memo_logo.pngMaryland progressives:

 

We want to make the most of 2023 and the opportunity we have to build state and local power! We’ll be sharing our full legislative agenda for the upcoming session with you soon. No matter what, we know that we need more power to forge a more inclusive, just, and healthy Maryland. Specifically, by growing our numbers we have a better chance of winning the funding we need for: our public schools, expanded healthcare services, and environmental protection. Organized people are the best way to gain relief and a stronger voice for working-class Marylanders and everyone who needs affordable housing and greater economic security.

 

In short, we need an organizing revival and we hope that you’re here for it!

 

There are lots of ways to get involved, starting with a conversation with one of our volunteer leaders or staff. If you already know someone on the PM team gives us a call or send a text today and we’ll set up a time to talk. Or simply fill out this form.

 

People-powered organizing is picking up steam across the country! Some examples include the voters and volunteers who are mobilizing in Georgia for the special run-off U.S. Senate election tomorrow, the workers who are organizing unions across the country, the activists who are demanding that we keep our democracy safe, and tenants everywhere, including in our state, who are organizing to stop holiday evictions and rent increases.  

 

Be a part of it! 

 

 

 

 

 

We want to make the most of 2023 and the opportunity we have to build state and local power! We’ll be sharing our full legislative agenda for the upcoming session with you soon. No matter what, we know that we need more power to forge a more inclusive, just, and healthy Maryland. Specifically, by growing our numbers we have a better chance of winning the funding we need for: our public schools, expanded healthcare services, and environmental protection. Organized people are the best way to gain relief and a stronger voice for working-class Marylanders and everyone who needs affordable housing and greater economic security.

 

In short, we need an organizing revival and we hope that you’re here for it!

 

There are lots of ways to get involved, starting with a conversation with one of our volunteer leaders or staff. If you already know someone on the PM team gives us a call or send a text today and we’ll set up a time to talk. Or simply fill out this form.

 

People-powered organizing is picking up steam across the country! Some examples include the voters and volunteers who are mobilizing in Georgia for the special run-off U.S. Senate election tomorrow, the workers who are organizing unions across the country, the activists who are demanding that we keep our democracy safe, and tenants everywhere, including in our state, who are organizing to stop holiday evictions and rent increases.  

 

Be a part of it! 

  • Take a minute to fill out this form.
  • Become a member! Sign up today on our website!
  • Save the date for our Annual Membership meeting on Saturday, January 28.
  • Read the memo, take action, check out our news and blog space, and follow us on social media.  

Thanks for your involvement! 

 

Onward,

The Progressive Maryland Team
 

Updates: PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns 

Healthcare For All:

We need you in this work! Priorities for the legislative session are to:

  •  Support and engage with the work of the new Prescription Drug Affordability Board
  •  Make improvements to the reimbursement program that benefits thousands of folks who were eligible for free care but were charged by hospitals  
  •  Expand health care in Maryland for undocumented residents
  •  Push for more resources and clinics dedicated to mental health services and the needs of Long Covid patients

To get involved in our work, contact Patty.

Drug Policy Task Force:

Our Task Force is working with our national affiliate, People’s Action, to win better federal drug policies and programs that support harm reduction. Help us tell Congress to pass the MAT Act (Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment) before the end of the year. The MAT Act will remove stigma-based barriers to treatment for people with opioid use disorder. Lives are at stake! 


We made it easy for you–just click the link below to send the pre-drafted email to let them know you are awaiting their support. Tell your elected officials to pass the MAT Act now.

Returning Citizens Task Force (RCTF):

RCTF will hold its final meeting of 2022 on  Tuesday, December 13 from 6:30—7:30 pm (note the new time). At last week’s  meeting we discussed ideas and ways to increase participation and activism, including how to use social media to reach out to potential members, to inform returning citizens of resources, to boost attendance at our events, and build support for our program and legislative initiatives.

 

We kicked off a conversation about next year's priorities and discussed a plan to invite Prince George's County Council Members to meetings for periodic updates on our initiatives. The Task Force intends to  explore building closer relations with allied  community organizations in the community. At next week’s meeting on Dec. 13 we’ll share highlights and accomplishments from this year so it’s a good time to attend for those who want to get to know us and our work!

 

To learn more, contact Kurt.
 

Local Chapter Updates:

Progressive Harford County 

Our chapter is organizing for progressive power in Harford. Please join us! Click here to fill out the form. For questions or more information contact Zack.

 

Progressive Prince George's 

Mark your calendars! The new Members of the County Council will be sworn in at the Exchange of Gavel Tomorrow, Dec. 6 at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building. If you RSVP’d you can send an email confirming your attendance or watch live here. 

 

Check out this feature story about three of the new Council Members who will be sworn in tomorrow. It’s a new era for the local Council and we congratulate all those victorious Council Members whom we endorsed. They will help form a strong progressive bloc on the Council! We’re excited to be working closely with them. 

 

Progressive Montgomery

Progressive Maryland sends its warm congratulations to the new Members of the Montgomery County Council. Our endorsed candidates for Council, Laurie-Anne Sayles (At Large), Kate Stewart (District 4), and Natali Fani-Gonzalez (District 6) campaigned tirelessly, lifting up the pressing issues the County faces, and offering progressive, community centered solutions. We look forward to working with them and the other newly elected and re-elected Council Members. We’re excited to see so many women and so much diversity on the Council!

 

Lower Shore Progressive Caucus

Join us this Thursday, December 8 for a celebratory gathering at Brew River in Salisbury! Sign up here. Can’t wait to see you! If you have questions and want to learn more, contact Kris to learn more and get involved.
 

EVENTS FROM OUR ALLIES: 

 

Sunday, December 11, 7:00 p.m.|| DC Labor Chorus: An Evening of Favorite and Sacred Songs. Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Ln, Bethesda, MD 20814 (map).

 

Monday, December 19, 7:00 pm || Reel and Meal at the New Deal Café presents the film The Shadow of Gold, showing gold extraction by the mining companies that dig deep and lop off mountaintops, exploiting some twenty million miners in the world's poorest nations. 

Discussion after screening will be led by local labor activist and Progressive Maryland staffer, Kurt Stand. We present the film hybrid-style with seating at the café, 113 Centerway, Roosevelt Center in Greenbelt. Prior registration is required for virtual attendees, click here. Sign in any time after 6:45 pm.
 

State and National News:

 

Maryland legislators have better-than-average state gun safety regulations in place, but free-lance Second Amendment types may hope to get the Trump-addled Supreme Court majority to overturn them. So the Assembly will work to make them, er, bullet-proof against judicial meddling and make Marylanders safer.

 

The very expensive and very necessary package of public school enhancements called the Blueprint for Maryland's Future is getting some tweaks from an oversight board before being put into play. The General Assembly is being invited to take a look at some changes.

 

Women candidates won new gains in Maryland -- and the rest of the nation -- in the November elections. As we see, it was not accidental.

 

And more progressive News You Can Use for Monday, December 5, 2022. Read on.
 
 
 

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Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792
woody woodruff

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...