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Summer Jobs at PM: Canvassers, Internships
and Field Canvass Director - apply by May 20
'Do real Democrats cross picket lines?' 200 labor activists turn away 100 at MCDCC Ball, demand change
PM members were among 200 picketers outside the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee's annual ball fundraiser Saturday demanding the party recommit to supporting labor rights and progressive positions. While undeterred by the heavy rain, their action succeeded in deterring 100 of the event's normal attendance, including Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who had announced his gubernatorial bid the day before, U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, and numerous other state and local officials. "This is not about trying to destroy the Democratic Party or to break the Democratic Party," said Joslyn N. Williams, president of the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO. "It was to try to get the party to change its approach. It's difficult at times to tell the difference between real Democrats and the Republican Party..." See action photos and read coverage in Union City (DCLabor.org).
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Progressive Maryland appoints Kate Planco Waybright its first woman Executive Director, plans new initiatives
"As pleased and proud as I feel to be so honored, I have no illusions as to the amount of work and organizing needed to combat the many economic injustices facing the working class and their families in our state and nation," observed Kate Planco Waybright on being confirmed as Pm's new Executive Director. "That includes intensive lobbying during General Assembly sessions, campaigning in election years like 2014, and ongoing organizing and outreach supported by our field canvass that will knock on thousands of doors this summer." Read more.
More News and Actions
Report on the 2013 General Assembly Wrap-up May 5
The Progressive Maryland/Progressive Neighbors panel discussion featured: Senator Jamie Raskin and Delegates Sheila Hixson, Tom Hucker, Heather Mizeur, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Al Carr, Eric Luedtke, and Bonnie Cullison
PM's new Executive Director Kate Planco Waybright presented an overview of the 2013 General Assembly session Sunday May 5 during the wrap-up in the Silver Spring Civic Building. Concerned citizens, activists and leading legislators discussed what was and was not accomplished in the 2013 legislative session, why, and what that means for lawmakers and progressive grassroots movements over the coming year regarding:
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Each year the Maryland General Assembly meets for 90 days January to April to act on over 2500 pieces of legislation. Among the nearly one thousand that passed in 2013 were a number of progressive measures that will better the lives of working families. A number of other measures, by their passage or defeat, will have the opposite effect and thus inspire major organizing efforts by PM and our allies now through the coming 2014 election-year session (see What's left for O'Malley?, Balt. Sun).
Please email us if you're interested in hosting a PM gathering or house party on the General Assembly results, progressive issues and campaigns. We would arrange for Progressive Maryland supporters, staff, board members and local lawmakers to take part.
The 2013 legislative session that concluded April 8 resulted in some significant progressive victories including: repeal of the death penalty, pregnant workers protection, expansion of absentee and early voting plus same day registration, and others. But as the confetti dropped to commemorate Sine Die, it was clear the struggle to secure economic self-sufficiency for working families must continue as intensely as ever in 2014. Meanwhile, Maryland's income and wealth disparity will continue to reflect our nation's until our lawmakers enact policies that would ensure all share fairly in our economic prosperity. Read PM's full analysis of results.
 Progressive Maryland teamed up with Fund Our Communities to host the "Prosperity Not Austerity" bus tour March 23 with events at six stops from Baltimore to Capitol Hill (rally photo above; see more photos). While millions desperately need jobs and communities suffer, 58% of the U.S. discretionary budget goes to wasteful Pentagon spending, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree. See the 2-min. video and hear PM's Kate Planco Waybright and FOC's Jean Athey twice on Pacifica Radio (download the 3/21 mp3 then fast-forward to minute 27, and the 3/22 mp3). See the extensive coverage by local, national and international media. |
For more than ten years, Progressive Maryland has built power for working families in Maryland. We are a grassroots, nonprofit organization of more than 23,000 members and supporters and over 35 affiliated religious, community, and labor organizations. In 2013, Progressive Maryland will continue its work organizing people to win social and economic justice for all focused on these priority areas:
From Pentagon spending, protect Maryland's vital needs
See photos from our "Pull the Pork" news briefings on Capitol Hill Feb. 28 and Feb. 26 in Annapolis, plus Md. Impact Factsheet, news release, video and more at PullThePork.org
PM's Kate Planco Waybright (top photo) moderated our "Pull the Pork from the Pentagon" press briefing in Annapolis Feb. 26, followed by Jean Athey of Fund Our Communities (lower photo) presenting charts depicting Pentagon waste, backed up by PM Board President Elbridge James. After the event, supporters delivered pulled pork sandwiches to dramatize our message to all 188 members of the Maryland General Assembly. Email your reps now and see the video and links above.
Above: Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-3) addresses Rally Jan. 17 in Annapolis. Behind him is Delegate Jon Cardin (D-11), one of seven members of the General Assembly who addressed the rally. Below: NBC-4 TV aired a report featuring its interview with PM's Kate Planco Waybright, who addressed the crowd, "Hard working Maryland families deserve a government that works for all of us, not just those who can write big checks. It’s time to end the corrupting influence of corporate money on our elections. Doing so will make sure that everyday Marylanders, not big money interests, have strong voices in Annapolis and on Capitol Hill." See NBC-4 video, PM news release and photos on Facebook (and more info, photos and video at GetMoneyOutMD.org).
