Progressive Maryland
Encyclopedia
Founded in 2000, Progressive Maryland (PM) is one of the Maryland's
largest grassroots advocacy organization, with more than 15,000 individual members and supporters as well as over 50 affiliated religious, community, and labor organizations. Its mission is to improve the lives of working families in Maryland through research, public education, lobbying, direct political action, and helping elect progressive
candidates to office. The group was founded by current state Delegate Tom Hucker
. It is state coordinator for the Health Care for America Now campaign and is the Maryland affiliate of US Action , which has 34 affiliates in 24 states and works to promote progressive policies and politics.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
largest grassroots advocacy organization, with more than 15,000 individual members and supporters as well as over 50 affiliated religious, community, and labor organizations. Its mission is to improve the lives of working families in Maryland through research, public education, lobbying, direct political action, and helping elect progressive
Progressivism in the United States
Progressivism in the United States is a broadly based reform movement that reached its height early in the 20th century and is generally considered to be middle class and reformist in nature. It arose as a response to the vast changes brought by modernization, such as the growth of large...
candidates to office. The group was founded by current state Delegate Tom Hucker
Tom Hucker
Tom Hucker is an American elected official and a Democrat from the U.S. state of Maryland. He is currently serving as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 20, which includes Takoma Park and Silver Spring neighborhoods including Hillandale, Woodmoor, White Oak, Indian Spring,...
. It is state coordinator for the Health Care for America Now campaign and is the Maryland affiliate of US Action , which has 34 affiliates in 24 states and works to promote progressive policies and politics.
Issues & Campaigns
- Raising Wages- In 2006, PM led a campaign to raise the minimum wage in Maryland. In 2007, PM and allies achieved enactment of the nation's first statewide Living WageLiving wageIn public policy, a living wage is the minimum hourly income necessary for a worker to meet basic needs . These needs include shelter and other incidentals such as clothing and nutrition...
law. The Living Wage law requires large, for-profit corporations with a state service contract to pay workers on those enough to live without Food Stamps. PM continues to work for higher wages for workers.
Election Reform- PM advocates for public financing of political campaigns, which provides qualified candidates with enough public funds to run a viable campaign for office. Similar laws exist in ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, MaineMaineMaine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, and ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, with the goal of taking power away from special interests and returning it to the voters. The measure easily passed the House, but was killed in the Senate by one vote in 2008. PM hopes it will pass in 2011.
Health Care- PM supports the health care expansion plan of the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative as a first step toward universal health careUniversal health careUniversal health care is a term referring to organized health care systems built around the principle of universal coverage for all members of society, combining mechanisms for health financing and service provision.-History:...
coverage in the state.
Public Schools- PM has fought alongside allies to ensure full funding for the multi-year Thornton public education funding plan. In 2007, PM and allies helped secure $400 million in funding for public school construction and repair.
Higher Education- PM has worked to limit tuition increases at Maryland's public colleges and universities.
Federal Issues- PM advocates around national issues such as federal spending, war funding, health care, education, and workers' rights.
Tax Fairness- PM supports changes to the tax code that reduce the tax burden on individual working families while closing corporate tax loopholes. They also coordinate the Alliance for Tax Fairness.
Voter Registration- PM works to register voters, particularly those from historically disenfranchised minorities and working families.
Accomplishments 2004-2010
- 2010-
2010 Election Victories
Of 93 candidates PM endorsed and actively supported in Maryland Primary Races, 86 won nomination and all are expected to be elected to the state, county and federal legislative offices they seek.
Rest Breaks for Retail Employees
Strongly supported a bill to ensure that workers in retail establishments who work four straight hours get at least a 15 minute rest break and workers who work six straight hours get a 30 minute rest break.
Early Learning for Young Children
Helped pass a bill to keep Maryland well positioned to access copious federal funding to expand quality, affordable early learning programs for young children.
- 2009-
Reducing Worker Misclassification
Fought to enact law cracking down on the increasing number of employers who classify workers as “independent contractors”, which will ensure enforcement of workplace safety rules for thousands of workers and recoup millions of dollars for the state in payroll taxes.
Blueprint for Comprehensive Pre-K
Advocated for a comprehensive blueprint to create more high-quality pre-K, qualifying the state to receive federal dollars to fund pre-Kindergarten programsEarly childhood educationEarly childhood education is the formal teaching and care of young children by people other than their family or in settings outside of the home. 'Early childhood' is usually defined as before the age of normal schooling - five years in most nations, though the U.S...
.
Skills Training for Youth
Backed new law requiring most contractors on large state construction projects to offer apprenticeship training programs, with the goal of giving thousands of Maryland youth the skills necessary to work in construction trades.
- 2008-
Progressive Taxation
Led the charge to make Maryland's personal and corporate income tax codes much more progressive, helping to reduce that year's large state budget deficit.
Prince George's Hospital
Pressured the county government to accept the state's offer to keep open the Prince George's Hospital system, which serves 180,000 patients every year and hosts the state's second largest trauma center.
Electoral Advocacy
Supported Donna EdwardsDonna EdwardsDonna F. Edwards is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2008. She is a member of the Democratic Party...
in her successful campaign to unseat Representative Albert WynnAlbert WynnAlbert Russell "Al" Wynn is a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented the 4th district of Maryland from 1993 to 2008...
in Maryland's 4th Congressional District.
- 2007-
Passed the First State Living Wage Law
Ran a grassroots campaign to pass the nation's first state-level living wage law, requiring state contractors to pay their workers wages above the federal poverty line.
Funding for School Construction
Using the budget surplus and aided by increased revenue from closed tax loopholes, won a record $400 million to build and repair schools statewide.
- 2006-
Energy Pricing
Backed laws to cap increases in electricity rates, apply new rules to the energy industry and replace some utility commissioners who were seen as closely allied with the energy industry.
Electoral Advocacy
Endorsed and helped elect candidates for the Maryland General Assembly, and supported Martin O'MalleyMartin O'MalleyMartin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
over incumbent Governor Robert EhrlichRobert EhrlichRobert Leroy "Bob" Ehrlich, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 60th Governor of Maryland from 2003 to 2007. A Republican, he became governor after defeating Democratic opponent Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a member of the Kennedy family, 51% to 48% in the 2002 elections...
.
- 2005-
Minimum Wage
Used the momentum from the Living Wage campaign to advocate for a minimum wage increase in Maryland from the federal level of $5.15 per hour to $6.15 per hour. Governor Robert Ehrlich's veto of the bill in January 2006 was overridden and passed it into law.
- 2004-
Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes
Supported passage of a law to close the "Delaware loophole" that large corporate chains used to avoid paying state income taxes. Brings approximately $70 million into the state budget every year.
Medical Malpractice
Opposed Governor Robert Ehrlich's medical malpractice legislation.