We're thrilled to share a major success in our ongoing fight for housing justice. Last Thursday, we organized an impactful press conference with the residents of The Enclave apartment complex in Silver Spring, Maryland. In collaboration with tenant residents and dedicated elected officials, we addressed the longstanding issues at The Enclave, emphasizing the urgent need for change and swift resolution of tenant concerns. The event was a remarkable achievement, leading to the establishment of a tenant union with The Enclave residents, giving them a powerful tool to fight back and reclaim their rights.

For those who missed the event, you can catch the action livestream videos on our Facebook page. Our efforts have also garnered attention from the media and you can check out the video below to see news coverage of the event.

As we continue our work for housing justice, we want to keep you informed about the exciting initiatives and campaigns we have on the horizon. In this week's memo, you'll find updates on the upcoming municipal election, ways to get involved, and news you can use!

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• • Election Corner

  • PM task forces & issue campaigns: HCTF, EJTF & Housing Justice

  • Local Chapter Updates: Frederick Progressives

  • State & National news

Election Corner: Important Events Coming Up

Updates: PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns 

Healthcare Justice: Taking Action This Fall!

Care Over Cost Campaign Updates 

Medicare (dis)Advantage: We’re demanding that Congress crack down on all the problems and corruption in insurance sponsored Medicare Advantage Plans. Last week, The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on advertising practices in Medicare Advantage (privatized Medicare). At the same time, our COC campaign leads met with some Senators on the Senate Finance Committee to raise our concerns about Medicare Advantage, outlined in this statement. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH)  brought up the experiences of her constituents, drawing from stories that the People's Action New Hampshire affiliate, Rights and Democracy had shared with her. 

Fight Back: We’re glad to see an investigation into the advertising practices but we need more comprehensive action on Medicare Advantage plans overall! Why? Because they charge more than traditional Medicare, have higher rates of claims denials and some health care providers are so frustrated that they’re quitting the MA plans they have, putting people at risk for having sufficient  access to healthcare. Do you want to see an end to all this health insurance company greed and profiteering? An end to the way they deny the care we need? 

Then watch our recent Direct Action video here for inspiration and take a moment to join us here! We can win this campaign and the longer term fight for a universal publicly funded healthcare system but only if you help us make it happen! Come out for a door knocking shift with us on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 4th. Click here to sign up.

Housing Justice:

Last Thursday, Progressive Maryland's Tenant Association at the Enclave Apartment Complex in Silver Spring held a press conference in front of the leasing office to call attention to the unlivable conditions that Enclave management has allowed to persist for years. Tenants along with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council Member Kristin Mink, and State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian called on Rose Valley Management and Hampshire Properties to respond to the demand letter that PM's Tenant Association presented within 10 business days. Progressive Maryland will continue organizing with tenants at the Enclave to improve conditions and change local and state policies that benefit landlords and developers over renters. Check out the news coverage of the press conference! If you want to get involved with our housing justice campaign, contact Ann.

Environmental Justice Task Force: On the ground in Cherry hill, Public Meeting in November

Last Saturday, October 21st, the Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF) was on-the-ground in Cherry Hill with a razor-sharp focus to increase awareness of our upcoming public meeting on Thursday November 16, 6:15p-7:45p, at Enoch Pratt Library Brooklyn Branch (300 E Patapsco, Baltimore, MD 21225). With the support of EJTF member Eileen Fin, the EJTF knocked on over 100 doors. 

What's more, one of Progressive Maryland's allies, CASA, has joined forces with the EJTF to strengthen our efforts to pack the room at the upcoming public meeting. They are dedicated to mobilizing Spanish-speaking community members to share testimony on the health effects of the Baltimore incinerator. You can register for the public meeting here.

In the meantime, to build upon this momentum, the EJTF has scheduled another canvass launch for this Saturday, October 28. There will be two canvassing shifts available: the 1st shift from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the 2nd shift from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you are interested in offering your support through phone banking or canvassing, please reach out to SirJames.

EJTF Volunteer, Eileen Finn, canvassing in Baltimore City

Local Chapter Updates:

Frederick Progressives

The Frederick County Chapter hosted a discussion in late September about the Maryland Blueprint and were joined by experts from Strong Schools Maryland and Maryland ACLU. Learn more about this landmark public education initiative by viewing the event video.

State and National News:

In Maryland, state officials are struggling to unwind the new landscape of Medicaid post-COVID but fed money is coming into the state to care for Long COVID; Baltimore's big Trash-to-Energy incinerator at Curtis Bay pays big fines for violations while one county expands its food scrap composting activity by an order of magnitude. Lots going on in other states, too. About Congress? Don't ask... It still isn’t at all pretty, but it's all 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 -- Maryland, other states get it done while Congress doesn't: A self-made mess

• Progressive Maryland Organizes Rally Behind The Enclave Residents’ Union for Reform

• Climate and human rights action at the state level; Feds still paralyzed without House Speaker. News You Can Use

• Izola Shaw: A True Progressive Champion Running for Rockville City Council
• Iyamide House will be a Beacon of Change for Bowie City Council
•  Progressive Maryland Rallies at CareFirst to Demand Corporation Provide Care & Reverse Denied Claims

>>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