Happy Monday! We will kick-start the week with some fantastic news: Montgomery County has scored a major victory for housing rights, and we couldn't be more thrilled! Last week, the Montgomery County Council passed the HOME Act by a 7-4 vote. The Home Act's passing means that MoCo tenants will now benefit from rent stabilization measures, offering them much needed relief from the uncertainties of rising housing costs. It brings crucial protections and stability to renters by capping annual rent increases and regulating fees. The HOME Act represents a significant step towards creating a more equitable housing market, protecting tenants from abrupt rent spikes, and fostering a fair and stable living environment for all residents of Montgomery County.

As we celebrate this achievement, we are also filled with hope that other counties across the state will follow suit and introduce similar measures to address the pressing issue of rising rent costs. Together, we can create a statewide movement for fair and stable housing, ensuring that all Maryland residents have access to secure and affordable homes.

But our work doesn't stop here! Our task forces and issue campaigns have been hard at work this month, and we have exciting plans in store for the summer. Read on for important updates, more state news and mark your calendars for the upcoming events we have planned.

Thank you for being part of our vibrant community, and we look forward to achieving more milestones together.

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• PM Events
• PM task forces & issue campaigns: HCTF & RCTF
• Events from Allies
• State & National news

PM EVENTS:

PMD GALA – Join us at the Progressive Maryland Gala with Congressman Jamie Raskin on September 21st at 6 pm! Unite with like-minded individuals, leaders, and advocates for an inspiring evening. Stay tuned for updates and be the first to get tickets. Your support means the world to us – let's build a better future for Maryland together!

Updates: PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns 

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

Join us for a national virtual forum about the movement to stop health insurance companies from withholding the care we deserve! Organizers, leaders, organizational members, and people who have been harmed by their health insurance companies will discuss the problem, the solutions, and the strategy to win. RSVP here

The New York Times published this story about claims denials in the privatized Medicaid sector. People’s Action member and Iowa CCI leader, Bri Moss, is quoted about her claims denial experience and fight back. Thanks to Bri for sharing her story. 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!.           

To get involved in the campaign contact Patty

Returning Citizens Taskforce

Our next meeting will be held virtually tonight, July 24. 

At our last meeting, we outlined plans for a collaborative event at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement on Saturday, August 12. The event, themed "Find Community, Find Your Voice," will serve as a platform for returning citizens to express their concerns and needs in a public setting. Additionally, there will be direct service providers and an expungement clinic available. Stay tuned for further details to come!

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.

For more information about our bi-weekly meetings or about any aspect of our work, please contact Kurt.

EVENTS FROM ALLIES

Interrupting Criminalization of People Impacted by the Drug War: Join Interrupting Criminalization’s sixth Beyond Do No Harm principles session for the year, focusing on Interrupting Criminalization of People Impacted by the Drug War. You can register at this link.

State and National News:

Plans, plans, plans... the state's climate plans are getting a hurry-up reboot, including the lagging task of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay; the Blueprint for better schools sees likely tweaks from an implementation board; states around the nation see Title I money threatened by the latest GOP House budget, and over 300,000 Maryland families have kids going hungry, that part definitely not planned by anybody but here it is. This and more on the state, national and even international level (German workers taking a lesson from Spain as Europe cooks and burns). It's never ALL the news you need, but we give it all we've got every week.

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- News You Can Use: Maryland families going hungry; climate goals falling behind

• 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