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Happy Monday and Happy First Day of School! As our children head back to class today, we're entering year three of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. This is a pivotal moment for improving our education system, ensuring every student has access to quality education and the resources they need to thrive. We're making strides, but there's still work to be done.

 

We’re also exactly one month away from our Annual Gala! This year's event is set to be bigger and better than ever. With Nina Turner as our keynote speaker and Drew Murray the magician hosting the evening, you won't want to miss the chance to connect with fellow progressives, community leaders, and passionate advocates. Early bird tickets end this week, so make sure to grab yours before they’re gone!

 

As we gear up for the fall sprint to Election Day, we’re coming off the momentum of the DNC ceremonies and focusing on Maryland’s crucial Senate race. While Hogan and his team mock and insult Alsobrooks in the media, we’re doubling down on our efforts to out-organize the Republicans and reach voters where it counts. That’s why we need you to join us for Throwdown Thursdays, our weekly phonebanking session dedicated to GOTV for Alsobrooks. Sign up here and help us make every call count. We’ll be at it every week until the election and the big day will be here before we know it.

 

Read on for updates from our issue campaigns and task forces, opportunities to get involved, and the latest state and national news.

 

 

 

 
 

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

  • PM Events
  • Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates
  • Local Chapter Updates
  • Events from Allies
  • State & National News
  • PM Job Openings
 

PM EVENTS

Progressive Maryland Annual Gala - Early Bird Sale Ends this Week!

Join us on September 26th for an inspiring evening at this year’s Progressive Maryland Gala! With keynote speaker Nina Turner, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow progressives, celebrate our accomplishments, and fuel the fight for a better Maryland. Grab your tickets before they sell out!

PM Mobilizers Squad Throwdown Thursdays!

Join us for Throwdown Thursday this week from 5:00-6:30 PM as we continue our GOTV efforts for Angela Alsobrooks! With the DNC wrapping up just last week, now is the time to ride this wave of momentum and connect with voters across Maryland. Every call we make helps strengthen our campaign to keep progressive values in the Senate. Whether you’re a seasoned phonebanker or new to the game, your efforts are crucial. Let’s come together, out-organize the opposition, and ensure victory in November. See you Thursday! 

Click here to sign up.

In addition to phonebanking, sign up here  for door knocking on our days of action across the state!
 

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: 

Healthcare Justice Campaign: Put Medicare and Social Security on the Ballot!

 

We organized a Facts vs. Fiction Forum About Medicare and Social Security last week at Leisure World in Silver Spring. 

 

Thanks to the Leisure World Progressive Club for hosting us! Special thanks to our speakers (pictured below): Syl Higgins, Progressive Maryland HCTF leader, Megan Essaheb, Federal Affairs Director for People’s Action and Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works and author of 4 books on the subject. 

 

These two vital programs are not about to go bankrupt (as some would try to convince us)  but they do need to be strengthened. There are simple solutions but they require the political will to make millionaires pay their fair share into Social Security.

 

We can expand Medicare benefits if our elected officials take action to end the raid on Medicare’s budget by insurance  companies who are overbilling the program by billions for their Medicare Advantage plans. See more here.

 

This fall, let’s urge candidates to pledge their support for Medicare and Social Security and to oppose privatization. Help us educate voters, get involved as an election volunteer!

 

Enjoy the Labor Day holiday and contact Patty if you have questions or requests.

 

Environmental Justice Task Force: EJTF Action Plan Unveiled Saturday, August 31st

 

The Environmental Justice Task Force is holding its new member meeting this Saturday, August 31st, 3p-4:30p, at Enoch Pratt Library Cherry Hill Branch. EJTF members will share their personal stories of what became the impetus for them to take action to address the high levels of  trash and pollution in their neighborhoods. In addition, the EJTF’s action plan to resolve these issues will be revealed. If you would like to join this event register here. 

 

Moreover, the EJTF is still in need of volunteers to support its days of action in support of  Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who’s a Democrat running against the former Governor of Maryland Larry Hogan for a U.,S Senatorial Seat. 

 

The 3 days of action are as follows: Sunday, September 29, 10a-7p, Saturday, October, 26, 10a-7p, Saturday, November 2, 10a-7p. The canvass will take place in Westport, Mt. Winans, and Brooklyn. If you would like to help Angela secure more votes, register here.
 

PM Local Chapter Updates

South Prince George’s County 

Back to school is approaching, and we want to ensure Oxon Hill students can go back to school without having to worry about where they are going to get school supplies or if their classroom is going to be too hot to go to school. 

 

We are CALLING on the school board to fight for every opportunity for our schools through school solar panels. Join us by signing up to testify or show your support in person at the School board meeting on Thursday, August 29th at 6:30!
 

EVENTS FROM ALLIES:

 

Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle | 9.19.2024 @ 6:00 pm FREE - Reginald F Lewis Museum

 

Under Threat: Countering David Smith’s Ballot Initiatives

 

David Smith, chairman of Sinclair Broadcasting, is supporting ballot initiatives that seek to diminish Black political power in Baltimore. This is part of a larger right-wing attack on the progress made in criminal justice reform, reparations, community-based violence prevention, and other progressive policy measures.

 

This discussion will provide the audience with more information about these ballot initiatives and the work being done to fight them.

 

Register now
 

News You Can Use: Bay pollution, grocery merger fought, schools cellphones targeted and more

 

Lots going on under the umbrella of Labor Day's official launch of the presidential campaigns -- The Bay's pollution by two large local businesses is compounded by local governments' insufficient moves to remedy stormwater runoff. Result: a one-two punch to the Bay's future. Students' cellphones are an up-front issue in schools throughout the state, while the effects of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, the long-range (and expensive) plan for school improvement, is creeping into everyday life in mostly good ways (unless you are a county budget officer). Around the country, those states that still tax groceries are deciding to dump or suspend them to ease supermarket costs. And more: new Covid boosters OK'd, states struggle to overcome local resistance to renewables, and a software company is sued by DOJ for enabling rental price-fixing. It's News You Can Use.

 
 
 
 
 

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Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792
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About

M.A. and Ph.d. from University of Maryland Merrill College of Journalism, would-be radical, sci-fi fan... retired to a life of keyboard radicalism...