People's Action's Sondra Youdelman walks us through the march by PA convention activists through the institutions that are holding communities back -- the financiers of fossil fuel, the associations of landlords, the profiteers on the under-regulated private health-insurance racket, and to Capitol Hill where many members of Congress keep their jobs by gratefully accepting big campaign donations from those same oppressors -- screened from view by various dark-money devices embedded into law by those same members of Congress.

The participants at the PA convention took this tour through the same self-reproducing cycle of power that feeds on communities around the nation to show how close-knit all this criminality has become. Sondra helps us follow the path that power takes. We know better, now, how to stop it.

As we near the end of June, we hope you're enjoying the summer and finding ways to stay engaged in our collective efforts.This is an abbreviated version of the memo because Progressive Maryland staff is away at the inspiring People's Action Convention, connecting with like-minded changemakers from across the nation. Stay tuned for an exciting update in our next memo, where we'll share the empowering insights and actions from the convention.

Meanwhile, we want to ensure you stay engaged and empowered. Check out below for some brief updates, state news and opportunities to make a difference!  In our next memo, we'll provide multiple avenues for you to get involved and make a difference. From local campaigns and community initiatives to impactful advocacy efforts, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to contribute your voice, skills, and passion.

Thank you for being a part of the Progressive Maryland movement!

Here’s an invite to the broadcast of the People’s Action Organizing Revival, starting Sunday evening and live, from, Arlington Va. https://www.crowdcast.io/c/convention/register/ Progressive Maryland members and volunteers will be on hand. In honor of the People’s Action event (which will preoccupy PM folks early in the week) we’d send out News You Can Use a little early, along with the Memo.

We hope you all had a joyous Juneteenth weekend, celebrating the resilience, liberation, and unity of our Black communities. Tomorrow marks the official start of summer—a season filled with endless possibilities and opportunities for change.

Today, on World Refugee Day, we stand in solidarity with those who have sought refuge and survived unimaginable hardships. It is a reminder of our shared responsibility to uplift the voices of the marginalized and build a more inclusive society. This summer, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating welcoming spaces for all, fostering inclusivity, and amplifying the voices of those seeking refuge.

Additionally, as Pride Month draws to a close, let us continue to celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ community. Be sure to explore our Pride Events section to catch the final events and festivities of the month, as we stand together in solidarity and recognition of love, acceptance, and equality for all.

This summer, we encourage you to get involved and make a difference. Let's harness the energy of the season and channel it into transformative action.

Read on for more updates, events, state news and opportunities to make a difference!

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After the third official federal holiday for Juneteenth, where does America stand? Where does Maryland stand? Here are some snapshots in News You Can Use. Inequality in the US persists and may even be growing -- across classes and ethnicities. It reflects itself in data on incomes, on health care, on education and on housing affordability. And there's, as always, a gap within the gap. More on that below, in News You Can Use.

The simple act of eating caused Carly Morton unbearable pain. When your doctor says a medical procedure can save your life, but your private insurance refuses to pay, where do you turn?

Health insurance companies like Morton’s, UnitedHealthcare (UHC), know the odds are in their favor when they deny care. Insurers don’t reveal how many claims they refuse to pay, but we know they reject a quarter of a billion claims every year from plans offered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Since ACA plans cover less than 5% of the U.S. population, the total number of denials is likely many times higher.

Here is the story of how many insurors break their promises to the insured with a playbook of weasel loopholes. And how People's Action's Care Over Cost campaign made a difference

As we find ourselves halfway through the month of June, it's a time of reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to our shared values. With Juneteenth just around the corner and Pride events in full swing, we have important milestones to honor and opportunities to come together in solidarity.

In the spirit of celebration and solidarity, we are thrilled to announce that more Pride events have been added to our Pride Events section. These events serve as reminders of the vibrant and resilient spirit within our community, as we come together to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. However, amidst this joyous occasion, it is crucial to acknowledge the urgent state of emergency facing the LGBTQ+ community, as highlighted by the recent Human Rights Campaign report. The report sheds light on the alarming increase in hate crimes, discriminatory policies, and violence targeting LGBTQ+ individuals across the country. It serves as a poignant reminder that while Pride events celebrate progress, they also stand as a testament to the ongoing need for activism and advocacy to protect and advance the rights of all LGBTQ+ individuals.

Health remains on our minds even as we continue venturing out post-COVID, and some underreported progress is heartening. States are cleaning up as their legislatures have mostly sine die'd for summer (the US House shows multiple fractures and went home midweek to calm down, not rest on their laurels). Maryland continues to stay in the hunt for the new FBI headquarters despite cranky responses from the Bureau. So what else is new?... it's all progressive News You Can Use.

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of Maryland politics, it's essential to stay grounded and keep our focus on the real issues that matter to us and our communities.

This week, we want to remind you of the importance of community organizing. It is through our grassroots efforts that we can make a lasting impact on the issues we care about. By coming together, we have the power to create meaningful change that reverberates far beyond the confines of our state. Read on for updates on our ongoing advocacy efforts, ways to get involved and news you can use. Additionally, we encourage you to explore the vibrant pride events happening across Maryland, as we continue to celebrate and uplift our LGBTQ+ community. .

Debt Limit Fiasco Dodged is the headline, so we can move back into ordinary news about Maryland, states and the country that was on hold while holding our breath for a debt deal. Maryland faces a tax increase on gas at the pump for converging reasons, while traffic gurus have varied solutions and profiteering power companies are warned that the new Gov has put easy corporate profits at risk. There's more, too, about those ordinary non-apocalypic worries like textbook censorship, combating hate crimes, those dodgy URLs on our license plates and protecting medical abortion. You'd be surprised what we are worrying about now that we can start worrying about those things again without that debt limit hanging over our media-stuffed heads. It's News You Can Use.