Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, January 5, 2026

We hope you had a restful and joyful holiday season.

Unfortunately, the year is off to a very troubling start with the Trump regime’s unlawful U.S. military action in Venezuela in the past few days. He and his GOP supporters continue to make the affordability crisis worse here at home while taking reckless action abroad, spending billions of our taxpayer dollars pursuing the financial interests of the Trump family empire, his donors, Wall Street and Big Oil. We are in no position to dictate how other nations govern when so many families here are being left behind, and we will not lose sight of the administration’s failures to deliver for working people in the United States.

We can’t look away from what’s happening right here in Maryland either. This is a big year for our communities, our families, and our movement. Here at Progressive Maryland, we’re coming back energized and ready to get to work.

Legislative Session begins in just nine days, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. From healthcare and housing to environmental justice, economic fairness, and democracy itself, our issue campaigns and taskforces are already mobilizing in communities across the state to secure real protections and wins for working families.

So welcome back to our weekly memo. Buckle up because this year is going to move fast, and we’re grateful to have you on this ride with us.

Read on for ways to get involved and, as always, state and national news you can use.

In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

PM Events
Campaign Updates
Local Chapter Updates
State & National News

PM EVENTS:

Join Us for Lobby Night in Annapolis

Be part of the action at our first big event of 2026: Lobby Night on Monday, February 23rd. This is your chance to meet with lawmakers, share your voice, and advocate for the bold progressive policies our communities need.

Together, we’ll push for critical legislation on renters’ rights, environmental justice, fair taxes, and more. Legislators need to hear from you—your stories and perspectives make all the difference.

RSVP now to join us and help make change happen!

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates:

Healthcare Task Force: The Crisis they created is Here: What We Can Do

Donald Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have refused to hold a vote to extend the tax subsidies that millions of people need to keep their health insurance premiums affordable. The ACA extension actually has enough votes in the U.S. House to pass but Speaker Johnson is hell bent on leaving everyday Americans out in the cold. Let’s remember now and in November that while Mike Johnson lets millions of people lose their insurance he will maintain the great health insurance plan he has, which is paid for by our tax dollars.

On the immediate front, residents can get guidance and help from the Maryland Exchange. You have until January 15th! They can help answer your questions about plans, rates, and resources that may be available. Please check with them before purchasing plans that may sound good but are actually “junk” insurance that won’t cover your bills.

On the public policy and political front, our lawmakers and health officials need to continue the work to keep Marylanders covered, including the hundreds of thousands of Medicaid enrollees in our state who may lose their coverage as a result of the federal budget, HR 1. We’ve launched a Reclaim Medicaid campaign to power our advocacy to bolster Maryland’s Medicaid program. Please join us!

Sign the petition to state legislators
Tell us your concerns, take our survey.

The healthcare system is broken. We must protect people, patients, and all the providers who serve us, in the short run. At the same time we can forge a path to a truly universal health care system where everyone is in, no one is out. The best way to fix it is to stop giving insurance companies and Managed Care Organizations control over the financing, spending and care decisions.

We’re excited that more and more Members of Congress are signing on to sponsor the Medicare For All Act. In Maryland, Sen. Van Hollen has signed on and Rep. Delaney and Rep. Elfreth have also become sponsors, joining Representatives Raskin, Ivey, and Mfume.

Join us! Help us with our outreach, our events, and legislative work. Contact Patty.

Local Chapter Updates:

Shore Progress

We have our first Community Meeting of the Year this Thursday, January 8th. Sign up here.

Frederick County

Frederick Rent Stabilization Town Hall

Calling all Frederick County renters — is your rent too high? Join us for a virtual Rent Stabilization Town Hall on Friday, January 16, from 6:30–8:00 PM, featuring leaders from Montgomery County who successfully enacted rent stabilization. Hear from Councilmember Will Jawando and Councilmember Izola Shaw, ask questions, and learn how this fight can move forward in Frederick. This is the first in a series of conversations on rent stabilization.

RSVP here to join us in person | RSVP here to join us virtually

Tumultuous beginning to 2026 as Trump punks Venezuela as Epstein distraction

So much excitement for 2026's first News You Can Use. Trump finally has an "Osama bin Laden moment" to top Obama's (and distract from Epstein stuff) although Mar-a-Lago doesn't really have a Situation Room. We bet he's building one there now as we speak. States, we see below, are trying to find work-arounds for all the Affordable Care Act premium subsidies now in last year's news; many states (like Maryland) are about to begin legislative sessions and find out how many other things they/we really have to worry about.

But News You Can Use has made it to 2026 and promises to keep you up on outrages and attafolkses at the global/federal, state and local level.

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.

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