Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• • Legislative Updates

  • PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates
  • Local Chapter Updates
  • Ally Events
  • State & National News

Firstly, please note that you can still contribute to the Key Bridge relief efforts by donating through this link provided by Baltimore City: Donate Now. Your generosity can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the victims' families and the families of the survivors as they continue to grapple with this tragedy.

Today is Sine Die, the final day of the legislative session until it reconvenes next year in January 2025. Lawmakers will be on the floor all night to get any outstanding votes completed and move the last bills across the finish line as the General Assembly prepares to adjourn at midnight. 

As we take stock of the legislative session, we're reflecting on both the victories and the setbacks. While there were successes to celebrate, there were also disappointments in the failure to pass crucial progressive bills. We remain committed to continuing the fight for these issues in the future by continuing to build power and engage more people in the political process.

We will provide more updates in next week’s memo after the events of today, but in the meantime please check out the legislative updates section for highlights on what we do know already.

Lastly, Happy Solar Eclipse Day! According to NASA, Most of Maryland will get a partial eclipse that blocks 85-90% of the sun. Here is some info from the Baltimore Sun. 

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:

Click here to keep track of all active Maryland bills, their action status, top sponsors, and top committees. You can also view the bills from the previous legislative session. For more detailed updates on this year’s Legislative Session and to search specific bills click here.

Here are some quick updates on some of our priority bills:

Healthcare

It’s official - the Access to Care Act and HB1337 were both passed in the House and the Senate and are on to the Governor’s desk!

Environmental

The EMPOWER Act has passed! The EMPOWER Act has successfully passed with a vote of (32-15). This legislation mandates electric and gas companies, along with the Department of Housing and Community Development, to devise comprehensive plans aimed at achieving crucial energy efficiency, conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. By superseding existing goals, this bill signifies a significant step towards a greener, more sustainable future. The EMPOWER Act represents a critical stride in our ongoing efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental equity. 

Reentry

HB1037 has passed unanimously with a vote of 45-0. This legislation will establish a task force responsible for the creation of a Division of Returning Citizens and Expanded Reentry Services in the state. It will be critical for enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of services and support systems for individuals transitioning back into society after incarceration. HB37 hasn't been brought to vote yet but be on the lookout for that.

Housing

Last week, the Progressive Maryland Enclave Tenant Association came to Annapolis to call for the Tenant Safety Act and Just Cause to be passed in the MD Senate. After having Senator Will Smith to their homes to discuss the bills and why tenants need them, Smith fought to pass TSA! While Just Cause Eviction didn't pass this year, passing the Tenant Safety Act is a HUGE win for tenants across the state and will allow us to hold corrupt landlords financially accountable! 

PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates

Returning Citizens Task Force

A highlight of the past week was the 4th Annual National Returning Citizens Conference on Friday, April 5 – 6 at the Renaissance Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA. Hosted by the 400 Years of African American History Federal Commission and the Faith and Justice Advisory Commission, the conference drew participants from across the country to network and strategize over how to best ease the path of reentry, how to restore rights and help people find jobs and housing. All this is within the context of understanding that at some point the underlying problem of mass incarceration needs to be addressed.  Faith leaders, local activists, government officials, direct service providers, and many others from across the country took part in the conference. There was a strong local presence as well, including many individuals who have worked with or through Progressive Maryland.

The RCTF meeting on April 2 featured a discussion as to how we can best go forward in the coming months. As an immediate task, we resolved to participate in the April 27 Expungement and Job Fair at Reid Temple AME Church in Glen Dale, from 9:00am  – 2:00pm. We also concluded that we will continue to make housing a priority and work with others to reintroduce a version of the Fair Chance in Housing Act next year.  We will continue to explore other possible avenues of activity as well.

We will meet again on Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30 pm – but thereafter – through the rest of spring and summer – we will meet monthly. For more information, please contact Kurt.

Healthcare Justice: Victory on Health Insurance Reform (HB 1337) and the Access to Care Act!

Our health insurance reform bill, HB 1337, passed both chambers and is on its way to Governor Moore! This bill requires more transparency in reporting from health insurers and will aid us in drafting additional laws that crack down on insurance company practices with respect to care and claim denials. Thanks to all of you who contacted legislators, attended our Health Justice Rally and Power Summit, and are building the Care Over Cost campaign with us! You can also support this work by joining or volunteering.

We’re thrilled that the Access to Care Act also passed with strong support in the State House and Senate! Last year the Senate failed to take action on this critical measure but because of CASA’s persistence and with support from groups like Progressive Maryland and the End Medical Debt campaign, we prevailed in Annapolis this session. The Act will remove immigration status as a barrier to buying health insurance on the State Exchange. 

The legislature continues its work today and wraps up tonight. Please stay tuned for final calls to action and read the Memo next Monday for a full wrap-up. 

Progressive Maryland, along with our national affiliate People’s Action, is pushing for new Federal-level policies that address health insurance claim denials and the price gouging rampant in Medicare Advantage plans. Read more about the problem and what can be done in this recent oped by Rep. Jayapal and former Cigna Executive  Wendell Potter published this oped in Newsweek titled, “The Truth Behind Medicare (Dis)Advantage's Disinformation Campaign | Opinion.”

Local Chapter Updates: 

South Prince George’s County

Despite the weather, the South Prince George’s County Chapter came together and decided that we want to take action on getting more money for our schools or fighting our greedy utility companies. We need everyone to take action on this! Please reach out to Anton to commit to the next steps on making change!

Progressive Harford County & Lower Shore Progressive Caucus

Progressive Harford County and the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus are hosting a joint fundraiser to build awareness about climate and sustainability in Maryland. The fundraiser will be held on April 27 from 6-9 p.m. at Concord Point Coffee, 217 North Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. Tickets are $25 and additional sponsorship levels and benefits are available too. Speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Events from Allies:

The Reel and Meal program on Monday, April 15th will focus on similarities in three refugee situations. All involve Muslim populations. All had their roots in former British colonial rule. Ahmed Mansour, an award-winning Palestinian filmmaker,  will present his film "Angel of Gaza" and help lead the discussion afterward. Two other shorter films will be shown: one about Kashmir and one about the Rohingya from Myanmar. The program starts at 7PM at the New Deal Cafe, 113 Centerway, in Greenbelt. You can also attend via Zoom by prior registration here. For more details about the program, call Frank Gervasi at 301-467-2418. 

An invite from our friends at the Legal Justice Alliance of Baltimore County:

Ping-pong politics as bridge collapse complicates end of Assembly session
As the import of our loss of the Key bridge – compounded by the losses to families of the workers still awaiting recovery – sinks in, the General Assembly is hoping to bring the session to a close today, even though Gov. Moore has given them an extra ten-day extension if needed. There are certainly excellent bills still in danger of staying stuck in committee that would make all our lives better if they got to the governor’s desk. This Memo has today’s details on unfinished business, plus increasing curiosity about how such big ships made their way to the Port of Baltimore despite the known dangers. And we see, too, that other states are still finishing up legislative business as well, for better or worse. Finally, we feature a blog post by People’s Action’s leader, Sulma Arias, about why the costs of groceries didn’t come down when inflation abated. Maybe you were curious about that yourself. It’s all News You Can Use for this week, so read on.

Progressive Maryland BlogSpace:

We value creating space for our members to express their thoughts on any issues related to our campaigns. Have an idea for a blog post? You can submit writing, film, graphic design, etc. to be published on our website to the blog moderator Woody.

• NEW TODAY – Ping-pong politics as bridge collapse complicates end of Assembly session

• Key Bridge disaster putting much other news in the shade

   

• Assembly session heads for close with converging scuffles over taxes

   

• News You Can Use: Assembly scuffles to scrape up money to match dreams

   

• Assembly is on verge of final-month gallop; no new taxes (for now)

   

• New Analysis Shows Maryland Is Wasting Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Subsidizing Trash Incineration

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

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P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792