no" and argues for focus on "now," and a first set of new laws kicks in as of June 1. In other states, big worries about impact of House spending bill cuts on low-income folks (including in Red states) and business lobbies complicate already-endangered state incentives for cooler buildings. And then there's Congress, where the GOP majority kissing the Trump, er, ring is showing some fractures, again Red-state Senators worried about Medicaid shortfalls. It's News You Can use for the beginning of a long, hot summer...

This moment needs all of us  As Trump and the GOP slash healthcare and veterans services, we’re organizing to protect our communities.

The right is already on the move. We need to be, too.

In memory of those we’ve lost, we’re defending those still here.

Yesterday was Memorial Day, a time to honor those who gave their lives in service to this country and to reflect on our responsibility to care for the people who’ve worn the uniform. Yet even as we remember the fallen, Trump and Musk’s plans to gut the VA threaten the wellbeing of those still with us, delivering longer waits, delayed appointments, and reduced care for the very people our nation owes a lasting debt.

And this is only one piece of a broader attack on working people. House Republicans recently passed a far from beautiful budget bill with nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, making it the largest rollback in both programs’ histories. If enacted, these cuts could leave 14 million people without health coverage and 3 million households without food assistance. Add in reduced student loan benefits and other slashes to the safety net, and it’s clear: the GOP is doubling down on cruelty.

Last week, we held an informal debrief on Discord to reflect on the legislative session and the fights that still lie ahead. Our progressive priorities remain under threat and with the 2026 election cycle already on the horizon, we need to organize now, not later.

We’re fighting back. Our organizers are working across the state to protect what matters, defending our communities from harmful policies and pushing for a better future. Keep reading for ways to take action and important state and national news.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

With Congress having gone home leaving the wrecking ball of the Big Beautiful Bill (really, that's its name) behind for the Senate to tackle when it returns next week, our entertainment comes from Trump's social media posts showing lots of choler but no knowledge of his prickly problems: Russia/Ukraine; Israel/Gaza and the Middle East (source of free planes), South Africa and its ambushed president ("I wish I had a plane to give you") and the prospect that no national leaders will want to visit Trump anymore. Everything appears to be on hold until Congress returns, at which point the real fireworks are likely to smoke up the sky.

It’s that time of year. The Governor is making his final decisions on which bills will become law and which ones will get vetoed. And yes, some of the bills we supported are already on the chopping block.

Just last week, the Governor vetoed the RENEW Act, one of our key environmental bills. While the version that passed was scaled back from what we originally pushed for — a bold $9 billion fee on the top fossil fuel polluters — it still laid critical groundwork for future climate action. We also saw the veto of the reparations bill championed by our allies at the NAACP.

Tomorrow is the final scheduled day for bill signings, and we’re excited to share that the Governor’s list includes our long-fought environmental justice win to end subsidies for trash incineration, along with several of our priority healthcare bills. Sign up here to join us at the bill signing tomorrow at 12pm in Annapolis to celebrate these becoming official. 

Curious about what really went down this legislative session? Join us for our Legislative Debrief this Wednesday, May 21 at 6pm on Discord. It’s an informal 30–45 minute discussion where we’ll break down behind-the-scenes moments, highlight major takeaways, and open up space for you to share your thoughts and reflections.

There’s lots more inside this week’s memo, including updates from our issue campaigns, key ways to get involved, and state and national news you won’t want to miss.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team