As we begin this week, we can't ignore the recent developments in Congress that threaten fundamental rights. Last week, the House of Representatives saw Republican leadership seizing the opportunity to advance their agenda through the National Defense Authorization Act. What was once a bipartisan bill became a vessel for restrictive measures on abortion and trans healthcare for our military personnel.

The amendment inserted into the bill aims to limit reproductive freedom for those who serve in our military, prohibiting the Pentagon from covering travel expenses for abortion care. Furthermore, two transgender-related amendments were adopted, effectively blocking the health care program for active-duty service members from covering sex reassignment surgeries and gender hormone treatments. Another concerning amendment calls for prohibiting gender transition procedures through the Exceptional Family Member Program. Additionally, the bill also sought to suppress what some conservatives label as "woke" ideas, including any mention of the U.S. being a fundamentally racist country.

It's crucial to stay informed and engaged with such developments that impact our rights and liberties. At Progressive Maryland, we understand the importance of taking action to protect and advance progressive values. While Congress may be at odds over these issues, we remain committed to pushing forward in our own community.

Here in Maryland, we're working hard this summer with the launch of new initiatives, such as the 7/10 Black Workers Center. Our Returning Citizens Task Force and Healthcare Task Force are also organizing important events that need your support.

Join us in shaping the future of our state and supporting causes that matter. Read on for updates on PM events, ally events, actions to take and the latest on our task force initiatives. Together, we can make a positive impact and create a more inclusive and equitable Maryland for everyone.

Let's make this a week of action and progress!

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• PM Events
• PM task forces & issue campaigns: HCTF, RCTF & 7/10 BWC
• Events from Allies
• State & National news

PM EVENTS:

PMD GALA –Join us for an unforgettable evening with Congressman Jamie Raskin on September 21st at 6 pm! As a valued member of the Progressive Maryland network, you are cordially invited to this gala event, uniting like-minded individuals, community leaders, and passionate advocates. Get ready for inspiration, celebration, and shared vision as we come together to make a difference in our community. Stay tuned for further updates and formal invitations in the coming weeks, and be the first to know when tickets are available. Prepare to be inspired, engage with fellow progressives, and build a better future for Maryland. Your unwavering support means the world to us, and we can't wait to share this special evening with you!

Updates: PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns 

Healthcare Justice Campaign: Care Over Cost National Teach-In!

Next Wednesday you’re invited to a national conversation about the movement to stop health insurance companies from withholding the care we deserve! Join Progressive Maryland, People’s Action and our sister affiliates for: The Virtual Care Over Cost Teach-In on Wednesday, July 26. RSVP here

At this forum folks will share their stories about claim and coverage denials; we’ll hear about the industry profiteering that’s causing the problems with private health insurance plans; and we’ll go over how we’re fighting back. Can we take on and defeat these greedy, unaccountable companies? Yes we can! Join us July 26th to  find out how we can and how you can be a part of this crucial effort.

If you’ve had or are having a battle with your insurer about covering a medically necessary drug or treatment or about getting a claim paid, we want to hear from you. Click here to fill out the form!

Have questions or thoughts? Want to get involved? Contact Patty

Returning Citizens Taskforce

Nearly a dozen people attended our July 10 meeting. The discussion focused on an event we plan to hold on Saturday, August 12 at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement at 5073 E. Capitol St. SE (right on the DC/PG line). The event will be collaborative with the theme: Find Community, Find Your Voice. In addition to providing an opportunity for returning citizens to voice their concerns and needs at a public gathering, the event will also feature direct service providers and an expungement clinic. More details will follow.

Participants at the meeting also discussed the need to keep working on policy initiatives and ensure passage of legislation that addresses returning citizens’ needs for transitional housing with wrap-around services, for permanent affordable housing and for jobs at a living wage.

We also heard an update on our grant program, offering support to organizations providing services to individuals re-entering society after incarceration.  Learn more and submit your proposal here. The application deadline is July 30.

Our next meeting will be held virtually on Monday, July 24.  For more information about our bi-weekly meetings or about any aspect of our work, please contact Kurt.

7/10 Black Workers Center

We are delighted to announce that last week, we successfully launched the Progressive Maryland 7/10 Black Workers Center! This groundbreaking initiative is aimed at mobilizing Black workers in Maryland, especially those who were formerly incarcerated, to advocate for transformative shifts in local economic development policies. At the heart of our mission is a dedication to prioritizing the interests of working-class individuals, standing against the profit-driven agenda of affluent developers and exploitative corporations. Through a comprehensive approach that involves advocacy, resources, and community-led policy reform, we are fully committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by Black workers in our state.

To learn more about our exciting new project, please visit our new webpage. If you're interested in getting involved or want to receive further information, you can sign up for our email list here.

Feel free to reach out to Shannon, PM’s 7/10 Black Workers Center Organizer,  if you have any more questions.

EVENTS FROM ALLIES

Rally tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. at County Council in Rockville to support rent stabilization

State and National News:

Advocates for a Maryland site for the new FBI headquarters got a big boost when the criteria for the site were revised, downplaying nearness to the Quantico training ground and emphasizing "cost and social equity" concerns that make Prince George's County a more likely location. News is less tasty about a possible state budget deficit and a definite setback on the Purple Line -- later completion and more cost. And while you may not have been watching, 28,000 Maryland residents were dropped from the Medicaid rolls as the world forgets about the pandemic. Might be some household you know…

It’s this week’s News You Can Use

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.

• New Today- Good news on FBI HQ siting; not so great on possible deficit: the usual mixed bag of News You Can Use

• News You Can Use around Maryland, the nation of states, and even the feds

• Progressive Maryland's Returning Citizens Task Force Seeks Grant Proposals

• News You Can Use: The Cannabis Era begins in Maryland

• Our solidarity impact on DC

• Early Bird News You Can Use as Maryland progressives join People's Action conclave

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

Don't forget to follow us on social media!

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