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

September. About 100 days (more or less) until the 90 days of the General Assembly kick off in January. Are we ready? Are they ready? As we see in this week's News You Can Use, our schools, our housing policy, our policy on roads vs. mass transit (Toll roads? We hoped we were done with that) and the capacity of our state workers are all less settled than we were thinking of, best-case. The brute fact that many of these issues are tangled up with one another (see: teacher availability and housing costs) makes it harder. In an election year there will be a lot for Maryland legislators to juggle, and it's not too early to let them know what's on our minds. Read on, and start making your lists.

Maryland Progressives:

We're thrilled to announce the 2023 Fall Cohort for the Maryland People's Leadership Institute (MPLI). The MPLI has once again recruited an exceptional group of fifteen leaders and activists, representing the rich diversity of Maryland's communities. This year's cohort hails from four different Maryland counties and the city of Baltimore, bringing a wealth of perspectives and experiences to our program. 

MPLI is dedicated to identifying, training, and supporting community leaders with aspirations of running for office or managing successful campaigns. It's a transformative campaign training program that empowers individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to make a meaningful impact in their communities.   

Curious to learn more about our inspiring 2023 MPLI cohort? Discover their stories and visions for a better Maryland by checking out their bios on our website.

Read on to find information about numerous events hosted by our allies, important task force updates, and news you can use!

Maryland is pronounced... well, above average as a good place for workers -- maybe we can do better than 14th next year? But union power in previously difficult areas (for instance, community college faculty) is increasing, even as more and more teachers find a second job is necessary. The National Labor Relations Board has put employers on notice that cheesie delaying tactics in labor struggles could just get the workers a win by default. And more News You Can Use, this week and every week. Read on...

'Sen. Bernie Sanders on Tuesday called for additional action to curb prescription drug costs in the United States after the Biden administration unveiled its list of the first 10 medications that will be subject to direct price negotiations with Medicare. [See our blog post yesterday]

'Sanders (I-Vt.), the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, welcomed the administration's move as "an important step forward in taking on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry and their 1,800 paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C."

'But "much more has to be done to protect the American people," the senator added, noting that the median annual price of medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration last year was over $222,000.

' "Bottom line: We should not be paying any more for prescription drugs than other countries around the world," said Sanders. "I look forward to working with the president and my colleagues to make that happen." '

Jake Johnson of Common Dreams outlines Sanders's further planned actions.

Progressive Maryland joins those cheering the announcement of the first ten (of many more, we hope) high-priced drugs that will cost us less because Medicare and medicaid will now be able to negotiate their prices.

Imagine that -- the US government's critical health care provision will gain the right that corporations have always had -- to drive the best bargain they can get, instead of taking the prices Big Pharma gives them. As we see below, top treatments for some of our most common conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune diseases will get within reach.

As we transition into a new month this week, with Labor Day just around the corner, let's shift our focus to an issue that remains critical in our society: worker's rights. In a rapidly changing economy, it's more crucial than ever to advocate for and strengthen labor laws. Ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection against exploitation are key components of building a just society.

As Black August also draws to a close, we honor the rich history it represents – a time to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of Black activists who fought for justice and equality. 

Read on for the latest events, updates on our initiatives, and opportunities to get involved!

It's getting and spending, as usual, on the top of the headlines. Maryland needs more money for schools but boards are spending it in sometimes mysterious ways. Meanwhile how do we fix the state's roads when (we hope, soon) E-vehicles dominate the state's traffic pattern and gas tax revenues plummet?  Plus, Larry Hogan's toll lane plans survive in reduced form and odd, distant whiffs raise new interest in our air quality. It's News You Can Use, even if it's not always cheerful.

Happy Monday! We are one month away from the Progressive Maryland Annual Gala so if you haven’t yet secured your spot for this event, make sure to grab a ticket before they sell out! This will be an evening full of food and fun that you won’t want to miss. The event features Maryland’s very own Rep. Jamie Raskin, a champion for Democracy! See you in a month, on Thursday, September 21st from 4-8pm at a beautiful Annapolis waterfront location. 

Be sure to check out the latest events on our calendar and stay informed about our ongoing task force initiatives, ways to get involved, and news you can use!

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

PS - Don't forget to tune into our radio show, The Progress Report, live on air Fridays from 5-6pm ET on WPFW 89.3 PM or online at wpfwfm.org/radio.

It appears that for the eight years of Larry Hogan, building more roads to create more access to more real estate development was seen as the key to prosperity in Maryland.

Meanwhile, neighbor states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania were taking different steps, and Gov. Wes Moore told this weekend's gathering of the Maryland Association of Counties that economic data shows Maryland residents are losing earning power compared to our neighbors, and that was hampering economic progress he hopes to see in our state. So, tough times ahead.

This and more news you can use in this week's roundup, including the return of People's Action's congressional watchdog with, well, the usual dismal news about our fearless leaders on the Hill. Read it all here.

After eight years of Larry Hogan's indifference to issues of climate peril and environmental justice, some longtime advocates have taken on fresh challenges in the critical sectors of Maryland government that had been idle or out of action in the decarbonization struggle. Former Sen. Paul Pinsky and former House leader Del. Kumar Barve told members of the Maryland Association of Counties meeting in O.C. that the Maryland Energy Administration and the Public Service Commission might be on everyone's mind more than expected.

The Public Service Commission has a majority of new Gov. Wes Moore's appointees, including Barve, and Pinsky's Maryland Energy Administration some significant federal money to help decarbonize Marylanders' everyday lives.

Read more here from Maryland Matters.

Happy Monday! We're thrilled to kick off this week's memo by highlighting our latest endorsements for municipal races in the upcoming election. Our endorsed candidates are Iyamide House for Bowie City Council (District 3), Izola Shaw for Rockville City Council, and Martin Mitchell for Laurel Mayor These three remarkable community leaders embody the values we hold dear: progress, inclusivity, and a commitment to strengthening our communities. Read more about why we chose to support their campaigns in our official endorsement announcement.

Be sure to check out the latest events on our calendar, including the Vegan SoulFest we are participating in this weekend, and stay informed about our ongoing task force initiatives, ways to get involved, and news you can use!

Congress is out this week, though individual members are no doubt committing significant mischief back in their districts. We'll have to see how that goes down. But while the feds are idle (except Joe Biden, having a Camp David summit with Japanese and South Korean leaders this week) the states are busy. The National Conference of State Legislatures is meeting for their annual talkfest in Indianapolis.

All that federal money is running out now, so suddenly states are typically more interested in regulating (low cost) than in appropriating (high price tag); therefore they will be happy to pay attention to Route Fifty's focus on what to do about Artificial Intelligence, which we have all learned to call AI for short. If, instead, they have a look at the Pew Center's report on what they might spend some money on, they'll see a big take on tax policy justice (watch Maryland legislators looking carefully at their shoes) and other good ideas.

We'll check out what's going on in Maryland first, but pay attention to what other states are doing and the problems they are solving (or not solving). Those are issues that will probably come home to roost in our own state eventually. That's why we call this News You Can Use.

First, though, about Maryland...

As we dive into another week, it's crucial that we remain dialed in to everything unfolding in our communities. Despite the media's relentless coverage of Donald Trump's ongoing antics and court proceedings, there's a lot more happening that deserves our attention and action.

While headlines may grab our focus, let's not forget that a significant milestone has been reached right here in our state. With a full month of legal recreational cannabis use behind us, Maryland has witnessed not only impressive revenues but also, more importantly, a trend that we’re especially proud of. The number of people cited for driving under the influence of cannabis in July has been astonishingly low. This data underscores that responsible, informed policy changes can lead to safer communities.

Find more in the Memo -- Progressive Maryland events (including the Gala!), News You Can Use and our blog posts, events from our allies and all the info you expect from our unique top-50-rated BlogSpace.

Green jobs and the Inflation Reduction Act -- has anybody heard that times are less bad, maybe a lot less bad? How is Maryland doing on green jobs anyway? (be prepared to be disappointed). All the states hoping to reap taxes on cannabis are struggling with US banking regs. But Marylanders are lighting up (or chowing down) anyway. Lots more is filling the news gap while Congress has gone home to do nothing rather than hanging around in DC doing nothing, and some of that news is even good -- for Maryland and the US. Best of all, we have no news about the former president. Read on; and don't forget our Friday Night Drive Time PM Radio Show on WPFW-FM (more below)