Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Tuesday, October 29, 2024
With just one week until Election Day and early voting already underway, we are in the most pivotal phase of our election efforts. Early voting ends this Thursday, October 31st, so now is the time to make your voice heard and influence the decisions that will shape our future.
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Don't breeze past these important ballot measures.
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-  A crucial ballot measure on the table is Question 1, which seeks to safeguard the right to make personal reproductive decisions in Maryland’s Constitution. A YES vote on this question ensures that this fundamental right is protected for generations, regardless of political changes.
- Â For Baltimore City Voters, Question H is an ultra-conservative initiative aimed at reducing the size of our city council, which would diminish the voting power of poor and working-class communities. Vote AGAINST Question H to ensure all voices from all our diverse districts are represented and heard.Â
- For Montgomery County voters, Question A is attempting to put term limits in place for our county executive seat, however, we just set the new term limits in 2018 and it’s working well, so there is no need to change that. The Republicans who lost in the previous election are trying a back-door approach to gain power and we can’t let them! Vote AGAINST Question A.Â
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We have numerous opportunities for you to get involved in helping Get Out The Vote with us, from phonebanking to canvassing and more… Check the full list of our opportunities here or in the Election Section below. Your role is vital in defending our democracy this election.
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Make sure to tune in today at 11 AM EDT for our live radio show on WPFW-FM’s 89.3, your station for jazz and justice. On this edition of Community Watch and Comment, Dave Rabin, along with you, our listeners, will be joined by Professor Matthew Taylor. He is the author of "The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy." This insightful discussion will delve into the implications of Christian nationalism and the significant threat it poses to American democracy.Â
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Stay informed with key updates on our issue campaigns and make sure to read our insightful blog posts, plus more in today’s memo. Together, let's make these final days count! Read on for more news and information about the home stretch.
In Solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team
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Read moreElection fever takes over the landscape; housing and health care costs raise the ante
As we enter the last full week of election frenzy, with the presidential plebiscite scheduled for a week from tomorrow, the persistent issues -- housing, health care, the shrinking inflation factor and robust employment numbers -- are obviously on our minds -- or were, if you were among the nearly 300,000 Maryland voters who hit the early-voting venues last Thursday and Friday (early voting ends this coming Thursday, that is to say Hallowe'en). NBC News reports 44,101,704 mail-in and early in-person votes cast nationally up to this point (Monday morning), which is just a ton. Keep your eyes on the numbers and on how the issues are framed by the candidates as Election Day itself approaches. Clearly, many millions of voters are taking steps to make sure that a bad break or two on Election Day itself doesn't keep their votes off the books. It's all News You Can Use.
Read moreProgressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, October 21, 2024
With just about two weeks left until Election Day and Early Voting starting THIS Thursday, October 24th, we’re entering the most critical phase of our election efforts! There is so much to accomplish in these final days, from defending local and state races to voting on important ballot questions that will shape our future.
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One of the key ballot measures is Question 1, which will protect the right to make personal reproductive decisions in Maryland’s Constitution. A YES vote means ensuring this right is protected for generations to come, no matter who’s in office.
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There’s so much we need to accomplish in these next few days, and we can’t do it without you. From phonebanking to canvassing and everything in between, we have opportunities for everyone to help out. Later in the memo, you’ll find a full list of ways to get involved in our election efforts. There’s a role for you in defending our democracy this election season!
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In other exciting news, don’t forget to mark your calendars for our next live radio show on November 19th at 11 AM on WPFW 89.3 FM! Last week, our Executive Director Larry Stafford Jr. had a great conversation with Janna Parker from Prince George’s Changemakers about their initiatives, including efforts to provide healthy food options for incarcerated people and a basic income pilot program. Watch the full interview here.
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Keep reading for key updates on our issue campaigns and check out our News You Can Use section for important articles on the blog.
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In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team
Growing voices in public spaces in Maryland; plus, concerns about juvenile crime and justice and about Blueprint extension
As the eccentric vibe for this election amplifies, the effects seem to reach from the very top of the ticket to the most local of issues and offices. Early voting begins this Thursday (!) through Oct. 31. Meanwhile the everyday concerns of Marylanders continue: the state's African immigrant community is being heard from commensurate with its growth; concerns about juvenile crime are throwing a critical light on the juvenile justice system and its leader; and extending pre-K services to all the state's 3- and 4-year-olds is raising difficulties that catch the attention of Assembly members before the January session begins. All that plus events in The Other 49 (states) offering good and bad examples, and national/federal issues around the election, housing policy and more. It's News You Can Use. And don't miss the several opinion pieces on the stakes in our Senate race we published today.
Read moreProgressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Tuesday, October 15, 2025
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We're back and ready to hit the ground running because today marks exactly 3 weeks until Election Day and early voting beginning next week.
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While recent polls show Angela Alsobrooks with a slight lead over Hogan, we cannot afford to take any chances. Every call and every connection counts, and our voter outreach efforts are critical to maintaining that momentum. Join us tonight for Tuesday Phone Banking from 6:00-7:30 PM (sign up here), or if that doesn’t fit your schedule, sign up for Throwdown Thursday Phone Banking from 5:00-6:30 PM (sign up here). Every volunteer helps us get closer to a victory for working families and progressive values in Maryland!
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This year’s presidential election comes with an extra-long ballot—everything from local offices to the president. That’s why making a voting plan is so important! Head over to our website to get all the tools you need from registering to vote and viewing a sample ballot for your county to finding your designated polling place.
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There’s a lot to catch up on this week! Read on for ways to get involved in our issue campaigns and stay updated on state and national news.
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In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team
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Read moreNews You Can Use: Hogan's apparent conflicts of interest as Governor shadow his Senate campaign
Maryland's media sleuths are agog at what TIME Magazine found when examining real estate mogul Larry Hogan's votes -- as governor -- for projects in which he had apparent conflicts of interest. We have the roundup here, as well as potential vulnerabilities of the Bay Bridge, an opinion that some judges shouldn't be on the ballot in Maryland, and a slow post-Pandemic recovery of school enrollment in the state. All that plus news about the other 49 states and the federal government. No news about Congress, though; they're on break till after the general election. Should we feel anger or relief?
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Read moreRELEASE: Progressive Maryland Launches Minimum Wage Indexing Campaign in Prince George's County
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.Â
“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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Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Tuesday, October 8, 2024
We had a big day here at Progressive Maryland! Yesterday; our team was in Prince George’s County for the hearing on the minimum wage indexing bill. Before the hearing, we hosted a press conference alongside CASA, DC Metro Council, SEIU, and other labor partners, with co-sponsors Councilmembers Tom Dernoga and Krystal Oriadha speaking in favor of the bill. They urged their colleagues to pass this crucial legislation that ensures wages keep up with inflation and addresses economic fairness and racial equity. You can watch the full press conference here.  The bill is gaining momentum! The committee voted 5-0 in favor of the amendment, and the next step is a public hearing in November, followed by a final Council vote. We were also featured in DC News Now and The Washington Post, so check out the coverage.  Now that we’re less than a month away from Election Day, it’s crucial to reach out to voters and highlight what’s at stake. We’re hosting a phone bank tonight from 6-8:30 PM, and we’d love for you to join us! Sign up here. If you can’t make it, we have another one on Thursday from 5-6:30 PM for Throwdown Thursdays—sign up here.  Our issue campaigns and task forces have so much more to update you on, and there are tons of ways to get involved, so be sure to read on for all the details. Plus, we’ve got some important state and national news for you, so don’t miss out!  In solidarity, |
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