Dear Friend,

Much of our focus in these cold, early months of 2022 has been on Annapolis, and so far we’ve encountered the good, the bad, and – well – the unsurprising.

Our progressive allies in the Maryland General Assembly have put forward excellent, thoughtful pieces of legislation. In today's memo, you’ll learn about a bill introduced last week by Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D20, Montgomery County) and supported by the End Medical Debt Maryland coalition — HB 496 would require Maryland hospitals to reimburse low-income patients they have overcharged for care in recent years. This week alone, we’re looking forward to hearings on a measure to create a paid family and medical leave program (HB 8 / SB 275), a bill that would establish a state commission on universal health care (HB 610 / SB 493), and bill to make corporations pay their fair share in taxes (SB 360).

But GOP legislators have also been introducing legislation, much of which mirrors the bills being put forward by their right-wing colleagues across the country. We’re prepared to fight back against their terrible voter suppression laws, efforts to censor the curriculum in Maryland public schools, restrictions on abortion access, and attempts to create harsher penalties for school-age children who get caught in the broken criminal justice system.

Then, of course, there’s Governor Larry Hogan. Nearing the end of his term, Hogan gave his final State of the State address last week. Despite the measured praise from some news outlets, it was much of the same we’ve come to expect from Hogan: enthusiasm for Reagan-style trickle-down economics, clinging to conservative rhetoric around crime, and shirking responsibility for ongoing problems with Maryland’s unemployment insurance. No surprises there.

So, what’s a progressive to do? Fight for a better Maryland! Read on for plenty of opportunities to organize and advocate for a better, more progressive future, including a Health Justice Lobby Day and Cannabis Legislation Lobby Days coming up next week.

In Solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team

View the full weekly memo at [link removed]


Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792
United States
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