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.

"Immigrants breathe new life into communities. Our hope, resilience and joy renews faith in what is possible when we live an “American Dream” of solidarity together." Read an account of what the real immigration problem is from Sulma Arias of People's Action. It is not immigrants -- who are keeping our economy vibrant and our culture ever self-enriching. Instead, it is ultra-nationalist demagogues like Trump and Vance, and the lies they use to prop up their failing effort.

Happy fall! With the season just starting, it’s a great reminder that the sprint to Election Day is officially on. Can you believe we’re less than 45 days away? Here in Maryland, absentee voting has already begun as of today, so there's no time to waste. Remember, you don’t need an excuse to request a ballot, but make sure to submit your application by October 29. Your completed ballot must reach state officials by November 5. For all the details you need, including how to get registered, check out our 2024 Voting Tools page.

This week, we’re gearing up for our big Annual Gala this Thursday, September 26, at Yellowfin Restaurant in Edgewater. Don’t miss your chance to join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and connection. Hear from our keynote speaker, Nina Turner, mingle with passionate progressives, and celebrate the strides we’re making to build a better Maryland. Tickets are going fast, but there’s still time to secure yours—grab your ticket here!

There’s plenty to catch up on in this week’s memo, including updates on our issue campaigns, state and national news, and ways to get involved. Let’s keep the momentum going as we head into this critical election season!

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Are we ready to spend $780 million on our school systems statewide? In the next ten days? Maryland school officials assure an inquiring reporter that they can do it before that federal deadline. We can imagine some proposals, from actual teachers. And as we enter October, voting gets under way -- mail voting sooner, early voting a little later, and fussing about the Senate race still under way. Read more about this, plus what's going on (good and bad examples) in other states and at the federal level, including (eeew) Congress. It's all News You Can Use.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through October 15th. It’s a time to celebrate the rich contributions of Hispanic communities to our country, but also to reflect on the challenges they continue to face. Here at Progressive Maryland, we are committed to fighting for the rights of all people, including Hispanic communities. This November, the stakes are high, with right-wing politicians making it clear they’re targeting Hispanic communities with harmful policies. That’s why we need to ensure that everyone we know gets out to vote this election.

We’re also just 10 days away from our Annual Gala on September 26th, and tickets are selling fast! We’d love to see you there for a night of inspiration, networking, and progress. Special shoutout to our amazing sponsors: 1199 SEIU, People's Action, the Montgomery County Education Association, the Maryland National Organization for Women and the Office of Councilmember Will Jawando. You can buy your tickets here and join us for this unforgettable event.

In other news, our Executive Director Larry Stafford Jr. will be speaking with Jamilla Woods on WPFW 89.3 FM about the recent state budget cuts and how they will impact funding for child care and Medicaid. Listen live here or tune in directly to WPFW 89.3 FM on Tuesday, September 17 at 11am to catch the conversation. You can also access the show after it airs here.

There are plenty of ways to get involved with us here at Progressive Maryland. Read on for more on upcoming events, opportunities, and important state and national news

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

How to improve the Chesapeake Bay (and the complex forces, human, social and natural, involved) ties in with events like the Curtis Bay coal dust problem, enviro solutions like more bike-and-walk ways to get to work, the sudden closing of Atlantic Beaches, and on the political front big-time worries among state elections officials about whether the USPS mail system is being strangled (and mail voting endangered) by USPS's cost-obsessed (and Trump-appointed) Postmaster General. Ben Franklin, he ain't...

Happy Monday! We’re in the final stretch of the election season and we know your inbox and phone have been buzzing with messages, ads, and reminders, but that’s because the stakes are high. With less than two months to go, this is the most crucial time to make sure you're ready to cast your vote.

Early voting starts on October 24, 2024, and now’s the time to lock in your voting plan. Head to our website where you can register to vote, find your polling place, and even preview your exact ballot so you know what’s coming.'

There’s a lot going on here at Progressive Maryland as we ramp up our efforts. Keep reading for updates on key state and national news, plus plenty of ways to get involved in these final weeks!

Let’s get ready to win this!

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

The side issues in Maryland's hotly contested Senate election are not only taxes and regulatory issues but they are Maryland tax and regulatory issues as well. The Senate race is spiced by attacks on Gov. Wes Moore's handling of such issues by his predecessor, generally an attack on Democratic governance meant to sideswipe Larry Hogan's opponent in the Senate race, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Moore is retaliating quite directly. Read about these and other state issues as well as the political back-n-forth in the Other 49 (states) and the Federal landscape as Congress returns and a government shutdown looks more likely. It's News You Can Use for this week, as usual a mixed bag.

We hope you enjoyed the Labor Day weekend and had some quality time with family. As we welcome September, we’re officially in the final stretch—exactly 9 weeks from Election Day. This election is one of the most important and intense we’ve faced, and it’s crucial that we come together as a community to ensure our values are protected at every level—presidential, congressional, state, and local. Every level is equally important, and defending our democracy requires action across the board.

To help you stay informed and engaged, our website features an easy-to-navigate 2024 Election Tools page. Be sure to check it out for essential election information and tools to make your vote count.

The Senate race in our state is particularly critical and heating up fast. According to WBAL, a new poll shows the Maryland U.S. Senate race is tied. With so much at stake, we must reach even more voters and out-organize the Republicans. We’ve been working hard to reach voters and our efforts are far from over.

Every Thursday evening, we host phonebanking sessions where we talk to voters about Angela Alsobrooks and help them solidify their voting plans. And this month alone, we have four Days of Action dedicated to canvassing for Angela Alsobrooks in various locations across the state. Sign up here to get involved.

As we gear up for these final weeks, your involvement is more important than ever. Let’s come together to make sure our voices are heard and our values are defended.

Read on for important updates from our task forces and issue campaigns, events from allies and the latest state and national news.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team