It’s been six rather amazing and disheartening weeks since the Orange Menace was inaugurated president, and the AP has a big take on that, Trump’s moves test the limits of presidential power and the resilience of US democracy. Watch to see if AP mentions the Gulf of Mexico.

As we see below, the reverberations in Maryland are many and varied, showing how intimately the state’s workforce (and budget) is related to federal agencies – and not just in D.C.

And a consolidated pushback has begun at the level of many Blue states as the Dem AGs continue their sustained court battles with TrumpWorld. In Red states, GOP legislators wallow in the violation of constitutional and human rights under the cover of the (so far) overbearing MAGA hegemony.

It’s been six rather amazing and disheartening weeks since the Orange Menace was inaugurated president, and the AP has a big take on that, Trump’s moves test the limits of presidential power and the resilience of US democracy. Watch to see if the AP mentions the Gulf of Mexico. As we see below, the reverberations in Maryland are many and varied, showing how intimately the state’s workforce (and budget) is related to federal agencies – and not just in D.C. And a consolidated pushback has begun at the level of many Blue states as the Dem AGs continue their sustained court battles with TrumpWorld. In Red states, GOP legislators wallow in the violation of constitutional and human rights under the cover of the (so far) overbearing MAGA hegemony.

HERE IN MARYLAND

Summaries from Maryland Reporter:

Moore Outlines State Efforts For Laid-Off Fed Workers, Including Hiring: Gov. Wes Moore on Friday announced new resources for federal workers who lose their jobs, including an effort to recruit them to state jobs, amid Trump administration cuts that could leave more than 10,000 Marylanders out of work. “This is not patriotism,” Moore said, referring to the firing of thousands of federal workers in recent weeks. “This is cruelty.” WaPo.

>>The announcement is on top of an online public servants resource hub launched two weeks ago by the state after the U.S. Office of Personnel Management advised federal agencies to sack probationary employees. Moore said as many as 10,000 probationary employees in Maryland could be on the chopping block. Maryland Matters

>>Moore also called on local governments to absorb the influx of workers. Shortly after, Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier announced that the county will host its ‘first-ever pop-up career fair.’ The March 6 event will feature 15 county departments hiring for various positions. WYPR-FM

Proposed Legislation Would Set Up Repro Care for Insured/Underinsured: Maryland lawmakers have introduced legislation to create a Public Health Abortion Grant Program to fund abortion care for those who are uninsured or underinsured. The bill would add a $1 premium per month on insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act to fund the program. (Baltimore Sun) via Pluribus

House Removes Language From Bill That Would Cut Education Funds: Lawmakers in the Maryland House of Delegates on Friday removed legislation that strips all school funding cuts from a bill pushed by Gov. Wes Moore, potentially complicating the governor’s efforts to deal with the state’s long-term budget crisis. WaPo

Senate Kills Condom Bill: The House spent days in floor debate last week on a bill that Republicans said would expose kindergartners to condoms, a claim supporters said blatantly misrepresented a measure aimed at decriminalizing access to contraception. A Senate committee spent all of 10 seconds Friday morning killing House Bill 380. Maryland Matters.

Snack Taxes, Other Measures to Boost Revenue May Be On Menu: Snack and property taxes and a four-year moratorium on Program Open Space purchases are all on a menu of options lawmakers could consider as the General Assembly works to finalize a balanced budget for the coming year. Maryland Matters.

Feds Withholding $330 Million From MDOT: The Trump administration is withholding $330 million in previously approved federal grant awards for about 30 Maryland transportation projects, according to the state Transportation Department, which is urgently asking the administration to reconsider. Among the projects placed in limbo are key elements of Gov. Wes Moore’s signature program to promote the use of electric vehicles.  Baltimore Sun. 

Schools Don’t Have to Abandon Race Based Efforts. Yet. Maryland school officials are being told they should not rush to meet a Friday deadline to eliminate all race-based programming or potentially face the loss of federal funds. Maryland Matters. 

Bay Restoration At Stake If Millions Removed From Trust Fund: Maryland's budget shortfall could take a major toll on the Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. WJZ NEWS.

Hopkins Could Lose $200 Million/Year in Fed Research Grants: Johns Hopkins University is on the verge of losing more than $200 million a year in federal research grants if a controversial rule change under President Donald Trump’s administration is allowed to stand. Baltimore Banner.

Van Hollen Blasts Layoffs At NOAA: U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen slammed a decision by the Trump administration to carry out mass layoffs Thursday at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is headquartered in downtown Silver Spring. “I want to say to all the NOAA employees that we’re fighting like hell to reverse these illegal actions,” Van Hollen said. Bethesda Today.

New Immigration Bills Debated: Democrats sought to limit state participation in federal immigration policy Thursday, as Republicans railed against “the left” for what they classified as misinformation. Baltimore Sun.

Lawmakers Seek To End EmPOWER Energy Surcharge: The Maryland Freedom Caucus has filed an emergency bill to repeal program fees. The EmPOWER surcharge is a fee that customers pay on both their electric and gas bills funding energy efficiency programs. WYPR-FM.

State Police Civil Rights Case Dismissed: The U.S. attorney’s office in Maryland is moving to dismiss a federal civil rights case against Maryland State Police that accused the agency of discriminating against Black and female trooper applicants, a move ordered by the Justice Department. WaPo

THE OTHER 49

States look at shoring up consumer protections as Trump hobbles federal watchdog
23 states have sued to keep the administration from defunding the CFPB
Illinois state Sen. Mark Walker has sponsored a bill to bolster the state’s existing bank regulator to help fill the void left by weakening of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have targeted for elimination. Congress created the independent agency in 2010 in response to fallout of the Great Recession, when many people lost their homes, jobs or savings. It takes up individual consumer complaints, aims to protect against unfair banking practices and helps educate consumers. Weeks into Trump’s second term, the administration shuttered the bureau’s office, dropped pending cases against companies and ordered employees to stop work. “The urgency is much higher now,” Walker said.  Trump’s moves against the CFPB have been challenged in court, by agency employees, advocacy organizations and the city of Baltimore. In February, 23 states and the District of Columbia asked a federal judge in the Baltimore case to issue an injunction blocking the administration from defunding the bureau. Those states argue they will suffer irreparable harm by losing the CFPB’s processing of consumer complaints, data collection and distribution of money to harmed consumers. States News

FOSSIL FUELS: New York is on track to be the first state to enact a ban on fossil fuels in new buildings, according to New York Focus. The State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council voted to recommend major updates to the state’s building code. The draft updates include rules requiring most new buildings to be all electric starting in 2026, as mandated by a law passed two years ago. [Heavy lobbying from the construction industry has killed at least two similar bills in Maryland]. Pluribus

Kids’ Sports Health: The Alabama Senate unanimously approved legislation requiring coaches of children’s sports to undergo specialized training on concussions, head trauma and other serious injuries. The bill would allow the Department of Public Health to issue fines for youth athletic associations that don’t comply with training rules. (Yellowhammer News) Pluribus

DEMOCRATIC AGs SOLIDARITY: The nation’s 23 Democratic state attorneys general attend a standing meeting at 4 p.m. ET every day via Microsoft Teams, to coordinate legal efforts to block the Trump administration. The attorneys general have filed seven suits against the administration. Democrats have been preparing for legal battles with the administration for a year, they said. (Politico) States News

“States Weigh Superfund Bills to Cover Climate-related Damage” Concerned with the increased frequency of storms, drought and fire, some states are considering forcing oil and gas companies to pay for damage caused by climate change and associated extreme weather events. Lawmakers in at least seven states — California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon and Virginia — introduced so-called climate superfund bills this year. Legislation that failed last year in Massachusetts is also likely to be reintroduced. The bills would require polluters, typically oil and gas companies, to pay for past emissions contributing to climate change and extreme weather. Pluribus News

And in the Red states, GOP legislators pile on…all summaries from Pluribus

PUBLIC HEALTH: Alabama Rep. Mack Butler (R) has introduced legislation to prohibit county health departments from using public funds to advertise or promote vaccines. The bill would require the legislature to cut funding for health departments that promote shots. (AL.com)

ORE: Louisiana lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban public water systems from including fluoride in water. The legislature approved a bill to require water systems with at least 5,000 connections to begin fluoridation programs in 2008. Just 122 of the 1,033 community water systems were fluoridated in 2024, according to state data. (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

TRANS RIGHTS: The Wyoming legislature has approved a bill requiring people to use restrooms, locker rooms and sleeping quarters that align with their sex assigned at birth. Lawmakers are working on a separate bill to include definitions of “male” and “female” in state law. (Casper Star-Tribune)

EDUCATION: The Oklahoma Board of Education has approved new academic standards requiring public schools to teach the Bible as a historical resource. The legislature must approve the new standards before they can take effect. (Oklahoma Watch)

NATIONAL AND THE FEDS

Here is the Monday roundup from Progressive Maryland’s national affiliate People’s Action, where Megan E is federal affairs director:

Last week, People’s Action Institute and People’s Action just finished a three day fly-in to oppose cuts to health care, housing and climate funding in order to give handouts to billionaires and corporations! We had 83 people in attendance from 24 member organizations in 23 states and held a lobby day, a press conference and rallies in front of institutions that both profit off our pain while buying politicians in order to protect their profits and lower their taxes. We started at the DC office of Blackstone group (video), a private equity firm buying up housing all over the country and jacking up rent, then went to United Healthcare’s lobby office (video) and we finished in front of the American Gas Association (video). 

We partnered with the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Tax the Greedy Billionaires (Bastards) campaign launch for the press conference! Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib spoke at our rally against the American Gas Association. Please consider boosting our actions on social media.

We’ve also started phone banks in key Republican districts where callers are engaging in deep listening conversations asking people’s opinions on the cuts to critical funding programs in order to cut taxes for billionaires and corporations. For folks who are opposed to the budget, we’re asking them to call their Members of Congress. Our next two phonebanks are scheduled.

Last week, House Republicans passed the budget resolution which outlines the topline tax cuts for the rich and some of the cuts to programs, particularly Medicaid and food assistance. Other cuts, such as housing, climate and education funding will happen during the annual appropriations legislation. [The committees will do the dirty work; count on them to stay out of the limelight and keep the Red State home folks uninformed about what vital services they will lose.]

Passing the budget resolution was only the first step. Now House Congressional committees will write detailed cuts and pass them through the committees so there will be multiple opportunities to put a wrench in the plans. The only Members of Congress who gave Speaker Johnson a hard time in passing the vote were far-right members. However, some Republican members have begun to express opposition to Medicaid cuts and have said that they only voted last week in order to “move the process forward.” The next time the bill moves to the floor the cuts to programs will be more explicit.

Right now, Congress faces a March 14th deadline to pass a government funding bill to keep the government open. Speaker Johnson is proposing a short-term extension of funding called a continuing resolution but he’ll likely need Democrats to vote for it as the extreme-right of the House Republican caucus never votes for government funding bills. Johnson stated that the CR would be to keep the government open, “while we begin to incorporate all these savings that we’re finding through the DOGE effort and these other sources of revenue.” Democrats should not vote for the bill without getting something in return.

Also, last week, Musk sent an email ordering all federal employees to list the work they had done the previous week or risk getting fired. Heads of intelligence agencies quickly told workers not to respond last week as they worried about classified information. Musk tried again yesterday and agency heads were quick to communicate to their employees not to respond until they heard from agency leadership. 

Trump and Vance berated Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Friday in a televised oval office meeting on Friday that was supposed to be about Ukraine signing a minerals deal with the United States in order to curry favor with Trump so the U.S. would continue supporting the war.  [The Economist (Brit) reported “In the immediate aftermath of the Oval Office row, Europeans were aghast. Never in history had an American president treated an ally with such contempt in public. The most striking message came from Kaja Kallas, the former leader of Estonia who is now the European Union’s foreign-policy chief: ‘Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. ‘”]

Here's what's in this email today....

ISSUE UPDATE: IMMIGRATION

Greisa Martínez Rosas guest essay in the NYTimes “Why Democrats Fail the Immigration Test Every Time” is worth the read. 

Trump’s DHS is seeking to obtain IRS taxpayer data of undocumented immigrants, which is clearly illegal. Undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars in taxes each year as they have been promised that the data is secure. The WaPo reports “Providing taxpayer information to third parties is punishable by civil and criminal penalties, and other government entities are forbidden from ordering tax investigations. People familiar with the DHS’s requests described them as “Nixonian,” referring to how President Richard M. Nixon’s administration used the IRS to collect information about perceived enemies. Abuse of the tax system was one of the articles of impeachment filed against Nixon in 1974, though he resigned before impeachment proceeded.”

In solidarity,

Megan