Dear Friend,
Yesterday, Progressive Maryland members gathered in Annapolis to make one thing clear: This is the year. At our midpoint rally, our members—tenants, healthcare advocates, and environmental justice leaders—stood alongside lawmakers to push for key legislation that will protect renters, expand healthcare access, and stop subsidizing polluters. We’re less than a month away from Crossover Day, and the fight is only ramping up from here. If you missed the rally, you can watch the livestream here.
Right after the rally, our members took that same energy into Lobby Night, meeting directly with legislators from both chambers and both parties. They boldly shared their stories, making sure lawmakers heard firsthand how these policies will impact their lives. Check out our Legislative Updates section to follow the status of our key priority bills. Read on for important updates, ways to get involved, and news you can use.
In solidarity, The Progressive Maryland Team |
Here’s what’s in today’s memo: - Black History
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Legislative Updates
- PM Events
- Issue Campaign Updates
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State & National News
- PM Job Openings
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As we enter the final week of Black History Month, we recognize that one month is never enough to fully honor the contributions, sacrifices, and legacies of Black leaders who have shaped our world. Still, we are proud to celebrate this month and remain committed to uplifting the stories of those who paved the way for justice, equity, and progress. This week, we’re highlighting two Maryland heroes whose courage and leadership left a lasting impact: 🔹 Irene Morgan Kirkaldy (1917–2007)
Born in Baltimore on April 9, 1917, Irene Morgan Kirkaldy played a pivotal role in the fight against segregation nearly a decade before Rosa Parks. In 1944, while traveling to Gloucester County, Virginia, to visit her mother, she was arrested in Middlesex County for refusing to give up her seat in the "white section" of an interstate bus. She took her case to the Supreme Court with the help of NAACP attorneys, leading to the landmark 1946 decision in Irene Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia, which ruled segregated seating on interstate buses unconstitutional. While enforcement lagged for years, her courageous act was a critical step in dismantling Jim Crow laws.
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🔹 Rudolph “Rudy” Cane (1934–2024)
A trailblazer in Maryland politics, Rudy C. Cane was the first Black man to represent Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the House of Delegates. Born in Marion, Maryland, Cane served 15 years in the General Assembly, representing Dorchester and Wicomico Counties (District 37A) before retiring in 2014. A veteran, scholar, and community leader, he served in the U.S. Army before attending Maryland State College (UMES) and Coppin State University. Throughout his career, Cane fought for environmental justice, civil rights, and economic opportunities for working families. His legacy continues to inspire those pushing for equity in Maryland today.
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As Black History Month comes to a close, we remain committed to fighting for a more just and equitable Maryland every day of the year. |
2025 Legislative Session: Click here to view the suggested dates of interest provided by the General Assembly. The House and Senate reconvened today 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.
We’re in a critical stretch of the legislative session, and momentum is building around our priority bills. Here’s where things stand: 🔹 Healthcare
We’re continuing the fight to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. Several key bills are moving forward: -
Health Insurance - Appeals (HB1341): Set for a House hearing next Thursday, 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
- Safe Staffing (Hospitals) Act of 2025 (SB720): Will be heard in the Senate next Tuesday, 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
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Prescription Drug Affordability Board Expansion (HB424/SB357): The House passed HB424, and now the Senate version (SB357) is up for a hearing next Thursday at 1:00 p.m.
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Public Health - Commission on Universal Health Care (HB417): Also has a hearing next Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the House.
🔹 Environmental Justice -
Reclaim Renewable Energy Act (RREA) (HB0220/SB0010): The bill has had its final hearings, and we’re now waiting for it to be scheduled for a vote.
🔹 Housing Justice -
Good Cause Eviction (HB0477/SB0651): We’re waiting for the next hearings to be scheduled in both chambers. This bill is critical to protecting renters from unfair evictions—stay tuned for updates.
🔹 Economic Justice - Fair Share for Maryland Act (SB859): Another Senate hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, 3/05 at 1:00 p.m. This bill ensures that the ultra-wealthy contribute their fair share to Maryland’s economy.
We need to keep up the pressure to move these bills forward! Check out our issue campaign updates for ways to get involved and take action. Let’s make sure our lawmakers hear from us loud and clear. |
Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: |
Healthcare Task Force: State Priority Bill Update
Health Insurance Reform: Did you know that when people carry all the way though on appealing care and claim denials there’s a better than 50% chance that they win a reversal?? The problem is the carriers make it so hard to appeal - it’s time consuming and confusing. They need to make it easier! That’s what our Appeals Reform Bill will do! HB1341
A hearing on this bill is set in the HGO Committee for Thursday, March 6th at 1:00. Testimony will be due on March 4th.
Look for an email later this week about how you can support the bill! Environmental Justice: Final Tipping Point: No Cash For Trash
Last Thursday, SirJames and environmental justice advocates presented their testimonies to the Economic Matters Committee (EMC) in favor of HB220, the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act (RREA). SirJames, serving as Progressive Maryland's Environmental Justice Organizer and a resident of Pigtown in South Baltimore's district 40, referenced Delegate Charkoudian's interview with D.C. journalist Aman Azhar from November 1, 2024. In that interview, she stated that a review of Win Waste's financial statements revealed no indication that the legislation would lead to waste management problems in Baltimore City.
Councilman Conway and Delegate Vaughn Stewart, a co-sponsor of the RREA, also provided their testimonies. Conway emphasized that the legislation has garnered support from the city council, highlighted by a recent resolution passed by Councilwoman Phylicia Porter, along with backing from the Baltimore Office of Sustainability and the Mayor.
Delegate Stewart delivered a passionate testimony, warning the EMC that the two incinerator companies and their supporters would likely present misleading claims about the RREA. During the hearing, committee chair C.T. Wilson rigorously questioned the opposing witnesses, as his office had conducted thorough research on the RREA. He made it clear to the fossil fuel companies that there was no justification for them to continue receiving green energy subsidies. Watch the final RREA hearing.
Earlier this month, a vibrant rally took place in Annapolis, accompanied by compelling testimony advocating for the RREA. The key challenge now is to ensure the legislation is scheduled for a vote before crossover day, which falls on Monday, March 17.
Currently, the EJTF and members of the Sunrise Movement are preparing to conduct lobbying meetings with elected officials who may still be undecided about the bill. This Friday, February 27, SirJames will participate in an interview with a UMD College Park undergraduate student to discuss Progressive Maryland's role in community engagement, particularly regarding the health effects of the Win Waste incinerator and the financial aspects of the RREA.
If you reside in Baltimore City and wish to support the EJTF's efforts to pass the RREA, please contact SirJames at 240-883-7645 or via email at [email protected]. |
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News You Can Use: States joining courts in resistance against Trump, Musk et al. If you got Elon Musk’s outrageous DOG-Email demanding five bullet points about what you, as a federal employee, did last week – and IF your agency hasn’t told you to ignore it -- here are a few framing ideas: -
Accomplished my regular duties, including (two or three specific bullet points)
- Spent time in meetings with my remaining co-workers about how to keep accomplishing the tasks and duties of those in our office who have already been fired without cause or bullied into resigning. (examples)
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Tried to plan in the face of current extreme uncertainty how important functions of the US government in my or my agency’s purview could continue to serve the US public as more RIFs take place erratically, without consideration for the departmental structure and skills array that those important functions require.
FYI Kash Patel (!) told the FBI folks to ignore the email and “A White House official clarified to Semafor that DOGE doesn’t have the authority to fire federal workers and that it’s up to agency managers to determine their workers’ productivity, as well as any consequences for missing Musk’s deadline.” Splitsville on the horizon? Read more about how resistance may be slowly developing, among places and people that could surprise you.
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Largo, MD 20792
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