Combined MeetUp/Meeting for MCPA, DFMC, PDA, and more.
Progressive Coalition Meeting to plan future events and actions.
Please join the Progressive Victory Meetup to stay involved with the combined meetup events we've held since 2003. See: http://www.meetup.com/progressive-victory/
7 PM Tuesday February 1st
Saigonese Restaurant,
11232 Grandview Ave
Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902
Public Transportation: Short walk from Wheaton Metro (red line)
Google Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11232+Grandview+Ave+Silver+Spring+MD+20902
Report on progress in our county and state on Healthcare, 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 legislators, and other organizations.
Please join the Montgomery County Progressive Alliance Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/mcprogressivealliance
If you're on Facebook, please join the MCPA group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3401340272&ref=ts
1. MCPA: The Montgomery County Progressive Alliance is a result-oriented coalition working on local, state, national and international issues. MCPA includes more than 1,000 local activists, mainly in and around Montgomery County Maryland. The organization began in 2003 when Democracy for America Meetup members reached out to other Meetup groups and other groups. In 2004, 100s of Montgomery County for Kerry members and local Progressive Democrats of America members joined the MCPA. MCPA adopted a mission statement, organized special events, and has held meetings nearly each month since 2003.
2. DFA/DFMC: Democracy for America emerged from Gov. Howard Dean's presidential campaign in 2004, and has organized grass-roots activists to support socially progressive, fiscally responsible candidates. DFMC is Democracy for Montgomery County, a local DFA-inspired organization which is not directly or legally affiliated with DFA. DFMC has organized events and meetings; and endorsed and organized volunteers for several candidates. DFMC is currently seeking additional steering committee members. Please contact me, mikehersh@mikehersh.com if you're interested. You can sign up for DFA here: http://democracyforamerica.com/session/new
3. PDA: Progressive Democrats of America began just after the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Bringing together people from the 2004 Kucinich and Dean Campaigns with other progressives, PDA adopted an "inside/outside strategy" uniting activists working inside the Democratic Party with those working in peace and justice movements. PDA's core issues include clean, accurate and transparent elections; environmental protection; single-payer healthcare; economic and social justice; and peace. See: http://www.PDAmerica.org You can sign up for PDA there.
Other organizations working in our area:
PWG: The Progressive Working Group is a coalition promoting progress and reform, economic fairness and equality, protecting the environment, and more. PWG is not part of the MCPA, but the MCPA is part of the PWG which currently includes: Audubon Naturalist Society, CASA of Maryland, Democracy for Montgomery County, Equality Maryland, Health Care Now, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action, PeaceAction Montgomery, Peace and Justice of Prince George's County, Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America (Maryland), Progressive Neighbors, Save Our Votes, and Upcounty Action. PWG will focus on 2 or 3 issues during the 2011 session. Progressive organizations are welcome to join PWG. Please contact Wally Malakoff malakoff@starpower.net for more information.
NOW: The National Organization for Women has been advancing womens' issues including general progressive causes for decades. See: http://www.now.org/ for more information. Contact Montgomery County NOW membership chairperson Jeannette Feldner lj.feldner@verizon.net to join. Men as well as women are welcome to join NOW.
OfA: Organizing for America emerged from President Obama's campaign in 2008, and is organizing grass-roots activists to support the Democratic National Committee/Obama agenda. OfA is sponsoring local efforts in each congressional district which are not directly or legally affiliated with the DNC. OfA is currently sponsoring phone banks, organizing meetings, and building a "rapid response" media effort. Please contact Jon Randall jrandall39@comcast.net for more information. See http://www.barackobama.com/learn/about_ofa.php
MoveOn is a national political action organization and has a local council in Silver Spring and elsewhere around Maryland. Local MoveOn members have cooperated with MCPA on town halls, vigils, phone banking, and other actions. See http://www.moveon.org to join your local council.
To have your organization or events listed here, please contact me.
Thanks for reading down this far, and hope to see you at the meeting and future events,
Mike Hersh, Meetup Organizer
Chairperson, MCPA and DFMC
Maryland State Coordinator, PDA
Steering Committee, PWG
Monday, January 17, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
2011 Focus
Transparency and Equal Access in Government:
This includes measures to make the Maryland General Assembly (GA) and other MD government deliberative bodies more transparent and promote equal access of petition for all individuals and organizations. We voted to endorse expansion of the Public Information Act. More info. TBA.
1) all votes taken in all General Assembly subcommittees should be roll-call votes, recorded and posted on the GA website in a timely manner along with a brief description of the subject being considered;
2) a tracking of each bill that does not get reported out of committee, should be posted on the web along with a listing of the Committee where it stopped, and who was chairing that committee;
3) the Bill Hearing process should be overhauled so that the order in which bills are scheduled to be heard is posted on the website 24 hours in advance, and testifiers can sign up online the day of the hearing; and
4) all motions made in ALL committee proceedings should be recorded and summarized, and posted on the web along with the submitter's name. (For this designation of "committee" we include all Committees, Workgroups, Councils, Panels, Commissions, Boards, and Task Forces that are authorized and/or adjuncts to the General Assembly).
Combined Reporting : With the pressing budget crisis in Maryland, combined corporate reporting will generate needed income (potentially $100 million or more per year) from large multi-state corporations that are not paying their fair share in taxes – in many cases these corporations are actually not paying corporate income taxes to Maryland at all. They are able to manipulate the tax code to shift income reporting to states with low or no corporate income taxes. Besides hurting Maryland's Treasury and important government programs, the current situation also gives these multinational corporations an unfair competitive advantage compared to in-state businesses that cannot take advantage of these loopholes. For more information, see: corporatetaxfactsheet.pdf
Offshore Wind Power: The current proposal for a moderate-sized wind farm (about 600 MW) would create thousands of Maryland jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance. A recent study by the Abell Foundation stated that offshore wind power could produce the equivalent of two thirds of Maryland’s current electricity demand. From 2002 to 2009, electricity prices rose 75 percent in Maryland. Wind energy prices are typically locked in for 25-year contracts, offering an alternative to current and future price hikes for fossil fuels.
Currently, significant regulatory and market barriers exist at the state and national level that stand in the way of developing Maryland’s offshore wind potential. CCAN, the United Steelworkers, Environment Maryland, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, and the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter are working together leading an effort to bring offshore wind power to Maryland. Gov. Martin O'Malley plans to introduce legislation this year that would require utilities to enter into long-term contracts for offshore wind power. For more information, see: www.marylandoffshorewind.org
Public Financing of Campaigns: Introduced in the 2010 legislative session as “The Clean Money Bill (SB 681), this measure would reduce the undue influence of special interest campaign contributors in the Maryland General Assembly by creating a voluntary, publicly-funded way to run for legislative office.
How it works: To participate in the public funding of campaigns system, a candidate must demonstrate board community support by collecting a large number of small contributions in the district she or he wishes to represent within a specified amount of time. If successful, the candidate receives enough public funds to wage a competitive primary and, if she or he wins, general election campaign. If a privately financed opponent outspends her or him, the candidate receives offsetting funds up to a certain point.
In the 2010 legislative session, the Clean Money Bill was sponsored by Sen. Paul Pinsky and Del. Jon Cardin, but unfortunately Senate President Mike Miller switched his support of a year previous, and the bill remained bottled up in Senate committee without even making it to the House for consideration. For more information, see: FAQ: Public Financing.
Health Security Act: Single-payer (Medicare-like) health care financing for Maryland. Federal health care legislation, the Affordable Care Act, will not provide all Marylanders with health care, nor will it control costs to individuals or the state. Based on previous studies an upcoming economic impact study by the Lewin Group is expected to demonstrate that a single-payer, tax-financed, privately delivered system will save money, help businesses and provide comprehensive health care for all Marylanders. Maryland’s Medicaid bill accounts for over half of the budget shortfall, but the Health Security Act would cover everyone for less money. In 2010 fifty legislators supported the legislation. For more information, see: The Maryland Health Security Act.
Costs of War / "Fund our Communities--Bring the War Dollars Home": Maryland’s contribution to the FY 2010 Pentagon budget was $13.65 billion. Meanwhile, the entire Maryland State budget was $13.9 billion.[i] We need to redirect spending from the Pentagon to local communities. That way, we can fund veterans’ services, jobs, education, the environment, infrastructure, and housing. PWG will work with members of the Maryland General Assembly to draft and sign a letter to Maryland's representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress. The letter will advocate national legislation to reduce the annual military budget by 25%, with savings to support state, local and community needs. For more information, see: http://ourfunds.org
1) all votes taken in all General Assembly subcommittees should be roll-call votes, recorded and posted on the GA website in a timely manner along with a brief description of the subject being considered;
2) a tracking of each bill that does not get reported out of committee, should be posted on the web along with a listing of the Committee where it stopped, and who was chairing that committee;
3) the Bill Hearing process should be overhauled so that the order in which bills are scheduled to be heard is posted on the website 24 hours in advance, and testifiers can sign up online the day of the hearing; and
4) all motions made in ALL committee proceedings should be recorded and summarized, and posted on the web along with the submitter's name. (For this designation of "committee" we include all Committees, Workgroups, Councils, Panels, Commissions, Boards, and Task Forces that are authorized and/or adjuncts to the General Assembly).
Combined Reporting : With the pressing budget crisis in Maryland, combined corporate reporting will generate needed income (potentially $100 million or more per year) from large multi-state corporations that are not paying their fair share in taxes – in many cases these corporations are actually not paying corporate income taxes to Maryland at all. They are able to manipulate the tax code to shift income reporting to states with low or no corporate income taxes. Besides hurting Maryland's Treasury and important government programs, the current situation also gives these multinational corporations an unfair competitive advantage compared to in-state businesses that cannot take advantage of these loopholes. For more information, see: corporatetaxfactsheet.pdf
Offshore Wind Power: The current proposal for a moderate-sized wind farm (about 600 MW) would create thousands of Maryland jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance. A recent study by the Abell Foundation stated that offshore wind power could produce the equivalent of two thirds of Maryland’s current electricity demand. From 2002 to 2009, electricity prices rose 75 percent in Maryland. Wind energy prices are typically locked in for 25-year contracts, offering an alternative to current and future price hikes for fossil fuels.
Currently, significant regulatory and market barriers exist at the state and national level that stand in the way of developing Maryland’s offshore wind potential. CCAN, the United Steelworkers, Environment Maryland, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, and the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter are working together leading an effort to bring offshore wind power to Maryland. Gov. Martin O'Malley plans to introduce legislation this year that would require utilities to enter into long-term contracts for offshore wind power. For more information, see: www.marylandoffshorewind.org
Public Financing of Campaigns: Introduced in the 2010 legislative session as “The Clean Money Bill (SB 681), this measure would reduce the undue influence of special interest campaign contributors in the Maryland General Assembly by creating a voluntary, publicly-funded way to run for legislative office.
How it works: To participate in the public funding of campaigns system, a candidate must demonstrate board community support by collecting a large number of small contributions in the district she or he wishes to represent within a specified amount of time. If successful, the candidate receives enough public funds to wage a competitive primary and, if she or he wins, general election campaign. If a privately financed opponent outspends her or him, the candidate receives offsetting funds up to a certain point.
In the 2010 legislative session, the Clean Money Bill was sponsored by Sen. Paul Pinsky and Del. Jon Cardin, but unfortunately Senate President Mike Miller switched his support of a year previous, and the bill remained bottled up in Senate committee without even making it to the House for consideration. For more information, see: FAQ: Public Financing.
Health Security Act: Single-payer (Medicare-like) health care financing for Maryland. Federal health care legislation, the Affordable Care Act, will not provide all Marylanders with health care, nor will it control costs to individuals or the state. Based on previous studies an upcoming economic impact study by the Lewin Group is expected to demonstrate that a single-payer, tax-financed, privately delivered system will save money, help businesses and provide comprehensive health care for all Marylanders. Maryland’s Medicaid bill accounts for over half of the budget shortfall, but the Health Security Act would cover everyone for less money. In 2010 fifty legislators supported the legislation. For more information, see: The Maryland Health Security Act.
Costs of War / "Fund our Communities--Bring the War Dollars Home": Maryland’s contribution to the FY 2010 Pentagon budget was $13.65 billion. Meanwhile, the entire Maryland State budget was $13.9 billion.[i] We need to redirect spending from the Pentagon to local communities. That way, we can fund veterans’ services, jobs, education, the environment, infrastructure, and housing. PWG will work with members of the Maryland General Assembly to draft and sign a letter to Maryland's representatives and senators in the U.S. Congress. The letter will advocate national legislation to reduce the annual military budget by 25%, with savings to support state, local and community needs. For more information, see: http://ourfunds.org
Progressive Working Group: Key Actions
Contents:
Several other organizations including Common Cause MD, Progressive Maryland, the MD Sierra Club, and the Montgomery County Education Association have worked with the PWG on specific issues. We endorsed a variety of issues in the 2009 and 2010 General Assembly sessions.
2. The PWG Steering Committee is recommending that the PWG apply for a seat on the Progressive Maryland (PM) Board.
3. The PWG Steering Committee (SC) approved a combination of voluntary membership dues ($30/year per organization) plus continued passing of the hat at meetings to raise funds to meet organizational needs. Potential costs include printing, room rentals, web site, Progressive Maryland membership, registering PWG as a non-stock corporation in Maryland. We are expecting the dues or equivalent amount of $30 from any group that wants to participate in our coalition and have a voice at our meetings. In addition, even if your organization is unable to formally join the PWG, we would welcome any contribution in lieu of dues to help defray organizational costs. There is no paid staff.
4. The PWG SC agreed to distribute information on events or actions being promoted by participating organizations, using our listserv, our blog and/or other available means. We established the following provisos:
- PWG’s 6-Issues Endorsement & Support
- PWG seat on Progressive Maryland Board
- Funding PWG Activities
- Information Distribution for PWG Members
- PWG co-sponsoring a Legislative Forum
1. PWG Endorses Six Issues
The Progressive Working Group (PWG) met Sunday, December 12 at the Wheaton Regional Library. At that meeting the PWG members voted to focus on 6 issues during the 2011 General Assembly session:
The Progressive Working Group (PWG) met Sunday, December 12 at the Wheaton Regional Library. At that meeting the PWG members voted to focus on 6 issues during the 2011 General Assembly session:
- Transparency and Equal Access in Government,
- Combined Reporting,
- Offshore Wind Power,
- Campaign Finance Reform,
- Maryland Health Security Act and
- Fund our Communities: Bring the War Dollars Home Initiative.
In addition, the PWG has agreed to promote members' efforts and organizing around other progressive issues. The PWG welcomes progressive organizations to join our efforts as members, and will support and facilitate organizing and communications on issues and events member organizations work on in Maryland.
The PWG launched during the Spring of 2008, and has met several times over the past few years--usually in Montgomery or Prince Georges Counties. A sister PWG is operating in Howard and Baltimore Counties. Last year, a number of organizations endorsed PWG's issues and worked with our coalition including: Audubon Naturalist Society, CASA of Maryland, Democracy for Montgomery County, Equality Maryland, Health Care Now MD, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action, PeaceAction Montgomery, Patients' Union, Peace and Justice of Prince George's County, Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America, Progressive Neighbors, SAVE Our Votes, Transparency and Equal Access in Government (TEAG), Upcounty Action, and WeGreen Global. Please contact us if your organization should be added to or removed from this list.
The PWG launched during the Spring of 2008, and has met several times over the past few years--usually in Montgomery or Prince Georges Counties. A sister PWG is operating in Howard and Baltimore Counties. Last year, a number of organizations endorsed PWG's issues and worked with our coalition including: Audubon Naturalist Society, CASA of Maryland, Democracy for Montgomery County, Equality Maryland, Health Care Now MD, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action, PeaceAction Montgomery, Patients' Union, Peace and Justice of Prince George's County, Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America, Progressive Neighbors, SAVE Our Votes, Transparency and Equal Access in Government (TEAG), Upcounty Action, and WeGreen Global. Please contact us if your organization should be added to or removed from this list.
Several other organizations including Common Cause MD, Progressive Maryland, the MD Sierra Club, and the Montgomery County Education Association have worked with the PWG on specific issues. We endorsed a variety of issues in the 2009 and 2010 General Assembly sessions.
2. The PWG Steering Committee is recommending that the PWG apply for a seat on the Progressive Maryland (PM) Board.
At the December 12th meeting, by a vote of 10-0 with 6 abstentions, those present agreed that it would be beneficial for the PWG to join the PM Board. Issues of cost were not directly addressed in this vote. Some of the potential benefits of joining the Board include:
· It will allow us to develop better working relations with the member organizations that sit on the PM Board.
· It will allow us to better understand the decision processes that PM goes through regarding issues and candidates.
· It will give us a place at the table when those decisions are being made with the possibility of some small influence over the outcomes.
· It brings us into a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization (Progressive Maryland) which has significant resources, staff, and contacts.
· It creates opportunities to broaden the working families agenda of Progressive Maryland.
· It will allow us to better understand the decision processes that PM goes through regarding issues and candidates.
· It will give us a place at the table when those decisions are being made with the possibility of some small influence over the outcomes.
· It brings us into a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization (Progressive Maryland) which has significant resources, staff, and contacts.
· It creates opportunities to broaden the working families agenda of Progressive Maryland.
Based on further discussions with PM Director Rion Dennis, we can add the following clarifications:
(a) The PM Board, including the labor members are working to expand PM's membership and broaden its issue focus beyond labor-specific legislation.
(b) The PM Board believes that everyone on the Board needs to make some financial commitment. Based on discussion with Rion, we believe that a $250/year dues payment would satisfy this requirement.
(c) Organizational members of the PM Board are not bound by board decisions on specific issues.
3. The PWG Steering Committee (SC) approved a combination of voluntary membership dues ($30/year per organization) plus continued passing of the hat at meetings to raise funds to meet organizational needs. Potential costs include printing, room rentals, web site, Progressive Maryland membership, registering PWG as a non-stock corporation in Maryland. We are expecting the dues or equivalent amount of $30 from any group that wants to participate in our coalition and have a voice at our meetings. In addition, even if your organization is unable to formally join the PWG, we would welcome any contribution in lieu of dues to help defray organizational costs. There is no paid staff.
4. The PWG SC agreed to distribute information on events or actions being promoted by participating organizations, using our listserv, our blog and/or other available means. We established the following provisos:
(a) the requesting organization has endorsed at least one of the six priority issues for this year's General Assembly session, and
(b) no candidate fundraisers will be advertised.
You can submit requested items to Norm Oslik at noslik@verizon.net. We will do our best to get relevant communications out in a timely manner.
5. The PWG is co-sponsoring a legislative forum with Progressive Neighbors on Sunday, January 23rd from 2-4pm.
5. The PWG is co-sponsoring a legislative forum with Progressive Neighbors on Sunday, January 23rd from 2-4pm.
You are invited to hear from and question our elected state legislators.
WHEN; Sunday afternoon Jan. 23rd, 2 p.m.
WHERE: IMPACT Silver Spring – 825 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring (entrance across from the Whole Foods, located at the old Hollywood Video)
WHY: Maryland faces a significant budget deficit. Will it be balanced on the backs of working Marylanders or will more progressive solutions be offered?
WHO: Sponsored by Progressive Neighbors and Progressive Working Group. Hosted by Impact Silver Spring.
The following legislators have confirmed to date: Senators Jamie Raskin and Roger Manno; and Delegates Heather Mizeur, Eric Luedtke, Tom Hucker, Sheila Hixson, Shane Robinson, Ana Sol Gutierrez and Bonnie Cullison.
Among the issues to be discussed: combined corporate income reporting, equal access to government and greater transparency, offshore wind farms, MD Health Security Act (Single Payer), campaign finance reform, and getting the MD General Assembly to urge our congressional delegation to help cut military spending at the Federal level. For more information: Email malakoff@starpower.net or 301-587-5559
Friday, January 14, 2011
Legislative forum to hear from and question our elected state legislators.
Legislative forum to hear from and question our elected state legislators.
WHEN: Sunday afternoon Jan. 23rd, 2 p.m.
WHERE: IMPACT Silver Spring – 825 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring
WHY: Maryland faces a significant budget deficit. Will it be balanced on the backs of working Marylanders or will more progressive solutions be offered?
WHO: Sponsored by Progressive Neighbors and Progressive Working Group. Hosted by Impact Silver Spring.
For more information: Email malakoff@starpower.net or 301-587-5559 Progressive Neighbors MD http://www.progressiveneighborsmd.org/
*Entrance to IMPACT is across from the Whole Foods, located at the old Hollywood Video. Parking is limited to 2 hours in the Whole Foods/Strosniders lot. Free parking is available at the Wayne Ave. and Ellsworth St. garages.
Among the issues to be discussed: combined corporate income reporting, equal access to government and greater transparency, offshore wind farms, MD Health Security Act (Single Payer), campaign finance reform, and getting the MD General Assembly to urge our congressional delegation to help cut military spending at the Federal level.
The following legislators have confirmed to date: Senators Jamie Raskin and Roger Manno; Delegates Heather Mizeur, Eric Leudke, Tom Hucker, Sheila Hixson, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Bonnie Cullison, and Shane Robinson.
WHEN: Sunday afternoon Jan. 23rd, 2 p.m.
WHERE: IMPACT Silver Spring – 825 Wayne Ave., Silver Spring
WHY: Maryland faces a significant budget deficit. Will it be balanced on the backs of working Marylanders or will more progressive solutions be offered?
WHO: Sponsored by Progressive Neighbors and Progressive Working Group. Hosted by Impact Silver Spring.
For more information: Email malakoff@starpower.net or 301-587-5559 Progressive Neighbors MD http://www.progressiveneighborsmd.org/
*Entrance to IMPACT is across from the Whole Foods, located at the old Hollywood Video. Parking is limited to 2 hours in the Whole Foods/Strosniders lot. Free parking is available at the Wayne Ave. and Ellsworth St. garages.
Among the issues to be discussed: combined corporate income reporting, equal access to government and greater transparency, offshore wind farms, MD Health Security Act (Single Payer), campaign finance reform, and getting the MD General Assembly to urge our congressional delegation to help cut military spending at the Federal level.
The following legislators have confirmed to date: Senators Jamie Raskin and Roger Manno; Delegates Heather Mizeur, Eric Leudke, Tom Hucker, Sheila Hixson, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Bonnie Cullison, and Shane Robinson.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Montgomery County Deserves Complete Health Care
The Montgomery County Complete Care Coalition (MCCCC) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit coalition of concerned residents dedicated to addressing the current and expanding needs for complete health care in Montgomery County Maryland. MCCCC has a simple message: The best medicine is complete care, not care limited by religious doctrine. Please join us supporting the complete and more accessible care promised by the Adventist Clarksburg Community Hospital proposal over a rival proposal from Holy Cross.
Adventist's proposal for a complete care hospital would meet all the public health goals of Maryland and Montgomery County. The Holy Cross proposal would not. We have grave concerns about The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services which prevent Holy Cross from providing needed care and which conflict with health needs of patients, the county and the state. The MCCCC specifically identifies entire classes of essential care Holy Cross cannot offer, including--end-of-life care, control of STDs and HIV/AIDS through condom distribution and appropriate counseling, equal and fair treatment of same-sex families, as well as reproductive care.
According to a Washington Post article, Adventist challenges Md. official's backing of Holy Cross, "Reproductive health advocates across the country have raised concerns about religious directives that prevent Catholic hospitals from providing a variety of services, including fertility treatments, abortions, tubal ligations and hormonal contraception." True, but that's not the complete picture. Men as well as women, religious as well as secular leaders, general advocates for health and concerned Montgomery County residents from all walks of life support Adventist's plan. When it comes to life and health, don't we deserve the best? We have a better, viable alternative in Adventist Health Care.
The following people already signed on as Members and Supporters of the MCCCC:
Rev. Barry W. Lynn--Executive Director, Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Linda Mahoney--President, Maryland National Organization for Women
John W. Nugent--President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Maryland
Laura Meyers, PhD--President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington
Mike Hersh--Executive Director, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance
Melissa Kleder, MA--Interim Director, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
Susan Martin--President, Montgomery County National Organization for Women
Lois Uttley--Director, The MergerWatch Project
Jill Brantley--Vice President, Montgomery County National Organization for Women
Judy Waxman, Vice President Health and Reproductive Rights, National Women’s Law Center
Holly Joseph--Community Liaison, Montgomery County National Organization for Women
Liz Callihan--Women’s Health Program Consultant
Bill Jacobs--Former Legal Observer, WACDTF
Deborah L. Horan--MSW, LCSW-C
Can we add your name to our list of supporters?
Thanks!
Mike Hersh
Adventist's proposal for a complete care hospital would meet all the public health goals of Maryland and Montgomery County. The Holy Cross proposal would not. We have grave concerns about The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services which prevent Holy Cross from providing needed care and which conflict with health needs of patients, the county and the state. The MCCCC specifically identifies entire classes of essential care Holy Cross cannot offer, including--end-of-life care, control of STDs and HIV/AIDS through condom distribution and appropriate counseling, equal and fair treatment of same-sex families, as well as reproductive care.
According to a Washington Post article, Adventist challenges Md. official's backing of Holy Cross, "Reproductive health advocates across the country have raised concerns about religious directives that prevent Catholic hospitals from providing a variety of services, including fertility treatments, abortions, tubal ligations and hormonal contraception." True, but that's not the complete picture. Men as well as women, religious as well as secular leaders, general advocates for health and concerned Montgomery County residents from all walks of life support Adventist's plan. When it comes to life and health, don't we deserve the best? We have a better, viable alternative in Adventist Health Care.
The following people already signed on as Members and Supporters of the MCCCC:
Rev. Barry W. Lynn--Executive Director, Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Linda Mahoney--President, Maryland National Organization for Women
John W. Nugent--President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Maryland
Laura Meyers, PhD--President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington
Mike Hersh--Executive Director, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance
Melissa Kleder, MA--Interim Director, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
Susan Martin--President, Montgomery County National Organization for Women
Lois Uttley--Director, The MergerWatch Project
Jill Brantley--Vice President, Montgomery County National Organization for Women
Judy Waxman, Vice President Health and Reproductive Rights, National Women’s Law Center
Holly Joseph--Community Liaison, Montgomery County National Organization for Women
Liz Callihan--Women’s Health Program Consultant
Bill Jacobs--Former Legal Observer, WACDTF
Deborah L. Horan--MSW, LCSW-C
Can we add your name to our list of supporters?
Thanks!
Mike Hersh
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
ACTION NEEDED! Retain experienced board of elections
Thanks to Sylvia Diss for sending this:
Friends,
We need to help the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee correct their ill-advised selection of new members of the Board of Elections. Your letters must be written quickly to members of the Central Committee, as they are meeting on January 11.
We must make sure that inexperienced members of the Board are not in place for the very important Presidential election in 2012. The inexperienced members the MCDCC has proposed will have a very difficult time overseeing Early Voting, the voting system, over 50,000 absentee ballots and the huge number of provisional ballots in the county's nearly 250 precincts.
Following are questions raised by Beverly Champeau, one of our members, to the Central Committee, expressing great concern over the prospect of losing two valued, hardworking, experienced members of the Board, including our friend Mary Kiraly. Please email your own concern for the integrity of our voting process immediately to the Central Committee, and to individuals as you see fit. Following are a number of email addresses--add others you may know personally, such as our state senators and state delegates.
Again, this must be done very quickly.
Dan Adcock, Chair daniel.c.adcock@gmail.com
Venattia Vann, Vice Chair vwvann@aol.com
Francine Towbridge , Secretary Ftowbridge92@gmail.com
Marie Wallace,Asst. Secret emmabe101@verizon.net
Simon Atlas, Treasurer Satlas2005@comcast.net
Sharon Bland , Dist. 15 Sbland_esq@hotmail.com
Marjorie Goldman, Dist. 15 mgmagoo@aol.com
Elly Shaw-Belblidia, At-Large mirinor@aol.com
"With the most important election coming up in 2012, why did the MCDCC disregard the recommendation of its own subcommittee, and favor an inexperienced Election Board, instead of recommending the reappointment of those who have the experience and expertise and who have proven their dedication and commitment to the Montgomery County voters?
"I would especially like to know why you have not upgraded Mary Kiraly to be a full member. She has served loyally in the substitute position. Plus she has researched Maryland voter trends for many years and completely understands the workings of the Board of Elections.
"In the election of 2010, as a Democratic precinct vice chair, I was at our voting place for the entire day to provide any assistance that might be needed. When it was time for the 10 am posting of the votes, the chief judge did not seem to understand what was required. Gael Cheek, our precinct chair, and I could not convince him how to report correctly, so we called the Board of Elections. Mary Kiraly spoke to him and explained what information was required to be posted. I do not believe that an inexperienced Board of Election member would have been able to solve this problem so quickly.
"Please reinstall the most experienced Board of Election members. One never knows what problems can occur and need to rapidly solved."
Act now, to retain experienced members of the board of elections.
Friends,
We need to help the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee correct their ill-advised selection of new members of the Board of Elections. Your letters must be written quickly to members of the Central Committee, as they are meeting on January 11.
We must make sure that inexperienced members of the Board are not in place for the very important Presidential election in 2012. The inexperienced members the MCDCC has proposed will have a very difficult time overseeing Early Voting, the voting system, over 50,000 absentee ballots and the huge number of provisional ballots in the county's nearly 250 precincts.
Following are questions raised by Beverly Champeau, one of our members, to the Central Committee, expressing great concern over the prospect of losing two valued, hardworking, experienced members of the Board, including our friend Mary Kiraly. Please email your own concern for the integrity of our voting process immediately to the Central Committee, and to individuals as you see fit. Following are a number of email addresses--add others you may know personally, such as our state senators and state delegates.
Again, this must be done very quickly.
Dan Adcock, Chair daniel.c.adcock@gmail.com
Venattia Vann, Vice Chair vwvann@aol.com
Francine Towbridge , Secretary Ftowbridge92@gmail.com
Marie Wallace,Asst. Secret emmabe101@verizon.net
Simon Atlas, Treasurer Satlas2005@comcast.net
Sharon Bland , Dist. 15 Sbland_esq@hotmail.com
Marjorie Goldman, Dist. 15 mgmagoo@aol.com
Elly Shaw-Belblidia, At-Large mirinor@aol.com
"With the most important election coming up in 2012, why did the MCDCC disregard the recommendation of its own subcommittee, and favor an inexperienced Election Board, instead of recommending the reappointment of those who have the experience and expertise and who have proven their dedication and commitment to the Montgomery County voters?
"I would especially like to know why you have not upgraded Mary Kiraly to be a full member. She has served loyally in the substitute position. Plus she has researched Maryland voter trends for many years and completely understands the workings of the Board of Elections.
"In the election of 2010, as a Democratic precinct vice chair, I was at our voting place for the entire day to provide any assistance that might be needed. When it was time for the 10 am posting of the votes, the chief judge did not seem to understand what was required. Gael Cheek, our precinct chair, and I could not convince him how to report correctly, so we called the Board of Elections. Mary Kiraly spoke to him and explained what information was required to be posted. I do not believe that an inexperienced Board of Election member would have been able to solve this problem so quickly.
"Please reinstall the most experienced Board of Election members. One never knows what problems can occur and need to rapidly solved."
Act now, to retain experienced members of the board of elections.
Save the Date: "Saving Social Security," A Town Hall
The Montgomery County chapter of the National Organization for Women
presents: "Saving Social Security," A Town Hall.
presents: "Saving Social Security," A Town Hall.
National NOW President Terry O'Neill and other experts will present on
the topic, and explain ways we can help.
Time Monday, February 7 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location Wheaton Regional Library Meeting Room downstairs
11701 Georgia Ave, Wheaton MD 20902
NOW is working with a wide coalition to protect Social Security. "With
the new Congress, there is a serious possibility that proposals to slash
Social Security benefits may go forward." See: http://www.NOW.org/
Friday, December 31, 2010
Save The Date! Free Speech and Fair Elections for the People Sunday, February 6th
Free Speech and Fair Elections for the People: A Public 'Teach-In' on Democracy Reform and Amending the Constitution
Sunday, February 6th Join us for this exciting and educational forum, featuring some of the top advocates of democracy reform.
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church
3215 Powder Mill Rd
Adelphi, MD 20783
Click Here for Directions
Call 443-766-0894 or email fairandcleanmd@gmail.com for more information
Topics will include national and state-level measures, including a Constitutional Amendment.
Panelists:
Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland's 4th district, speaking on the Constitutional amendment she has introduced to allow Congress to regulate the range of speech rights of corporate entities, and on other federal measures she recommends to reduce undue corporate influence on elections.
Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin, American University Constitutional law professor, who represents Takoma Park and is a member of Maryland's new campaign finance task force, on proposed state legislation for campaign finance transparency and reform.
Anna White, Democracy Organizer for Public Citizen, on the growing national grassroots movement for a constitutional amendment and how Marylanders can get involved.
Jessica Sharp, co-founder and co-director of Fair and Clean Elections Maryland, on opportunities to lobby for pertinent Maryland legislation and take part in other supporting activities.
Sunday, February 6th Join us for this exciting and educational forum, featuring some of the top advocates of democracy reform.
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church
3215 Powder Mill Rd
Adelphi, MD 20783
Click Here for Directions
Call 443-766-0894 or email fairandcleanmd@gmail.com for more information
Topics will include national and state-level measures, including a Constitutional Amendment.
Panelists:
Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland's 4th district, speaking on the Constitutional amendment she has introduced to allow Congress to regulate the range of speech rights of corporate entities, and on other federal measures she recommends to reduce undue corporate influence on elections.
Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin, American University Constitutional law professor, who represents Takoma Park and is a member of Maryland's new campaign finance task force, on proposed state legislation for campaign finance transparency and reform.
Anna White, Democracy Organizer for Public Citizen, on the growing national grassroots movement for a constitutional amendment and how Marylanders can get involved.
Jessica Sharp, co-founder and co-director of Fair and Clean Elections Maryland, on opportunities to lobby for pertinent Maryland legislation and take part in other supporting activities.
Sponsoring Organizations Include:
Baltimore Pledge
Chamber of Progress
Democracy for Montgomery County
Fair and Clean Elections Maryland
Generations for Peace and Democracy
Little Friends for Peace
Chamber of Progress
Democracy for Montgomery County
Fair and Clean Elections Maryland
Generations for Peace and Democracy
Little Friends for Peace
Paint Branch Social Action Committee
Peace Action Montgomery
Prince George's County Peace and Justice Coalition
Progressive Democrats of America, MD Chapter
Public CitizenPrince George's County Peace and Justice Coalition
Progressive Democrats of America, MD Chapter
Friday, December 24, 2010
Report: Scanners cost less than touch-screen machines
Report: Scanners cost less than touch-screen machines
Advocates hope that change will be funded
by Alan Brody | Staff writerANNAPOLIS — Maryland would save as much as $9.5 million over eight years by switching to an optical-scan voting system, according to a new report that advocates hope will spur Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislative leaders to start funding the replacement of the current touch-screen machines in fiscal 2012.
The independent analysis, conducted by a North Carolina research firm for the Department of Legislative Services, appears to confirm what supporters of a voter-verified paper trail system have long argued: It costs more money to maintain the current equipment than to purchase new machines that allow voters to print out paper receipts of their selections.
Read the rest at:
Rebecca Wilson
SAVEourVotes.org
SAVE our Votes is a nonpartisan grassroots organization working for
Secure, Accessible, Verifiable Elections in Maryland.
SAVEourVotes.org
SAVE our Votes is a nonpartisan grassroots organization working for
Secure, Accessible, Verifiable Elections in Maryland.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Progressive Working Group Members--Updated
The Progressive Working Group is a coalition of Maryland-based progressive organizations working to advance progressive change including:
Audubon Naturalist Society | CASA of Maryland | Democracy for Montgomery County | Equality Maryland | Healthcare Maryland | Healthcare-Now of Maryland | Maryland United for Peace and Justice | Montgomery County Progressive Alliance | Montgomery Health Care Action | PeaceAction Montgomery | Patients' Union | Peace and Justice of Prince George's County | Progressive Cheverly | Progressive Democrats of America | Progressive Neighbors | SAVE Our Votes | Transparency and Equal Access in Government | Upcounty Action | WeGreen Global
Monday, May 10, 2010
2010 OUTCOME OF PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION IN MARYLAND
(Includes the Progressive Working Group's three legislative priorities - campaign finance reform, combined reporting and government transparency - and several other important bills. Thanks to Progressive Cheverly for most of this wrap-up)
Campaign Finance Reform for General Assembly Races – This measure would help neutralize the effect of special-interest money in our political process. Unfortunately, Senate President Mike Miller switched his support of a year ago, and the bill remained bottled up in Senate committee without even making it to the House for consideration.
Reducing the Impact of Budget Cuts Through Fair Revenue Sources – Combined reporting, which would close income-tax loopholes for corporations that operate in more than one state, was not passed. Likewise, the “millionaire’s tax,” enacted in 2008 and set to expire this year, was allowed to do so, effectively lowering taxes for the top 1% of Maryland taxpayers. Together, these lost revenues will amount to $250 million per year, and cuts to services for the disabled and poor were made instead.
Improved Transparency of General Assembly Business and Improved Citizen Access – A bill was not enacted that would make it easier for citizens to access information about the progress of legislation and present testimony during hearings and require such bill hearings and meetings of the Board of Public Works to be broadcast on the Internet. Instead, these concerns were relegated to a summer study. However, this legislative effort did prompt leaders in the House and Senate to require that all committee votes be posted online.
ASVAB – Legislation was passed that only students and their parents or guardians can release the results of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test to the the military. ASVAB is used as a military recruiting tool in public high schools throughout the country. Almost 7,000 students in 156 public schools throughout Maryland took the test in the last year for which data is available. 91% had the results and private information forwarded to military recruiting services without parental consent and often without parental knowledge. This legislation ends this practice and represents a real victory for student privacy from military recruiters.
Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers (BOAST) in Maryland Tax Credit – Progressives generally opposed this legislation that would have granted tax credits to businesses that fund scholarships for low-income students to attend private schools, which means primarily religious schools (which represent over 80% of all private school students*). The bill passed the Senate, but a revised version of the legislation was reported unfavorably out of the House Ways and Means Committee on the last day of the session so the legislation was not passed. .
Civil Marriage Equality and Transgender Anti-discrimination – In the middle of the session, Attorney General Doug Gansler issued an opinion that state agencies should begin recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states where they are legal. Legislative efforts to undo Gansler’s opinion were unsuccessful. The bill that would allow such marriages to be performed in Maryland did not pass, but it gained more co-sponsors. Transgender anti-discrimination legislation also remained stuck in Senate committee, but it, too, gained new co-sponsors. Additional legislation died that would have protected parenting rights and extended medical leave to siblings, grandparents and domestic partners.
Environmental Justice and Environmental Protection – Protecting the green infrastructure budget: There were some important gains, especially considering the budget constraints that pervaded this legislative session: $22 million for the Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund, preserved funding for Project Open Space, and protected funds for environmental enforcement. The Smarter Transportation Choices for Maryland Act passed and establishes smart and fair growth criteria for funding transportation projects. The Watershed Protection and Restoration Act did not pass. Instead “emergency regulations” were passed, which constitute a severe setback to the 2007 Stormwater Management legislation. A legislative effort to restrict funding for the University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic, was defeated. Some legislators from the Eastern Shore wanted to use the budget process to try to intimidate the Environmental Law Clinic from taking action against Perdue and other companies who are major contributors to agricultural pollution of the Bay and other waterways.
End Life Without Parole Sentencing for Juveniles – The U.S. is the only country that officially sanctions life-long sentences for children who have committed serious crimes, and Maryland currently has 13 such individuals serving sentences. Efforts to outlaw this practice in Maryland did not move forward this year.
*source: National Center for Education Statistics
Campaign Finance Reform for General Assembly Races – This measure would help neutralize the effect of special-interest money in our political process. Unfortunately, Senate President Mike Miller switched his support of a year ago, and the bill remained bottled up in Senate committee without even making it to the House for consideration.
Reducing the Impact of Budget Cuts Through Fair Revenue Sources – Combined reporting, which would close income-tax loopholes for corporations that operate in more than one state, was not passed. Likewise, the “millionaire’s tax,” enacted in 2008 and set to expire this year, was allowed to do so, effectively lowering taxes for the top 1% of Maryland taxpayers. Together, these lost revenues will amount to $250 million per year, and cuts to services for the disabled and poor were made instead.
Improved Transparency of General Assembly Business and Improved Citizen Access – A bill was not enacted that would make it easier for citizens to access information about the progress of legislation and present testimony during hearings and require such bill hearings and meetings of the Board of Public Works to be broadcast on the Internet. Instead, these concerns were relegated to a summer study. However, this legislative effort did prompt leaders in the House and Senate to require that all committee votes be posted online.
ASVAB – Legislation was passed that only students and their parents or guardians can release the results of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test to the the military. ASVAB is used as a military recruiting tool in public high schools throughout the country. Almost 7,000 students in 156 public schools throughout Maryland took the test in the last year for which data is available. 91% had the results and private information forwarded to military recruiting services without parental consent and often without parental knowledge. This legislation ends this practice and represents a real victory for student privacy from military recruiters.
Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers (BOAST) in Maryland Tax Credit – Progressives generally opposed this legislation that would have granted tax credits to businesses that fund scholarships for low-income students to attend private schools, which means primarily religious schools (which represent over 80% of all private school students*). The bill passed the Senate, but a revised version of the legislation was reported unfavorably out of the House Ways and Means Committee on the last day of the session so the legislation was not passed. .
Civil Marriage Equality and Transgender Anti-discrimination – In the middle of the session, Attorney General Doug Gansler issued an opinion that state agencies should begin recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states where they are legal. Legislative efforts to undo Gansler’s opinion were unsuccessful. The bill that would allow such marriages to be performed in Maryland did not pass, but it gained more co-sponsors. Transgender anti-discrimination legislation also remained stuck in Senate committee, but it, too, gained new co-sponsors. Additional legislation died that would have protected parenting rights and extended medical leave to siblings, grandparents and domestic partners.
Environmental Justice and Environmental Protection – Protecting the green infrastructure budget: There were some important gains, especially considering the budget constraints that pervaded this legislative session: $22 million for the Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund, preserved funding for Project Open Space, and protected funds for environmental enforcement. The Smarter Transportation Choices for Maryland Act passed and establishes smart and fair growth criteria for funding transportation projects. The Watershed Protection and Restoration Act did not pass. Instead “emergency regulations” were passed, which constitute a severe setback to the 2007 Stormwater Management legislation. A legislative effort to restrict funding for the University of Maryland Environmental Law Clinic, was defeated. Some legislators from the Eastern Shore wanted to use the budget process to try to intimidate the Environmental Law Clinic from taking action against Perdue and other companies who are major contributors to agricultural pollution of the Bay and other waterways.
End Life Without Parole Sentencing for Juveniles – The U.S. is the only country that officially sanctions life-long sentences for children who have committed serious crimes, and Maryland currently has 13 such individuals serving sentences. Efforts to outlaw this practice in Maryland did not move forward this year.
*source: National Center for Education Statistics
Report: The 2010 General Assembly Session: What did it accomplish?
Summary of April 25th Forum, Laurel, Maryland
Panel One: Progressives Challenging Incumbents: Delegate Karen Montgomery, who is running for the State Senate against Rona Kramer in District 14 and Dana Beyer, who is running for delegate in District 18, both pointed out that in Maryland, the defeat of progressive legislation is often attributable to Democratic legislators who are, at best, moderates. Therefore, they said, progressives should hold candidates to a higher standard than just being Democratic. A participant from the audience stated that unless an elected representative or candidate supported campaign finance reform, they should not be considered a progressive.
Panel Two: What Went Wrong? Why Didn't Good Bills Make It Through the General Assembly? Critical Insights of Legislators: Senator Mike Lenett, Del. Roger Manno, Del Sheila Hixson, Senator Jamie Raskin, Senator Paul Pinksy, Senator David Harrington, Del. Karen Montgomery, and Del. Tom Hucker
Lenett – Open government measures are very important. They give progressives more voice. We need procedural reforms so that we actually get votes on legislation. Currently, many measures are killed by putting them in “the drawer.” Legislators would pass more progressive bills if we could get a vote on the measures. We should consider changes that would make it harder to just put bills in the drawer, such as guaranteeing a committee vote on all bills filed by a certain deadline, allowing each legislator a minimum number of bills that must be guaranteed a committee vote, or a petition process to force a committee vote.
Manno – A big obstacle to progressive legislation is the quality of representatives we send to Annapolis. Our expectations are too low. We don't need people who sometimes vote right but often don't support us when no one is closely watching.
Hixson – Progressives should never quit. You must keep pushing for your issues and that includes talking to representatives who don't agree with you.
Raskin – There are politicians who are interested in justice and there are politicians who are interested in power. We need to get the right kind of representatives elected and then organize to pressure them to do the right thing.
Pinsky – The state is an arbiter of class forces. On one side are the liquor lobby, the Chamber of Commerce, developers, etc. Next session, we need to assess our resources and pick issues very strategically that have a chance of winning. Combined reporting can pass next year if we work on it.
Harrington – Representatives are able to get away with things by calling themselves progressives. We need to check people carefully to see if they are willing to stand up for the right thing, even when it's not popular and powerful interests are fighting us. As progressives, we also need to make tight arguments in favor of our measures so that the opposition sees that we're serious and that it will be difficult to oppose us. And we need to stick with issues - sometimes it takes years to win.
Montgomery – On progressive health care bills, the biggest problem we faced was drug (pharmaceutical) companies. We need to chip away on our issues, even if it takes years to win a complete victory.
Hucker – The system is set up to defeat progressive legislation. To win, we need good ideas (a sound philosophy) a good sponsor for the legislation, careful attention to process (reaching out to opponents, seeing where compromises are necessary), hard work, and grass roots pressure. It's easy to block reforms; to win everything has to go right.
Points Made in Discussion: Legislator - Progress on abolishing the death penalty is also possible next session.
Legislator - We need to keep pushing for campaign finance reform. Mike Miller has been hot and cold on this and may not strongly oppose.
Participant – It is frustrating to progressives that many bills get put in “the drawer” and never get a vote in committee.
Participant - We need to raise expectations and awareness of what's going on in Annapolis. Most people in Maryland don't know who their state legislators are! We should work to change the culture in Annapolis by electing true progressives and by increasing public awareness about state issues. This would make good legislators better and make mediocre legislators private citizens.
Panel Three: What Failed? What Succeeded” Why? What's to Be Done for Next Year? Prospective of Progressive Activists. Ryan O'Donnell, Common Cause; Sean Dobson, Progressive Maryland; Pat Elder, Peace Action Montgomery: David O'Leary, Sierra Club, and Ken Stevens
O'Donnell: It's good that Progressive Working Group got its profile raised this session – I'm proud of that. But something is wrong in Annapolis when campaign finance reform doesn't even come up for a vote, but a bill to impeach the Attorney General because of his opinion on gay marriage gets voted on. Nothing was really done this session on campaign finance reform. We need to work together even more closely on our legislation.
Elder: We scored a victory on ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) tests, but there are more peace issues we need to address. We won on ASVAB in part because we made it an issue of student privacy and civil rights, not solely an anti-war issue. Also, we were a real presence in Annapolis and talked to many legislators to explain the issue, including those who had been opposed to our legislation at first. We figured out a way to talk about privacy and civil rights issues and not just peace. We also worked with partners with more lobbying experience, and insiders helped us dissect the committees for problem areas.
Dobson – I have been lobbying for 10 years and it used to be worse. We got at least 7 good labor bills. But for the bluest state in the country, what happened in Annapolis is not good enough. The problem is still the State Senate which really operates as a 'good old boy' network. Miller is conservative but pragmatic so he will give us progressives a few things. In this year's elections, we need to defeat conservatives. We should see how all progressive groups can come together around some candidates.
Stevens – We need to realize that we're in a long-haul fight on many of our progressive issues, but we need to keep pushing even if we don't make progress at first.
O'Leary – Environmental groups came in with a very limited agenda this session. We made some progress, but it was limited and even things that were pass were pared back. (See legislative wrap-up below). The press focused on divisions among environmental groups.
Discussion of Next Steps:
-We need a stronger Annapolis presence during the session.
-Clean water is a winnable issue that should be a priority
-Stay-at-home-moms – I am one and I'm willing to organize other such moms and go to Annapolis regularly to lobby for progressive issues
-We need to go door-to-door in the home districts of targeted conservative legislators, especially Senators, to challenge them on the issues.
-We need a scorecard to identify legislators who are undermining progressive legislation
-Progressive Working Group should be a co-sponsor with Move-On in the Community Forums - “Time to Stop the Corporate Raid On Our Democracy!” (This was approved by voice vote. See below for more information.)
Panel One: Progressives Challenging Incumbents: Delegate Karen Montgomery, who is running for the State Senate against Rona Kramer in District 14 and Dana Beyer, who is running for delegate in District 18, both pointed out that in Maryland, the defeat of progressive legislation is often attributable to Democratic legislators who are, at best, moderates. Therefore, they said, progressives should hold candidates to a higher standard than just being Democratic. A participant from the audience stated that unless an elected representative or candidate supported campaign finance reform, they should not be considered a progressive.
Panel Two: What Went Wrong? Why Didn't Good Bills Make It Through the General Assembly? Critical Insights of Legislators: Senator Mike Lenett, Del. Roger Manno, Del Sheila Hixson, Senator Jamie Raskin, Senator Paul Pinksy, Senator David Harrington, Del. Karen Montgomery, and Del. Tom Hucker
Lenett – Open government measures are very important. They give progressives more voice. We need procedural reforms so that we actually get votes on legislation. Currently, many measures are killed by putting them in “the drawer.” Legislators would pass more progressive bills if we could get a vote on the measures. We should consider changes that would make it harder to just put bills in the drawer, such as guaranteeing a committee vote on all bills filed by a certain deadline, allowing each legislator a minimum number of bills that must be guaranteed a committee vote, or a petition process to force a committee vote.
Manno – A big obstacle to progressive legislation is the quality of representatives we send to Annapolis. Our expectations are too low. We don't need people who sometimes vote right but often don't support us when no one is closely watching.
Hixson – Progressives should never quit. You must keep pushing for your issues and that includes talking to representatives who don't agree with you.
Raskin – There are politicians who are interested in justice and there are politicians who are interested in power. We need to get the right kind of representatives elected and then organize to pressure them to do the right thing.
Pinsky – The state is an arbiter of class forces. On one side are the liquor lobby, the Chamber of Commerce, developers, etc. Next session, we need to assess our resources and pick issues very strategically that have a chance of winning. Combined reporting can pass next year if we work on it.
Harrington – Representatives are able to get away with things by calling themselves progressives. We need to check people carefully to see if they are willing to stand up for the right thing, even when it's not popular and powerful interests are fighting us. As progressives, we also need to make tight arguments in favor of our measures so that the opposition sees that we're serious and that it will be difficult to oppose us. And we need to stick with issues - sometimes it takes years to win.
Montgomery – On progressive health care bills, the biggest problem we faced was drug (pharmaceutical) companies. We need to chip away on our issues, even if it takes years to win a complete victory.
Hucker – The system is set up to defeat progressive legislation. To win, we need good ideas (a sound philosophy) a good sponsor for the legislation, careful attention to process (reaching out to opponents, seeing where compromises are necessary), hard work, and grass roots pressure. It's easy to block reforms; to win everything has to go right.
Points Made in Discussion: Legislator - Progress on abolishing the death penalty is also possible next session.
Legislator - We need to keep pushing for campaign finance reform. Mike Miller has been hot and cold on this and may not strongly oppose.
Participant – It is frustrating to progressives that many bills get put in “the drawer” and never get a vote in committee.
Participant - We need to raise expectations and awareness of what's going on in Annapolis. Most people in Maryland don't know who their state legislators are! We should work to change the culture in Annapolis by electing true progressives and by increasing public awareness about state issues. This would make good legislators better and make mediocre legislators private citizens.
Panel Three: What Failed? What Succeeded” Why? What's to Be Done for Next Year? Prospective of Progressive Activists. Ryan O'Donnell, Common Cause; Sean Dobson, Progressive Maryland; Pat Elder, Peace Action Montgomery: David O'Leary, Sierra Club, and Ken Stevens
O'Donnell: It's good that Progressive Working Group got its profile raised this session – I'm proud of that. But something is wrong in Annapolis when campaign finance reform doesn't even come up for a vote, but a bill to impeach the Attorney General because of his opinion on gay marriage gets voted on. Nothing was really done this session on campaign finance reform. We need to work together even more closely on our legislation.
Elder: We scored a victory on ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) tests, but there are more peace issues we need to address. We won on ASVAB in part because we made it an issue of student privacy and civil rights, not solely an anti-war issue. Also, we were a real presence in Annapolis and talked to many legislators to explain the issue, including those who had been opposed to our legislation at first. We figured out a way to talk about privacy and civil rights issues and not just peace. We also worked with partners with more lobbying experience, and insiders helped us dissect the committees for problem areas.
Dobson – I have been lobbying for 10 years and it used to be worse. We got at least 7 good labor bills. But for the bluest state in the country, what happened in Annapolis is not good enough. The problem is still the State Senate which really operates as a 'good old boy' network. Miller is conservative but pragmatic so he will give us progressives a few things. In this year's elections, we need to defeat conservatives. We should see how all progressive groups can come together around some candidates.
Stevens – We need to realize that we're in a long-haul fight on many of our progressive issues, but we need to keep pushing even if we don't make progress at first.
O'Leary – Environmental groups came in with a very limited agenda this session. We made some progress, but it was limited and even things that were pass were pared back. (See legislative wrap-up below). The press focused on divisions among environmental groups.
Discussion of Next Steps:
-We need a stronger Annapolis presence during the session.
-Clean water is a winnable issue that should be a priority
-Stay-at-home-moms – I am one and I'm willing to organize other such moms and go to Annapolis regularly to lobby for progressive issues
-We need to go door-to-door in the home districts of targeted conservative legislators, especially Senators, to challenge them on the issues.
-We need a scorecard to identify legislators who are undermining progressive legislation
-Progressive Working Group should be a co-sponsor with Move-On in the Community Forums - “Time to Stop the Corporate Raid On Our Democracy!” (This was approved by voice vote. See below for more information.)
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