We’re approaching the halfway point of Maryland’s legislative session, and our fight for progressive change is in full swing. Last Thursday, we took to Annapolis for a powerful rally ahead of the Senate hearing on the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act—we chanted, we wore gas masks, and we stood with frontline communities and lawmakers demanding real clean energy solutions. And momentum is growing: Baltimore just passed a resolution calling for the passage of this bill!  Check out our press release here.

And just this morning, we were back in Annapolis rallying alongside our Renters United Maryland coalition for one of our top housing priorities: Good Cause Eviction protections. This bill is at a critical juncture, with hearings happening today in both the House and Senate. If we’re going to secure these protections for renters, this is our moment to push hard and make it happen. Watch the rally here.

We need all hands on deck to push these bills forward. Check out our Legislative Updates section for ways to take action.

We're also just six days away from our first event of the year—Lobby Night! On February 24th at 4:15 PM in Annapolis, we’ll be meeting with legislators to make sure they hear directly from us about the issues that matter most. There’s still time to sign up and join us!

There’s a lot of updates and state and national news in this week’s memo. Read on to stay informed and get involved.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• Black History
• Legislative Updates
• PM Events
• Issue Campaign Updates
• State & National News
• PM Job Openings

Black History Month

Val James Breaks Barriers in Hockey

As the U.S. prepares for the championship game against Canada this Thursday, we’re highlighting a groundbreaking moment in hockey history. Val James made history as the first American-born Black player in the NHL, debuting with the Buffalo Sabres in 1982.

Born in Florida and raised in New York, James faced intense racism throughout his career but never let it stop him. His perseverance paved the way for more Black athletes in professional hockey, challenging the sport’s long-standing barriers. Beyond his time in the NHL, he became a symbol of resilience, eventually sharing his story in his memoir, Black Ice.

His legacy continues to inspire young Black hockey players, proving that the game belongs to everyone. As Team USA hits the ice this week, let’s remember the trailblazers who made the sport more inclusive.

1981: Val James with Sabres

2025 Legislative Session: 

Click here to view the suggested dates of interest provided by the General Assembly. 

The House and Senate reconvened today at 10am and will post live updates on their website. 

TRACKER: Click here to keep track of all active Maryland bills, their action status, top sponsors, and top committees. You can also view the bills from the previous legislative session. For more detailed updates on this year’s Legislative Session and to search specific bills click here. 

This week, key legislation is moving through the General Assembly, and we need your support to push these priorities forward!

Environmental Priorities: The Reclaim Renewable Energy Act will have its committee hearing in the House this Wednesday at 1 PM. This bill aims to end subsidies for trash incineration in Maryland, which pollutes our air, and redirect support toward clean, renewable energy sources. Take just two minutes to send a quick email urging legislators to pass the bill—use our email tool here!

Housing: The fight for Good Cause Eviction protections reached a major milestone today as the bill was heard in both the House and Senate at 1 PM. We’ll continue pushing lawmakers to ensure renters across Maryland get the protections they deserve.

Healthcare: The Safe Staffing (Hospitals) Act of 2025 takes a critical first step in addressing Maryland’s hospital staffing crisis! House Bill 905, which would require hospitals to establish clinical staffing committees and implement a staffing plan, is scheduled for a hearing this Friday, February 21st, at 2 PM. Stay tuned for more ways to take action!

PM EVENTS:

Make Your Voice Heard at Lobby Night

We’re just six days away from Progressive Maryland Lobby Night on February 24th, and we’re at a critical point in the legislative session—only 47 days remain to pass key legislation! Now is the time to make our voices heard and ensure our lawmakers prioritize the needs of working people. Join us in Annapolis and be part of the fight for a more just Maryland.—

RSVP today!

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: 

Healthcare Task Force: More News You Can Use!  

State Priority Bills Update

Health Insurance Reform: Did you know that when people carry all the way though on appealing care and claim denials there’s a better than 50% chance that they win a reversal?? The problem is the carriers make it so hard to appeal - it’s time consuming and confusing. They need to make it easier! That’s what our Appeals Reform Bill will do! HB1341  

A hearing on this bill is set in the HGO Committee for Thursday, March 6th at 1:00. Stay tuned for our hearing plans and for links to  generate constituent emails to the committee.  

Hospital Accountability: Maryland has the longest Emergency Room wait times in the country! This has been the case for 8 years running. It’s time to address the chronic hospital staffing shortages fueling the problem–front line workers and patients can’t wait any longer. The Safe Staffing Bill of 2025 takes a great first step! House Bill 905 is scheduled for a hearing this Friday, February 21st at 2:00. We will be submitting favorable testimony tomorrow (due by 6:00 p.m.) and welcome our members to join us. Here’s the bill:

HB905/SB720 Safe Staffing (Hospitals) Act of 2025 requiring hospitals to maintain a clinical staffing committee and to implement a clinical staffing plan. 

Federal Budget and Healthcare Fight: Our priority is stopping the dangerous Trump Musk plan to slash Medicaid, Medicare, the ACA and other health programs.Join us, People’s Action and other allies next Wednesday February 26th in D.C. Sign up here.

For questions and requests, contact Patty at [email protected]

Environmental Justice: RREA Rally & Final Hearing & Media Attention

Progressive Maryland, in collaboration with its coalition partners—including Clean Water Action, South Baltimore Community Land Trust, Coal Free Curtis Bay, CASA, Food & Water Watch, and various other grassroots organizations—convened for a significant rally advocating for the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025. Despite the cold weather, I had the privilege of co-emceeing the event alongside SB7 President Michael Middleton. As the rally drew to a close, Senator Bill Ferguson, the primary sponsor, along with Delegate Vaughn, the House sponsor, emphasized the critical need for legislators to support the passage of the RREA. This essential measure would ultimately alleviate the $25 million annual financial burden that incinerator companies impose on our frontline communities in South Baltimore.

MEDIA COVERAGE: CBS News  and WBALTV were present at the rally to capture the vibrant atmosphere of the event. After the rally, residents from South Baltimore and supporters of the RREA provided testimonies advocating for the RREA before the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee. Fortunately, our bill was the first item addressed at the start of the hearing. You can view it here. During the hearing, you will notice that Mary Urban, representing Win Waste, makes baseless claims regarding incineration as a renewable process. Senator Ferguson also provided testimony alongside us, which greatly strengthened our collective arguments in support of the RREA.

Should you be able to participate in the final HB220 hearing alongside Progressive Maryland and its partners this Thursday, February 20 at 1pm, kindly register for the event using the link provided here.  Additionally, do not hesitate to reach out to me via email or contact me at 240-883-7645.

News You Can Use: Will courts provide guardrails against lawless behavior? 

Hope you had a relaxing President’s Day. Many lawyers and judges didn’t, as various parties, including public employee unions and the 22 Blue State attorneys general (including ours), tried to unflood the zone with requests for relief from basically lawless official behavior. Below, we outline some effects of this lawless behavior on the communities in Maryland and around the nation, including many of those who voted for Donald Trump in expectation that he would make their lives better.  Looks like a struggle so far, unless you are already wealthy.

Below in our Maryland section we see pushback from some areas and disappointing spinelessness from others (then there's the National Guard, which has a chain of command). In the section about other states, we see blue states showing gumption and the leadership of red states wallowing in the open season on vulnerable populations -- and that includes schools and their teachers. The national section leaves you wondering who's really in charge here. Public employee unions are taking the lead in fighting back and have an important hearing today (Tuesday) in DC District Court. 

News You Can Use is trying to help. Stay tuned every Monday. Below, how Maryland, other states and the beleaguered Democratic remnant are finding ways to push back.

PM Careers

Chapter/Membership Organizer

District 8 Community Organizer

Social Media Coordinator

Racial and Economic Justice Organizer

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: Will courts provide guardrails against lawless behavior? 
• Maryland fights for traction as Fed money dwindles; TrumpWorld onslaught continues as unions, courts push back
• Ready for tariffs and a trade war? They will come closer to the kitchen table than you think. It's News You Can Use
• Progressive Maryland Stands With Immigrants
  

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P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792