As we step into the last Monday of January, we can't help but revel in the incredible momentum we've built together in the first month of 2024. From unveiling our legislative priorities to making our voices heard in crucial hearings, it's been an impactful start to the year.

Last Thursday, our Environmental Justice Task Force took center stage at the first hearing for the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2024. Our team passionately presented our case, bringing three residents from South Baltimore to testify before the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee. They emphasized the urgent need to stop the financing of dirty energy in our state and address the adverse effects of the trash incinerator in South Baltimore.

But, we're not slowing down. In less than two weeks, on February 10th , we'll gather in Annapolis for our 2024 Power Summit. It's a unique opportunity for us to connect, build community, take action together, and discuss the possibilities that lie ahead during the legislative session.

Read on for updates from our task forces, who have exciting events on the horizon and discover ways to get involved. Check out our blogspace for state and national news you can use.

Here's to closing out January on a high note!

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• • PM Events
  • PM task forces & issue campaigns: HCTF, EJTF & RCTF
  • State & National News

PM Events: Less Than 2 Weeks Away: Join us at the 2024 Power Summit on February 10th!

Join us on February 10th from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm for the 2024 Power Summit in Annapolis! This event is an invaluable opportunity to connect with fellow advocates from across the state, gain insights from members of our Maryland General Assembly, and immerse yourself in the heart of our campaigns. Be a part of shaping our goals and organizing priorities for the upcoming year, and cap off the day with a compelling direct action

PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates

Healthcare Justice: Fight Corporate Greed, Elevate People’s Needs in 2024

Join us for our virtual community forum and Teach-In this Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6:30! You’ll learn more about legislation that will expand healthcare for immigrants, lower prescription drug costs, address insurance company care denials and more!

We want to learn more about your concerns and what you want to see changed in our healthcare system. We’ll also hear from one of our progressive House Delegates and we’ll review the opportunities to take action and make a difference this legislative session.  

Hope to see you this Thursday! For more information or to share your story contact Patty.

Returning Citizens Task Force: 

Del. Adrian Boafo will be introducing his Fair Chance in Housing legislation (cosponsored by Senator Christopher West) this session in Annapolis.  RCTF will be part of a coalition initiated and led by Life After Release to support passage of this bill which is a step toward ending housing discrimination against individuals with a criminal record.  The Maryland Second Chance Act – which will enable people who have served more than 20 years in prison to have their case reviewed for possible release – is also going to be initiated this session.

We have also begun planning – in conjunction with Progressive Maryland’s Black Workers Center – a hiring fair/health and expungement clinic which will take place on February 24 from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm at United Association of Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 5 at 4755 Walden Lane in Lanham.

For more information about these and other initiatives, please attend our next bi-weekly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm via zoom (please note that we have moved our meetings from Monday to Tuesday evenings. For more information, please contact Kurt. 

Environmental Justice Task Force: Hard Hitting Stories by Frontline Community Members for RREA

After much anticipation and several adjustments to the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act (RREA) SB0146 hearing's start time, Committee Chair Feldman finally initiated the session at 3 p.m. Three front-line South Baltimore residents shared personal stories in the evening before the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee about health impacts of living near a polluting and toxic trash incinerator. Environmental advocates referenced the recent recommendations of the Climate Pollution Reduction Plan to eliminate trash incineration, highlighting that Governor Wes Moore would follow that advice.   

Surprisingly, EEE committee members had more questions for the opposing witnesses of SB146, than the favorable ones. Yet, this worked in our favor, and a heavy blow was dealt to "goliath" in this fight to remove trash incineration from our state's renewable energy program. 

The EJTF would like to give a huge shout out to the brave frontline community members that passionately testified last Thursday: Shenae Thomas, Jeff Barnes, and Mary Randall. A hearing date for the second phase of the RREA (HB166) is yet to be announced, so stay tuned for updates.

To view the RREA hearing from last week, click here

News You Can Use: Legislative moves continue to stand out; see our list of what's up and how to get heard

In Maryland, the General Assembly session continues to dominate the news -- reform of vacancy appointment power for local central committees; broadening health insurance. There are also things the GA might kick down the road again, like the Bay cleanup project languishing because "best practices" farming appears not to have caught on. We've also got a sampling of what other states are doing -- can you imagine, one state is considering raising the tax rate on $million-plus mansions to finance affordable housing. What a concept. And we have a report from People's Action about the dismal state of play on Capitol Hill.

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.

•  Legislative moves continue to stand out; see our list of what's up and how to get heard
• Assembly settles into hearing grind as scope of work, fiscal constraints loom  
• Reclaim renewable energy: Stop subsidizing dirty air and health hazards from waste incineration
• Issues pile up as the MD Assembly session begins Wednesday; also, the latest state and federal news
  

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

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