IN THIS ISSUE OF THE MEMO: FIND OUT ABOUT Progressive Maryland’s work during the pandemic. Find out more and learn how to join our effort this Thursday as we host a virtual organizing meeting to share positive news about the steps we've taken, some new resources, and ways you can get involved in responding to the pandemic. Click here to register for our Marylanders United Virtual Organizing Meeting on Thursday, April 16th from 5:30-7:00pm. More details are below.
Introducing Marylanders United: a COVID-19 action center we created to serve our communities and help you take action during this crisis. Check it out to view a comprehensive list of useful resources and learn about what you can do to volunteer. https://marylandersunited.org
ALSO FIND INFO HERE ON
- What has changed in the time of pandemic about
- Voting by mail in the June 2 primary
- Personal safety when outside your home
- Personal safety for those whose work keeps us safe – how you can help
- Complying with the (very important) 2020 Census count
- How our national affiliate People’s Action and Progressive Maryland will work to ensure that the federal response to the pandemic bails out people, not profiteers and corporations. Join us next Tuesday to talk about that
Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday April 13 2020
IN THIS ISSUE OF THE MEMO: FIND OUT ABOUT Progressive Maryland’s work during the pandemic. Find out more and learn how to join our effort this Thursday as we host a virtual organizing meeting to share positive news about the steps we've taken, some new resources, and ways you can get involved in responding to the pandemic. Click here to register for our Marylanders United Virtual Organizing Meeting on Thursday, April 16th from 5:30-7:00pm. More details are below.
Introducing Marylanders United: a COVID-19 action center we created to serve our communities and help you take action during this crisis. Check it out to view a comprehensive list of useful resources and learn about what you can do to volunteer. https://marylandersunited.org
ALSO FIND INFO HERE ON
- What has changed in the time of pandemic about
- Voting by mail in the June 2 primary
- Personal safety when outside your home
- Personal safety for those whose work keeps us safe – how you can help
- Complying with the (very important) 2020 Census count
- How our national affiliate People’s Action and Progressive Maryland will work to ensure that the federal response to the pandemic bails out people, not profiteers and corporations. Join us next Tuesday to talk about that
Progressive Maryland COVID-19 Response
We are working to do our best across the state and across the organization to respond to the pandemic and all the related challenges to our society and economy. We are deeply grateful for all who are serving on the front lines to deliver health care, to maintain vital services, and continue educating students at all levels around the state. Progressive Maryland is supporting mutual aid efforts for folks in need. And we continue to organize because now more than ever we need to stay connected and engaged.
Along with our allies we’re monitoring the response to the emergency on the county, state and federal level. We’re pushing for health and economic measures and action that will directly aid families, workers, renters, low wealth and vulnerable residents. We sent a letter outlining policy recommendations to our Congressional delegation and are setting up calls with them this week and next week.
Today we sent a letter to the Governor, Senate President and Speaker of the House that shares a comprehensive set of policy recommendations ranging from health care to upholding fair elections. It’s also been shared with the Joint COVID -19 Response Legislative Workgroup.
Since late March we have been communicating with County Executives and Councils through sign-on letters that outline local concerns and recommendations for action. We’ve held meetings with Montgomery County, Baltimore County and the City of Baltimore to date. Along with our many partners from community, labor, and civil rights organizations we are working to set up similar meetings in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, and Frederick Counties this month.
The state is moving to a vote by mail system for the June 2 primary (rescheduled from April 28) and we’ll be at a call with other voting rights advocates with the State Board of Elections on April 14 to discuss our concerns and suggestions.
Take Action: Protect our State Employees!
Thousands of dedicated state workers remain on the front lines serving the public. At a recent phone briefing with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council 3 (AFSCME) who represent those workers we learned that conditions are quite dire in a number of state offices and facilities. In particular, hundreds of staff who work at State Hospitals are at risk because only three of the eleven state hospitals are using PPEs and masks daily with no re-use.
Please email or call Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert Neall and urge him to implement basic health and safety protocols. We need leadership and action—it will save lives.
[email protected] or 410 767-4639
If you’d like to learn more about Progressive Maryland’s rapid response work please email Patty Snee at [email protected]. And please visit our COVID-19 dedicated website https://progressivemaryland.wixsite.com/marylandersunited
MARYLAND WILL (MOSTLY) VOTE BY MAIL IN JUNE 2 PRIMARY
Gov. Larry Hogan announced last week that the state’s June 2 primary election will be mostly conducted by mail. He signed off on the state elections board proposal that all registered voters in the state would receive mail ballots. Though the deadline for registration is by law 21 days before the election the election board’s plan as presented involved mailing the ballots earlier by the end of April, so the unregistered may need to move quickly. Limited in-person voting centers will be available in each county for voters unable to vote by mail. Please make a plan to vote! Contact Progressive Maryland for more information. Check out our election resource guide at www.progressivemaryland.org
CORONAVIRUS INFO
Two suburban MD counties now require store limits, face mask use
Prince George’s County beginning Wednesday, April 15 and Montgomery County beginning today, Monday, April 13, will require use of face masks as a protective measure against Covid-19 transmission when in public places. Establishments with essential goods permitted to open for business must restrict the number of shoppers to provide for social distancing; see the links to details.
AN ACCURATE CENSUS COUNT IS CRITICAL – BECAUSE WE ALL COUNT
Did you know that Census information can help predict the spread of diseases through communities? It's incredibly crucial, especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, that we put the health of safety of our communities first. This is why we at Progressive Maryland value the importance of the 2020 Census and are actively working to ensure that everyone is counted. When the “people map” of our state and its communities is accurate, there is better response to any emergency. The 2020 Census will also help determine the distribution of billions of dollars in state and federal funding to local communities for needs such as hospitals and school lunch programs so we need all residents to fill it out. We are encouraging our members and supporters to complete the 2020 Census online now. It only takes 10 minutes! Go to my2020census.gov to get started.
FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY:
Progressive Maryland endorses candidates at all levels in Maryland, but not at the national level. Our umbrella national affiliate People’s Action endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for president in 2019. Their national director George Goehl is inviting Maryland progressives who support the national-level issues that campaign elevated to check in on where the now-suspended Sanders campaign will go from here in this issue-driven virtual event:
Bernie Sanders is ending his presidential run, but our fight doesn’t end with a single campaign. Now more than ever, in the middle of a pandemic and an economic depression, it’s time to fight for somebody you don’t know.
Join us TOMORROW – Tuesday, April 14 -- for “Not Me, Us: A Livestream for the Revolution.” We’ll be joined by key leaders and surrogates from the Sanders campaign. Together, we’ll discuss how we can build momentum for the ideas that unite us:
- Health care as a human right, ensured by Medicare for All.
- Housing as a human right, ensured by a Homes Guarantee.
- Keeping fossil fuels in the ground and winning a Green New Deal.
- Making sure the wealthy and the powerful pay their fair share.
Please register now for the livestream. The fight’s not done, so neither are we.
- George Goehl, People’s Action
TELL CONGRESS – WE NEED A “PEOPLE’S BAILOUT” IN THIS CRISIS Progressive Maryland, our allies and our national affiliate People’s Action are endorsers and facilitators of the campaign for a People’s Bailout.
Five Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus
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Health is the top priority, for all people, with no exceptions
2. Economic relief must be provided directly to the people
3. Rescue workers and communities, not corporate executives
4. Make a downpayment on a regenerative economy while preventing future crises
5. Protect our democratic process while protecting each other
The COVID-19 pandemic demands swift and unprecedented action from the federal government. The depth of the crisis and the scope of the response mean that choices being made right now will shape our society for years, if not decades to come. The interrelated crises of wealth inequality, racism, and ecological decline in place long before COVID-19 now risk being intensified. This is a time to be decisive in saving lives, and bold in charting a path to a genuinely healthier and more equitable future through a just recovery. National and local leaders must move on these priorities – or get out of the way.
See the detailed explanation of how these five principles will get us to a better future here https://thepeoplesbailout.org/
PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND – OUR CHAPTERS AROUND THE STATE
MOCO Update
Progressive Maryland is supporting mutual aid efforts for folks and communities in need. We continue to do outreach and organizing using on-line tools, phone calls, and social media.
Along with our allies we’re monitoring the County’s response as well as the state and national response to the emergency; we’re pushing for health and economic measures and action that will directly aid families, workers, renters, and low wealth residents.
Local Update and Action Needed:
--Progressive Maryland supports the Montgomery County Education Association’s call to the School District and the County Council and Executive to fully fund our public schools.
Parents and people everywhere have a renewed appreciation for what teachers and other school personnel provide to our kids and communities.
--We anticipate serious economic repercussions due to the financial fallout from the Coronavirus pandemic including an impact on the County’s revenue. We’ll face challenging choices as a community about local budget priorities and spending. In our view the public school system should be considered central to any and all economic recovery efforts.
Thank you for taking action on these issues even during these challenging times. Contact Josh Raznick at [email protected] or Patty Snee at [email protected] if you want to learn more and get involved in the MOCO Chapter’s education, election, or other issue work.
Take Action Anne Arundel County
Lower Shore Progressive Caucus
Our next meeting is on May 7. Due to concerns about COVID-19, we will be meeting via Zoom instead of face-to-face. Click here for info.
EVENTS FROM OUR PROGRESSIVE ALLIES:
TOMORROW Tuesday APR 14 7 PM Webinar The Elephant in the Emergency Room -- how Medicare for All can save your family money. From Our Revolution Maryland and other state chapters -- sign up here And here is Our Revolution MD’s new newsletter, in PDF:
TOMORROW – Tuesday, April 14 7 PM -- “Not Me, Us: A Livestream for the Revolution.” We’ll be joined by key leaders and surrogates from the Sanders campaign. Together, we’ll discuss how we can build momentum for the ideas that unite us:
Sunday, APR 19 | 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Prince George’s County Our Revolution monthly meeting
Adapted to a virtual panel discussion, Zoom Meeting
The meeting will discuss current actions and events in the wake of Bernie’s campaign suspension. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
>>Baltimore progressives, Check in on the wide-ranging Baltimore Activist Alert calendar and tip sheet at http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/
Reading the Progressive Maryland BlogSpace: our recent blogs are shown 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:
April 09, 2020 Join Progressive Maryland and allies in organizing to meet this crisis
Progressive Maryland, along with our allies, are hosting a virtual organizing meeting Thursday, April 16 to share positive news about the steps we've taken, some new resources, and ways you can get involved in responding to the pandemic.
April 01, 2020 It’s Time to Think About What Comes After the Apocalypse
Despite the obvious strains on resources a crisis can bring about, this crisis reveals that our society has long had plenty of the material resources to meet people’s basic needs. If ‘normal’ means a return to an inadequate health care system and widening economic disparities, we must not return to normal. Progressive Maryland executive director Larry Stafford Jr. outlines what communities can do, working collectively.
March 30, 2020 Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, March 30, 2020
Info you need, including details on the "Stay at Home" statewide order issued this morning (March 30), the critical importance of the Census, and why Progressive Maryland and allies are backing the People's Bailout -- and what it means.
March 27, 2020 Fear at Work
As the coronavirus emergency overtook Maryland, day by day and with new restrictions piling up, thousands have watched their jobs evaporate under their feet. Some workers, in food service and retail, can't telework the human contact they provided. The story of one restaurant's slow dissolution, and the impact -- physical and mental -- on workers, plays out here in Kurt Stand's personal account.
>REMEMBER – these blog posts are frequently expressions of political opinion from our wide-ranging membership and circle of allies. They are not expressions of opinion by Progressive Maryland. Don’t be surprised if they sometimes vary in their political content. You might even disagree with them – a good reason to contribute a blog of your own. Send it to the moderator, Woody Woodruff, at [email protected].
>>Keeping up with the blogs is easier with the index. The blogs published in the PM BlogSpace from June 2015 through December 2016 are all available with descriptions and links here. You can follow blogs for 2017-18 starting from here
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