Money Doesn't Talk, It Screams as MD fights budget woes and incoming TrumpWorld forces promise less than no help
Money is on everyone's mind in the Maryland power structure after Gov. Moore's appearance at the Maryland Association of Counties' winter conference this past weekend. He did not bring good news about the state budget, and that was gloom-inducing among the counties that, to various extents, depend on state aid -- especially for schools. The companion story about implementing the state's ambitious Blueprint for school improvement is, as the reader might expect, also endangered. And news on the state's climate goals is not good either, as an administration that does not see climate change as a problem prepares to take charge in D.C. We wish that there were less depressing news cascading down during the holiday season, for sure, but that what we've got to offer. Marylanders, we note with hope, are good at finding their own good cheer -- we're counting on that. Twenty Twenty-Five will be an interesting year and one in which organized fight-back may be on the agenda. Enjoy your holidays but count yourselves all.in.for.2025.
Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, December 9, 2024
As we step into a new week, weâre all feeling the busyness and chaos of the seasonâespecially after the whirlwind of the election and the critical issues dominating the news. Amid the noise, we hope our weekly memo helps ground you, keeping you connected to the work weâre doing together for a better Maryland. Â At Progressive Maryland, weâre getting amped up to finish the year strong and kick off 2025 with bold initiatives for the legislative session. A key part of this is growing the movement with passionate, visionary leaders who will rise to the challenge of fighting for our communities. Thatâs why weâre excited to announce that applications for the Maryland Peopleâs Leadership Institute (MPLI) will open soon. MPLI is about empowering everyday people with the courage and heart to lead. Do you know someone whoâs ready to make a difference? Nominate them nowâwe need leaders rooted in the power of the people. Â And donât miss our last event of the year, âMaking Meaningâ, happening virtually on December 16th. Check out the PM events section below for details, along with important updates from our issue campaigns, taskforces, and ways to get involved. Plus, weâve got key state and national news to keep you informed. Â In solidarity, The Progressive Maryland Team |
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Read moreNews You Can Use: Still More State and Local Action to Keep TrumpWorld at Bay
How Trump managed to act like the president when he is more than a month from being inaugurated is a puzzlement but reflects his particular talent for the spectacle, patched together from reality shows and Hitler-like rally scenes. As he piles up a collection of rich butt-kissers to populate his entourage -- er, administration -- more of the rest of us are calculating how far to burrow in to avoid his first swings at his imagined Deep State. We hope we can stop writing headlines like this one eventually, but alas not yet.
In Maryland, as you will see in the Memo, Progressive Maryland and allied groups are mounting their own campaigns to enable our working families to shake off the worst of the Marmalade Man. We are lucky in Maryland but have to watch our step with an economy well supported by about 150,000 federal employees. They are all watching their backs and we need to help them; a well-managed combination of policy and governance depends on them and, soon, may be even more the difference between bad and worse for all of us.
Read moreProgressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, December 2, 2024
Happy Monday! We hope you had a restful and rejuvenating holiday break. As we jump back into the work ahead, we want to take a moment to recognize that tomorrow is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. At Progressive Maryland, we are committed to recognizing the intersectionality of the issues faced by people with disabilities and fighting for the rights of all. Whether itâs in the events we plan or the campaigns we lead, we strive to ensure our disability community is always included and uplifted.
Itâs hard to believe, but weâre now at the start of December. While the year is winding down, things are still in full swing here at Progressive Maryland! In this weekâs memo, weâve got details on upcoming events, fun ways to stay engaged (including a game!), and important updates you wonât want to miss.
Weâre excited to finish the year strong with you and look forward to continuing to reach our shared goals. Letâs make these last weeks of the year count!
In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team
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Read moreNews You Can Use -- Maryland and other Blue states ramp up defenses against TrumpWorld
As the once and future Prez assembles his gang of miscreants and oligarchs, Red states are wallowing in the possibilities while Maryland and other Blue states in gangland's sights are assessing Trump's intentions based on the people with whom he is populating his billionaires' paradise. Trump's intentions do not look like any kind of government we are used to, or can even imagine. And in Maryland: MoCo to keep burning trash; Jamie R makes his move; the state needs to double mental health personnel; fossil fuel lobbying crimping climate plans (?); democratizing Assembly replacements; bracing for deportations in the state's Hispanic communities. See the details in News You Can Use for this week.
Read moreProgressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, November 25, 2024
It feels good to be stepping into the official holiday season! While the exhaustion may be catching up with us, so is the joy of seeing just how much weâve accomplished together. Here at Progressive Maryland, weâve already started planning for our 2025 agenda, and we couldnât be more excited about whatâs ahead.
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In case you missed it, we celebrated a major victory last week: Prince Georgeâs County Council passed a bill to index the minimum wage to inflation! Thanks to tireless advocates, over 2,600 petition signers, and powerful testimony from our members, wages in Prince Georgeâs County will finally keep pace with the rising costs of housing, groceries, and other essentials. This is a life-changing win, and weâre determined to create even more victories like this in 2025.
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Thereâs still important work to tackle in these final weeks, and weâre counting on all of you to help us finish strong. Weâve got some exciting issue campaign events coming up so be sure to look later in the memo for details to add to your calendar. Youâll also find important updates and key state and national news.Â
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Donât forget to check out a sneak peek of our 2025 agenda and see how you can make a tremendous impact.
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In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team
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Read moreNews You Can Use: Maryland, other states developing coping strategies for TrumpWorld
"Around the country, states led by Democrats have expressed alarm about many of the new measures that Mr. Trump and his allies have described and have made broad preparations of their own," the New York Times (among many others) reports. "Lawyers have been scouring through the conservative policy plan known as Project 2025, and they have been strategizing how to challenge any such plans in an altered judicial landscape. Private advocacy groups have hundreds of lawyers ready to go to court. Governors in Democratic-led states have been preparing to coordinate."
Maryland's attorney general, Anthony Brown, is joining other blue-state AGs to strategize in next-door Pa. as the Trump revenge machine cranks into action. The state's other officials (see below) are wondering if they are now on their own as far as preparing systems for the impact of climate change. Counties and cities are putting together protections for their immigrant communities. Get the picture, storm clouds and all, in News You Can Use.
Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, November 18, 2024
 Happy Monday! Weâre sending you all the good vibes as we dive into a new week! With so much uncertainty swirling around our state and nationâs political landscape, we encourage everyone to lean into the spirit of the holiday season thatâs quickly approaching. Itâs a time for reflection, connection, and determination to keep building the future we believe in.  As we look ahead, weâre gearing up for Giving Tuesday, a day that reminds us of the power of community support. At Progressive Maryland, weâre more determined than ever to strengthen our issue campaignsâfighting for economic justice, education policies that uplift our children, environmental sustainability, health equity, support for returning citizens, and so much more.  While youâre mapping out your holiday plans, why not add us to your calendar?  Read on for updates on our campaigns, local chapter activities, and ways you can take action. Plus, catch the latest in some very important state and national news.  In solidarity, The Progressive Maryland Team |
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Read moreMaryland preps for rough budget times, especially if Fed workers are shed
Well, the new folks in DC (currently broadcasting from Mar-a-Lago) are not (at all!) clarifying what the next few years look like, but they are keeping everyone on their toes as their flurry of supposed appointments shows just how uncertain civic life will be for all the states, Maryland definitely included.
Maryland houses over 138,900 civilian federal workers and roughly 50,000 active-duty and reserve service members (30,000 at Ft. Meade, the state's largest single employer). All are vulnerable to job loss or threatened relocation of agencies outside the DMV. Still, the state holds out hope that some high-profile projects (the Key Bridge replacement; possible new Bay Bridge spans, the new FBI building) may attract federal fund participation and coat-tail other projects. But serious cuts or "revenue enhancements" definitely loom for Maryland.
Both our state and others are fussing to adjust to the (sometimes surprising) local outcomes from the election, as we see as well, and plenty of organizations working with those newly under fire brace against the somewhat vengeful approach of the future administration. As Megan E.'s national report (below) points out, the House will vote tomorrow on a measure threatening any nonprofit not totally in step with the TrumpWorld line with charges of supporting terrorism (!). It sounds ridiculous -- until it passes.
So we have to toughen up. We are ready, and we know our allies will be too.
Read moreYes, we won. What state door-knockers learned.
In victories from North Carolina to Washington State and Maine, we find evidence that good organizing not only works, it wins. When we look beyond the headlines, we find evidence that good organizing is the antidote to authoritarianism - which is something we will all need in the days to come. In places where Peopleâs Action and its affiliate groups engaged in year-round organizing to build base and relationships around the issues that matter most to people, we won. Yes, we won.
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