"Around the country, states led by Democrats have expressed alarm about many of the new measures that Mr. Trump and his allies have described and have made broad preparations of their own," the New York Times (among many others) reports. "Lawyers have been scouring through the conservative policy plan known as Project 2025, and they have been strategizing how to challenge any such plans in an altered judicial landscape. Private advocacy groups have hundreds of lawyers ready to go to court. Governors in Democratic-led states have been preparing to coordinate."
Maryland's attorney general, Anthony Brown, is joining other blue-state AGs to strategize in next-door Pa. as the Trump revenge machine cranks into action. The state's other officials (see below) are wondering if they are now on their own as far as preparing systems for the impact of climate change. Counties and cities are putting together protections for their immigrant communities. Get the picture, storm clouds and all, in News You Can Use.

Well, the new folks in DC (currently broadcasting from Mar-a-Lago) are not (at all!) clarifying what the next few years look like, but they are keeping everyone on their toes as their flurry of supposed appointments  shows just how uncertain civic life will be for all the states, Maryland definitely included.

Maryland houses over 138,900 civilian federal workers and roughly 50,000 active-duty and reserve service members (30,000 at Ft. Meade, the state's largest single employer). All are vulnerable to job loss or threatened relocation of agencies outside the DMV. Still, the state holds out hope that some high-profile projects (the Key Bridge replacement; possible new Bay Bridge spans, the new FBI building) may attract federal fund participation and coat-tail other projects. But serious cuts or "revenue enhancements" definitely loom for Maryland.

Both our state and others are fussing to adjust to the (sometimes surprising) local outcomes from the election, as we see as well, and plenty of organizations working with those newly under fire brace against the somewhat vengeful approach of the future administration. As Megan E.'s national report (below) points out, the House will vote tomorrow on a measure threatening any nonprofit not totally in step with the TrumpWorld line with charges of supporting terrorism (!). It sounds ridiculous -- until it passes.

So we have to toughen up. We are ready, and we know our allies will be too.

In victories from North Carolina to Washington State and Maine, we find evidence that good organizing not only works, it wins. When we look beyond the headlines, we find evidence that good organizing is the antidote to authoritarianism - which is something we will all need in the days to come. In places where People’s Action and its affiliate groups engaged in year-round organizing to build base and relationships around the issues that matter most to people, we won. Yes, we won.

Election season may have wrapped up last week, but we know the impact of these results will be felt for a long time to come. While we celebrate, we’re also fully aware of the work that lies ahead as we navigate this transformative moment in Maryland’s political landscape.

Progressive Maryland’s grassroots efforts delivered remarkable wins this cycle. From Angela Alsobrooks' historic election as the first Black Woman to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate to shaping Prince George’s County with a Progressive-majority school board, each victory is a testament to the dedication, unity, and strength of our movement. In Baltimore City, our coalition stood strong against the proposed reduction of City Council seats, defeating Question H and preserving the voice of Baltimore’s residents.

Through our Save the Senate campaign, we reached over 335,000 voters across the state, running the largest independent expenditure campaign in Maryland to ensure Alsobrooks’ success. This achievement is not only a reflection of our relentless organizing and advocacy but also of our belief in a Maryland where every voice counts, and every community has a champion.

Read on for a full recap of these victories, and click here to view a message from our Executive Director, Larry Stafford, where he addresses the election’s significance and our vision for the road ahead. 

With fewer than 50 days left in 2024, we’re determined to finish the year strong. Let’s keep this momentum going as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities of 2025!

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

After such a long and exhausting election season, we needed to pause and sit with this reality for a moment before reaching out. For all of us who poured our hearts into this fight—canvassing, phone-banking, and advocating tirelessly—this is a tough outcome, and it’s okay to feel the weight of that deeply. We’ve taken a week to breathe and reflect on what we’ve accomplished, and today, we want to thank you for every ounce of energy, resilience, and heart you put into this work.

A grateful message to Maryland activists from Progressive Maryland Executive Director Larry Stafford Jr.

After a very discouraging national election outcome, Maryland progressives are rallying, minimizing their recuperative down-time to freshen up for the next struggle. The presence of Donald Trump, or at least a Trump-style regime, for four years is daunting but we have done this before. And if, as folks say, the Orange Menace knows more about making a mess of democracy than he knew the first time around -- well, we know more too. But enough of that -- we need to join in solidarity with other states in the resistance effort and shape up a shadow government that will achieve our goals at every level and across sectors. It won't be long before the all-too-many who bought into the MAGA fantasy find out that it's the corporate billionaires, not working people, who will reap the rewards. We need to be ready to welcome them back as they catch on to the grift. Get the information you need for the struggle in News You Can Use.

With Election Day just hours away, this is our final push to make sure Maryland voters turn out and make their voices heard. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with a close race at the presidential level, a tight Senate race where we’re working to secure a win for Angela Alsobrooks, and critical ballot questions across the state, like Question A in Montgomery County, Question H in Baltimore City and Question 1 for all of Maryland. Each race and every measure can shape Maryland’s future and we need all hands on deck to make a difference!

Tonight, we’re hosting a Save the Senate Phonebank from 5 to 8pm. Join us to connect with voters and give this election all we’ve got. Click here to sign up. Together, we can be the deciding factor that drives turnout and defends our progressive values.

We’re wishing for the best possible outcome this election, but it all starts with what we do in these final hours. Read on for important updates, election tools, ways to get involved, and news you can use as we head into this pivotal moment.

Onward to victory,

The Progressive Maryland Team

We are ignoring Election Day, and we are sure you are too -- you have already voted early or by mail and you have already insured that your neighbors and community have a way and a plan to vote tomorrow if they haven't joined you in the Already Did It Club. Still, jitters abound and, yeah, maybe we are not so much ignoring Election Day as trying to stay calm about it. We start off with access to good advice about how to beat the jitters, and then move on to news about our state, about the other 49 states, and about the state of the country. Some of it is even not (directly) about Election Day. It's all News You Can Use.

With just one week until Election Day and early voting already underway, we are in the most pivotal phase of our election efforts. Early voting ends this Thursday, October 31st, so now is the time to make your voice heard and influence the decisions that will shape our future.

Don't breeze past these important ballot measures.

•   A crucial ballot measure on the table is Question 1, which seeks to safeguard the right to make personal reproductive decisions in Maryland’s Constitution. A YES vote on this question ensures that this fundamental right is protected for generations, regardless of political changes.
•   For Baltimore City Voters, Question H is an ultra-conservative initiative aimed at reducing the size of our city council, which would diminish the voting power of poor and working-class communities. Vote AGAINST Question H to ensure all voices from all our diverse districts are represented and heard. 
• For Montgomery County voters, Question A is attempting to put term limits in place for our county executive seat, however, we just set the new term limits in 2018 and it’s working well, so there is no need to change that. The Republicans who lost in the previous election are trying a back-door approach to gain power and we can’t let them! Vote AGAINST Question A. 

We have numerous opportunities for you to get involved in helping Get Out The Vote with us, from phonebanking to canvassing and more… Check the full list of our opportunities here or in the Election Section below. Your role is vital in defending our democracy this election.

Make sure to tune in today at 11 AM EDT for our live radio show on WPFW-FM’s 89.3, your station for jazz and justice. On this edition of Community Watch and Comment, Dave Rabin, along with you, our listeners, will be joined by Professor Matthew Taylor. He is the author of "The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy." This insightful discussion will delve into the implications of Christian nationalism and the significant threat it poses to American democracy. 

Stay informed with key updates on our issue campaigns and make sure to read our insightful blog posts, plus more in today’s memo. Together, let's make these final days count! Read on for more news and information about the home stretch.

In Solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team

As we enter the last full week of election frenzy, with the presidential plebiscite scheduled for a week from tomorrow, the persistent issues -- housing, health care, the shrinking inflation factor and robust employment numbers -- are obviously on our minds -- or were, if you were among the nearly 300,000 Maryland voters who hit the early-voting venues last Thursday and Friday (early voting ends this coming Thursday, that is to say Hallowe'en). NBC News reports 44,101,704 mail-in and early in-person votes cast nationally up to this point (Monday morning), which is just a ton. Keep your eyes on the numbers and on how the issues are framed by the candidates as Election Day itself approaches. Clearly, many millions of voters are taking steps to make sure that a bad break or two on Election Day itself doesn't keep their votes off the books. It's all News You Can Use.

With just about two weeks left until Election Day and Early Voting starting THIS Thursday, October 24th, we’re entering the most critical phase of our election efforts! There is so much to accomplish in these final days, from defending local and state races to voting on important ballot questions that will shape our future.

One of the key ballot measures is Question 1, which will protect the right to make personal reproductive decisions in Maryland’s Constitution. A YES vote means ensuring this right is protected for generations to come, no matter who’s in office.

There’s so much we need to accomplish in these next few days, and we can’t do it without you. From phonebanking to canvassing and everything in between, we have opportunities for everyone to help out. Later in the memo, you’ll find a full list of ways to get involved in our election efforts. There’s a role for you in defending our democracy this election season!

In other exciting news, don’t forget to mark your calendars for our next live radio show on November 19th at 11 AM on WPFW 89.3 FM! Last week, our Executive Director Larry Stafford Jr. had a great conversation with Janna Parker from Prince George’s Changemakers about their initiatives, including efforts to provide healthy food options for incarcerated people and a basic income pilot program. Watch the full interview here.

Keep reading for key updates on our issue campaigns and check out our News You Can Use section for important articles on the blog.

In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team

As the eccentric vibe for this election amplifies, the effects seem to reach from the very top of the ticket to the most local of issues and offices. Early voting begins this Thursday (!) through Oct. 31. Meanwhile the everyday concerns of Marylanders continue: the state's African immigrant community is being heard from commensurate with its growth; concerns about juvenile crime are throwing a critical light on the juvenile justice system and its leader; and extending pre-K services to all the state's 3- and 4-year-olds is raising difficulties that catch the attention of Assembly members before the January session begins. All that plus events in The Other 49 (states) offering good and bad examples, and national/federal issues around the election, housing policy and more. It's News You Can Use. And don't miss the several opinion pieces on the stakes in our Senate race we published today.

We're back and ready to hit the ground running because today marks exactly 3 weeks until Election Day and early voting beginning next week.

While recent polls show Angela Alsobrooks with a slight lead over Hogan, we cannot afford to take any chances. Every call and every connection counts, and our voter outreach efforts are critical to maintaining that momentum. Join us tonight for Tuesday Phone Banking from 6:00-7:30 PM (sign up here), or if that doesn’t fit your schedule, sign up for Throwdown Thursday Phone Banking from 5:00-6:30 PM (sign up here). Every volunteer helps us get closer to a victory for working families and progressive values in Maryland!

This year’s presidential election comes with an extra-long ballot—everything from local offices to the president. That’s why making a voting plan is so important! Head over to our website to get all the tools you need from registering to vote and viewing a sample ballot for your county to finding your designated polling place.

There’s a lot to catch up on this week! Read on for ways to get involved in our issue campaigns and stay updated on state and national news.

In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team

Maryland's media sleuths are agog at what TIME Magazine found when examining real estate mogul Larry Hogan's votes -- as governor -- for projects in which he had apparent conflicts of interest. We have the roundup here, as well as potential vulnerabilities of the Bay Bridge, an opinion that some judges shouldn't be on the ballot in Maryland, and a slow post-Pandemic recovery of school enrollment in the state. All that plus news about the other 49 states and the federal government. No news about Congress, though; they're on break till after the general election. Should we feel anger or relief?

Maryland officials are busily leveraging new funds to attack the housing shortage in Baltimore through an "acquire and repurpose" program for the inventory of vacant or abandoned dwellings.  Officials are also planning to forgive debts on parole tabs formerly owed by state inmates, now made illegal by a new law. And they have to be basking in the news that many thousands of Maryland's children have been helped to get more nutritious food through a family grocery program this past summer. All that and more about Maryland, plus (sometimes startling) news from the other 49 states and in areas that affect the entire nation (no news from the Feds, of course; Congress is out for election campaigning after doing about as close to nothing as any session since Harry Truman). It's all in this week's News You Can Use.

Sean Dobson, a political analyst and campaigner as well as a longtime friend of Progressive Maryland, outlines how MAGA-GOP operatives could interfere with, and even overturn, a legitimate Democratic presidential victory. His several scenarios show that the Electoral Count Reform Act, useful as it can be, may still not prevail against operatives determined to put Trump back in office. Attention to swing states, by all large-D and small-d democratic forces, must be paid.

Happy last day of September! As we prepare to enter the fourth quarter of the year, it’s time to focus on finishing 2024 strong. With just a few months left, we’re more motivated than ever to drive meaningful change and build a brighter future for Maryland.

Last Thursday, we held our Annual Gala, and it was an incredible success! The evening was filled with inspiration, powerful conversations, and a shared sense of community. Nina Turner delivered a stirring keynote speech, reminding us of what’s at stake in this election and the importance of defending our democracy. If you missed her speech or want to relive the moment, you can watch it here. A huge thank you to all who joined us and to our sponsors, artists, and volunteers who made the night possible. We recognized some of Progressive Maryland’s outstanding volunteer leaders who helped to lead our healthcare, environmental, and housing justice work and who donate their time and expertise to our communications team and organizing staff. Check out our PM Events section later in the memo for the full list of awardees.

As we look ahead, we have just 36 days left until the election, 24 days until early voting begins, and absentee voting is already underway. Now is the time to do everything we can to defend our democracy! One of the most effective ways is by making sure voters have a plan to vote and know what’s at stake, especially in the critical Senate race.

We need your help! Sign up for a phone banking shift this Tuesday or Thursday—we have various times available, and whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, we’ll make sure you’re prepared to get out the word.

Sign up for a phone banking shift here:

Tuesday Phonebanking to Save the Senate

Throwdown Thursdays

We also encourage everyone to tune in to the Vice Presidential Debate tomorrow at 9 PM. It’s an important opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, and we hope you find time to watch.

As always, read on for updates from our task forces, issue campaigns, and the latest in state and national news.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Pretty amazing how a mere national disaster puts state news in the shade. Helene was like that, revving up to Cat4 in the superwarm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and delivering a haymaker up and down the Florida peninsula’s West Coast and into the Panhandle before going on to flood much of the Southeast up to… Virginia!. Florida has a state-backed home insurance plan; how much pressure will this latest disaster put on it, and the insurance industry as a whole?  See below for some early estimates on the total cost of one of climate change’s biggest recent tantrums. As we see below, POLITICO Playbook reported Monday a.m. that President Biden said he "may have to" call Congress back into session to pass emergency disaster funds. Yes, there is other news – also about climate. Maryland finally got around to protecting workers against our ever more superheated summers – now that summer is officially in the rear-view mirror. It’s all News You Can Use.