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We hope you had a meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Day yesterday, reflecting on the enduring legacy of a man whose vision for justice and equality continues to inspire us all. Dr. King taught us that grassroots movements have the power to transform society, and in these challenging times, his message feels more urgent than ever.

 

This year, MLK Day shared the calendar with the inauguration of Donald Trump for his second term. As we brace for the attacks on progress and justice that his administration has already signaled, we are reminded of Dr. King's call to resist injustice and fight for what is right, no matter the odds. Together, we’ll continue to build the power we need to protect our communities and advance bold, progressive policies.

 

Tomorrow marks another moment in history: 52 years since Roe v. Wade. Although the Supreme Court altered that landmark decision, we’re proud that Maryland voters stood strong last year, passing Question 1 to enshrine reproductive rights in our state constitution. This victory protects access to abortion and birth control for all Marylanders, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to defending reproductive freedom—for now and forever.

 

As we reflect on this, we also mourn the passing of Cecile Richards, former director of Planned Parenthood, whose leadership in the reproductive rights movement will continue to inspire our fight.

 

On the legislative front, things are picking up. Earlier today, our team and housing justice allies held a press conference in Annapolis to advocate for Good Cause eviction legislation ahead of its first hearing in the General Assembly. You can find more details about this critical event and the proposed legislation in the Legislative Updates section of this memo.

 

Across the state, our issue campaigns and task forces are working hard to drive progress on housing justice, environmental sustainability, healthcare reform, and more. Read on to find details on their plans and how to get involved later in the memo. Don't forget to check out our blog corner for important state and national news!

 

This is a week that reminds us of the weight of history, the challenges we face, and the power we have to create change. Let’s move forward, together.

In solidarity, the Progressive Maryland Team

 

We hope you had a meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Day yesterday, reflecting on the enduring legacy of a man whose vision for justice and equality continues to inspire us all. Dr. King taught us that grassroots movements have the power to transform society, and in these challenging times, his message feels more urgent than ever.

 

This year, MLK Day shared the calendar with the inauguration of Donald Trump for his second term. As we brace for the attacks on progress and justice that his administration has already signaled, we are reminded of Dr. King's call to resist injustice and fight for what is right, no matter the odds. Together, we’ll continue to build the power we need to protect our communities and advance bold, progressive policies.

 

Tomorrow marks another moment in history: 52 years since Roe v. Wade. Although the Supreme Court altered that landmark decision, we’re proud that Maryland voters stood strong last year, passing Question 1 to enshrine reproductive rights in our state constitution. This victory protects access to abortion and birth control for all Marylanders, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to defending reproductive freedom—for now and forever.

 

As we reflect on this, we also mourn the passing of Cecile Richards, former director of Planned Parenthood, whose leadership in the reproductive rights movement will continue to inspire our fight.

 

On the legislative front, things are picking up. Earlier today, our team and housing justice allies held a press conference in Annapolis to advocate for Good Cause eviction legislation ahead of its first hearing in the General Assembly. You can find more details about this critical event and the proposed legislation in the Legislative Updates section of this memo.

 

Across the state, our issue campaigns and task forces are working hard to drive progress on housing justice, environmental sustainability, healthcare reform, and more. Read on to find details on their plans and how to get involved later in the memo. Don't forget to check out our blog corner for important state and national news!

 

This is a week that reminds us of the weight of history, the challenges we face, and the power we have to create change. Let’s move forward, together.

 

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

 

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

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

2025 Legislative Session: 

 

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

The House and Senate will reconvene Wednesday 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. 

 

Today, Progressive Maryland joined the Renters United Maryland (RUM) coalition at Lawyers Mall to call for the passage of the Good Cause Eviction legislation. This bill would allow local jurisdictions to require landlords to provide valid reasons for evictions, protecting renters from unjust displacement and keeping families in their homes. Click here to view the full press release.

 

Speakers, including Delegate Wilkins and impacted renters, highlighted new research showing these protections reduce evictions without slowing housing development. This legislation is a critical step to address Maryland’s housing crisis and hold corporate landlords accountable.

 

Stay tuned for updates as this bill moves forward in the General Assembly! 

 

PM EVENTS:

Make Your Voice Heard at Lobby Night

 

Join us on Monday, February 24th for Lobby Night in Annapolis. This is your opportunity to connect directly with lawmakers, share your experiences, and push for the progressive changes Maryland families need.

 

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: 

Environmental Justice: Rally and Hearing Postponed

 

Last Friday, the EJTF held a vibrant meeting at R. House in West Baltimore with Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway.During the meeting he shared interest in becoming a co-sponsor of Councilwoman Phylicia Porter’s soon-to-be-released council resolution, calling on the state of Maryland to support the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act (HB220/SB10). He also agreed to speak at the RREA Rally and to testify with Progressive Maryland once both events are scheduled.

 

Additionally, last Saturday, the EJTF held its third tabling event in Westport, where we collected 22 petition signatures in support of the RREA. This effort has expanded the EJTF’s list of potential new community members who may attend one or more of the soon-to-be-announced RREA action events.

 

Lastly, with the House hearing for the RREA postponed, we are awaiting the new hearing date so that a rally can be scheduled in support of the legislation. Stay tuned for updates on the RREA. The EJTF is seeking volunteers to help create signs for the upcoming rally. If you’re able to assist, please reach out to SirJames here or call him directly at 240-883-7645.

Healthcare Task Force: Show up now for healthcare justice! 

 

If you missed our national organizing call last week about the growing people-powered movement to stop insurance companies from denying our care and claims, here is a recording of the call. Feel free to share it with others who may be impacted or interested. If you have questions about our work in Maryland and want to get involved please take a minute now to: 

 

TrumpWorld is here; prepping for struggle accelerates among Maryland and Blue states

 

If you had the stomach to watch the whole spectacle, our first Warlord-in-chief declared a goal of flipping everything Joe Biden did, including climate protection and industrial recovery.  He inherits, with no speck of gratitude, a roaring economy and diminished inflation, for which (you watch) he will take full credit. As we show in our NATIONAL AND THE FEDS section and elsewhere, legal challenges to his dubious executive orders have been locked and loaded -- including by state attorneys general, working together -- and will push back against his every attempt to get back at his enemies. We need to match the legal effort, week by week, in the streets and the legislatures, because the real sign of defeat is to surrender in advance. So we persevere. As the philosopher/activist Olufemi Taiwo argues: "Our ancestors did more, with less, against worse. Lock in."

 
 

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.

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

 

 

 
 

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

woody woodruff

About

M.A. and Ph.d. from University of Maryland Merrill College of Journalism, would-be radical, sci-fi fan... retired to a life of keyboard radicalism...