Keep the Promise: Annapolis Rally 6pm Monday for Our Future, Families, Fairness

Annapolis Rally Mon. Mar. 14, 6-8 pm: Keep the Promise, Protect Maryland's Future, Save the American Dream! Sign up now.  Click for details, free buses and parking map.   Come rally with progressive allies statewide to demand the General Assembly prevent devastating cuts to public education and the retirement security of educators, police, librarians, health care workers, and many more hard-working Marylanders. As we recover from the recession brought on by Wall Street, legislators must keep their promises to Main Street. They must protect the quality of our public school system and public services that all of us -- our economy, our future, our children -- depend on.   For three years in a row, Maryland's public schools have been named #1 in the country. Now, even though 82 percent of Maryland voters oppose it, legislators are considering cutting $100 million from education funding this year, boosting class sizes, and threatening widespread layoffs. At the same time, they plan drastic changes to the pension system that will hurt our state's ability to recruit and retain the best and brightest educators and force educators to pay unfairly the bill for Wall Street's criminal excesses that have hammered the pension fund. Although the fund is already recovering nicely, some are exploiting these short-term circumstances to seek drastic, permanent changes to the Maryland Pension System, which already offers one of the lowest pension benefits in the country.  Maryland can't attract and retain high quality educators, keep our schools #1, or provide our children the education and future they'll need, with shrunken resources and a sub-par pension. We are all Wisconsin.  We are all Americans. Fight for Maryland's Future! Sign up to join us Monday. Click for details, free buses, parking map. Proposed cuts in education funding per county Maryland public opinion survey: 82% of Marylanders oppose a $100 million cut in K-12 education, Greenburg Quinlan Rosner Research Advocates urge senators to prevent proposed cut in per-pupil spending, Maryland Reporter Prince George's parents, teachers criticize proposed cuts, Gazette

Keep the Promise: Annapolis Rally 6pm Monday for Our Future, Families, Fairness

Annapolis Rally Mon. Mar. 14, 6-8 pm: Keep the Promise, Protect Maryland's Future, Save the American Dream! Sign up now.  Click for details, free buses and parking map.   Come rally with progressive allies statewide to demand the General Assembly prevent devastating cuts to public education and the retirement security of educators, police, librarians, health care workers, and many more hard-working Marylanders. As we recover from the recession brought on by Wall Street, legislators must keep their promises to Main Street. They must protect the quality of our public school system and public services that all of us -- our economy, our future, our children -- depend on.   For three years in a row, Maryland's public schools have been named #1 in the country. Now, even though 82 percent of Maryland voters oppose it, legislators are considering cutting $100 million from education funding this year, boosting class sizes, and threatening widespread layoffs. At the same time, they plan drastic changes to the pension system that will hurt our state's ability to recruit and retain the best and brightest educators and force educators to pay unfairly the bill for Wall Street's criminal excesses that have hammered the pension fund. Although the fund is already recovering nicely, some are exploiting these short-term circumstances to seek drastic, permanent changes to the Maryland Pension System, which already offers one of the lowest pension benefits in the country.  Maryland can't attract and retain high quality educators, keep our schools #1, or provide our children the education and future they'll need, with shrunken resources and a sub-par pension. We are all Wisconsin.  We are all Americans. Fight for Maryland's Future! Sign up to join us Monday. Click for details, free buses, parking map. Proposed cuts in education funding per county Maryland public opinion survey: 82% of Marylanders oppose a $100 million cut in K-12 education, Greenburg Quinlan Rosner Research Advocates urge senators to prevent proposed cut in per-pupil spending, Maryland Reporter Prince George's parents, teachers criticize proposed cuts, Gazette

Next Steps Planning Meeting on Democracy Reform

Next Steps Planning Meeting on Democracy Reform

Please join us at 3 PM on Sunday, March 27th at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church in Adelphi. The meeting will be in Room 1 of the Education building, which is the very last room in the second building of the church complex. (Chosen because it has couches instead of chairs, and its own coffee maker. :)

Time: Sunday, March 27 · 3:00pm - 6:00pm

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Location: Paint Branch UU Church, Room 1 of RE Building

3215 Powder Mill Road Adelphi, MD

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Democracy is surging all over the country, all over the world, and in an effort to harness the energy and continue educating the public, we at Fair and Clean Elections MD, along with Maryland United for Peace and Justice will be having a planning meeting to discuss the best way to keep the issue of corporate influence in politics in the forefront of people's minds. We want your ideas!

This will be a follow-up meeting for last month's successful public forum on the issue; however, this meeting is open and anyone who wasn't able to attend that forum is still very welcome. We will be viewing (or re-viewing, for some) The Story of Citizens United vs. FEC. We will discuss ways in which to capitalize on the blossoming movement in Wisconsin and elsewhere, now that names like "David Koch" and "Citizens United" are starting to become household names. We will hear the results of the latest meeting that some fellow activists had with Senator Mikulski's staff. We will hopefully learn more about the new House bill to reform the ethics codes for Supreme Court justices and how we can help in that effort. There will also be an update on state-level campaign finance issues.

Hope to see you then, and please RSVP to fairandcleanmd@gmail.com to make sure there's enough space for everyone.

SHARON DOOLEY Birthday / Debt Retirement party

Jim and Mary Haddow invite you

to their home to celebrate the Birthday of

SHARON DOOLEY

….and to help her retire her campaign debt!

Sharon has decided that she will not again run for County Council

but cannot close her campaign account since a debt remains.

It has been about a year since we kicked off a great effort, but it is time to close the books.

Please come on March 12th from 4-7

 3208 Hitchcock Court, Olney MD 20832

Share some wine and cheese, maybe meet a special guest….

Enjoy some good political conversations with friends and neighbors

This IS a fund raiser! – Please come if you can contribute.
We are attempting to raise at least $4000.

Sponsors welcomed - $250 and up with recognition and special thanks at the event

Friends - $138, Birthday Buddies $69 (yes, you guessed it, 69)

Do let us know if you can join us – email Jim Haddow, treasurer – jnhaddow@yahoo.com

Or leave a Voice Message with Sharon: 301-260-8569 by March 8th please.
Cannot come – checks can be mailed to PO Box 132, Brookeville, MD 20833
or by PayPal at  http://www.dooleyforcouncil.com

If any funds remain after the debts are paid a donation will be made to charity
Authorized by Citizens for Sharon Dooley, Jim Haddow, Treasurer, Irma Cuellar Chair.

Hearing Thurs. 1pm: Millionaires Tax & Combined Corporate Reporting , House Ways+Means, Annapolis

Close the Corporate Loophole; Raise New Revenue Md. Needs.
Come be counted Thurs. 1pm: Hearing in Annapolis on
Combined Reporting & Extending the Millionaires Tax

Thurs. 1 p.m. in House Ways and Means Committee
Hearing Room 131, House Office Building
6 Bladen Street off College Avenue, Annapolis
.
Best Parking is Navy Stadium, then take the shuttle
(every 15 minutes) to 6 Bladen Street. MAP

More at Progressive Maryland Action Center
http://progressivemaryland.org/page.php?id=167

Read:
-Combined Reporting of State Corporate Income Taxes: A Primer
-Fiscal Fairness Factsheet
-Report on the Maryland millionaires’ tax (3/9/2011)
from Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

National Women's History Month Celebration Saturday, 3/12

National Women's History Month Celebration

Please join us for a discussion of the achievements of women throughout history with special guest speaker, Maryland State Senator Jennie Forehand. The program is presented in collaboration with the Lincoln Park Historical Foundation. Registration is not required. For more information, please contact Michele Sellars at 240-777-1096

"Our History is Our Strength"

Date:  Saturday, 3/12
Time:  2:00 pm
Silver Spring Library     

UU Ministry on Marriage Equality

Take Five Minutes..........

 

And Help Pass Marriage Equality This Week! 

 

Please take five minutes to contact your delegates immediately!  The first two suggestions are crucial to include and the others can be added if appropriate or feasible:

• Your name and that you are in his/her district;
• Ask the delegate to support SB 116, The Civil Marriage Protection Act;
• You are a Unitarian Universalist;
• Any personal connection you have with them;
• Your personal reasons for supporting the bill;
• Thank them if they have indicated they will vote yes (see lists below). 

You can find a link to legislators' email addresses here.   Click here to determine who your delegates are.

             

ISSUE AND STATUS: The Civil Marriage Protection Act (SB 116) went to the House of Delegates floor today and is expected to be discussed tomorrow (Wednesday).  Voting could begin then.  A final vote could be as early as Thursday.  

 

INDICATIONS OF POTENTIAL VOTES:  The following gives an idea of how votes may be cast, but some co-sponsors are reconsidering, so it is important to contact every delegate.  The Judiciary Committee votes and the sponsors of the legislation are:

• For: Vallario (Chair, plans to vote no on the floor), Dumais (Vice-Chair), Anderson, Arora, Carter, Clippinger, Conaway, Lee, Mitchell, Simmons, Valderrama, and Waldstreicher.
• Against: Alston, Cluster, Dwyer, Hough, Kelly, McComas, McDermott, Parrot, Smigiel, and Valentino-Smith.
• Sponsors of the original House Bill were Barve, Barnes, Mitchell, Alston, Anderson, Arora, Barkley, Bobo, Bromwell, Carr, Carter, Clagett, Clippinger, Conaway, Cullison, Dumais, Feldman, Frick, Frush, Gaines, Gilchrist, Gutierrez, Guzzone, Hammen, Harrison, Haynes, Hixsoon, Hubbard, Hucker, Ivey, Kaiser, A. Kelly, Kramer, Lafferty, Lee, Luedtke, McHale, McIntosh, A. Miller, Mizeur, Murphy, Niemann, Pena-Melnyk, Pendergrass, Reznik, B. Robinson, S. Robinson, Rosenberg, Ross, Simmons, Stein, Stukes, Summers, Tarrant, F. Turner, Valderrama, Waldstreicher, Washington, and Zucker.

WHY CONTACT AGAIN?

Legislators are being flooded with calls from out of state and from Maryland opposing SB 116.  For example, the Maryland Catholic Conference website indicates they had over 10,000 emails and thousands of calls made before the Committee vote and they expect to repeat similar numbers. Therefore, it is critical that you contact your delegates again and that you ask your others to MAKE CONTACTS.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:

Updates are on our Facebook page or contact info@uulmmd.org. for questions or to join us in Annapolis for last minute advocacy and witness.  If you can't come to Annapolis, you can also listen to the historic House proceedings at the Maryland General Assembly website.  

 

THANK YOU:  Support from you, UU congregations, Standing on the Side of Love Project and the Standing on the Side of Love Matching Grants Program of the Fund for Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility has helped move this critical legislation forward.

CAN PROGRESSIVES BE SPIRITUAL ACTIVISTS?

Celebrate! Dialogue & Laugh!  

CAN PROGRESSIVES BE SPIRITUAL ACTIVISTS?  YES!
Monday March 14th 7 to 9 PM Busboys and Poets 2021 14th St NW

Enjoy a little music ~ Watch a funny video & laugh! Then, get down to business and brainstorm with us about OUR plans to: stop the corporate take-over of our nation, ways to make the media more accountable, and how to implement environmental sanity, and more!

THE NEW GREATER WASHINGTON DC CHAPTER OF THE NETWORK OF SPIRITUAL PROGRESSIVES (NSP-DC)
cordially invites you to the launch of our new Greater Washington DC Chapter of the NSP-DC together with the
East Coast 25th Anniversary Celebration TIKKUN magazine!

Our specially invited guest and honoree for the evening is Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota.

Also appearing: Rabbi Michael Lerner (via video), Rev. Graylan S. Hagler, Imam Johari Abdul Malik, Medea Benjamin

Come celebrate with us, hear inspiring messages from well-known progressive activists and have fun networking with kindred spirits as we build a progressive future together. Dessert is on us! Enjoy a delicious 25th Tikkun Anniversary cake!
…..........Free and open to all!

Check out our flyer: http://bit.ly/g Wb6gJ 

Latest new legislators attending!

Progressive Working Group and Progressive Maryland invite you to the First Annual Progressive Summit and Lobby Night in Annapolis

Hosted by House Ways and Means Chairwoman Sheila Hixson.

With Senators: Bill Ferguson, Roger Manno, Karen Montgomery, Paul Pinsky, Victor Ramirez, Joan Carter Conway, Brian Frosh, Douglas Peters, Joanne Benson, and Jamie Raskin; and Delegates: Liz Bobo, Al Carr, Anne Healey, Tom Hucker, Susan Lee, Eric Luedtke, Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Heather Mizeur, Maggie McIntosh, Peter Hammen, Joseph Vallario, and Craig Zucker. Others expected to participate.

Monday March 7, 4:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

in the House Ways and Means Committee
Hearing Room 131, House Office Building
6 Bladen Street (off College Avenue)

SCHEDULE for the Summit:
4:30 PM Fund Our Communities news conference
5:00 PM Registration and informal discussion
5:30 PM Summit begins, followed by lobbying

Parking: Best is Navy Stadium; take shuttle every 15 minutes or less.

Hear reports and lobby on issues:
    * The Health Security Act
    * Campaign Finance Reform
    * Corporate Tax Combined Reporting
    * Marriage Equality
    * Fund Our Communities / Cost of War Campaign
    * Offshore Wind Farm
    * Transparency in Government / Public Information Act Expansion
    * The Maryland DREAM Act
    * Clean Water Bills

We especially need you if you live in: Baltimore City or Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery or Anne Arundel Counties, or Districts 12, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 26 27, 28, 30, 43, 46.

Progressive Working Group Members include: Democracy for Montgomery County, Equality Maryland, Green Democrats, Healthcare Maryland, Healthcare-Now of Maryland, Maryland United for Peace and Justice, Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action, Peace Action Montgomery, Patients' Union, Peace and Justice of Prince George's County, Physicians for a National Health Program (Maryland), Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America, Progressive Neighbors, Save Our Votes, Transparency and Equal Access in Government, Upcounty Action, and WeGreen Global.

Help protect LOCAL, ORGANIC and SUSTAINABLE farm

Naomi Block writes:

Hi Friends,

It came to my attention last night that one of our greatest LOCAL, ORGANIC and SUSTAINABLE farms has lost its lease and is to be replaced by playing fields; in other words, GRASS instead of ORGANIC FOOD!!

Nick Maravell, owner and operator of Nick's Organic Farm for over 30 years was informed by the Board of Education on MARCH 3rd that he was losing his lease (after 30 years!) in TWO WEEKS!.  His farm is located in Potomac off of Brickyard Road. 

The Board of Education is VOTING ON THIS TOMORROW MORNING at the Board of Education, located at: 850 Hungerford Drive in Room 114 at 10:30.

Nick has asked for anyone who is able to make it to this hearing tomorrow morning to wear a green shirt in a show of solidarity at tomorrow morning's hearing and/or to also write to:

Montgomery County Board of Education: boe@mcpsmd.org

Montgomery County Executive: oce@montgomerycountymd.gov  (240.777.2500)

The Montgomery County Council:

- District 1 Councilmember, Roger Berliner (also currently the Council Vice-President)  Roger.Berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov
- At-Large County Councilmember, Marc Elrich - Marc.Elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov
- At-Large County Councilmember, Nancy Floreen - Nancy.Floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov
- At-Large Councilmember, George Leventhal - George.Leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov
- At-Large Councilmember Hans Riemer. Has.Riemer@montgomerycountymd.gov

State Legislature:

- Delegate William Frick at:  Bill.frick@house.state.md.us (301.858.3457)
- Delegate Susan Lee  at:   Susan.Lee@house.state.md.us (301.858.3424)
- Delegate Arianna Kelly at:  Arianna.kelly@house.state.md.us (301.858.3642)

- Brain Frosh at:  Brian.Frosh@senate.state.md.us (301.858.3102)

SAMPLE LETTER:
(personalize the letter)

Dear Board of Education Members:

I strongly oppose the construction of ball fields on Brickyard Road.  Our community previously decided
during the Potomac Master Plan process that we did not want anything other than farmland or a park
at that site. 

Montgomery County needs to increase the number of local farmers so losing Nick's Organic Farm
would be a significant step in the wrong direction.

Please vote against the proposed lease to the County, or at the very least vote to delay action so that
the community has the proper opportunity to view the facts and voice its concerns.

Thank you.
---------

If you have any questions, please contact:
Nick Maravelle
Nick's Organic Farm
nickmaravell@comcast.net


I urge you to do whatever you can to chime in on this outrageous development!  Please also include a copy of your letter to Nick.

TOMORROW! Join an incredible lineup of legislators

Progressive Working Group and Progressive Maryland invite you to the First Annual Progressive Summit and Lobby Night in Annapolis

Hosted by House Ways and Means Chairwoman Sheila Hixson. With Senators: Bill Ferguson, Roger Manno, Karen Montgomery, Paul Pinsky, Victor Ramirez, Joan Carter Conway, Brian Frosh, Douglas Peters, Joanne Benson, and Jamie Raskin; and Delegates: Liz Bobo, Al Carr, Anne Healey, Tom Hucker, Eric Luedtke, Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Heather Mizeur, Maggie McIntosh, Peter Hammen, Joseph Vallario, and Craig Zucker. Others expected to participate.

Monday March 7, 4:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

in the House Ways and Means Committee
Hearing Room 131, House Office Building
6 Bladen Street (off College Avenue)

SCHEDULE for the Summit:
4:30 PM Fund Our Communities news conference
5:00 PM Registration and informal discussion
5:30 PM Summit begins, followed by lobbying

  Parking: Best is Navy Stadium; take shuttle every 15 minutes or less. MAP

Hear reports and lobby on issues:
    * The Health Security Act
    * Campaign Finance Reform
    * Corporate Tax Combined Reporting
    * Marriage Equality
    * Fund Our Communities / Cost of War Campaign
    * Offshore Wind Farm
    * Transparency in Government / Public Information Act Expansion
    * The Maryland DREAM Act
    * Clean Water Bills

We especially need you if you live in: Baltimore City or Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery or Anne Arundel Counties, or Districts 12, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 26 27, 28, 30, 43, 46.

To RSVP or for further information: herb@progressivemaryland.org

Progressive Working Group Members include: Democracy for Montgomery County, Equality Maryland, Healthcare Maryland, Healthcare-Now of Maryland, Maryland United for Peace and Justice, Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action, Peace Action Montgomery, Patients' Union, Peace and Justice of Prince George's County, Physicians for a National Health Program (Maryland), Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America, Progressive Neighbors, Save Our Votes, Transparency and Equal Access in Government, Upcounty Action, and WeGreen Global.

MONDAY! Progressive Summit and Lobby Night in Annapolis

Progressive Working Group and Progressive Maryland
Invite you to the First Annual
Progressive Summit and Lobby Night in Annapolis

Hosted by House Ways and Means Chairwoman Sheila Hixson.

With Senators: Jamie Raskin, Roger Manno, Karen Montgomery, Paul Pinsky, Victor Ramirez, and Bill Ferguson; and Delegates: Liz Bobo, Al Carr, Anne Healey, Tom Hucker, Eric Luedtke, Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Heather Mizeur and Craig Zucker. Others expected to participate.

Monday March 7, 4:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

in the House Ways and Means Committee Hearing Room 131, House Office Building

6 Bladen Street (off College Avenue)

SCHEDULE for the Summit:

4:30 PM Fund Our Communities news conference
5:00 PM Registration and informal discussion
5:30 PM Summit begins, followed by lobbying

Featured issues:

• The Health Security Act
  
• Campaign Finance Reform
  
• Corporate Tax Combined Reporting
• Marriage Equality
• Fund Our Communities / Cost of War Campaign
• Offshore Wind Farm
  
• Transparency in Government / Public Information Act Expansion
• The Maryland DREAM Act
• Clean Water Bills

Progressive Working Group Members include: Democracy for Montgomery County, Equality Maryland, Healthcare Maryland, Healthcare-Now of Maryland, Maryland United for Peace and Justice, Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition, Montgomery County Progressive Alliance, Montgomery Health Care Action, Peace Action Montgomery, Patients' Union, Peace and Justice of Prince George's County, Physicians for a National Health Program (Maryland Chapter), Progressive Cheverly, Progressive Democrats of America, Progressive Neighbors, Save Our Votes, Transparency and Equal Access in Government, Upcounty Action, and WeGreen Global.