These "states fight back against Trumpworld" headlines are starting to get old, sure, but that's what's actually happening. Zone floods, states turn on the pumps. Again. Just like last week.

We start in Maryland, where sanctuary questions roil some jurisdictions, farmers report worries about future supply but no significant harm from Trump tariffs -- yet -- lots of talk about Gov. Moore running in the 2028 presidential, to which he says "no" and argues for focus on "now," and a first set of new laws kicks in as of June 1. In other states, big worries about impact of House spending bill cuts on low-income folks (including in Red states) and business lobbies complicate already-endangered state incentives for cooler buildings. And then there's Congress, where the GOP majority kissing the Trump, er, ring is showing some fractures, again Red-state Senators worried about Medicaid shortfalls. It's News You Can use for the beginning of a long, hot summer...

This moment needs all of us  As Trump and the GOP slash healthcare and veterans services, we’re organizing to protect our communities.

The right is already on the move. We need to be, too.

In memory of those we’ve lost, we’re defending those still here.

Yesterday was Memorial Day, a time to honor those who gave their lives in service to this country and to reflect on our responsibility to care for the people who’ve worn the uniform. Yet even as we remember the fallen, Trump and Musk’s plans to gut the VA threaten the wellbeing of those still with us, delivering longer waits, delayed appointments, and reduced care for the very people our nation owes a lasting debt.

And this is only one piece of a broader attack on working people. House Republicans recently passed a far from beautiful budget bill with nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, making it the largest rollback in both programs’ histories. If enacted, these cuts could leave 14 million people without health coverage and 3 million households without food assistance. Add in reduced student loan benefits and other slashes to the safety net, and it’s clear: the GOP is doubling down on cruelty.

Last week, we held an informal debrief on Discord to reflect on the legislative session and the fights that still lie ahead. Our progressive priorities remain under threat and with the 2026 election cycle already on the horizon, we need to organize now, not later.

We’re fighting back. Our organizers are working across the state to protect what matters, defending our communities from harmful policies and pushing for a better future. Keep reading for ways to take action and important state and national news.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

With Congress having gone home leaving the wrecking ball of the Big Beautiful Bill (really, that's its name) behind for the Senate to tackle when it returns next week, our entertainment comes from Trump's social media posts showing lots of choler but no knowledge of his prickly problems: Russia/Ukraine; Israel/Gaza and the Middle East (source of free planes), South Africa and its ambushed president ("I wish I had a plane to give you") and the prospect that no national leaders will want to visit Trump anymore. Everything appears to be on hold until Congress returns, at which point the real fireworks are likely to smoke up the sky.

It’s that time of year. The Governor is making his final decisions on which bills will become law and which ones will get vetoed. And yes, some of the bills we supported are already on the chopping block.

Just last week, the Governor vetoed the RENEW Act, one of our key environmental bills. While the version that passed was scaled back from what we originally pushed for — a bold $9 billion fee on the top fossil fuel polluters — it still laid critical groundwork for future climate action. We also saw the veto of the reparations bill championed by our allies at the NAACP.

Tomorrow is the final scheduled day for bill signings, and we’re excited to share that the Governor’s list includes our long-fought environmental justice win to end subsidies for trash incineration, along with several of our priority healthcare bills. Sign up here to join us at the bill signing tomorrow at 12pm in Annapolis to celebrate these becoming official. 

Curious about what really went down this legislative session? Join us for our Legislative Debrief this Wednesday, May 21 at 6pm on Discord. It’s an informal 30–45 minute discussion where we’ll break down behind-the-scenes moments, highlight major takeaways, and open up space for you to share your thoughts and reflections.

There’s lots more inside this week’s memo, including updates from our issue campaigns, key ways to get involved, and state and national news you won’t want to miss.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

The GOP House in Congress, we see below, is still struggling to pass a tax and spend bill -- question is how mean can they be without being too mean for GOP "moderates" feebly protecting Medicaid funding but definitely fighting for more tax breaks for the owners of pricey houses in high-tax Blue states, where their reelection footing is precarious. How will this turn out? Megan E, federal affairs expert for People's Action, follows the play-by-play below. Failure is not an option for Speaker Johnson and his minions but (considering the bill hits lower-income families hard and enriches the already wealthy) would be a pleasure for us.

Here in Maryland, the federal fund cuts (and state cuts) are hammering universities with layoffs and food programs like food banks with a millions-of-meals deficit and hundreds of thousands of families short of food. The tariff effect is predicted to devastate the Port of Baltimore in the very near future, with empty-shelf effects on our supply chain. Other states are doing no better, as we'll see.

It's bad news for sure, but News You Can Use.

May is AAPI Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and lasting legacies of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. These communities have helped build this country, often while enduring exclusion, violence, and erasure. At Progressive Maryland we stand with AAPI communities in the fight for justice, visibility, and safety.

Be sure to check out our new section, AAPI Spotlight, where we’ll be highlighting local AAPI-owned businesses across the state throughout the month.

At the same time, Trump is sowing chaos on the national level — from attacks on Medicaid to extreme proposals aimed at undermining immigrant rights, like suspending habeas corpus, a core legal protection. As his agenda gets more dangerous, we're staying vigilant and doubling down on our work here in Maryland. That means organizing harder than ever this spring and summer to protect working families and marginalized communities across our state, including rural and immigrant communities who face systemic barriers to power and representation.

Read on for important updates, action items, and news you can use.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

As the House of Representatives takes out the knife for public health care -- mostly Medicaid -- Maryland and other states brace for a major struggle. Maryland needs Medicaid, for sure, but some Red states in the South REALLY, REALLY need Medicaid, and that could split the already fractious GOP House majority further. How to fight back? Stories. Yep, stories; lots of folks have stories about how Medicaid helped them stave off financial and family collapse. See how you can help And there's lots more -- child care support freeze and big federal cuts, including at UM, here in Maryland; AI bills by (just barely) the thousands in 50 state legislatures this year, the fired chief of the Library of Congress is replaced by one of Trump's criminal lawyers, and more. It's News You Can Use.

Often misunderstood, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. Today, it has become a broader celebration of Mexican culture, history, and the deep contributions of Mexican-American communities to the U.S. But this holiday is often culturally exploited, reduced to stereotypes and stripped of its deeper meaning. Let’s commit to honoring its heritage the right way by uplifting the voices, history, and dignity of the communities it represents.

It’s especially important right now to name and honor those contributions. As our government continues to threaten, erase, and criminalize the communities that built this country, we remain committed to fighting back. We will always stand with our Latinx neighbors in the face of injustice.

Last week, we joined hundreds of allies and partner organizations from across the state for a May Day rally in D.C., standing strong for workers and working families. We showed up to push back against the injustice this administration continues to inflict on labor and immigrant communities. It was powerful, and we’re bringing that energy into everything we do this month. Make sure you check out our social media to see the action.

We’ve got important updates ahead from our issue campaigns, opportunities to take action, and key state and national news. Read on.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Because we survived TrumpWorld's first 100 days doesn't mean we should let our defense slack off. This battle continues, but there are heartening signs that the courts are holding the Constitutional line and that other institutions (universities, law firms, maybe even the Dem opposition) are beginning to stand with the courts. Nevertheless, as we see from Megan E's meticulous roundup, Congressional GOP majorities are lining up to do TrumpWorld's dirty work. Some -- just a few -- are wavering and even showing shreds of decency in the face of overwhelming lawlessness. There are tools, as we see below, for reminding the GOP legislators they were elected to help, not hurt their constituents and bucking up the Dems who are showing some spine, too. Here in Maryland we might have to reach out to our friends and relatives in other states to help pressure the critical House and Senate members there, but you had been meaning to call them anyway, right?

It's News You Can Use

As Maryland wrestles with the complexity and, yes, the expense of the Blueprint for school improvement, one of the fragile elements of that plan has been community schools. They require extra resources because they are aimed at enriching the lives and learning of not only the students but their families and the community that hosts them. As national educational report and analyst Jeff Bryant shows, they also require patience as they enhance the learning, wellness and well-being of the entire community. Schools cannot fully succeed unless their community does.