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.

HERE IN MARYLAND

Maryland Leads In Greenhouse Gas Reduction: A new analysis of federal government data found that Maryland led the way when it came to states reducing greenhouse gas emissions over a 17-year period. Maryland cut carbon emissions by 36% between 2005 and 2022 and by 42% per capita, according to the report released this week by Environment America Research & Policy Center. Maryland Matters.

Yawning deficit looms as Maryland leaders weigh future cuts, tax hikes: The state faces its worst projected funding shortfall of the past 20 years, with the gap between revenue and spending expected to widen even more than during the Great Recession. And more:  Worry Continues About Budget Gap & Trump Federal Workforce Cuts: Maryland faces “an enormous gap” between revenue and spending that is projected to soon be worse than during the Great Recession, driven by sluggish job growth and rising expenses, state analysts told lawmakers this week. The dire outlook, which could be made even worse if cuts to the federal workforce promised by President-elect Donald Trump materialize, reopens debate over tax increases and deep cuts that will probably be the central focus of the next legislative session, set to begin Jan. 8. Washington Post.

Elected Officials Say Large Projects Still Possible Under Trump: Though uncertainty lies ahead as Maryland prepares for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, elected officials say there is a chance that the state’s several large infrastructure projects could still receive federal funding. Baltimore Sun. And Maryland Recommends Knocking Down, Rebuilding Chesapeake Bay Bridge Spans  Officials say new, potentially wider, bridge spans across the Chesapeake Bay could ease traffic snarls, particularly during busy summer months. WaPo

Immigration Lawyers Rush To File Cases Before Trump Takes Office: Maricé Morales, the former Montgomery County delegate and sole attorney of her own law firm, says she has been so busy working immigration cases since news of President-elect Donald Trump (R) returning to the White House that she’s looking to hire extra help. “Everybody is really afraid,” Morales said recently. “And they’re wondering if they have a pending petition, if that is enough to protect themselves under the law, in front of a judge.” Maryland Matters.

Advocates For Underserved Join Forces to Boost Initiatives: They didn’t mention his name, but it was clear that President-elect Donald Trump (R) was part of the reason hundreds of advocates for the underserved gathered Sunday in Columbia to lay out their agenda for the upcoming legislative session. “We will need to focus on what the state of Maryland can do in the face of proposed inaction, dysfunction, or outright antagonism from the federal government,” said the Rev. Tyrone Jones IV, the co-chair of People Acting Together in Howard. Maryland Matters.

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Cuts Ribbon On Its First Affordable Home Better known for their battles against polluters, Curtis Bay residents are also fighting for a safer, cleaner, more resilient community using a unique housing model that Baltimore leaders now say they endorse. Baltimore Brew

THE OTHER 49

The in-stumbling administration’s flurry of dubious appointments (remember none of this actually happens until Jan. 20) points to a chaotic regulatory AND fiscal environment in Maryland and other states. Here are examples:

Pluribus news summarizes the latest on MARIJUANA: Efforts to legalize marijuana for recreational use are hitting the wall after years of success. Ballot measures to open recreational markets failed in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota this year, and cannabis advocates say they see few new opportunities to advance legalization in the 26 states that have not yet done so. Only nine of those states have the ability to pass legalization by ballot measure. In other states, advocates will have to turn to legislators, who are still generally loathe to be seen embracing pot. The important question of adjustments in federal financial regs allowing more banks to handle the money involved in the pot trade remains iffy, but the new boss wobbles depending on who last spoke to him, so…

Also from Pluribus:

SOCIAL MEDIA: The social media company X has sued California to block a new law requiring platforms to remove or label deceptive content related to elections. The company alleges the new law would cause sites to label or remove legitimate content out of an overabundance of caution. (Los Angeles Times)

EDUCATION: New Hampshire House Republicans are drafting legislation to provide universal access to Education Freedom Accounts, the Granite State version of savings accounts. Current law allows families with incomes below 350% of the federal poverty limit to access those accounts. (WMUR)

MORE [“Education”]: Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters (R) has ordered school districts to show students a new video unveiling an Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism. At least seven districts have declined to show the video, and the state attorney general’s office said Walters had no authority to require viewing. (The Oklahoman)

ENERGY: Utah Senate President Stuart Adams (R) wants to build micro-nuclear reactors on some of 27 properties owned by the state National Guard. Adams chairs the Military Installation Development Authority, tasked with developing land owned by the military in Utah. (Salt Lake Tribune)

LAWFARE in NC: The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a North Carolina law requiring candidates for federal office to disclose felony convictions. A congressional candidate twice convicted of gun crimes challenged the law’s constitutionality. (NC Newsline)

 EYEBROW-RAISING NUMBER: $274,978: The debt carried by an average household in Hawaii, the highest of any state in the nation. Mississippi residents have the lowest average household debt at $75,563, according to a WalletHub survey. (Sacramento Bee)

From Stateline Daily:

Cities, States Say They’ll Need More Help to Replace Millions Of Lead Pipes

A new federal rule will require water utilities across the country to pull millions of lead drinking water pipes out of the ground and replace them, at a cost of billions of dollars. States, cities and water utilities agree that the lead pipes need to go to ensure safe water for residents. But they say they may struggle to do so in the 10-year window required under the rule, and they fear some ratepayers will be hit with massive cost increases to pay for the work. State officials are urging Congress to provide ongoing funding for the lead replacement effort.

Don’t Get Caught Camping in WVa

 More West Virginia cities pass (anti-homeless) camping bans | West Virginia Public Broadcasting

MissAppropriating?: Mississippi supporters of public funds to private schools dealt a major blow after recent election results | Mississippi Today

NATIONAL AND THE FEDS

Monday’s newsblast from Megan E, federal affairs director for People’s Action, our national affiliate:

Hello People's Action!

Senator Sanders is forcing a series of votes this Wednesday that would block the transfer of weapons from the U.S. to Israel. These bills won’t pass and become law. They are an opportunity to organize Senators and to send a message to President Biden and Israel. Senators Merkley (D-OR), Welch (D-CT) and Schatz (D-HI) have cosponsored some or all of these bills and Senator Warren (D-MA) has also expressed support for the resolutions. Punchbowl News is reporting this morning that Senator Van Hollen is also voting for the resolutions. 

A factsheet on the joint resolutions of disapproval is here. The Friends Committee on National Legislation has information and messaging available here.  People’s Action is in support of these votes and will send a vote recommendation in support of the resolutions. Phone calls expressing support to Senate offices are encouraged. If you need help with scripts, please reach out to me. I also recommend that people call or email thank you notes for Senators who vote the right way after the vote. Posts on social media are helpful as well.  They will all be criticized by people on the other side of this issue so encouraging them is helpful. 

People in the DC area can fill out this form to attend the vote as Senator Sanders’ guest. 

As many of you have heard, the House voted on a bill that would make it easier for the IRS to strip the 501(c)(3) status of organizations that are found to have provided “material support” for “terrorist organizations.” Existing law already allows for the federal government to make these determinations without sufficient proof or due process. Palestinian liberation organizations would be particularly vulnerable to targeting under a Trump administration. 

There was a House vote last week that required a two-thirds majority to pass and failed. There will be a House vote today that only requires a simple majority to pass. You can sort by state and party to see how your Members of Congress voted on the vote last week here. Senator Schumer can stop the the bill from moving forward in the Senate this Congress. The incoming Republican trifecta can, of course, pass it next year. 

As for 2025, we expect that Republicans' top priority will be to pass a tax cut for corporations and the rich through a budget reconciliation bill, which requires a simple majority in the Senate. The bill will increase the budget deficit and there will be pressure within the party to bring down the overall price tag of the bill. They will do that by adding provisions that cut spending. They will likely start by cutting Internal Revenue Service funding and climate funding passed in the Inflation Reduction Act and then they will look to domestic spending programs, starting with Medicaid and SNAP. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson recently stated that they will pass Trump’s economic campaign promises like exempting tipped wages from the tax code will need to be “paid for.” That’s code for spending cuts. 

I don’t expect that Republicans will try to repeal the Affordable Care Act again, but the ACA premium tax credits that passed through the Inflation Reduction Act will expire next year. That means in spring open enrollment, ACA health care plans will be more expensive. Republicans should own that. 

This presents an opportunity for division among Republicans, which creates opportunities to stop or more likely delay the passage of the budget reconciliation. When Republicans passed Trump’s tax code in 2017, they had a 25 person majority and about a dozen Republicans voted against the bill. 

Next year, Republicans will have a 3- to 5-person majority so we just need to pick-off a few votes to block House passage. Delaying passage of their agenda will waste their time and more importantly give us the opportunity to control the narrative for a longer period of time and organize in key 2026 districts and states. 

Trump’s lowest approval rating ever was the week that Republicans passed the 2017 tax bill. People overwhelmingly believe that corporations and billionaires should pay their fair share in taxes.

In solidarity, 

Megan

AND MORE: Sulma Arias, national director of People’s Action, has a report on what PA’s doorknockers nationwide are finding: we won. "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 People’s 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. Read it on our Progressive Maryland blog