As we round out the month of July, we can't help but marvel at the whirlwind of activities and accomplishments we've had thanks to supporters like you.

We are thrilled to announce that this past week, we were named one of the Top 50 Liberal Political Blogs by Feedspot, a testament to the power of our collective voice and the impact we are making in the digital sphere.

Also, we had a successful launch of our new radio show, The Progress Report on WPFW, hosted by our Executive Director, Larry Stafford. Every Friday, from 5-6 pm, tune in to WPFW 89.3 FM for an hour of entertaining insights, political discussions, and live interviews with Marylanders in the progressive movement. If you can't catch it on air, you can listen live online at the station's website. There's more below in the Memo, including our Gala in September, our organizing focused on Medicare's birthday and Returning Citizens, News You Can Use and access to our past blogs. Read on.

Hot weather is pounding us, our households and our local and national emergency budgets, as we move from record-hot July toward who-knows-how-hot August. So a lot of climate news in the News You Can Use, as well as scams, lobbyists (not the same thing, quite), how to run the state's schools improvement (better check the AC before opening day), what other states are doing we might think about or stay away from, and Congress takes a break with essentially nothing accomplished. It's all here in News You Can Use.

We are thrilled to share that we have been recognized as one of the top 90 liberal blogs by Feedspot and even more excitingly, we have claimed the #47 spot, securing our place among the top 50! This accomplishment would not have been possible without the engagement of each and every one of you.

Feedspot is a renowned platform that curates and ranks content from various websites, blogs, and YouTube channels. Their meticulous evaluation process considers factors like content quality, website traffic, social media influence, and more. It is an honor to be included in this list alongside other influential progressive voices.

We appreciate every one of you who has contributed to making Progressive Maryland a platform that stands out among the rest. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or would like to contribute to the blog, we are eager to hear your thoughts!

Check out the full list of top 90 liberal political blogs.

Happy Monday! We will kick-start the week with some fantastic news: Montgomery County has scored a major victory for housing rights, and we couldn't be more thrilled! Last week, the Montgomery County Council passed the HOME Act by a 7-4 vote. The Home Act's passing means that MoCo tenants will now benefit from rent stabilization measures, offering them much needed relief from the uncertainties of rising housing costs. It brings crucial protections and stability to renters by capping annual rent increases and regulating fees. The HOME Act represents a significant step towards creating a more equitable housing market, protecting tenants from abrupt rent spikes, and fostering a fair and stable living environment for all residents of Montgomery County. As we celebrate this achievement, we are also filled with hope that other counties across the state will follow suit and introduce similar measures to address the pressing issue of rising rent costs. Together, we can create a statewide movement for fair and stable housing, ensuring that all Maryland residents have access to secure and affordable homes.

Plans, plans, plans... the state's climate plans are getting a hurry-up reboot, including the lagging task of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay; the Blueprint for better schools sees likely tweaks from an implementation board; states aroundthe nation see Title I money threatened by the latest GOP House budget, and over 300,000 Maryland families have kids going hungry, that part definitely not planned by anybody but here it is. This and more on the state, national and even international level (German workers taking a lesson from Spain as Europe cooks and burns). It's never ALL the news you need, but we give it all we've got every week.

As we begin this week, we can't ignore the recent developments in Congress that threaten fundamental rights. Last week, the House of Representatives saw Republican leadership seizing the opportunity to advance their agenda through the National Defense Authorization Act. What was once a bipartisan bill became a vessel for restrictive measures on abortion and trans healthcare for our military personnel.

The amendment inserted into the bill aims to limit reproductive freedom for those who serve in our military.

It's crucial to stay informed and engaged with such developments that impact our rights and liberties. At Progressive Maryland, we understand the importance of taking action to protect and advance progressive values. While Congress may be at odds over these issues, we remain committed to pushing forward in our own community.

Advocates for a Maryland site for the new FBI headquarters got a big boost when the criteria for the site were revised, downplaying nearness to the Quantico training ground and emphasizing "cost and social equity" concerns that make Prince George's County a more likely location. News is less tasty about a possible state budget deficit and a definite setback on the Purple Line -- later completion and more cost. And while you may not have been watching, 28,000 Maryland residents were dropped from the Medicaid rolls as the world forgets about the pandemic. Might be some household you know...

Progressive Maryland Launches The 7/10 Black Workers Center to Empower Lower-Income Black Communities and Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Prince George’s County, MD – Progressive Maryland is proud to announce the launch of the groundbreaking 7/10 Black Workers Center. This unique initiative aims to organize and uplift Black workers, with a focus on formerly incarcerated people. The Center will advocate for equitable local economic development policies that prioritize the needs of working-class people over wealthy developers and exploitative corporations.

The 7/10 Black Workers Center will employ an integrated organizing approach that examines  racial oppression and class disparities, while mobilizing justice impacted people as crucial workers that are typically excluded from and exploited by the labor market.

“The launch of the 7/10 Black Workers Center embodies our unwavering commitment to racial and economic justice in Maryland. We’ll ensure that Black workers across the state have access to high quality employment opportunities. This project is about creating thriving communities across the state where people have what they need— money to pay for essentials like housing, daycare, groceries and access to healthcare — and the ability to thrive” said Larry Stafford Jr., Executive Director of Progressive Maryland

Central to the project is the implementation of a pre-apprenticeship program, led in partnership with labor allies and skilled instructors.  The pre-apprenticeship will  equip Black workers with practical skills needed to compete for skilled labor positions  in the construction industry.. The program creates pathways to high-wage union jobs that provide a solid foundation for long-term economic stability. The project also tackles exploitative practices in the low-wage service industry. Progressive Maryland’s 7/10 Worker’s Center aims to build a resilient base among Black workers, fostering a more equitable work environment.

The Worker’s Center will engage in participatory research and conduct in-depth studies of Maryland's Black communities to identify the specific interests and needs of Black workers. The goal is to enable strategic actions that positively change lives and lead to healthier, more prosperous communities. 

This week, we are thrilled to announce the launch of several exciting programs aimed at creating positive change in our communities so now is the perfect time to get involved! You'll find a wealth of opportunities to contribute and make your voice heard. Whether you're passionate about reentry work, healthcare reform or environmental sustainability, we have initiatives and campaigns that need your support.

So, keep reading to discover how you can actively participate and make an impact.

Let's harness this momentum and join forces to create lasting change.

In Maryland, energy and environment news stands out; around the states, there is occasional sane behavior among the tales of Red-State lunacy (sue a big-box store for selling popular Pride merch?). And Congress is back with much to do and a short schedule to fritter away before blind panic actually brings low-information votes. But you knew that. Still, we have details that might be helpful.