Holidays approach but there is still activism going on. Food security and zero waste policy (hmmm... they may be related) are on the agenda this week.

Welcome to the Progressive Maryland BlogSpace Weekly Memo

 Organizing for the Fight Against a Trump Administration continues on a crash program basis – it’s the biggest threat to public policy and human well-being most of us have seen in our lifetimes. Progressive Maryland is in the front rank of this struggle, which will require positive proposals as well as resistance to Trump’s corporate coup (that is, his cabinet) and will keep you posted.

We had lively and packed meetings last week of both Montgomery and Prince George’s chapters.

Justin Vest, MoCo lead organizer, reports that “we had 60 people attend our MoCo chapter meeting last Tuesday discussing a local Trump resistance strategy. Of those attendees, we had 40 people sign up to volunteer to host an organizing meeting, become an organizing fellow, join our rapid response, communications, or support teams.” If anyone wants to sign up for one of those roles, they can complete the form here: https://goo.gl/forms/uDOeLYQRMrMldE7B3

There was also good turnout for the Montgomery County Council HHS committee hearing, well reported below by our blogger Hal Ginsberg; “Allies packed the hearing room and the council is expected to take up the bill on Jan. 17^th,” Vest said.

The Prince George’s chapter meeting, emceed by lead organizer Jennifer Dwyer, heard reports on the evolving Zero Waste policy and on our highly visible campaign against Question D, which passed but raised public consciousness about the role of big money in Prince George’s electoral politics.

COMING UP  “Fresh Food for All in the 20743” – Thursday, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. at the Seat Pleasant Community Center -- join a community conversation hosted by the Capital Area Food Bank, the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council and Progressive Maryland about the recent closing of the Seat Pleasant Safeway and its effect on the area’s residents. Speak to local officials and let them know about the community’s wants and needs. Connect with your neighbors. The community center is at 5720 Addison Road.

 OUR ALLIES’ EVENTS:

Learn About And Comment On The County's Draft Zero Waste Strategy! Tuesday, December 13th, 7 pm: Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex, 7007 Bock Road, Ft. Washington MD 20744. The long-awaited draft Zero Waste Strategy for Prince George's County is ready for public comment! The Prince George's County Department of the Environment is sponsoring this informational meeting. Learn about the County's strategy and goals for reducing waste and contribute your ideas. You can access the DRAFT Zero Waste Strategy here: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/2651/Zero-Waste-Draft-Plan and the Waste Characterization Study, which found that 75 percent of what is in the Brown Station Road landfill can be recycled or composted, can be accessed here: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15885  

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Reading the Progressive Maryland BlogSpace: our blogs for the previous week are show below, but if you want a handy way to keep track – and never miss a blog post – you can sign up to get this Weekly Memo by email. Remember this is your blogspace and your participation is heartily invited. See something going on that you don’t like – or that you do like and hope to see more of? Send us your thoughts; submit to the moderator at [email protected].

 We recently published these blog posts:

December 9, 2016 MoCo Council divides on $15 minimum wage bill; delay to 2017 likely

Though a MoCo Council majority appears ready to pass a $15 minimum wage, Council President Roger Berliner is using his agenda-setting power to attempt a delay for a study of its effects on local businesses. Study or not, it seems likely the Council won't be able to act until it begins its 2017 session.

December 8, 2016 Hogan's weak paid sick leave proposal gets pushback, will backfire

Gov. Larry Hogan's business-friendly paid sick leave proposal Wednesday brought strong pushback and will likely mean a stronger coalition for a bill in January that will actually help

December 6, 2016 Fight for $15 in MoCo moves to council committee Wednesday

Montgomery County Council's HHS committee will work on the bill mandating a $15 minimum wage in the county tomorrow, Wednesday Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. in their Rockville chambers. The coalition spearheaded by Progressive Maryland plans to fill the room with activists advocating for the bill.

December 5, 2016 Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Dec. 5-12

A busy week including chapter meetings in Montgomery and Prince George's, plus our recent press clips, the week's blogs and other important things.

Keeping up with the blogs is easier with the index. The blogs published in the PM BlogSpace since June 2015 are all available with descriptions and links here.