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!

Yesterday marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through October 15th. It’s a time to celebrate the rich contributions of Hispanic communities to our country, but also to reflect on the challenges they continue to face. Here at Progressive Maryland, we are committed to fighting for the rights of all people, including Hispanic communities. This November, the stakes are high, with right-wing politicians making it clear they’re targeting Hispanic communities with harmful policies. That’s why we need to ensure that everyone we know gets out to vote this election.

We’re also just 10 days away from our Annual Gala on September 26th, and tickets are selling fast! We’d love to see you there for a night of inspiration, networking, and progress. Special shoutout to our amazing sponsors: 1199 SEIU, People's Action, the Montgomery County Education Association, the Maryland National Organization for Women and the Office of Councilmember Will Jawando. You can buy your tickets here and join us for this unforgettable event.

In other news, our Executive Director Larry Stafford Jr. will be speaking with Jamilla Woods on WPFW 89.3 FM about the recent state budget cuts and how they will impact funding for child care and Medicaid. Listen live here or tune in directly to WPFW 89.3 FM on Tuesday, September 17 at 11am to catch the conversation. You can also access the show after it airs here.

There are plenty of ways to get involved with us here at Progressive Maryland. Read on for more on upcoming events, opportunities, and important state and national news

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

How to improve the Chesapeake Bay (and the complex forces, human, social and natural, involved) ties in with events like the Curtis Bay coal dust problem, enviro solutions like more bike-and-walk ways to get to work, the sudden closing of Atlantic Beaches, and on the political front big-time worries among state elections officials about whether the USPS mail system is being strangled (and mail voting endangered) by USPS's cost-obsessed (and Trump-appointed) Postmaster General. Ben Franklin, he ain't...

Reposted from Maryland Matters by Josh Kurtz

Strange(ish) bedfellows: Progressive Md. runs aggressive Alsobrooks field campaign

Group’s leaders have been at odds with Prince George’s executive in the past

A year ago, the annual dinner of the group Progressive Maryland turned into an impromptu pep rally for U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th), who was the keynote speaker. Raskin had already said he wasn’t going to run for Senate in 2024, but many of the activists at the dinner tried to persuade him to change his mind, with chants of “Run, Jamie, Run!”

It didn’t work, of course.

A year later, Progressive Maryland is devoting most of its resources this fall to electing Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) to the Senate seat that Raskin declined to run for. The group has budgeted about $500,000 for the effort to defeat former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and expects its volunteers and field organizers to hit between 100,000 and 200,000 voters’ doors before Election Day.

Happy Monday! We’re in the final stretch of the election season and we know your inbox and phone have been buzzing with messages, ads, and reminders, but that’s because the stakes are high. With less than two months to go, this is the most crucial time to make sure you're ready to cast your vote.

Early voting starts on October 24, 2024, and now’s the time to lock in your voting plan. Head to our website where you can register to vote, find your polling place, and even preview your exact ballot so you know what’s coming.'

There’s a lot going on here at Progressive Maryland as we ramp up our efforts. Keep reading for updates on key state and national news, plus plenty of ways to get involved in these final weeks!

Let’s get ready to win this!

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

The side issues in Maryland's hotly contested Senate election are not only taxes and regulatory issues but they are Maryland tax and regulatory issues as well. The Senate race is spiced by attacks on Gov. Wes Moore's handling of such issues by his predecessor, generally an attack on Democratic governance meant to sideswipe Larry Hogan's opponent in the Senate race, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Moore is retaliating quite directly. Read about these and other state issues as well as the political back-n-forth in the Other 49 (states) and the Federal landscape as Congress returns and a government shutdown looks more likely. It's News You Can Use for this week, as usual a mixed bag.