We want to give a special shoutout and highlight Bailey Anne Kennedy who made history by being crowned Miss Maryland USA in Bethesda. Not only is she the first transgender woman to win this title, but she is also the first Asian American and military wife to achieve this honor. This remarkable accomplishment comes at a significant time as we celebrate Pride Month. Bailey's victory is a proud moment for the LGBTQ+ community and a testament to the progress we continue to make towards inclusivity and representation.

In other exciting news, Governor Wes Moore has signed what is being hailed as the "most comprehensive" executive order by any Maryland Governor to date. The directive mandates that every state department develop a climate implementation plan to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2045. A significant aspect of this order is its focus on accountability, requiring regular progress reports from each department, including Environment, Health, and Transportation. This state order focuses on environmental justice and economic justice so we can have a clean energy transition while simultaneously reducing the racial wealth gap. 

The order includes immediate actions, such as proposing new emissions standards and working with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative states to establish new regional carbon dioxide emissions caps. Additionally, the Maryland Energy Administration is tasked with creating a framework for a clean energy standard, and the Maryland Department of Transportation will undertake measures to promote clean transportation.

Read on for upcoming PM events, important updates, and news you can use!

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• • PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates
  • Local Chapter Updates
  • Pride Events
  • State & National News

PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates

Healthcare Justice: Build the Care Over Cost Campaign with Us this Summer!

1. Knock Doors! The response we’re getting is overwhelmingly supportive.People are fed up with insurers who are denying and delaying the medicines, treatments and services we need. Now we’ve just got to reach more folks. Sign up here
2. Tell us about a community event that we should come to! Just email Patty with the information. 
3. Share your experience at https://careovercost.org/ Lawmakers respond when they hear our stories.

And in case you need more reasons to get mad and get involved, read this article from the Guardian which exposes how insurance companies are ripping off seniors, the Medicare program (with Medicare Advantage) and by extension, all of us. 

Environmental Justice Task Force: 

The EJTF is pleased to announce the phase 2 listening session will take place this Wednesday, June 12. The event will be virtual, and will be from 5p-7p. The majority of the community members will come from Westport and Brooklyn.

Ultimately, the goal will be to collect feedback from community members concerning environmental injustice concerns; thereby, providing those insights to elected officials for phase 3 of the listening session. If you are interested in supporting the EJTF at a tabling or neighborhood cleanup event in South Baltimore--reach out to SirJames here.

PM Local Chapter Updates

South Prince George's County:

We are tired of our school's quality in Prince George's County! There are currently federal opportunities to improve our schools' infrastructure through solar panels and we want to take advantage of these to provide extra student, teacher, and community resources. Join us on June 22nd from 2:00 - 3:30 to demand that the school board and Oxon Hill elected leaders take our schools and our communities seriously! RSVP here. 

PRIDE EVENTS:

➜ Baltimore Pride

June 10 - June 16, 2024

➜ Frederick Pride

Saturday, June 22nd from 11-6 at Carroll Creek Linear Park in Frederick, MD

➜ Salisbury Pride

Saturday, June 29, 3-7pm in Downtown Salisbury

➜ MoCo  Pride

Sunday, June 30th 12pm to 8pm at Veterans Plaza

Keeping up with offshore wind; progress on Key Bridge channel; prepping for disaster, and more...

Most of what we see going on in Maryland is pretty much housekeeping as Wes Moore continues to put some shape on a successful but haphazard Assembly session. Other legislative outcomes, especially in red states, are scarier. And the just-finished elections for the European Parliament, though disconnected from any national elections, show a scary authoritarian trend too, as we hear from People's Action. Struggles are ahead, no doubt. Information improves your luck, so give a look at our News You Can Use collection every week, just to keep up.

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 -- Keeping up with offshore wind; progress on Key Bridge channel; prepping for disaster, and more...
• Costs go up and costs go down in dizzying fashion and for various reasons. It's enough to make you pay attention
• Well, what did you expect? News You Can Use is not generally fluffy
• News You Can Use about Maryland and elsewhere

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

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