Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, June 3, 2024

Happy Pride Month! June is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle and incredible resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a time to honor those who have bravely fought for their rights, often at great personal cost, and to recognize the work still ahead of us. The fight for equality is far from over, and it’s up to all of us to stand in solidarity and continue pushing for justice.

This month, we will be highlighting a range of Pride events happening across Maryland in our weekly memos. Be sure to check out this section and join us in supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.

If you attended Annapolis Pride this weekend, you may have seen Larry Hogan there and joined in the boos he received. After years of doing nothing for the rights of  LGBTQ Marylanders when he was Governor, even in the wake of Republican led attacks on trans youth, he thinks he can just wave a pride flag now and get elected to represent us in the U.S. Senate.

Read on for important updates from our issue campaigns and task forces.

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

 
 
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Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Tuesday, May 28, 2024

memo_logo.pngMay is Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial time for us to focus on the importance of mental well-being. This month is dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues, advocating for mental health policies, and supporting those who struggle in silence. Let's take this opportunity to educate ourselves and our community, fostering an environment where mental health is openly discussed and prioritized.

 

Read on for exciting updates on our task force initiatives and issue campaigns.

 

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team



 

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Costs go up and costs go down in dizzying fashion and for various reasons. It's enough to make you pay attention

News_You_Can_Use_graphic_(2).pngCosts of living -- can't keep track of them. Just when you are feeling good about a just-signed state law protecting against excessive electricity costs, a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision raises the ante (and the costs) for our region. We've all been waiting for prices to go down along with inflation, but somehow the big merchants didn't catch on. Why should they when they can reap extra profits and hope nobody notices? Well, surprise, big merchants are losing market share as consumers catch on. Now the prices are coming down. Good work, savvy consumers. Plus: we don't want to compare Maryland's teachers and the coveted rockfish, or striped bass -- but both are in short supply and measures are being taken, or at least proposed, to remedy that. And signs of recovery from the Key Bridge disaster are showing up, one by one. There's more, too, from states and cities around the US, and national trends (why are we setting records for how long we keep our cars?) It's all News You Can Use.



 

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Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, May 20, 2024

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We are proud to announce that 6 out of our 7 endorsed candidates have successfully made it through the primary and will be on the ballot in November. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our community and supporters.

 

In Baltimore, we are proud to support:

  • Brandon Scott, who won the primary for Mayor of Baltimore.
  • Mark Parker, who will advance in the City Council race for District 12.
  • Paris Gray, moving forward in the City Council race for District 7.
  • Jermaine Jones, advancing in the City Council race for District 8.

In Prince George's County, we celebrate:

  • Tiffany Andorful, who won the primary for School Board candidate in District 1.
  • Phelton Moss, advancing for School Board District 7.
  • Zakyia Goins-McCants, moving forward for School Board District 8.

We also want to extend a big thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our post-primary discussion. Your insights and enthusiasm were invaluable, and we look forward to working together as we prepare for the election in November.

 

In this week’s memo, we have exciting updates on our task force initiatives and issue campaigns. Read on to learn about the strides we’re making together and how you can get involved in our efforts.

 

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

 

 

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Well, what did you expect? News You Can Use is not generally fluffy

NUCU_logo_new.pngHere in Maryland, the container ship Dali has been refloated and moved from its blocking position in the ship channel in Baltimore, raising hopes that near-normal shipping traffic can be envisioned as debris from the Key Bridge is removed or pushed aside. Video is offered, below. Meanwhile, the gaudy low unemployment numbers here bring a Maryland labor shortage that is now strapping public jobs including law enforcement. The state is showing up badly on inspection of nursing homes and getting a slow start on replanting trees in our treeless urban spaces. Plus news from other states facing and dealing with problems similar to ours, and People's Action's weekly report on the nonperformance of the US legislative branch.

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Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, May 13, 2024

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Tomorrow is the Primary Election! For those who've already voted, thank you for taking an active role in shaping our community's trajectory. But for those who haven't yet, now's the time to plan your trip to the polls. Let's make sure every voice is counted.

 

Our endorsed candidates still need your support. If you have some time to spare, we're looking for volunteers to assist at the polls tomorrow. Whether you can commit for a few hours or the whole day, every bit of help makes a difference. Sign up below!

 

District 1- Tiffini Andorful                    District 5- Iyamide House

Website/ Volunteer Link                     Website/ Volunteer LInk  

 

 

             District 7 Phelton Moss                       District 8- Zakyia Goins-Mccants

Website/ Volunteer LInk                      Website/ Volunteer LInk

 

 

And for those seeking answers to common voting questions or needing assistance, don't forget to check out our election section.  

 

Read on for updates from our task forces and issue campaigns, as well as State and National News.

 

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

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News You Can Use about Maryland and elsewhere

NUCU_logo_new.pngThis pudding has no theme this week. More states are suing fossil fuel companies for climate change effects; Maryland is getting high marks on LGBTQ+ and data privacy protection; reaching for climate goals here and elsewhere keeps getting more complicated; and the tense standoff between Israel and its number one arms supplier (that would be US) gets tenser. More going on than you might imagine, so dig in.



 

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Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, May 6, 2024

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Happy Monday, everyone! In May we acknowledge the significance of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This month provides us with a valuable opportunity to honor the contributions and rich cultural heritage of the AAPI community while also recognizing the challenges they continue to face. Be sure to check out events celebrating AAPI Heritage Month here.

 

With the primary election just around the corner on Tuesday, May 14th, and early voting already underway until this Thursday, now is the time to make your voice heard. For more ways to get involved and essential polling and early voting information, be sure to check out our election section. 

 

And don't miss out on our final Throwdown Thursday this week. Join us for just one hour of phone banking, where every call made brings us closer to electing progressive champions who reflect our values and aspirations. Click here to sign up.

 

Read on for updates from our task forces and issue campaigns, as well as State and National News.

 

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team



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Early Voting under way in state primary; life otherwise normal barring glaring exceptions we note below

NUCU_logo_new.pngEarly Voting is under way throughout Maryland this week, ending Thursday, May 9 in  advance of the Tuesday, May 14 Primary Election Day -- so you have lots of chances to cast your ballot in what is turning out to be a high-tension primary. Other news includes serious problems in the state's child care system, which is hampered by its private status, as well as a deep-dive roundup of the number of agencies charged with taking a hard look at how the Key Bridge fell and what to do about it. Plus news from other states that have similar problems to Maryland's and what they are doing about them, for better or worse, and perspectives on what's happening in the branches of the federal government (get your popcorn ready). It's all News You Can Use.



 

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