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Returning Citizens Task Force:Â
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.
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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.
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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.Â
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Environmental Justice Task Force: Hard Hitting Stories by Frontline Community Members for RREA
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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.  Â
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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.Â
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.
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To view the RREA hearing from last week, click here