Progressive Maryland

Founded in 2000, Progressive Maryland is the state's largest grassroots advocacy organization of more than 15,000 individual members and supporters as well as 40 affiliated religious, community, and labor organizations listed at [http://progressivemaryland.org/page.php?id=268 ProgressiveMaryland.org] . It's 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-- including its own founder, current state Delegate Tom Hucker.

Issues & Campaigns

• Raising Wages- In 2006, PM led the charge to raise the minimum wage in our state. In 2007, PM and allies enacted the nation's first statewide Living Wage law. The Living Wage law will lift tens of thousands of hardworking families out of poverty by requiring big, for-profit corporations with a state service contract to pay workers on those enough to live without Food Stamps. PM will keep pushing to raise wages as part of our campaign for permanent expansion of the middle class.

• Election Reform- Public financing of campaigns provides qualified candidates with enough public funds to run a viable campaign for office. It is already law in Connecticut, Maine, and Arizona, where it takes power away from the special interests and returns it to the voters.

• World-Class Public Schools- PM has fought with allies for years to ensure full funding for the historic, multi-year Thornton plan. In 2007, PM and allies helped secure a record $400 million in funding for public school construction and repair.

• College Opportunity- Tuition at Maryland's public colleges and universities has increased dramatically in the past five years. It must be reduced to ensure college opportunity for working families.

• Tax Fairness- Maryland taxes corporate income and income of wealthy individuals at some of the lowest effective levels in the country, yet we have many unmet needs in funding education, health care, and protecting the environment. According to a June 2007 poll, by more than a 3:1 margin, Marylanders want lawmakers to go beyond plugging the hole in the budget and create a fairer tax system that asks big corporations and wealthy individuals to invest in Maryland's future. Progressive also coordinates the [Alliance For Tax Fairness [http://AllianceForTaxFairness.org] .

• Health Care- Progressive Maryland supports the health care expansion plan of the Maryland Citizens Health Inititiative as a first step toward universal health care coverage in our state.

• Voter Registration- Less than 2/3 of registered voters participate in Maryland state elections. Progressive Maryland strives to ensure the voices of historically disenfranchised minorities and working families are heard at election time.

External links

* [http://progressivemaryland.org/page.php?id=268 ProgressiveMaryland.org] .