Progressive Maryland

Progressive Maryland in the News - 2009 Archive

[Also see PM in the News archives for 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007]

'It's a glaring paradox: we have the highest median family income in the nation, but some of our health stats are actually worse than average," Sean Dobson said...."
-Despite State's Wealth, Working Families Struggle; Capital News Dec 23

"I have an alternative proposal to ditching the public option:
Ditch the filibuster. Restore democracy to the U.S. Senate'..."
-We Need a Public Option; Matthew Weinstein's Letter, Balt. Sun Dec 15

"Progressive Maryland and the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute issued... 'The State of Working Maryland'..."
-Despite State Wealth, Working Families Struggle; Annap. Capital Dec 20

"Progressive Maryland Education Fund... low and moderate-income families represent the bulk of job losses and foreclosures..."
-Lower Pay Jobs More Affected by Recession; Job Radio Dec 10

"Progressive Maryland Education Fund... median family income remained tops... But levels vary widely... and did not increase between 2007 and 2008..."
-Report: Working Maryland Hurting; Wash. Business Journal Dec 9

"Considering the state's high median income, 'that's a real disconnect,' said Sean Dobson, executive director of Progressive Maryland..."
-'Working Maryland' Hurting, Report Finds Gazette Dec 9

"Progressive Maryland Education Fund... based on current census data…"
-Despite Wealth, Working Families Struggling; Star Democrat Dec 9

"Progressive Maryland... recommendations include raising the minimum wage, broadening the living wage requirement... increasing unionization... making permanent the income tax surcharge on millionaires..."
-Analysis: Five-and-dime Tax Talk; CorridorInc. Dec 7

"Not nearly enough of Maryland's high median family income is trickling down in the form of hourly wages for blue-collar Marylanders. The living standard of working Marylanders has been declining for several years -- and now it is declining even faster thanks to the worst recession in decades." - Sean Dobson, Executive Director of Progressive Maryland shared findings
of The State of Working Maryland Report" on WEAA's Marc Steiner Show Dec 8

"A deterioriating living standard for blue- and pink-collar workers, a relatively high rate of credit card debt, below-average health statistcs. These are some of the findings of The 2009 State of Working Maryland report [PMEF]..." - WYPR's Maryland Morning with Sheila Kast Dec 9

"Progressive Maryland Education Fund and Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute, both focus on low- and moderate-income families, published the report..."
-Study: In Md., Working Class Bears Brunt of Recession; Balt. Sun Dec 5

"This steep rate is a result of Maryland's high cost of living, said co-author Sean Dobson of Progressive Maryland ..."
-Despite Maryland's Wealth, Working Families Struggle; Capital News Service Dec 4

"Progressive Maryland and the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute issued... 'The State of Working Maryland'..."
-Working Maryland; Maryland Reporter Dec 7

"'Verizon will raise its rates substantially.. and the PSC will have no regulatory authority to stop [it],' said Rion Dennis, outreach director for the Progressive Maryland Education Fund..."
-Critics Call on PSC to Reject Verizon Proposal: Company Looking to Increase Rates, Offer Credits for Service Outages; Gazette Nov 23

"...it's impossible to blame the drop-off on the new tax without considering the unusually sharp recession... Balance that minuscule loss of millionaires against the huge benefit of extra revenue for state government at a time of draconian budget cuts, plus making Maryland's regressive income tax code a bit fairer. At a time of massive unemployment and plummeting living standards for blue-collar Marylanders..."
-Millionaires Aren't Fleeing Md.; Sean Dobson's leading letter in Balt. Sun Nov 27

"...state regulators should not deregulate any telephone services. 'Maryland can do better than this deal with Verizon," said Rion Dennis, outreach director of Progressive Maryland..."
-Revised Verizon Pact Draws Concern: Consumer Watchdog Urges State to Avoid Deregulation; Balt. Sun Nov 21
 

Poll Finds Md. Voters Want Public Campaign Funding

Progressive Maryland Education Fund, Common Cause, and supporting lawmakers released the new Gonzales Research poll showing Maryland voters believe big campaign contributions have a "corrupting" influence on lawmakers in Annapolis. As a solution, voters overwhelmingly support voluntary, public funding of campaigns (News Release, Full Poll, Clips below).
  

"But the poll conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing on behalf of Common Cause and Progressive Maryland [Education Fund] found neither myth holds up on inspection. Three-quarters of Marylanders reportedly think big contributions have a corrupting influence, and even when reminded of the state budget deficit and recession, nearly two-thirds still support public financing..."
-Voters don't care about the influence of big campaign donations? Lawmakers get reason to rethink that old canard and support public financing; Balt. Sun editorial Oct 14

"Sean Dobson of Progressive Maryland said he envisions a 'large pilot program' to begin in 2014 and provide about $5 million to candidates..."
-Marylanders Want Public Campaign Financing, Despite Budget Woes; Balt. Sun Oct 14

"The poll was paid for by Progressive Maryland Education Fund and Common Cause Maryland. Both support ending corporate donations to candidates for public office and laws that provide public money to finance political campaigns..."
-Poll Shows Voters Favor State Campaign Finance Reform; Arbutus Times Oct 14

"Sean Dobson, executive director of Progressive Maryland, whose policy arm also commissioned the Gonzales poll..."
-Survey Pumps Up Finance Reformers: Miller Will Hold Back Support Until Cost Questions Answered; Gazette Oct 19

"Progressive Maryland and Common Cause are using the results of a recent poll to press their case for campaign finance reform..."
-Fed Up in the Free State, Md. Politics Watch Oct 19

"According to the Gonzales Poll, which was commissioned by the Progressive Maryland Education Fund and Common Cause Maryland...77 percent believe that 'big campaign contributions have a corrupting influence on state lawmakers in Annapolis.' Talk about an image problem."
-Campaign Finance Reform: Public Funding of Campaigns Would Broaden Dialogue, Editorial, Gazette Newspapers, Oct. 29

 

HCAN Analysis of 2 Senate Health Bills Finds Costs
Lower for HELP Committee's with a Public Option

HCAN Rally in Baltimore Oct. 14, 2009
At this Oct. 14 rally in Baltimore, Md. Health Care for America Now released its financial analysis comparing the two Senate health reform bills and showing lower costs for the HELP Committee's, which includes a public option, than the Finance version.
Printable news release & full report & Fox TV-45 video below.

 

Surprise Birthday Party for Constellation/BGE's
CEO Mayo Shattuck III Turns Sour for Monopolist

“Maryland would not be in this mess of a monopolist bilking ratepayers for his $33 million golden parachute if it were not for lawmakers' disastrous decision in 1999 to deregulate our state's electricity system. Lawmakers need to re-regulate Maryland's electricity system right away.”  - Matthew Weinstein, PMEF Baltimore
 

PMEF "celebrates" $33 million birthday/retirement bonus

HOLD THE MAYO!  Instead of a retirement bonus worth $33 million as a birthday present, Mayo Shattuck, CEO of Constellation/BGE got a fake-golden watch and a twinkie from Progressive Maryland Education Fund. Monopolist Shattuck bilks BGE ratepayers to finance his $33 million pension birthday present. But PMEF cites evidence that the bonus – which went into effect Oct. 7 on his 55th birthday – could be illegal. See news release , links to articles below, followed by two videos: Fox News 45 video (2-min.) and PMEF's 8-min. "CEO with $33 Million Golden Parachute Gets Birthday Surprise."

Above, PMEF's 8-min. "CEO with $33 Million Golden Parachute Gets Birthday Surprise" shows you all the action. Below, Fox News 45 aired its 2-min. overview.

 

 

See PM Executive Director Sean Dobson discuss health reform policy and politics with Merrill Goozner, publisher of GoozNews on The Coffee House, telecast nationwide on cable channels in over 30 states, the Web, and the DISH satellite network (15 mins.)

"Sean Dobson, spokesman for Progressive Maryland, said, "[W]e are skeptical about outsourcing. Sector after sector, when you privatize core government services, generally the results are disappointing..."
-Some Question Whether Outsourcing Pays; Gazette Oct 9

"...the debate over health care reform with... Matthew Weinstein, Maryland Coordinator of Health Care for America Now." [Federal Issues Director, Progressive Maryland.]
-Midday with Dan Rodricks, WYPR Radio Baltimore Oct 8

Sept. 22 Protest in Owings Mills, Md.

Medical professionals and community leaders spoke (above) at the Sept. 22 rally at United Healthcare's offices in Owings Mills, while participants held signs in support of health reform (below).  The event was one of many Health Care for America Now (HCAN) coordinated nationwide protesting insurance companies draconian policies, including one at United Healthcare in Rockville. (See TV and article links below.)

Sept. 22 Protest in Owings Mills, Md.

"Matthew Weinstein, [Progressive Maryland Federal issues Director and] Maryland Coordinator of Health Care for America NOW led the crowd in chanting, 'Free choice, a must! Public option or bust'...”
-'Big Insurance Makes Me Sick!'; People's Weekly World Sep 22.
Also see flier for protests at United Healthcare offices in Rockville & Owings Mills; and We’re Sick of Insurance Company Abuses, AFL-CIO Sep 22. 

"Healthcare reform advocates... to drive a hearse through downtown Rockville and place a casket at the door of the office of United Health care Insurance Company..."
-Mock Funeral to Support Health Care Set in Rockville; Wash. Post Sep 22

"Protest-goers drove a hearse followed by several cars with signs like '46 Million Americans: No Health Insurance'..."
-Mock Funeral Held To Support Healthcare Reform; WJZ TV-13/AP Sep 22

"Protestors in Rockville held a mock funeral Tuesday, sending a message to health insurance companies they're 'sick of it'... part of a day of [100] protests nationwide..."
-Health Reform Supporters Stage Mock Funeral; Fox-DC Sep 22 (video below)

"Generations United for Health Reform... was launched Wednesday... supports the curbing of health care costs and a public health option... plans to engage students through workshops and discussions..." (all assisted by Progressive Md. and HCAN)
-UM Group Hopes to Build Support for Health Care Reform, The Gazette Sep 23

"The campaign will be holding a teach-in Sept. 30, at 7 p.m.... to equip you with the necessary tools in order to advocate for reform..."
-Starting with Students; UMD Diamondback Sep 23

"Matthew Weinstein, federal issues director for Progressive Maryland and state coordinator for Health Care for American Now, said the biggest obstacle to a government-financed public option for health insurance to compete with private insurers is the large number of donations going to Democratic Blue Dogs and Republicans from the insurance industry..."
-Van Hollen: Next round begins with health care address; Business Gazette Sep 9

"Progressive Maryland advocates for the interests of working families, and the group's executive director, Sean Dobson, said Cohen won its endorsement because of his record on Smart Growth policies..."
-Political Notes: Cohen Endorsed, Annapolis Capital Sep 10

"'It looks like the Republicans have finally outed themselves as not negotiating in good faith, and if the Democrats have any brains at all they'll press forward for a good bill, whether or not it is bipartisan,' said Sean Dobson, director of the advocacy group Progressive Maryland."
-Informal Poll by Dems at County Fair Shows Support for Public Option; Gazette Aug 26
 

Pres. Obama at UMD Rally Sept. 17
See more Photos from President Obama's Sept. 17 Rally at UMD by King Cow's David Choy, by PM staff and the Baltimore Sun, plus C-SPAN 38-min. Video, Sun article & WJZ CBS-13 3-min. report
 

Harford County health Reform Rally, Bel AirAbove: Harford County supporters of President Obama's health care reform rallied Sept. 8 in Bel Air, while Sen. Ben Cardin (below) addressed a send-off rally as he headed back to DC to pass legislation with the public option. See TV Coverage by WJZ, WBAL & Fox.
Send-off for Sen. Ben Cardin, Baltimore  

Hundreds Rally in Centreville Urging Rep. Frank Kratovil
(MD-1) to Support the President's Health Care Reform

Health Reform Rally Sept. 2 in Centreville
Above: Hundreds also rallied Sept. 2 in Centreville on the Eastern Shore.
Below: Matthew Weinstein, PM Federal Issues Director and Maryland
Health Care for America Now coordinator, rouses rally goers.
Health Reform Rally Sept. 2 in Centreville

Health Reform Rally Sept. 2 in Centreville
PM staff took part in the Centreville rally


Coverage of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's Sept. 1 Town Hall in Waldorf, where heavy turn-out of 1,700 (2/3 supporting the President's Public Option) was organized largely by Maryland Health Care for America Now, coordinated by Progressive Maryland:

See CNN & NBC clips on Hoyer Town Hall Sept. 1
(each 2 min. below) & C-SPAN full video (2 hours+)
 

"Matthew Weinstein, the Maryland chapter director [of Health Care for America Now] estimated a thousand supporters had showed up... the majority supporting health care reform outnumbered those opposed... 'The opponents are a very vocal minority.'..."
-Hoyer Gets Earful at Volatile Town Hall; The Hill Sep 1
Weinstein is Progressive Maryland's Federal Issues & Baltimore Region Director

NBC Washington Video of Hoyer Town Hall Sept. 1 (1 min. 15 secs.)


See source page at www.nbcwashington.com

Rep. Hoyer's Health Care Town Hall
Majority Leader Hoyer explain key provisions of the House bill at his town hall Sept. 1

 

"Sean Dobson, executive director of Progressive Maryland... is sure the demonstrators only represent the extreme base of the Republican Party, not mainstream Maryland..."
-Internet Fuels Tea Party Effort, Health Care Reform Protests; Gazette Aug 21

"Progressive Maryland and health-care reform allies say they will protest outside the Silver Spring Whole Foods today at noon after CEO John Mackey recently wrote that health care is not an intrinsic right..."
-Food Fight; Wash. Post  Aug 21

"Why in the world would Dems in Congress appease the Town Hall ranters?  Those ranters are nothing but the GOP base and they will never, ever vote for Democrats, so Dems should ignore them and just pass a good health care bill."
-Sean Dobson, Executive Director of Progressive Maryland, WEAA Marc Steiner Show, Aug. 21

"Rion Dennis with Progressive Maryland will also speak. Lately, few things can rile a town hall meeting like the words "health care reform. ..."
-Rep. Edwards to Talk Health Reform Tonight with Young Dems; Wash. Post Blogs, Aug 20

"Millions of elderly Americans on Medicare -- the public option created for them in 1965 -- never have to worry their claims will be denied by someone getting a bonus to say 'No"..."
-Matthew Weinstein, Progressive Md. Fed. Issues Director; WBAL Radio C4 Show, Aug 21

"'The status quo... hasn't worked for many years,' said Sean Dobson, Progressive Maryland..."
-Citizens Put Cardin in Hot Seat on Reform; So. Md. News. Aug 12

"Some folks in Progressive Maryland shirts... were converged upon by several large guys in yellow Dewalt shirts and an odd woman who appeared..."
-Health Protesters Have a Lot of Gall; Balt. Sun Aug 13

For several years, my organization, Progressive Maryland, has pushed to enact combined reporting in our state. We cannot understand how state lawmakers..."
-There Are Good Reasons to Hold off on Md. Tax Law Changes; Balt. Sun Aug 12

"President Obama and the Democrats in Congress have a mandate to enact health care reform because they won the election specifically on that platform...Congress needs to avoid paralysis by analysis -- Congress should enact this bill when it returns to Washington in the fall."
-Sean Dobson, Exec. Director, Progressive Maryland; WBAL Radio's C4 Show, Aug 11

"Other groups, such as... Progressive Maryland, will attend to 'rally against health reform opponents and for health reform now'..."
-Cardin Expecting Big Crowd for Health Care Town Hall; Towson Times Aug 10

"Sean Dobson... Progressive Maryland, rejected arguments that the government option would drive private insurers out of business. 'That's crazy. Nobody says the library drives the bookstores out of business,' Dobson said, adding that those arguments were being made by insurers looking to maintain their monopoly..."
-Protestors Greet Cardin's Health Care Discussion; WBAL TV Aug 10

"Maryland members of Health Care for America Now held a counter-rally..."
-Protests Before Sen. Cardin Health Care Discussion; WTOP Radio Aug 10

"'Minimum wage is a very popular issue always... there is an election year coming up and politicians want to do things voters like,' said Sean Dobson of Progressive Maryland..."
-State Should Top Federal Minimum Wage; Gazette Jul 28

"Matthew Weinstein, federal issues director for Progressive Maryland and state coordinator for Health Care for America Now..."
-Progressive Md. Teleconference with Rep. Donna Edwards; Fed. News Serv. Jul 31

"Matthew Weinstein, state coordinator of  Health Care for America Now [on staff of Progressive Maryland], said Kratovil was among the state's nine [out of 10] congressional representatives... that supported the group's health reform plan. 'He is a member of the Blue Dog caucus [but] we are hopeful he'll vote yes'..."
-Kratovil Worried about Reform Costs; The Gazette Jul 24

"As a progressive activist working with Progressive Maryland, I stand with 76 percent of Americans in support of a public health insurance option that will make health care more affordable for all Americans and will cover people currently without health insurance..."
-Making Health Care Reform Affordable; The Gazette Jul 23

"It's simply enforcing the intent of the tax code," Progressive Maryland executive director Sean Dobson said. His organization had estimated the take from combined reporting would exceed $100 million..."
-Accounting Change Could Net State $100M, The Gazette, Jul 3

"...like Medicare, it has only 3 to 4 percent overhead (vs. over 20 percent...) because it does not have to waste billions on shareholder profits, executive bonuses, [advertising] and lawyers and accountants to figure out how to game regulations and cheat on taxes..."
-Keep the 'Public Option': A Government Plan Similar to Medicare Belongs in the Insurance Mix, op-ed by Progressive Maryland's Matthew Weinstein, Balt. Sun Jun 29
 

June 25 PM Staff and Banner
Progressive Maryland staff show banner, among the 10,000 activists at Health Care for America Now's (HCAN) National Rally and Lobby Day, June 25 at the Capitol.
See photos, videos, news coverage and more.
 

"Four Democratic delegates asked for an investigation into whether a major office moving company headed by the former chairman of the Maryland Republican Party had violated any state wage laws... letter signed by Del. Tom Hucker [PM Board Member]..."
-Delegates Ask State To Probe Kane Company, Wash. Post Jul 14

"Thousands rally... to create a public health insurance plan..."
-Senate Democrats Say Cost of Health-Care Bill Can Be Trimmed, NY Times Jun 26

"[T]he U.S. is 50 years behind the other wealthy countries... the biggest [reason] is our uniquely permissive campaign finance system..."
-Private Campaign Finance Serves Special Interests, Blocks Health, Other
Reforms, Progressive Maryland's Sean Dobson's letter to the Wash. Post Jun 26

"One by one, speakers told stories about how the country's health care system had let them down [to] a crowd of thousands next to the Capitol..."
-Health Care Reformists Rally, 'We Can't Wait,' Morning Call Jun 26
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) was among the members of Congress who spoke forcefully in support of the public health insurance option at the June 25 rally: "I say there is no option but a public option! And I say to those who want a co-op, 'Be careful you don't get co-opted!' For those who say we need a trigger, I say, 'Be careful, you could be shooting down health care.' We need a public option that puts the public first and there is no option to doing that!"
 

"Mooney was ranked lowest in the state by Progressive Maryland... introduced poison amendment to campaign finance bill... working for special interests, against working families."
-Legislative Scorecards Released, Frederick News-Post, Jun 26

"Thousands... rallied outside the Capitol to support change..."
-Congress Suspends Health Debate- Crowds Rally, McClatchy Jun 25

2009 Scorecard Thumbnail "[Progressive Maryland's scorecard] ranks lawmakers..."
-Get Your Scorecards, The Gazette Jun 19

"Progressive Maryland Education Fund released its report ..."
-Batter Up: Lawmakers Scored on Various Agendas, Balt. Sun Jun 19

"The legislative scorecard, compiled by Progressive Maryland Education Fund... assesses how lawmakers voted on nine issues..."
-Progressive Maryland Releases Lawmaker Scores, Wash. Post Jun 19

"...state legislators Tom Hucker [Progressive Maryland Board member] and Heather Mizeur were named to a ... White House advisory panel... State Legislators for Health Reform... They are to 'host public events, author opinion pieces in local publications and use their established networks to organize constituents in support of health reform'..."
-Sarbanes, Hucker, Mizeur Get Some Obama Love, Balt. Sun, Jun 17

"Incumbents usually skate to re-election, but Progressive Maryland will target some Democratic office holders, though the group's executive director, Sean Dobson, declined to say which ones..."
-2010 Candidates: Rumors About Various Senate Races, PG-Politics, Jun 12

"'We're going to challenge the bad apple Democrats who are carrying water for corporate special interests at the expense of working families," Progressive Maryland's Sean Dobson said... 'These bad apples know who they are and if they think they're safe, they need to ponder two words: Al Wynn' [who was defeated by PM-endorsed Donna Edwards (D-Dist. 4) last year]..."
-Primary Races Could Produce Intriguing Matchups, Gazette, Jun 12

PM's Sean Dobson Fires Up Labor Activists at Rally
PM's Sean Dobson fires up participants at the rally and news conference supporting Wal-Mart workers' right to union representation June 3 in Landover Hills. Beside Dobson at left is Tony Perez, Political Director of UFCW Local 400, the union leading the charge to give Wal-Mart workers the right to organize.

"Local 400 spokesman Mark Federici [Progressive Maryland Board Member] said hundreds of Wal-Mart employees in the area have signed union authorization cards."
-Area Wal-Mart Workers Join Effort to Unionize, Wash Post, June 3

"Whether events such as this week's rally continue depends on how things play out... said Mark Federici of Local 400 UFCW [and Progressive Maryland]..."
-Wal-Mart Employees Rally in Landover Hills... for Union, Gazette, June 5

"Health Care for America Now [and its Md. coordinator Progressive Maryland] released a report that supports setting up a government health plan to compete with private insurers... CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and UnitedHealth Group control over 70% of the market..."
-Activists Seek Inquiry into Health Insurers' Consolidation, Balt. Sun, May 21

"Health Care for America Now wrote the Justice Department asking for an antitrust investigation... consolidation means insurers can raise rates, reduce care with impunity..."
-Advocates Call for Antitrust Probe, The Gazette, May 22

"Health Care For America Now [released a report] showing insurance industry consolidation has resulted in a market failure..."
-GOP Plan Aims for Universal Health Care in Private Market, CBS News, May 20

"The middle class, working poor and poor have all lost ground when you adjust for inflation," said Neil Bergsman of the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute, which co-wrote the report with Progressive Maryland Education Fund..."
-Poverty May Be on the Rise in Maryland; Trouble Linked to Rising Unemployment and Income Gap, Annapolis Capital, May 17

"[Health Care for America Now] urged the Justice Department to open a wide-ranging investigation into consolidation and a lack of competition among health insurers, which they blame for soaring premiums in recent years... also released a report on insurance markets that bolsters the argument... for setting up a government health plan to compete with private insurers..."
-Activists Seek Inquiry into Health Insurers' Consolidation, Balt. Sun, May 20

"This is our once-in-a-generation opportunity to get it right on health care reform, which is why we're bringing a thousand Marylanders to the Capitol June 25..."
-Progressive Maryland National Issues Director Matthew Weinstein on WBAL C4 Show, May 22

"The vast majority of high-income Marylanders, according to poll data, are ready, willing, and able to contribute more toward strengthening our state... they should be thanked, not insulted..."
-Progressive Maryland's Matthew Weinstein's letter to Balt. Sun, May 15 &  Balt. Sun editorial sharing PM's perspective, May 15

Progressive Maryland's Matthew Weinstein debunks the right-wing myth that taxing millionaires forces them to move out-of-state thereby shrinking the tax base. Hopelessly outclassed, a desperate Neil Cavuto of Fox News resorted to cutting off Weinstein in mid-sentence.
-VIDEO: Maryland Millionaires' Tax, Fox Business News, May 15

"Where the wage inequality 'hits the hardest is single-income families. But the middle class, the working poor and the poor have all lost ground when you adjust for inflation,' said Neil Bergsman, executive director of the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute, which co-wrote the report with the Progressive Maryland Education Fund..."
-Federal Funding Shows Poverty May be on the Rise in Md., The Gazette, May 6

"'The Republican attacks on programs and taxes are the reasons that the country has fallen behind over the last generation or two,' said Matthew Weinstein, Progressive Maryland..."
-Summit Focuses on Health Care Priorities, Cumberland Times-News, Apr 25

"The media was a bit unfair toward the Tea Party protesters -- they were just rank-and-file Republican activists.  But the Tea Party came across as ridiculous and it shows the GOP is really having an identity crisis."
-Progressive Maryland Exec. Director Sean Dobson on WBAL Radio's C4 Show, Apr 24

"I worked closely with... Equality Maryland, the Maryland Commission on Human Relations, Progressive Maryland... and other allies to move this bill forward..."
-Baby Steps in Maryland, Wash. Blade, Apr 24

"...endorsed by U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Dist. 4)... Montgomery County Federation of Teachers, Progressive Maryland and the Democratic Women's PAC of Maryland..."
-Navarro Holds Razor-thin Lead in Dist. 4 Vote, The Gazette, Apr 23

Rep. Steny Hoyer
US House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-5) April 20 		Rep. Frank Kratovil
Health Care Roundtable
April 16 with Rep. Frank Kratovil (MD-1)		 Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-8)
HCAN News Conference
April 15 with Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-8)
 

"Progressive Maryland head Sean Dobson had a Dave Letterman look, wearing a tan coat and jeans..."
-Reporters Notebook: 2009 Session Limps Across Finish Line, The Gazette, Apr 17

"Progressive Maryland and its allies will continue to push this long-overdue reform, and next year make it an election issue. And we will prevail..."
-Private Financing Corrupts Politics, Baltimore Sun Letters, Apr 15

"Sharon Stewart has worked with... Progressive Maryland."
-Community Trustee Award, Annapolis Capital, Mar 27

"Sean Dobson of Progressive Maryland said there is more sentiment than ever for curbing the influence of big campaign donors..."
-Public Campaign Finance Bill Falters in Md., Balt. Sun, Mar 26

"Representatives from Environment Maryland, Maryland Public Interest Research Group, ACORN, Progressive Maryland and AFSCME..."
-Kratovil Asked for Support, Delmarva Daily Times, Mar 26

"Rebuild and Renew America Now... including [Progressive Maryland]..."
-Marylanders Demand Congress Support Obama Budget, Channel 8, Mar 25

"[Public financing of elections] is a reasonable price to pay for a cleaner and more competitive election process."
-Cleaner Maryland Elections, Wash. Post editorial, Mar 21

Senate President Miller joins Sen. Pinsky & PM's Weinstein
Maryland Senate President Mike Miller (center) announced his support for the Public Campaign Finance bill at a news conference March 6. With Miller are bill sponsor Sen. Paul Pinsky (left), Progressive Maryland's Matthew Weinstein, and Common Cause's Ryan O'Donnell (not shown).  News release, handout, Baltimore Sun and Washington Post clips; Gonzales Poll finding 72% support; Videos of Miller, Pinsky, Weinstein & O'Donnell
 

"'...one of the biggest reforms in Maryland... impetus for federal reform,' said Sean Dobson, executive director of Progressive Maryland..."
-Miller Backs Public Campaign Financing Plan, Balt. Sun, Mar 6

"Incumbents and challengers alike... more focused on the will of voters..."
-Senate No Longer Can Afford to Block Campaign Finance Reform, Balt. Sun, Mar 6

"... legislation supported by Common Cause and Progressive Maryland..."
-Public Campaign Financing Included in Miller-Backed Bill, Wash. Post, Mar 6

"Miller acknowledged he was in unusual company at the press conference, attended by Common Cause and Progressive Maryland..."
-Two "Hard Heads" Put Forward Campaign Finance Bill, Wash. Post, Mar 6

"Miller... representatives of Common Cause and Progressive Maryland..."
-Miller to Back Public Campaign Financing, Gazette, Mar 6

"Public finance supporters, [Miller] said, "beat me down" to get his support...
-Miller Backs Public Campaign Financing Plan, Balt. Sun, Mar 6

"'I think, in fact, it has seeds for the destruction of the old way of doing things...' [Sen. Paul Pinsky, D-Prince George's]"
-Compromise Reached On Campaign Finance Rules, WBAL-TV story & video, Mar 6

"Two senators who have butted heads over campaign finance reform... reached a compromise that could make Maryland the fourth state with a public campaign finance system..."
-Md. Campaign Finance Legislation To Be Announced, Examiner/AP, Mar 6

"Sean Dobson of Progressive Maryland... called it a 'giant, systemic reform' that would place Maryland with the handful of states... that offer full public financing..."
-Miller Expected to Support Public Campaign Financing, Balt. Sun, Mar 5

"[T]he legislation... is supported by Common Cause and Progressive Maryland. Both put out news releases yesterday touting the bill..."
-Public Campaign Financing Included in Miller-Backed Bill, Wash. Post, Mar 5

PM Executive Director Sean Dobson makes the case to re-regulate Maryland's electricity market on WYPR's Morning Maryland show. Click here, then scroll down to March 3rd show.

"The $787 billion stimulus package... is 'going to be a big help, but it's not enough,' said [Progressive Maryland's] Matthew Weinstein..."
-Md. Advocates Reiterate Obama's Call for Health Care Now, Gazette, Feb 27

PM's Sean Dobson speaks at Feb. 19 news conference
Sean Dobson, Progressive Maryland Executive Director, flanked on Feb. 19 by sponsors of legislation to reregulate our state's electricity system. Other organizations that endorse the legislation include AARP Maryland, Maryland PIRG, Maryland Tax Education Foundation, Coalition to End BGE Rate Hikes. (Videos: 10-min, & 35-min.)
More at www.reregelectricrates.com

"Transit First, organized to oppose cuts in WMATA funding and service... includes... Progressive Maryland, and Save Maryland Area Rail Transit..."
-Want to Fight Metro Cuts? Build a Coalition, Greater Greater Washington, Feb 13

"There are plenty of ways lawmakers in Annapolis can help working families during this terrible recession without worsening the state government's budget deficit..."
-PM Executive Director Sean Dobson on WBAL Radio's "C4 Show", Feb 6

"And, despite what the group Progressive Maryland described as a campaign of 'Lies, Dirty Tricks, and Fraudulent Fliers Designed to Deceive African American Voters,' they both lost..."
-Dirty Trickster Steele Is New RNC Chair, The Nation, Jan 31

  
More Progressive Maryland Archives

 

 

 

 

 
 

PM Improves the Lives of Working Families in Maryland
Take Action!
Donate or Become a Member Now!
Subscribe at http://progressivemaryland.org/page.php?id=2212
Get our alerts & newsletter
The Maryland Progressive

 • Events & Top Stories
 • PM in the News
 • Legislative Scorecards
 • State of Working Md.
 • Videos, Audio & Humor
 • Jobs, Interns, Volunteers
 • More Reports & Resources
 • 500 Progressive Groups

Baltimore-based Campaigns
 • Recovery Watch Maryland
 • Get Baltimore Working
 • BaltimoreCAN.net
 • WhereIsBmoreFios.org
   Facebook   YouTube

Quote of the Month

"The other side is counting on people not having a good memory... These folks drove the economy into a ditch and want the keys back. You've got to say the same thing to them you say to your teenager: You can't have the keys back because you don't know how to drive yet..."
-President Obama,
 July 8 in Kansas City
 

Progressive Maryland staffers rally on the steps of the governor's mansion
PM's political strength comes from over 15,000 individual member-supporters and partnerships with 50 of Maryland's largest community, faith-based, labor, and civil rights groups. But we need your support to continue holding elected officials accountable so they respond to the needs of regular voters – not deep-pocket special interests.
Donate or Become a Member Now!
House Party
 

USAction logo
Progressive Maryland's
national partner organization