Progressive Working Group

Friday, April 23, 2010

Reps. Donna Edwards & Chris Van Hollen+More!

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Progressive Events featuring Van Hollen, Arts Festival MCPA Mtg, Legislative Wrap Up, MORE!
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1. April 23-25, The First Amnesty International Arts Festival in downtown Silver Spring -- See: http://www.humanrightsartfestival.com/

2. Saturday, April 24, Congresswoman Donna Edwards will hold coffee conversations in Suitland (8:30 AM) and Silver Spring (10:30 AM).

3. Sunday, April 25th, 2 to 5 PM The 2010 General Assembly Session: What
did it accomplish? Progressive Working Group, Delegates, State Senators,
and Constituents in Laurel.

4. Tuesday, April 27th, 7 PM Meet Marcy Winograd, Progressive Democratic Candidate for Congress from California at the New Busboys in D.C.

5. Thursday, April 29th, 7 to 8:30 PM Rep. Van Hollen and Sanford Gottlieb discuss and sign "Red to Blue: Congressman Chris Van Hollen andGrassroots Politics" Original Busboys in D.C.

6. Tuesday, May 4th, 7:30 to 9 PM Progressive Alliance Meeting in Wheaton--Mobilizing for progressive candidates, events and issues.

7. Saturday, May 8th, Peace Luncheon of Peace Action Montgomery, PAX Christi and the Social Justice Committee of the Universalist Church of Rockville, at the church in Rockville.

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1. The First Amnesty International Festival, Downtown Silver Spring, MD.
April 23-25, Schedule, information, etc.:
http://www.humanrightsartfestival.com/about.html

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2. Congresswoman Donna Edwards will hold coffee conversations in Suitland and Silver Spring
The Congresswoman will meet with us, provide a legislative update, and discuss a variety of issues.

Saturday, April 24, 8:30 AM
Suitland Dunkin Donuts--8:30 am - 9:30 am 6100 Allentown Rd. Suitland, MD 20746

Short Bus 30 ride from Branch Ave. Metro (Green Line) See: http://www.wmata.com/
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=6100+Allentown+Rd.+Suitland+MD+20746-4552+(Dunkin'+Donuts)

Saturday, April 24, 10:30 AM
Silver Spring Kefa Café--10:30 am -11:30 am 963 Bonifant Street Silver Spring, MD 20910
3 Blocks from Silver Spring Metro (Red Line) See: http://www.wmata.com/
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=963+http://maps.google.com/maps?q=963+Bonifant+Street+Silver+Spring+MD+20910

For more information about Congresswoman Edwards, please see:
http://www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com/

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3. Legislative Wrap-Up: "The 2010 General Assembly Session: What did it accomplish?"

Join the Progressive Working Group (PWG) to discuss issues with Senators Raskin, Harrington, Rosapepe and Lenett, and Delegates Manno, Montgomery, Hixson, Bobo, Hucker, and Ali (invited and expected.)

Sunday, April 25th, 2 to 5 PM
Laurel Regional Hospital (J. Russell Jones Room)
7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel, MD 20707
Map/Directions:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=7300+Van+Dusen+Road+Laurel+MD+20707

Where do your state legislators stand on key issues including: the Environment, Campaign Finance and Transparency in Government, Healthcare, Education, Labor, Gender Issues, Separation of Church and State, Peace and Justice, and more. Share your legislative priorities
for the 2011 session. For more information, please call: 443-604-2298

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4. Meet Marcy Winograd, Progressive Democratic Candidate for Congress from California
Tuesday, April 27th, 7 PM
New Busboys and Poets 5th & K Sts. NW
1025 5th Street NW, DC 20001
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1025+5th+Street+NW,+DC+20001
3.5 blocks from the Convention Center metro (Green/Yellow line)

Marcy Winograd is a long-time activist for peace and social justice running against corporate / Blue Dog incumbent Jane Harman (CA-36) in the June 8 Democratic primary. Marcy wants to redirect our priorities from war spending and corporate greed to job creation, world-class
education, health care, and energy independence through a Green New Deal. While Jane Harman famously called herself "The Best Republican in the Democratic Party," the Party named Marcy a "Democrat of the Year." Come see why the San Francisco Chronicle named this one of seven national races to watch.

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5. Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Sanford Gottlieb discuss and sign
"Red to Blue: Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Grassroots Politics"
Thursday, April 29th, 7 to 8:30 PM
Original Busboys and Poets, 14th & V. Sts. NW
2021 14th St NW DC 20009

Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2021+14th+St+NW+DC+20009
2 blocks from U Street Cardozo Metro stop (Green Line)

Link to the webstore and book description:
http://bbpbooks.teachingforchange.org/book/9781594514890

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6. Progressive Alliance Meeting in Wheaton--Mobilizing for progressive candidates, events and issues
Tuesday, May 4th, 7:30 to 9 PM
Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Map/Directions:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902
2 blocks from Wheaton Metro (Red Line)

Agenda: Mobilizing for progressive candidates, events and issues. We're making progress in our county and state on Healthcare, Verifiable Voting, the Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy and other issues. We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on the state and national level, planning special events, forming a steering committee, and working on meetings with elected officials and other organizations.

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7. Peace Luncheon of Peace Action Montgomery, PAX Christi and the Social
Justice Committee of the Universalist Church of Rockville
Saturday May 8th 11:30 AM to 2 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville
100 Welsh Park Dr, Rockville, MD 20805

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=100+Welsh+Park+Dr,+Rockville+MD+20805
Public transportation: http://www.wmata.com/

Keynote speaker: Ray McGovern. Delegate Sheila Hixson and Senator Jamie Raskin will be honored for their work on the ASVAB legislation Help raise funds for Afghan women. Raffle for a motorized bike! More info. see: http://washingtonpeacecenter.net/node/2994

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Thursday, April 22, 2010

Upcoming Progressive Events in Maryland and DC

Upcoming Progressive Events in Maryland and DC
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1. April 23-25, The First Amnesty International Festival in downtown Silver Spring, MD.

2. Sunday, April 25th, 2 to 5 PM The 2010 General Assembly Session: What did it accomplish? Join the Progressive Working Group (PWG) and progressive Delegates, State Senators, and Constituents

3. Tuesday, April 27th 7 PM Meet Marcy Winograd, Progressive Democratic Candidate for Congress from California

4. Thursday, April 29th, 7 to 8:30 PM Rep. Chris Van Hollen and Sanford Gottlieb discuss and sign "Red to Blue: Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Grassroots Politics"

5. Tuesday, May 4th, 7:30 to 9 PM Progressive Alliance Meeting in Wheaton--Mobilizing for progressive candidates, events and issues

6. Saturday, May 8th Peace Luncheon of Peace Action Montgomery, PAX Christi and the Social Justice Committee of the Universalist Church of Rockville

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1. The First Amnesty International Festival, Downtown Silver Spring, MD.
April 23-25, Schedule, information, etc.: http://www.humanrightsartfestival.com/about.html

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2. The 2010 General Assembly Session: What did it accomplish? Join the
Progressive Working Group (PWG) and progressive Delegates, State
Senators, and Constituents
Sunday, April 25th, 2 to 5 PM
Laurel Regional Hospital (J. Russell Jones Room)
7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel, MD 20707

Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=7300+Van+Dusen+Road+Laurel+MD+20707

Discuss issues with Senators Raskin, Harrington, and Lenett, and Delegates Manno, Montgomery, Hixson, Bobo, Hucker, Ali (invited and expected.)

Where do your state legislators stand on key issues including: the Environment, Campaign Finance and Transparency in Government, Healthcare, Education, Labor, Gender Issues, Separation of Church and State, Peace and Justice, and more. Share your legislative priorities
for the 2011 session. For more information, please call: 443-604-2298

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3. Meet Marcy Winograd, Progressive Democratic Candidate for Congress

Tuesday, April 27th, 7 PM
New Busboys and Poets 5th & K Sts. NW
1025 5th Street NW, DC 20001
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1025+5th+Street+NW,+DC+20001

3.5 blocks from the Convention Center metro (Green/Yellow line)

Marcy Winograd is a long-time activist for peace and social justice running against corporate / Blue Dog incumbent Jane Harman (CA-36) in the June 8 Democratic primary. Marcy wants to redirect our priorities from war spending and corporate greed to job creation, world-class
education, health care, and energy independence through a Green New Deal. While Jane Harman famously called herself "The Best Republican in the Democratic Party," the Party named Marcy a "Democrat of the Year." Come see why the San Francisco Chronicle named this one of seven national races to watch.

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4. Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Sanford Gottlieb discuss and sign "Red to Blue: Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Grassroots Politics"

Thursday, April 29th, 7 to 8:30 PM
Original Busboys and Poets, 14th & V. Sts. NW
2021 14th St NW DC 20009
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2021+14th+St+NW+DC+20009
2 blocks from U Street Cardozo Metro stop (Green Line)
Link to the webstore and book description: http://bbpbooks.teachingforchange.org/book/9781594514890

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5. Progressive Alliance Meeting in Wheaton--Mobilizing for progressive candidates, events and issues

Tuesday, May 4th, 7:30 to 9 PM
Saigonese Restaurant, 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902
2 blocks from Wheaton Metro (Red Line)

Agenda: Mobilizing for progressive candidates, events and issues. We're making progress in our county and state on Healthcare, Verifiable Voting, the Environment, Education, Labor, Transportation, Energy and other issues. We're building up our coalition and lobby efforts on the state and national level, planning special events, forming a steering committee, and working on meetings with elected officials and other organizations.

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6. Peace Luncheon of Peace Action Montgomery, PAX Christi and the Social Justice Committee of the Universalist Church of Rockville

Saturday May 8th 11:30 AM to 2 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville
100 Welsh Park Dr, Rockville, MD 20805
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=100+Welsh+Park+Dr,+Rockville+MD+20805
Public transportation: http://www.wmata.com/

Keynote speaker: Ray McGovern. Delegate Sheila Hixson and Senator Jamie Raskin will be honored for their work on the ASVAB legislation.

Help raise funds for Afghan women. Raffle for a motorized bike! More info. see: http://washingtonpeacecenter.net/node/2994

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The 2010 General Assembly Session: What did it accomplish?

Join the Progressive Working Group (PWG) and progressive Delegates, State Senators, and Constituents

Sunday, April 25th, 2 to 5 PM
Laurel Regional Hospital (J. Russell Jones Room)
7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel, MD 20707
Map/Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=7300+Van+Dusen+Road+Laurel+MD+20707

RSVP online Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112427818789976

Discuss issues with Senators Raskin, Harrington, and Lenett, and Delegates Manno, Montgomery, Hixson, Bobo, Hucker, Ali (invited and expected.)

Where do your state legislators stand on key issues including: the Environment, Campaign Finance and Transparency in Government, Healthcare, Education, Labor, Gender Issues, Separation of Church and State, Peace and Justice, and more. Share your legislative priorities for the 2011 session.

For more information, please call: 443-604-2298

Friday, January 29, 2010

progressive organizations support PWG legislative priorities

The organizations listed below have formed a coalition to support the Progressive Working Group's three legislative priorities for the 2010 session: 1) campaign finance reform, 2) greater transparency/equal access in Annapolis, and 3) progressive measures to deal with the state budget crisis, specifically combined corporate income reporting:

GROUPS ENDORSING THREE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

CASA de Maryland, DC/MD/NOVA Democratic Socialists of America, Democracy for Montgomery County, Health Care Now of Maryland, Howard County Coalition for Peace and Justice, 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, Peace and Justice Coalition/Prince George's County, Physicians for a National Health Program/Maryland, Pledge of Resistance/Baltimore, Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America/Maryland, Progressive Maryland, Progressive Neighbors, Save Our Votes, Upcounty Action

GROUPS ENDORSING FIRST TWO PRIORITIES ONLY:

ACLU/MD, Common Cause Maryland, Equality Maryland, Sierra Club/MD Chapter

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Organizations wishing to support PWG's legislative priorities, please contact the PWG steering committee: Wally Malakoff malakoff@starpower.net Norman Oslik noslik@verizon.net Dana Beyer danamd@danabeyer.com Mike Tabor esiegel2@igc.org Sharon Dooley sharondooley@comcast.net Mike Hersh mikehersh@mikehersh.com

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Working for Progress with the Progressive Working Group

1. Contact your State Legislators for more transparency, electoral fairness, and sound budget policies.
2. EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT: Act Now! Maryland needs voting machines we can trust.
3. Sample Letter on Progressive Working Group Issues
4. Background, news, and information on these bills and policies

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1. Contact your State Legislators for more transparency, electoral fairness, and sound budget policies.

The Progressive Working Group (PWG), a coalition of 24 organizations* in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties--and most recently Howard and Baltimore Counties and Baltimore City--is supporting 3 important issues: campaign finance reform, greater transparency/open access in Annapolis, combined reporting aka closing a massive corporate tax loophole. Following a PWG meeting with House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch, we're hopeful we can achieve progress on all of these issues!

In fact, we've already seen progress. Quickly following efforts from PWG and coalition allies Ryan O'Donnell (Maryland Common Cause), Sean Dobson, (Progressive Maryland) and Maryland Transparency and Equal Access in Government, Speaker Busch and Senate President Mike Miller took steps to promote greater transparency in General Assembly operations, including posting committee votes online.

We're not satisfied with partial success on one issue area, however. We're asking you to adapt the following sample letter (see below) to write or call your state legislators. Please use your own words! Identical emails and calls are less likely to receive due consideration. You can find your legislators' contact information online here: http://mlis.state.md.us

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2. EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT! Maryland needs voting machines we can trust. The Maryland Legislature unanimously voted for paper-based, verifiable voting. Unfortunately, Governor O'Malley failed to fund the transition away from unreliable, error-prone, expensive and obsolete DRE voting machines in his current budget. The Board of Public Works will meet to consider funding the transition to more reliable, less costly paper ballot voting. Urge your state legislators to contact the Governor and demand voting machines we can trust in Maryland! (See sample letter below).

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3. Sample Letter on Progressive Working Group Issues:

Dear (name and office of delegate or senator)

I am a member of the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, a grassroots group with approximately 1100 members in Montgomery County. We are part of a coalition of 24 groups which supports campaign finance reform, greater transparency and equal access in Annapolis, and combined corporate income reporting. I urge you to support these issues in the current legislative session.

Maryland needs voting machines we can trust. We thank you for voting to purchase and deploy paper-based, verifiable voting machines. Although you and the rest of the Maryland General Assembly unanimously voted for it, Governor O'Malley failed to fund the transition away from unreliable, error-prone, expensive and obsolete DRE voting machines in his current budget. Please contact the Governor and convey your strong commitment to voting machines we can trust in Maryland. Urge him to fund the transition to more reliable, less costly, verifiable paper ballot voting machines when the Board of Public Works meets to consider funding priorities in Maryland early next month.

We need real campaign finance reform (CFR) including voluntary public financing of General Assembly elections. This would let you focus on important issues facing our state, rather than on raising funds for your campaign. I understand challengers can raise campaign funds during the session, but you are not allowed to do so. We believe CFR would fix this unfair situation, and help free you and your colleagues from the burdens of fundraising. This would increase public confidence in the General Assembly, and ultimately make your work more effective.

We've considered the impact the recent US Supreme Court decision may have on CFR, and we understand that public financing would likely survive judicial challenge by virtue of its voluntary nature. We also understand that Sen. Paul Pinsky is among the legislators like to sponsor such legislation during the 2010 session. We strongly urge you to do all you can to ensure the passage of public financing CFR into law.

Please support Del. Heather Mizeur's Maryland Open Government Act. Greater transparency/open access will let citizens better understand your efforts in Annapolis by facilitating access to information and participation in hearings. If enacted, the bill would allow free and total public access to services on the General Assembly's Web site--eliminating the $800 fee for legislative tracking. It would also provide for live webcasts of committee hearings and Board of Public Works meetings. To facilitate public participation in General Assembly committee hearings, it would require one-day advance online notice of committee hearing agendas, would let people sign-up online to testify, and would mandate the publication of standing committee votes on the General Assembly Web site.

These objectives enjoy wide support politically and geographically. Along with all 24 members and allies of the PWG in Baltimore City, Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore and Prince George's Counties, both House Speaker Busch and Senate President Miller endorse these principles. According to the Cumberland Times-News, "A legislative working group of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce generally supported the Maryland Open Government Act." Clearly, the time for greater access and transparency has come. Please sign on as a co-sponsor of The Maryland Open Government Act in the House of Delegates, or parallel legislation in the Senate.

We support combined corporate income reporting which would require the largest multi-state corporations to pay their fair share and help support education, infrastructure, transportation and other basic needs in Maryland. During the current budget crisis, this is more important than ever. Combined reporting will not harm Maryland's economy or undermine efforts to attract and foster strong commercial growth. According to The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, which studied employment growth in states with combined reporting states from 1990-2006, "five of the seven states with the fastest employment growth use combined reporting" and "ten of the states with combined reporting had employment growth exceeding the national growth rate."

According to an article entitled "Combined Reporting" from the New Rules Project: "Many retail chains earn profits at stores nationwide, but have developed an accounting scheme to evade paying their full share of state corporate income taxes. Tax experts believe the practice is costing states billions of dollars in lost revenue. It has also given chains an advantage over locally owned businesses, which must pay state income tax on all of their earnings. Twenty-one states are not vulnerable to these tax-evasion schemes, because they have enacted a policy known as combined reporting." These states include--Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Maryland has been considering enacting combined reporting for several years. The House of Delegates passed Combined Reporting during the recent special session, but the Senate did not. Other states currently considering combined reporting include Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina and Wisconsin. The 31 states which have passed or are considering combined reporting represent every region of the U.S.--a wide range of political and socio-economic character--which indicates that this is not a left or right, pro- or anti-business, or partisan issue. Combined reporting is a simple matter of basic fairness, sound economics, and honest accounting.

We urge you to support Del. Roger Manno's HB 10 which would dedicate funds from combined reporting to strengthen the state employees' and teachers' pension systems and prevent transfer of pension obligations to the counties and Baltimore City. Please co-sponsor HB 10 in the House, or sponsor and support parallel legislation in the Senate.

Thank you for your consideration of these important issues.

Sincerely,

Your name and address

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4. Background, news, and information on these bills and policies

Campaign finance reform:
Bill to be introduced soon. Fact sheet on campaign finance: http://progressivemaryland.org/public/documents/2010/ga/CleanElectionsBasicHandout2010.pdf

Fair and effective solutions to the budget crisis:
Teacher and Employee Pension Sustainability and Solvency Trust Fund (HB 10) (Manno) http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/HB0010.htm

Also see: "Combined Reporting" New Rules Project: http://www.newrules.org/retail/rules/level-playing-field-taxation/combined-reporting

Also see: "Corporate Lobbyist's Case Against Combined Reporting in New Mexico: A Rebuttal"
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3012

Also see: WTH is Combined Reporting http://mcprogressive.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/wth-is-combined-reporting-and-why-do-we-need-it/

Transparency and Equal Access in Government:
See "Crowdsourcing Maryland's Democracy" Washington Post Op-Ed: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-opinions/2009/12/crowdsourcing_marylands_democr.html

Also see Delegate Ali's bill at Legislative Voting Sunshine Act (HB 107) (Ali): http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/hb0107.htm

Also see: "Lawmakers to introduce Maryland Open Government Act today," Cumberland Times-News http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_028094302.html

Also see: http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/01/busch-committee-votes-will-be-posted.html

Also see: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2010/01/miller_senate_to_post_committe.html?wprss=annapolis

Also see: Del. Mizeur legislative agenda: http://www.heathermizeur.com/pdf/2010/Mizeur2010LegislativeAgenda.pdf

Maryland Transparency and Equal Access in Government Coalition (MD TEAG) builds support for transparency/open access issues and needs more volunteers. TEAG has been meeting with legislators and others on these issues. For more information on TEAG's long range goals as well as its work in the current session and to become involved, contact Luis Zapata, Chair, MD TEAG Coalition, MDTEAG@gmail.com, 301-325-6754.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Mission Statement and Statement of Purpose

Mission Statement:
Adopted Unanimously by the Progressive Working Group

The Maryland Progressive Working Group supports a wide political, economic and social agenda for the state of Maryland based on progressive principles and practical, effective solutions to the challenges we face. We promote progressive campaigns and candidates to advance the quality of life for all. We work to promote activism and participation by Maryland residents through outreach and education. We challenge candidates and elected officials to advance progressive values in their legislative actions. Many progressive groups are working on issues in Annapolis, often with limited cooperation or communication with other groups. The Progressive Working Group will create opportunities for progressive organizations to share information, assess legislation, as well as learn from and cooperate with each other on issues affecting the well-being of Maryland’s residents.

Statement of purpose:
Adopted Unanimously by the Progressive Working Group

We, the Maryland Progressive Working Group, mutually pledge to promote the following principles:

Fundamental fairness and equality: Discrimination has no place in our society, whether based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, class, disability, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or citizenship status.

Democracy: Democratically elected government is essential to provide for the common good. Democratic governance depends on clean, fair and transparent elections; honest, efficient, fiscally responsible and open government; and full access to power independent of social or economic status. Government policy must be based on facts, science and reason.

Prosperity: Long-term prosperity depends on economic development that is ecologically sustainable, materially benefits all segments of society in their work and communities, and redresses excessive disparities in wealth.

Economic and social justice: Justice demands that workers have safe workplaces and be able to organize and bargain collectively; businesses be responsible to the communities in which they operate; the financial burden of meeting the needs of the common good rest most heavily on those most able to pay; and government exercise its regulatory powers for the common good.

Economic security: Our society must provide the means for all of its members to have access to decent, affordable housing; adequate food and clothing; affordable, quality health care; and quality public education at all levels; and must protect those most vulnerable, including those facing unemployment, disability, injury, sickness, and old age.

Physical security: People should feel secure at home and in their neighborhoods, safe from crime and pollution. They should be protected from inappropriate governmental interference in their personal health decisions. Non-violence must be the preferred means of conflict resolution between individuals, groups and nations. Our criminal justice system must be fair and open, emphasize rehabilitation, and renounce executions.