Hope you’re not missing that lost hour too much after Daylight Saving Time! As we start the week, we’re also reflecting on International Women’s Day, which was celebrated yesterday. It’s a powerful reminder of the generations of women who have organized, led movements, and fought for justice in their communities, and of the work that continues today to build a more equitable future for all.

At the same time, we’re deeply concerned by the escalating war being driven by the Trump administration in the Middle East, a dangerous path that had devastating consequences for civilians and global stability. Read our full statement on this here → 

Back here in Maryland, the legislative session is entering a critical stretch. We’re just two weeks away from Crossover Day, the deadline when bills must pass one chamber to stay alive this session. The pressure is on, and we’re laser-focused on getting our priority bills across the finish line.

We’ll be in Annapolis this week for press events pushing our key legislation, and there are many important upcoming hearings. With major updates from our chapters and plenty of ways to take action, there’s a lot happening.

Read on for legislative updates, campaign news, and news you can use.

In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team 

 

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

  • Quick Actions
  • PMD Events
  • Legislative Updates
  • Campaign Updates

  • Local Chapter Updates

  • State & National News

 

 

 

QUICK ACTIONS:

Take Action to Save Medicaid

 

PMD EVENTS:

Housing Justice Presser

We’re taking the fight directly to Annapolis. Tomorrow, Tuesday at 9:15 AM, tenants and advocates with Renters United Maryland will gather on Lawyers Mall (25 Calvert St, Annapolis) for a housing justice press conference urging lawmakers to pass critical renter protections before the crossover deadline. If you’re able, come out and stand with tenants demanding safe, stable, and affordable housing across Maryland. RSVP HERE

“We’re Late! We’re Late! Safe Staffing Can’t Wait!” Rally

Step into the world of the Hospital Staffing Crisis with us on Thursday, March 18 at 9 AM at Lawyers Mall (25 Calvert St, Annapolis, MD) to support the Safe Staffing Act of 2026 (SB411). Join healthcare workers, patients, advocates, and even characters from Alice in Wonderland to highlight the absurdity of hospital administrators ignoring frontline workers’ realities. There will be costumes, tea, muffins, games, and a chance to deliver hundreds of postcards to the Senate Finance Chair urging action.

  1. RSVP and join the rally
  2. Take action now: email the Senate Finance Committee 
 

2026 Legislative Session: Key Hearings This Week

This week, the House will hold a Tuesday hearing on HB1253 (Break the STRIDE Act) to stop gas companies from passing costly infrastructure projects onto ratepayers, and a Wednesday hearing on HB1229, legislation to ensure workers are paid at least the full state minimum wage regardless of tips. On Thursday, the House will hear HB1316, which would establish a Commission on Universal Health Care to study the feasibility of a statewide single-payer health system. And on Friday, March 13, the House will also hear both CHERISH bills (HB1268 / HB1287), which would allow Maryland regulators to consider environmental justice impacts when reviewing permits for polluting facilities.

 

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: 

Healthcare Justice Task Force: Reclaim Medicaid!

We’re supporting HB1112 and its amendment on Medicaid that will get Maryland to look at removing middlemen MCOs from managing Medicaid. So please sign our petition to our lawmakers. And take the survey.

Contact Patty for more information, to arrange an issue briefing for your group or to get involved.  

 

Local Chapter Updates: 

Oxon Hill: Residents Community Meeting

Neighbors in Oxon Hill are coming together to talk about rising electricity and water bills and ongoing public safety concerns in the community. Join us Thursday, March 19 from 6:30–8 PM at the Glassmanor Community Center (1101 Marcy Ave, Oxon Hill, MD) to share your experiences, connect with neighbors, and help organize for affordable utilities and safer neighborhoods. Sign up to attend and get involved →

Harford County: Candidate Forum

Join our Harford County chapter on Friday, March 27 at 6 PM in Bel Air, MD for a community candidate forum. This is a chance to hear directly from candidates, learn where they stand on issues impacting Harford County, and make your voice heard. Community members are encouraged to attend and submit questions ahead of time. RSVP and submit your questions here →

 

Trump loves corrupt family business -- what's his problem with Iran's "succession"?

CORRUPTION IS STILL A FAMILY BUSINESS, WHEREVER – We wonder why Trump objects to the maintenance of political power as a family business  -- he thinks it is “unacceptable” that the son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Khamenei should succeed his father. How does Don Jr. feel about that? Trump’s inside-outside game -- where huge parts of his policy objectives and machinations in areas like crypto, real estate deals and generally corrupt gains enabled by deregulation and no-bid contracts enrich his family empire -- fits right into politics as a family business. What could go wrong? In this game of “Succession,” as it turns out, a Middle East war is required to create the vacancy, and plenty could go wrong. Lessons unlearned, one more time.

We remaining VVAW members (fewer and fewer) mourn the death of Country Joe McDonald, whose “Fixin’ to Die Rag” set the tone for our resistance.

And yes, world events notwithstanding, your News You Can Use, as progressive Marylanders, happens in Maryland mostly -- the general assembly is approaching a month to go till sine die, and still lots to do. Make sure it is done on your behalf; check this week's Memo for avenues to ensure that. And all over the state citizens are fighting ICE and its plan to house detainees in warehouses (seriously -- that's how DHS feels about anyone they collar). And as we scuffle over these issues, the Chesapeake Bay is shrinking the state, acre by acre, because, well, the land is sinking as the water rises. So much to do. It's News You Can Use.

 

Progressive Maryland BlogSpace:

We value creating space for our members to express their thoughts on any issues related to our campaigns. Have an idea for a blog post? You can submit writing, film, graphic design, etc., to be published on our website to the blog moderator, Woody. 

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

 

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woody woodruff

About

M.A. and Ph.d. from University of Maryland Merrill College of Journalism, would-be radical, sci-fi fan... retired to a life of keyboard radicalism...