Port Towns residents in Prince George's County and their organizations have been fighting a proposed industrial use, a concrete batching plant in Bladensburg, at the county level. Here are details on the proposal and its drawbacks and how to support local control of development at the Aug. 22 hearing.

Allowing tax deductions for home mortgage interest payments is a popular loophole in the US tax code but its history in other countries, and analysis of whether it actually creates home ownership and connectedness to the community, makes its supposed benefits seem hollow. Regular policy blogger Mathew Goldstein argues that the MID's lopsided benefits for the already-rich make it regressive and a candidate for reduction or capping -- and ultimately, removal from the tax code.

Few communities have been as consciously designed for democratic equality as Columbia. But Howard County's development has not promoted affordability in housing for all income levels, and to restore the dream action must come bottom-up from the community, local activist Dave Bazell reports.

The weekly memo -- events around Maryland focusing on our growing list of active chapters; allies' events, and links to the blogs from the last week.

Here’s a Friday update for a big weekend of statewide action, talking to our neighbors, and fighting back against Ike Leggett’s bogus “study” on the effects of a $15 minimum wage.

In response to a new report on the impact of gradually raising Montgomery County’s minimum wage to $15 released by PFM Group Consulting and commissioned by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Justin Vest, Lead Organizer for Progressive Maryland, issued the following statement from the Montgomery County Fight for 15 Coalition and the National Employment Law Project:

It's a good idea to take a skeptical view of Ike Leggett's commissioned study of the effects of a minimum wage hike in Montgomery County. It's pro-business and anti-worker, just like Ike. A broader view of the effects of increasing the prosperity of low-wage working people shows it makes better communities. See the August 3 update with EPI analysis, below...

We've had a great group of interns working with us this summer supporting our statewide healthcare campaign and organizing in Prince George's County. Our interns have the opportunity to work on a range of issues from healthcare to fair elections to the Fight for $15 and learn vital organizing skills that can be put to use in future endeavors. If you are interested in being considered for future intern opportunities or have questions about the program, please contact Justin Vest at [email protected].

At Progressive Maryland, we've been exploring ways to not only resist, but to break through the partisan silos that often divide everyday working people. We've spent the summer talking to residents across the state and are finding people are concerned about many of the same things. Join us this coming weekend for a statewide outreach effort -- in your community.

Concerned -- and organized -- residents in Prince George's County towns on or near the Anacostia River are questioning the value of a proposed concrete batching plant, citing likely danger to air, water and public health in the revitalizing Port Towns area.