We’ve entered July, and in Maryland, that means change. Hundreds of new laws passed during this year’s legislative session just went into effect, including a sweeping 200-page budget bill that raises over $2 billion to help close the state’s deficit. But many Marylanders will feel the impact through new and increased taxes, including higher rates on IT services, cannabis, mobile sports betting, and vehicle inspections.

At the same time, Trump and the GOP just tore a hole in our safety net. Last week, House Republicans passed a brutal federal budget bill that guts Medicaid and abandons millions of families. Maryland Rep. Andy Harris voted yes on the bill, choosing to back billionaires and Trump’s agenda instead of protecting his constituents. Click here to view our full statement.

We want to thank all of you who took action alongside our healthcare team — emailing, calling, and showing up at protests. We didn’t stop this bill, but our resistance mattered. It showed the strength of our movement and the urgency of flipping seats in 2026.

But July isn’t just about defending against bad policy. It’s also a time to celebrate progress. This Wednesday is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, a reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and workplace equity. And on Thursday, we celebrate the second anniversary of our Black Workers Center. What began two years ago as a bold idea has grown into a vital hub where returning residents and Black workers can access job training, receive information on expunging records, and build strong futures for themselves and their families.

Read on for important updates, ways to take action, and key state and national news.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• PM Events
• Campaign Updates
• Local Chapter Updates
• PM Careers
• State & National News

PM EVENTS:

No Cash for Trash Victory Party — Celebrate a Major Win for Environmental Justice!

We’re inviting everyone to come out on Saturday, July 26, from 1–4 PM at Port Covington Marina as we celebrate a huge victory — ending subsidies for trash incineration in Maryland. This is a win for clean air, environmental justice, and the people of South Baltimore.

There’ll be food, music, community, and good vibes as we honor the leaders who made it possible and share what’s next in the fight for a healthier future.

 RSVP here to join the celebration.

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: 

Healthcare Task Force: 

Deadly Federal Budget Bill Passes but The Fight for Our Health Care Goes On!

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, told his colleagues to vote for a bill that contains the biggest cuts ever to Medicaid and unleashes a massive presence of unaccountable ICE agents  in our communities. As a result, everyday people will die, struggle and suffer, and the big winners in the bill, billionaires, wealthy investors, and mega corporations  will get even richer. Mitch knew these consequences but he tossed them off, telling them to go ahead because you know,  “people will get over it.” 

We will never, ever get over it! Let’s make sure these Members of Congress don’t either.

Start by sending Rep. Andy Harris who represents Congressional District 01 and voted yes, an email.  Close to 31,000 people in his district will lose healthcare; the cuts put hospitals and nursing homes there at risk. Click here to send your message now.

We’ve got a summer of outreach and organizing planned to educate Marylanders about the impact of the budget, to generate support for  Medicare For All, and to hear about their concerns. Join us!

• Door knock, make phone calls, or help out at community events. Sign up here (no experience necessary) 
• Come to the national virtual meeting for a debrief on the bill and our next steps : Register: https://ppls.ac/budgetnextmoves 
• Hold the date: Saturday, July 26th,  10:00 -12:15 Community Event in Congressional District 1. Update coming soon. 

For any questions or requests please contact Patty at [email protected].

Local Chapter Updates:

Shore Progress: Join Us for a Community Clean-Up

This Saturday, July 12, Shore Progress is teaming up with Wicomico Clean and Green SBY for a volunteer clean-up near the Salisbury City Boat Ramp. Help us protect our waterways and beautify the Shore. We’ll provide gloves, litter grabbers, and trash bags — just bring your energy (and waders if you're going into the river).

Sign up here to lend a hand.

News You Can Use: Trump signs Big Ugly Bill; states brace for impact

The bill that Trump signed on July 4 is a beast from the pit and will dump extra requirements on state and local governments -- unless they, too, give in, hang their heads and let low-income workers fend completely for themselves. Some will do that; we feature here some who are not. Maryland is making its own moves, other states are also looking for ways to avoid housing market collapse, nutritional and health-care deficits and other human-rights abuses in many locations. The carnage in Texas floods, in which the National Weather Service's huge DOGE staff cuts may have contributed to lack of warning and preparedness, just amounts to the most jarring examples of what the cuts in this bill will do in order to fatten the tax benefits that the rich can send their platoons of lawyers out to reap. We hope this blog post will illustrate both the worst consequences and the most inventive responses of local governments and outraged working people to this devastating Trump assault. It is important now, as noted below, not to be fooled by the GOP timeline that puts off the worst damage until after the 2026 elections. The congressional jellyfish who knuckled under to Trump and voted for this casino-carnival of inequality have got to start paying the price today, and every day. Gear up.

PM Careers

Director of Development

Community Organizer

Progressive Maryland BlogSpace:

We value creating space for our members to express their thoughts on any issues related to our campaigns. Have an idea for a blog post? You can submit writing, film, graphic design, etc. to be published on our website to the blog moderator Woody.

• NEW TODAY -- News You Can Use: Trump signs Big Ugly Bill; states brace for impact
• House Republicans Pass Deadly Budget Bill That Guts Medicaid and Abandons Maryland Families
• News You Can Use: Congress vs. American People, Round No. -- Well, We've Lost Track
• News You Can Use: Everyday hassles predominate, even in (sorta) wartime
  

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org