As we near the end of Native American Heritage Month, we pause to honor and appreciate the profound contributions of Indigenous communities that have shaped our state. Much like our ongoing work in the pursuit of a more equitable Maryland, the contributions of Indigenous people are woven into the very fabric of our history. In line with our commitment to Land Back, earlier this year we initiated a monthly contribution to support Indigenous communities in Maryland. Operating on stolen land, we voluntarily pay a monthly land tax to the Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians, aiding efforts to revitalize Native land and communities while empowering Indigenous people to regain control of their ancestral territory.

Please note that Progressive Maryland offices will be closed from November 22nd to November 26th.

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

This week you can read about stronger labor protections in state-funded projects, safety for workers fixing our highways, the replanting of streetside trees in Baltimore County (hope the impulse catches on) and more enviro news including a big boost for Sparrow's Point, which will build offshore wind capacity, a thumbs down on gas-powered leaf blowers (very well timed) and a decision to send reading help to elementary schools to help all grades catch up on that skill (aren't you reading this on a screen? Of course you are). Plus good and bad ideas and proposals from around the states, and People's Action chimes in with the D.C. report, which is still dismal even though most of our, um, courageous legislators are home for the holidays. It's all News You Can Use.

Have a good holiday yourselves, eat well, feed others.

The fall season has been a whirlwind of activity for us at Progressive Maryland, with an incredible surge of organizing and hard work, and there's even more on the horizon. In the midst of our bustling fall, we're proud to highlight the strong stance taken by Jewish leaders across Maryland in support of CASA's recent statement condemning violence. 

Last week's municipal elections were a testament to the power of grassroots engagement, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who stood with us, supporting our endorsed candidates in crucial local races. In the aftermath, we're thrilled to announce the victories of two outstanding individuals: Izola Shaw for Rockville City Council and Tim Adams for Bowie Mayor. See more about these outstanding candidates, now winners, below.

After nearly a decade of struggle, the site for a new FBI building, replacing the crumbling brutalist behemoth down in DC, has been declared as Greenbelt, Maryland, in Prince George's County. The fact that the current FBI director would have preferred Virginia has become clear, but elected officials in Maryland are confident the decision will stick. Also, the state faces some possible revenue declines (including in gas tax revenue as hybrids and e-cars take hold), so the 2024 Assembly session (an election year) is already looking fraught. All this plus news of good and bad decisions in other states and way up there in Congress, too, continues to tumble our way. Get all the news you can use here.

This is it! Election Day is tomorrow! If you or your family members haven’t yet voted and you have a municipal election, please head to the polls tomorrow to take part in your civic duty. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. If you’ve received your ballot by mail, be sure to drop it at a drop box today or tomorrow before 8:00 p.m. Folks who are not registered can still register to vote and vote in person tomorrow.

It's easy to underestimate the importance of municipal elections, but they are the backbone of our democratic system. These elections determine who leads our cities, towns, and neighborhoods, making decisions that directly impact our day-to-day lives. From education and public safety to local development and more, these leaders have a significant say in the issues that matter most to you. 

If you live in districts with elections tomorrow, we urge you to make your voice heard. 

What about offshore wind? Maryland's prospects nerve-wracking as big Danish firm exits New Jersey project. And Pennsylvania's entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with Maryland and other neighbor states is still on shaky ground, too. Maryland's enviro community seems to like the state's overall progress against climate change, but a derailment of recycled plastic "nurdles" in Hyattsville shakes up the community. Maine voters may decide to shift from corporate power companies to public ownership. But the US House wants to cut more than a third of the EPA's budget. Good news, bad news -- but all News You Can Use, and much more.

As we approach the vibrant celebration of Dia de los Muertos, we take a moment to recognize and honor this important cultural celebration and extend our warmest thoughts to all those who partake in this beautiful tradition. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday, with Indigenous Mexica and Nahua origins, where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives. It is a beautiful celebration with a rich culture, often featuring calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls) in symbolism.

With the upcoming municipal elections fast approaching, check out our Election Corner section where you can find the latest updates on our endorsed candidates and vital information to help you make informed choices in these important local races. Election Day is just around the corner, on Tuesday, November 7th. 

This fall, our issue campaigns and task forces have been incredibly busy, tirelessly working to create positive change in our community. Read on for detailed updates on the progress we've made and the upcoming events on our calendar. Check out our news you can use section to see what big things are happening in our state!

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

A billion four would leave a hole in Maryland's budget the size of the Hogan admin's incompetence. How did that minus number emerge? Better news -- a Year of Service program that seems realistically based and at the proper scale for a start-up program. Plus: a federal shutdown is still possible and the state is getting ready for it. And: tackling the problem of mass incarceration from both directions; Baltimore tech hub; a grant for fighting Alzheimer's; catching tropical fish in the Bay; lots of national and state news from outside our boundaries too. It's News You Can Use for this week, from Progressive Maryland's eyeballs to you.

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!

lIn 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...

We hope this week finds you in high spirits and ready for action. Last Wednesday, our Healthcare Taskforce organized a powerful direct action outside the CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield offices in Owings Mills. While we've already shared a comprehensive recap with you, we're excited to share a new highlight video that captures the spirit of our movement. 

But the excitement doesn't stop there – many of our task forces have incredible events in the pipeline, and you'll find the details in the upcoming sections. 

As we draw closer to the election, with just three weeks to go, our endorsed candidates are tirelessly working to turn out the vote. Be sure to visit our Election Corner section where you can learn more about these candidates and why they're perfect for the roles they're running for.

Let's keep pushing for progress together. Stay engaged, stay informed, and stay united.

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

States are busy on projects in carbon reduction (and research, go Terps!), schools improvement, collective bargaining opportunities, fighting book banning and returning citizen improvements. Maryland, we see, is at the heart of all these activities. Good thing. Just a short Metro ride away, the GOP's razor-thin majority in the US House is unable to check the box (elect a new Speaker -- will anyone do?) that would allow the US government to function. It might not all be pretty, but it's all News You Can Use.

This Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month, we honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of the Indigenous communities that have shaped our nation for centuries. We acknowledge the Accohannock Indian Tribe, Assateague Peoples Tribe, Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Piscataway Conoy Tribe, Piscataway Indian Nation, Pocomoke Indian Nation and Youghiogheny River Band of Shawnee Indians as the original stewards of Maryland's lands. We honor their history of resilience and resistance. We are grateful to the Native people who contribute to our lives everyday in essential and meaningful ways. 

When we say we are working toward a more just and equitable future for Marylanders, that includes our Indigenous communities. There is so much work to be done —  passing federal and state legislation for reparations; formally acknowledging Indigenous history and land rights; and, of course, ensuring that Native residents have affordable healthcare and housing, access to quality education, clean air and drinking water, and the many other basic human rights that everyone deserves. Progressive Maryland is committed to this work. 

Furthermore, as October unfolds, we are also reminded that it is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to stand in solidarity with survivors and work towards creating safer, more supportive communities. 

As the US House flounders Speakerless with some big crises at hand, activists continue to push the local, state and federal measures that will help working families. Maryland's Senate leader hints that the hiring-hall grip of local central committees on who is appointed to the Assembly may get a serious look (at last!) from the legislators themselves. Meanwhile, fossil fuel use at the individual level in Maryland continues to be a huge contributor to poor air quality, and teachers are not really incentivized to stay in the profession since non-teacher salaries continue to show a bigger and bigger advantage. It's News You Can Use this week.

Happy Monday! Wishing all who are observing Yom Kippur an easy and meaningful fast.

As we head into the last week of September, we want to take a moment to reflect on the tremendous success of our 2023 Annual Gala, which took place last Thursday. With over 160 attendees and an inspiring speech from Congressman Raskin, the event was a night to remember, bringing together elected officials, community leaders, and passionate activists to celebrate the achievements of the progressive movement in Maryland.

Our gala garnered attention in the press, with Maryland Matters covering the event. You can read the full article here. For a comprehensive recap of the gala, including highlights, award recipients, and more, please check out the ‘Gala Recap’ section later in the memo.

Read on for more updates, action items, and loads of events in this week's Memo!

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

As a federal shutdown looms, Maryland's 150,000-plus civil servants face the ultimate bossism -- the need to show up for work without a paycheck while members of the US House fumble a solution repeatedly thanks to the divisions in GOP-majority ranks. Plus -- a ("somewhat sheepish") Jamie Raskin is urged to reconsider his decision not to run for the Senate at Progressive Maryland's annual Gala in Annapolis, Maryland hospitals (which ones?) flunk a safety check and new Maryland laws go into effect Oct. 1 It's News You Can Use...

As we embark on another week of relentless advocacy, it's imperative to acknowledge the significance of Latinx Heritage Month, which began this past Friday and will continue until October 15th. This celebration of culture and contributions reminds us of the rich diversity that enriches our state and our progressive movement. With nearly 12% of Maryland's population identifying as Latinx and/or Hispanic, we understand the significance of embracing their voices, stories, and experiences.

Discover how we're spearheading impactful organizing efforts across our various task forces in this week’s memo. 

Throughout this month, we'll also be featuring various ally events that honor and support our Latinx community. 

Read on to find out what our task forces are planning, ways to get involved, and details on these exciting ally events.

Maryland's educational establishment is already having trouble digesting the brute facts of the Blueprint for America's Future, and after last week it will have to start looking for a new top state actor to bring it about -- the incumbent state superintendent has opted to go elsewhere.

Plus power company scams, Bidenomics bullhorn in Prince George's, not enough money for transportation projects and social justice action at the county level -- is the Assembly watching? It's News You Can Use for this tumultuous week, including the chaos in Congress for dessert.

While crime among young people is a point of emphasis in mainstream media in Baltimore, homicides and non-fatal shootings are down. Community-based organizations like We Our Us and the Baltimore Peace Movement have been at the forefront of violence prevention efforts over the last several years, but the media does not do the work of exposing the community to the work these organizations do so we can build on their success. What the media does do is lift up the most extreme cases of violence and brutality, painting a broad brush that characterizes these instances as more widespread than they really are, says activist Dayvon Love.

Public knowledge of the work organizations in the Black community are doing to promote peace is minimal. The societal propaganda that is perpetuated through entities like Fox45 impairs our ability to see when we are doing work that is having an impact. Their coverage of Baltimore projects Black people as inherently pathological. They shroud their coverage in the language of accountability and transparency, but their interest is not in empowering Black people.

The writer argues that Black people and organizations in Baltimore and Maryland can fight against the deep pessimism in our community engendered by these systemically negative media and the "tough on crime" posture of some public officials

Today, as we solemnly remember the events of September 11th, we are reminded of the profound impact that pivotal moments in history can have on our collective journey towards progress. On this day, in 2001, the world witnessed both the worst of humanity's capacity for destruction and the best of our capacity for unity and resilience.

As a progressive organization committed to building a more just and equitable future, we understand the significance of moments like these. They serve as a stark reminder of the importance of our work—working tirelessly to ensure that our communities are safe, inclusive, and empowered to drive positive change.

Don't forget to check out all the incredible work our task forces are doing as we gear up for a transformative fall. Read on for important updates and news you can use.

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team