Dear Friend, Today is Sine Die, the final day of Maryland’s 2025 legislative session. By midnight, lawmakers will wrap up their work for the year, and every hour until then is a race to finalize votes and move remaining bills across the finish line.
For Progressive Maryland, this is a critical day. Our staff, members, and allies have spent months fighting for transformative legislation that impacts working families, tenants, healthcare workers, incarcerated people, and our environment. In our legislative updates section below, you’ll find the latest on what’s already happened and the key bills still on the table as we wait to see how they play out today.
It’s been a tough few months. While we’ve fought for progressive policy here at home, we’ve also had to navigate the devastating impacts of what’s happening nationally. From attacks on democracy and bodily autonomy to policies meant to divide and undermine communities across the country—including right here in Maryland—we’re up against a lot. That’s why base-building and people power are more important now than ever. We’re fighting injustice in real time, preparing for threats that haven’t yet surfaced, and still cultivating a community rooted in hope and the belief that we can win a better Maryland together.
And especially in a time when national politicians attempt to dictate what information and opinions are acceptable, National Library Week (April 6-12) is a celebration reminding us of the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. Librarians fight for our right to unconstrained information every day. It’s their job and this week, we honor and uplift that work.
Read on for today’s updates and news you can use.
In solidarity, The Progressive Maryland Team |
|
|
Here’s what’s in today’s memo: -
PM Events
- Legislative Updates
- Issue Campaign Updates
-
State & National News
- PM Job Openings
|
Storytelling Workshop: Stop the Billionaires Looking to Steal from Working Families
This Thursday, April 10 at 8pm, we’re joining our national affiliate People’s Action for a special event and we want you there with us.
Working people are under attack—from cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to threats against student loan programs, housing support, and more. This workshop is for anyone impacted by these programs who wants to share their story and push back. Whether it’s your first time speaking out or you’ve been active before, there’s space for you. Join us to learn how to tell your story, connect with others, and fight back against the billionaire agenda.
|
🔹 Healthcare
Insurance Reform Bills are on their way to Governor Mooore! Two important pieces of legislation that deal with the dramatic increase in insurance denials and the problems with the appeals process will reach the Governor’s desk. HB848:A dverse Decisions-Notices Reporting and Examinations will require clearer communication from carriers about denials and appeals. It will also initiate examinations of carriers with excessive care denial rates. HB995: A Work Group to Study The Rise in Adverse Decisions in the State Healthcare System is the other measure. We’ve been pushing for intervention from our state lawmakers to address this crisis. We know that the profit motive can drive these denials, and look forward to the Work Group sessions (they will be open to the public) to raise our concerns about this. They should begin in June and will be open to the public. Stay tuned for updates.
The Safe Staffing (Hospitals) Act of 2025 (HB905): Sen. Beidle, the Fiance Committee Chair, introduced amendments offered by Maryland Hospital Association executives that effectively gutted the original bill (which passed the House). Our statewide coalition, the Patient Worker Collaborative, could not support the new version. We brought good pressure to bear thanks to everyone who sent emails and made phone calls in the past few weeks. We won’t give up the fight even if hospitals and the Chair appear to not feel the need to address our state having the worst ER wait times in the nation.
Regulating AI in Health Insurance (HB820): This bill, which would help the state better understand and regulate the use of AI in insurance decisions, has passed both Chambers and should be poised for final passage today.
🔹 Environmental Justice -
Reclaim Renewable Energy Act (HB220/SB10): Victory! Our fight to remove trash incineration from Maryland’s Tier 1 renewable energy portfolio has succeeded. The Reclaim Renewable Energy Act was folded into the broader Next Generation Energy Act, which officially passed the General Assembly. This is a huge win for cleaner air, healthier communities, and the fight against environmental racism. Maryland is finally saying no to dirty energy disguised as “renewable.”
🔹 Housing Justice -
Tenant Possessions Recovery Act (HB0767/SB0442): While this bill, which requires landlords to notify tenants by first-class mail and post notices on front doors before executing warrants of restitution, was heavily amended and does not fully reflect the protections we initially pushed for, it has passed both the House and the Senate. It is now on its way to the Governor’s desk. While it may not offer the full protections tenants need, it still provides a minimal safeguard to reduce the impact of evictions.
🔹 Criminal Justice -
Second Look Act (HB853/SB291): Another major step forward! This bill passed the House 89-47 last Thursday and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk. The Second Look Act offers a pathway for redemption and recognizes the potential for growth and rehabilitation, especially for those incarcerated at a young age. This is a powerful win for justice and hope.
|
Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: |
Healthcare Task Force: State and National Health Care Campaign News
❖ Victory on health insurance reform: Two significant bills have passed and a third should also make it to the Governor’s desk (see Legislative Session section above). We’ve come this far in just two years because of the support of our members, supporters, allies and the public. We’ve been asking: what good is it to have and pay for health insurance if we can’t use it? This question and the demands of our Care Over Cost campaign has helped move legislators, especially the champions on the Health Government and Operations Committee, to make this issue a priority this session. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this victory!
❖ Hands Off Medicaid Campaign : We’re fired up to be in this fight with scores of other groups and the tens of millions of people who use Medicaid for their health care. Trump and Musk are hoping to steal $880 billion from the programs that everyday seniors, people with disabilities, children, and people who can’t afford insurance rely on. It will crush families, communities, health facilities, and the healthcare workforce. What’s behind it? GREED!! They’re taking from our health to give more tax breaks to the same corporations and billionaires who are ripping us off every day. With your participation we can stop them. We’ll be making phone calls, door-knocking, and holding rallies. Sign up now! Contact Patty for more information at [email protected].
Environmental Justice Task Force: Every Dog Has its Day: No More Cash For Trash
Today marks a significant milestone in the Maryland General Assembly as it concludes its 90-day legislative session. Legislators have voted to eliminate green energy subsidies for incineration, a decision that comes after years of dedicated advocacy from the South Baltimore community. With incineration now excluded from Maryland's renewable energy portfolio, residents can expect their monthly utility bills to no longer support the harmful practice of burning waste. This decision represents a major setback for incinerator companies in the state, as ratepayers will no longer be forced to contribute to an industry linked to serious health issues like cancer and respiratory problems.
In light of this monumental achievement, Progressive Maryland's Environmental Justice Task Force is organizing a celebration in South Baltimore. This event will not only commemorate the victory but also serve as a platform to strategize for the next steps in their environmental justice campaign. The momentum gained from this legislative win will be harnessed to continue advocating for cleaner and healthier communities. As the saying goes, "every dog has its day," and today is a day of triumph for frontline communities. They can finally rejoice as the financial burden of funding polluting incineration has been lifted, marking a new chapter in their fight for environmental justice and public health. |
Appeals Court upholds Maryland man's return from Salvadoran prison; plus Assembly's rush to adjourn and other News You Can Use
As the General Assembly tries to wrap up its work today, known as Sine Die, news comes that a federal appeals court has upheld a ruling that the Salvadoran Maryland resident was wrongly deported to a notorious mass-incarceration facility in El Salvador and must be returned tonight. Definitely a stay-tuned day as worldwide stock markets crash for a third day, more DOGE firings loom and the prez plays golf (while charging the Secret Service for their lodging at... Mar-a-Lago) and many thousands rallied Saturday all over the US in what was called a "THE RESISTANCE ARRIVES" moment. We’ll keep you up on where the Assembly did itself proud (and where it may not have). It’s News You Can Use.
|
Don't forget to follow us on social media! |
Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792
United States
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive emails from us, please unsubscribe or update your preferences in your supporter portal. |
|
|
|
