One of the fastest growing and most tempting funds in Maryland's range of budget options is fattening for quite the wrong reason: Utilities are paying into it to avoid increasing the renewable energy share in their power portfolio. The Strategic Energy Investment Fund is a big enough bundle of cash to tempt hard-pressed budget-makers, whether the governor (who proposes a budget) or the General Assembly (which passes the final version).

The SEIF was designed to boost the state's resilience and build in-state renewable sources that will help decarbonize the electricity we use. Our public (alas, corporate-owned) utilities have found it more convenient to pay penalties on their inability to add renewables to their sources -- including wind power, more plentiful across the Appalachians than on Maryland's own soil (as you may recall, a very promising offshore wind project was held up in court by the Ocean City boardwalk moguls until Trump was back and able to pick it off (for a delusional windbag he has developed a remarkable hatred for wind power).

The Sierra Club has a fine explainer on how the SEIF should be used (rather than as an ATM for budget-makers). And the Assembly seems to be trying to remedy an error they made that, in the name of keeping scam artists out of the energy market, cut off consumers from readily demanding renewables as a portion of their power, therefore squeezing the utilities' corporate barons to add more renewables to their portfolios. The state's core membership in the multistate Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) sets the standard utilities have to meet, and when they fail to do so, the SEIF swells with their contributions. Still, it seems likely that the utilities' compliance with RGGI needs to be re-examined if it's cheaper for them to pay into SEIF rather than actually try to add renewables to what they offer. Maybe they should pay enough to make it hurt and make adding renewables look like the better idea. Having a convenient cash stash for solving budget problems is nice, but cleaner air and less climate change would be even nicer. Here and everywhere. 

HERE IN MARYLAND

Bills Propose $150 Annual Utility Savings: Maryland households will see at least $150 a year in utility bill savings from a package of bills unveiled late this week, the governor and legislative leaders promised Friday. Low-income households could see even greater savings from Utility RELIEF Act, the wide-ranging energy bill that is expected to hit the House floor Monday, with some savings kicking in as early as this summer if the bill passes. Maryland Matters.

Where To Get Help With High Utility Bills: A record number of Marylanders feel financially crushed by utility bills and are turning to assistance programs administered by the state and BGE. Baltimore Banner.

With AI Surging, Maryland Steps Up To Regulate: An AI generated video reposted by Republicans uses real images of Democratic Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, highlighting one of many issues prompting Maryland lawmakers to regulate artificial intelligence, even as President Donald Trump urges states to exercise restraint. “It’s an amazing, powerful technology,” said state Sen. Katie Fry Hester, a Democrat whose many AI bills include one criminalizing the use of “deepfakes” to impersonate someone or cause serious harm.  Baltimore Sun.

 Senate Panel Finalizes $71 Billion Spending Plan: The Maryland Senate released its state spending plan for next fiscal year, accepting the majority of budget proposals from Gov. Wes Moore but also reducing and swapping some proposed cuts. The state expects to spend around $70 billion next fiscal year with around $250 million to spare. There are no proposed tax or fee increases. WYPR-FM.  >> Gov. Wes Moore delivered a $70.8 billion overall budget in January. The spending plan closed a surprise $1.5 billion structural gap with a series of one-time fund transfers including nearly $300 million diverted from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund [Gov. Moore originally wanted over $700 million from that source, the Baltimore Banner reported last week]. The plan also contains some cuts and swapping cash for bonds. Maryland Matters.

Tale Of Two Budget Years Adds $250 Million To Revenue Projections: Maryland’s revenue picture improved by nearly $250 million over two years, buoyed largely by a factor that cannot be anticipated — people dying. . [A big difference appears to be an increase in estate tax revenue.] The numbers released Wednesday by the Board of Revenue Estimates show a tale of two budget years: A $355.7 million increase in taxes expected to be collected this year, offset by a $108.1 million reduction in fiscal 2027Maryland Matters. 

Sweeping Energy Reform Legislation Heads For House Floor: The House Environment and Transportation Committee approved a sweeping energy bill Thursday that aims to reduce customers’ soaring utility costs. It came quietly, one night before legislative leaders and Gov. Wes Moore (D) were scheduled to formally announce the joint legislative energy package they hope to usher across the finish line before the session concludes on April 13. Maryland Matters. 

Food Bank Stepping Up To Help Paycheck-less TSA Officers at BWI-Marshall: Union leaders said hundreds of TSA employees at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are receiving conflicting and contradictory shutdown guidance from management. After most got half of a paycheck or less two weeks ago, every TSA officer at BWI-Marshall will go without a paycheck on Friday. WBALTV.

Jewish Groups Slam Cluster Of Bills Before Legislature As ‘Anti-Israel': Maryland nonprofits could be barred from donating to causes judged to be in support of “settlement activity” in Israel if a bill before the state legislature is passed — a prospect critics say would infringe on the charities’ First Amendment rights and may signal anti-Israel sentiment gaining a foothold on the state’s political landscape.  Baltimore Sun.

Rockfish Season Starts April 1 As Scheduled, After Brief Legislative Delay: The state’s rockfish season will start in April as scheduled, after it was almost derailed this week by a legislative committee’s hold on the season, briefly causing chaos among charter boats that had booked customers for April 1. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.

THE REGION AND THE OTHER 49

Flow restored to Potomac Interceptor: Wastewater began flowing again through the Potomac Interceptor on Saturday, after DC Water crews completed the final steps to reopen the line and end a bypass through the C&O Canal. Maryland Matters

Next Door: West Virginia: The Legislature sent a bill to the governor that aims to bolster the child care industry by changing reimbursement for providers and expanding a tax credit for employers providing child care for their employees. News from the States

More Next Door: Pennsylvania cities and counties pass laws ahead of ICE activity -- Elected leaders are learning on the fly what they can and can’t do to rein in or support a well-funded federal law enforcement agency. | Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Rhode Island demands per-household tariff refund -- Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is asking the Trump administration to refund the state $770 million in tariff-related costs that he said residents have paid in since the president’s second term began last year, Rhode Island Current reports. McKee, a Democrat, wrote a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent demanding the federal government reimburse $1,751 for each of the state’s more than 440,000 households. The governor’s estimate for an average refund for a household comes from an analysis by the Yale Budget Lab. “Rising costs across the country have put significant pressure on families and businesses in Rhode Island,” the governor wrote. “Rhode Island families, small businesses, and manufacturers deserve to have these funds returned so that more of their hard-earned money can remain in their pockets and support our local economy.”  Stateline

States, cities joining World Health Organization network after Trump takes US out

In an extraordinary break from the federal government, the public health departments of at least three states and New York City are joining the global alert network of the World Health Organization, spurred by President Donald Trump’s decision to remove the United States from the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating international public health. So far, the state public health departments in California, Illinois, New York, as well as the public health agency in New York City, have since January joined the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). The U.S. officially left the WHO this past January. GOARN, which includes more than 310 national public health agencies, United Nations agencies, academic institutions, and nongovernmental groups, helps identify and manage infectious disease outbreaks worldwide. Stateline Daily

 In bid for voter data, Trump’s DOJ lays groundwork to undermine confidence in midterms

The U.S. Department of Justice has begun connecting its push to obtain sensitive personal data on millions of voters to whether the upcoming midterm elections will be fair and secure, laying the groundwork for the Trump administration to potentially cast doubt on the results. The Justice Department has sued 29 states and the District of Columbia over their refusal to provide unredacted voter rolls that include the driver’s license and partial Social Security numbers of voters. The department has lost three of those lawsuits so far this year. But as the Justice Department begins appealing the losses, it has filed emergency motions warning the “security and sanctity of elections” would be questioned in those states — California, Michigan and Oregon — without immediate rulings. Federal judges have so far ruled that even though states must perform maintenance on their voter rolls, federal law doesn’t give the Justice Department authority to obtain full voter lists. Stateline

GLOBAL, NATIONAL AND THE FEDS

Skilled trades education not keeping up with labor needs in AI transition, data centers

As capital floods into digital infrastructure, the labor required to build and run new capacity is in dangerously short supply, according to an industry analyst speaking at an early March webinar. “I believe the single biggest constraint of this entire buildout is the labor needed – and not capital, land, or even energy,” William Self said. The initial data center construction and near-term maintenance requires skilled tradespeople: electricians, ironworkers, HVAC technicians, and power systems specialists – roles that need years of training. But the training pipeline hasn’t kept pace. By Self’s estimate, the shortfall could range from 75,000 to 140,000 skilled workers over the next few years, depending on how aggressively capacity is added. There is no shortcut here; competency and safety in these trades are time-based. Data Center Knowledge newsletter

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Here’s the weekly update from our national affiliate, People’s Action, on the federal front – penned by PA’s federal affairs director,  Megan E

Hello People's Action!

From Punchbowl News: “Oil prices are near $100 per barrel, the Strait of Hormuz is closed and at least 13 U.S. service members have died in President Donald Trump’s war against Iran. More U.S. troops and ships are heading to the embattled region. Israel is threatening to occupy parts of Lebanon — again — while Trump is warning NATO countries of a “very bad” future if they don’t send warships to help reopen the vital Persian Gulf passage (Australia has already refused).”

House Republicans retreated last week in Florida. Speaker Johnson wants to do another reconciliation bill though he did not say what he would put in it. “I’d love to do a second reconciliation bill, but I’d also love to be Brad Pitt,” Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) told @politico. It’s never going to happen.”

There is very little time to get it done. Though Republicans may have to do a reconciliation bill just to fund their war with Iran, since Democrats are not likely to give them the votes in the Senate. The White House hasn’t sent a request yet but some sources have said they may ask for $100 billion for the war on top of the Pentagon’s already bloated budget. 

The Department of Homeland Security is still in a shutdown. Democrats have offered to fund TSA, the coast guard and FEMA. TSA missed a full paycheck last week, many are quitting or taking time off. Trump helpfully ordered TSA back to work.  

Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) has a confirmation hearing on Wednesday to become the next DHS Secretary.

Remember the guy who got Jimmy Fallon (temporarily) fired? Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is at it again, threatening to revoke broadcasters’ licenses if they don’t cover Trump’s war with Iran more positively. 

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The Senate will spend a lot of time this week on the Save Act, which is destined to fail. They may need to bring in Vice President Vance just to pass the 50 vote threshold to open debate. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) is a NO vote and Senators McConnell (R-KY) and Murkowski (R-AK) may be as well. There may be a Republican effort to vote to change Senate rules around the filibuster but that is destined to fail as well since Republican leadership doesn’t support it.  Trump wants a ban on mail-in voting to be added to the bill via amendment but Republicans are split on that as well. 

What You Can Do

Tax the Rich, Make Life More Affordable National Day of Action This Tax Day - April 15th! Please consider lifting up taxing the rich this tax day. That could include accountability work for Republicans who voted for H.R.1, the Big Ugly Bill, a petition to members of Congress or state legislative representatives or a press conference or other action. 

Resources:

See ATF report U.S. BILLIONAIRES GOT $1.5 TRILLION RICHER IN TRUMP’S FIRST YEAR

We Build Progress just published a short, accessible explainer, “Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs): A Tool for Building Lasting Investments in Workers and Communities.”

Progressive Caucus Action Fund New Report: “We Pay, Billionaires Profit: The Real Cost of Trump’s Tax Law.” We’ve created six family profiles (see the report or video overviews here) to explain exactly how the law will shape families' lives. While these individuals are not real, they are based on very real stories playing out across the country. This law takes money out of our pockets, gives the top 1 percent a $118,000 bonus, and supercharges the ICE deportation machine.

Join the briefing: Sign up to join the Progressive Caucus Action Fund, Americans for Tax Fairness, and Families Over Billionaires on March 25 @ 3PM ET for a virtual briefing “Tax the Rich and Make Life Affordable: Harms of OBBBA, and the Need for Progressive Tax Solutions”