PWG Votes to Focus on Three Key Issues in 2010

Progressive Working Group had a very productive meeting Sunday attended by close to 30 representatives of progressive groups. Thanks to everyone who came and participated (some from as far away as Baltimore), thanks to Progressive Maryland for use of their office, and thanks to State Delegates Tom Hucker, Roger Manno, and Heather Mizeur as well as Ryan O'Donnell from Common Cause for their remarks to the group.

Now, the next stage of our work begins. We will be sending out communications to, and meeting with, state legislators to advance our three priority issues – 1) campaign finance reform, 2) greater transparency/open access in Annapolis, and 3) progressive measures to deal with the state budget crisis, specifically combined corporate income reporting.

photo by Herb Ettel, Progressive Maryland

As a first step, we would like to make sure that we have a correct list of the groups that have signed on as endorsers of these issues so we can include them in our letters and in our meetings with state legislators. Could you please check below to make sure we have listed your group correctly. Also, if you know other groups that might want to be added as an endorser, please let us know or have the group contact us.

We will follow up with further communications on lobbying efforts, progress, etc.

Thank you.

Progressive Working Group Steering Committee:

Sharon Dooley (sharondooley@comcast.net), Norm Oslik (noslik@verizon.net), Dana Beyer (danamd@danabeyer.com), Wally Malakoff (malakoff@starpower.net) Mike Hersh (mikehersh@mikehersh.com), Mike Tabor (esiegel2@igc.org)

GROUPS ENDORSING ALL THREE ISSUES*

CASA of Maryland, DC/MD/NOVA Democratic Socialists of America, Democracy for Montgomery County, Health Care Now of Maryland, Maryland PIRG, Maryland United for Peace and Justice, MCEA (Montgomery County Education Association), MCEF (Montgomery County Education Forum), Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action, Peace Action Montgomery, Progressive Democrats of America/Maryland, Peace and Justice Coalition/Prince George's County, Physicians for a National Healthcare Program/Maryland, Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Maryland, Progressive Neighbors, Save Our Votes, Upcounty Action

GROUPS ENDORSING FIRST 2 ISSUES ONLY*

ACLU/MD, Common Cause Maryland, Equality Maryland

*Issues:
1) campaign finance reform, 2) greater transparency/open access in Annapolis, and 3) progressive measures to deal with the state budget crisis, specifically combined corporate income reporting.