Dear Friend,
The most important, and busiest, time of the year in Annapolis is officially here. This Wednesday, January 14, at 12 PM, the Maryland General Assembly convenes, launching the 2026 legislative session. Our team has been preparing tirelessly around the priorities we shared last month, pushing bold new legislation forward and building momentum to pass critical bills that fell short last year.
This session begins at a moment when working families are under real pressure. Maryland has been hit especially hard by federal decisions over the past year, including deep cuts to the federal workforce and rollbacks to programs like SNAP and Medicaid. Tens of thousands of federal jobs have been lost across our state, and those losses ripple through families, local economies, and entire communities. At the same time, we are witnessing continued attacks from the White House on immigrant communities and violence against our neighbors, actions we strongly condemn and will continue to fight against, here in Maryland and beyond.
With the session just days away, we’ve got a lot of work ahead, and we need your voice. Mark your calendar now for Lobby Night in Annapolis on February 23, where we’ll meet directly with lawmakers to advocate for these critical priorities. Register here to join us!
In the weeks ahead, there will be many ways to get involved, from rallies and press conferences to petitions, testimony opportunities, and community events across the state. Read on for updates from our task forces and campaigns, along with the latest state and national news to keep you informed and ready to act. In solidarity,
The Progressive Maryland Team |
Here’s what’s in today’s memo: -
Legislative Updates
- Local Chapter Updates
Campaign Updates -
Events from Allies
- State & National News
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2026 Legislative Session: Stay in the Know |
The 2026 Maryland General Assembly officially convenes this Wednesday, January 14th, at 12 PM. Click here to view the suggested dates of interest. It’s the start of an important session, and we’re ready to advocate for bold, progressive change.
Throughout the session, this section of the memo will be your go-to for updates on major developments, including the bills we’ll officially support and advocate for as they’re introduced. Stay tuned as we fight for our legislative priorities together!
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Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: |
Healthcare Task Force: Good news! Updates: Getting Ready for Annapolis
The ACA Extension Bill Passed the House!! Keeping Health Insurance Premiums Affordable. It passed on the House floor last Thursday with all Democrats and 17 Republicans voting yes. Organizing grassroots pressure on House Republicans worked. Now it’s on to the United States Senate, let’s tell them to Fund Our Healthcare—Not Trump’s Warfare.
People have until Jan.15th to choose a plan. Marylanders can get guidance and help from the Maryland Exchange.
Gearing Up For Annapolis and the Legislative Session
Our top focus is protecting Medicaid—and our state’s 1.5 million enrollees, our providers, and everyone else who is touched by the Medicaid program. We’ll back measures that bolster the state’s ability to build out infrastructure and public education to ensure people stay enrolled. We also plan to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that creates a process to examine a transition to a fully fee-for-service Medicaid program. Since 2013, the state of Connecticut has done just that and, by all accounts, has saved $4 billion by eliminating the costs associated with MCOs.
You can learn more about our Medicaid campaign and other healthcare priorities at our virtual briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 28th at 7:00. Sign up here.
Take action in the meantime
Contact Patty to get involved! |
Harford County
Come out to the January Board of Trustees meeting tomorrow, Jan. 13, at 6pm in the Chesapeake Welcome Center at Harford Community College. Wear Red and show your support for our faculty and students at HCC. |
Frederick County Frederick Rent Stabilization Town Hall
Calling all Frederick County renters — is your rent too high? Join us for a virtual Rent Stabilization Town Hall on Friday, January 16, from 6:30–8:00 PM, featuring leaders from Montgomery County who successfully enacted rent stabilization. Hear from Councilmember Will Jawando and Councilmember Izola Shaw, ask questions, and learn how this fight can move forward in Frederick. This is the first in a series of conversations on rent stabilization.
👉 RSVP here to join us in person | 👉RSVP here to join us virtually
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Oxon Hill
Tenants at Harbor’s Edge are coming together to demand safe, dignified housing. Join us for a press conference, Thursday, January 22nd, where residents will call on management to address serious health and safety concerns and restore access to basic amenities tenants pay for. Showing up matters—come stand with tenants and help hold landlords accountable.
👉RSVP here
Shore Progress
Thinking about running for office in 2026—or just curious about what’s on the ballot? Join Shore Progress for Bagels & Buddies, on January 17th for a casual gathering to learn about local offices in Wicomico County and how you can get involved as a candidate, volunteer, or supporter. Enjoy free bagels, good conversation, and connect with local organizers who can help you take the next step.
👉Sign up here
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Events from Allies:
Indivisible is calling for folks to gather tomorrow outside of CBP headquarters in DC to deman accountability for ICE's killing of Renee Nicole Good and the ongoing terror in our communities. |
News You Can Use: ICE protests cover state, enter legislative hopper
As the General Assembly begins its three-month gallop of a session, the new Speaker builds a distinctly more progressive team in the House while Gov. Moore vows to make the state less dependent on the vagaries of federal employment. As the legislators head for Annapolis, events in Minnesota and elsewhere bring nationwide protests against the savagery of ICE agents and the buttheadedness of its leadership (yes, the one under the oversized cowboy hat).
It all comes from the top, of course. The lunatic decrepitude of Trump is more apparent each time he realizes a fantasy (briefly) with an executive order or (violently) by directing military action against Venezuela and threatens others, including NATO allies. We frankly haven't had the fortitude to read through the transcript of his two-hour interview with NYT reporters; when we do, we'll be better able to decide just how far over the cliff he has gone.
States -- including Maryland -- are fighting back, including through the courts. Much of Trump's worst activity is stuck in traffic and he increasingly voices fear that he will lose control of the US House in the midterms. He is afraid of being impeached but he probably needs to worry less about that than becoming irrelevant. So 2026 is brightening. It's News You Can Use. |
Don't forget to follow us on social media! |
Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792
United States
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