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Progressive Neighbors Meeting

4 p.m. Sunday June 28^th
Eastern Village Cohousing Community
7981 Eastern Ave. Silver Spring 20910

Vote on Progressive Neighbors' Priority Issues for the Coming Year

Members and Supporters of Progressive Neighbors,

The steering committee has been discussing what issues Progressive Neighbors might work on in the coming year. We sent letters and our legislative agenda to 38 state and county elected officials who represent Montgomery County in Annapolis and Rockville asking for their recommendations for progressive legislative issues on which PN could make a difference. We received 21 responses and the steering committee narrowed the list down to 11 issues. (See below.) We are now presenting those 11 issues to the membership so they can vote on what issues we should devote our energies to in the coming year.

At the upcoming June 28^th meeting, we will discuss the issues and everyone will be able to vote for the issues on which they feel we should focus. We will then set up committees and begin our work.

Voting: Everyone will receive 6 votes which they can use to vote for up to 3 issues, weighted as they choose. People can use all 6 votes for 1 issue or spread the votes out over 3 issues. We hope people will follow up their votes by volunteering to work on at least one of their chosen issues.

If you are unable to attend the June 28^th meeting, but still wish to have a voice, you can email back the ballot below after the June 28^th meeting up until July 5^th. ( Please send to PN4Change@Gmail.com)

If you have any questions about this, please feel free to call or email Wally Malakoff (malakoff@starpower.net, 301-587-5559).

Please spread the word about the June 28^th membership meeting to others who may want to get involved. (All progressive minded people living in Montgomery County are welcome.)

Progressive Neighbors Co-Chairs
George Vlasits     Joan King      Wally Malakoff

Legislative Committee Co Chairs
Luis Zapata     Shelley Fudge

Note: On Thursday June 25, a National Health Care Rally and Lobby Day will be held at the U.S. Capitol. Sponsored by Health Care for America Now (HCAN) the event begins at 11:30 a.m.  HCAN's statement: “While the first draft of Obama's plan is vague on details and falls short of the progressive ideal of single payer, HCAN feels it moves the country in the right direction. It is now up to progressives to put pressure on the President and legislators to provide universal coverage and a high-quality public plan health care option.” For more details, go to HCAN's website - www.healthcareforamericanow.org

Political Action Options for Progressive Neighbors
Summer and Fall of 2009 and beyond (in no particular order)

1. Protect existing affordable housing for low and middle income and senior residents and expand the pool of affordable housing

Rent stabilization: Restrict rent increases that exceed the rise in the cost of living. Prohibit condo conversions that destroy affordable rental units and involuntarily displace current tenants. Expand the stock of affordable housing units in the County by subsidizing and providing incentives for the construction of low and moderate income housing. Expand programs to enable moderate and low income tenants to purchase homes in the County. Provide relief to senior homeowners with limited incomes in the form of tax credits.

2. Mass transportation (including Purple Line and BRT)

Work to support the speedy construction of the Purple Line. Encourage the improvement of public transportation -- possibly including a Bus Rapid Transit option.

3. Combined reporting and progressive tax measures

Work for “combined reporting” legislation for corporate income to ensure corporations pay their fair share and to prevent large corporations from escaping payment of taxes by shifting income to low- or no-tax jurisdictions. Promote equitable and progressive tax policies that fully fund needed social services and programs without placing the burden of high taxes on those least able to afford them. Those individuals with the most resources should pay their fair share which means paying taxes at a higher rate than the poor and middle class.

4. Make government lobbying more accessible to citizen and grassroots groups

Work for changes in procedural rules in State and County governments (Annapolis and Rockville) so that citizen groups can testify more easily and on an equal footing with more powerful lobbying groups. This includes the scheduling of public meetings and hearings to maximize citizen input, including having these meetings at times and places accessible to ordinary working people

5. In-state college tuition for children of immigrants and broader immigration reform measures

Work for changes to enable children of undocumented residents in Maryland to be charged in-state tuition while attending government-financed institutions of higher learning (joining ten other states that currently do so). Allow drivers licenses to be granted without proof of residency or citizenship. Institute a “don’t ask” policy about immigration status unless a person has been officially arraigned and charged with a violent crime. Otherwise establish policies that provide services to immigrants and help them become full participants in American society with citizenship a more accessible goal.

6. Expand the coverage of the Family and Medical Leave Act

Build on current Federal law by allowing workers in Maryland to take twelve weeks unpaid leave to care for siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, domestic partners and children of domestic partners.

7. Expansion of and full funding for education – pre-K through adult education

Work to maintain and increase full funding for education (consistent with the Thornton Commission) to ensure that all students receive a “thorough and efficient” education, including pre-K and an expanded lunch program through high school. This should include more classes for adult education, available on sliding income scale for all Maryland residents.

8. Electricity rate regulation to keep prices low

Support HB 1530, a bill to keep prices low for consumers while affirmatively retaining green choice for power consumers. Legislation is needed to address the "failed promise of deregulation."

9. Tax credits and grants to promote green jobs

Work to enact legislation that will provide tax credits and grants for those firms providing green jobs. This would include those working in alternative energy and environmental restoration and protection.

10. Save the Bay related legislation

This would include a number of legislative actions, including: a shopping bag bill (similar to the one being considered in D.C.) that would charge a tax on all store-provided bags (plastic and paper); closing the phosphorous “penalties” loophole in the current detergent control legislation; and charging a tax to corporate and private residents based on the amount of land covered with impervious surfaces -- thus increasing the runoff that pollutes our rivers, streams, and ultimately the Bay. (This tax should be written in such a way as to make allowance for those already paying similar local taxes.)

11. Campaign finance reform

-Public campaign finance – a system whereby General Assembly and statewide candidates, with sufficient showing of support, can receive public funding of their campaigns, thereby reducing or eliminating the undue influence of lobbyists and special interests. As an interim step, pass enabling state legislation to allow local jurisdictions, such as Montgomery County, to enact such reform for campaigns for local offices.

Voting Ballot for Political Action Options for Progressive Neighbors for
Summer and Fall of 2009 and beyond

Directions: You have 6 votes which you may use to vote for up to 3 issues. You may use all 6 votes for 1 issue or you may spread your votes in any combination for your 3 chosen issues.

Be sure to fill in your name and your email and home address – please print clearly. Please copy this ballot and email it to PN4Change@Gmail.com Thanks for participating!

Your name ____________________ Email ____________________

Home address __________________________________________

1. Protect existing affordable housing for low and middle income and senior residents and expand the pool of affordable housing _______votes

2. Mass transportation (including Purple Line and BRT) _______votes

3. Combined reporting and progressive tax measures _______votes

4. Make government lobbying more accessible to citizen and grassroots groups

_________votes

5. In-state college tuition for children of immigrants and broader immigration reform measures ______votes

6. Expand the coverage of the Maryland Family and Medical Leave Act ____votes

7. Expansion of and full funding for education – pre-K through adult education

_____votes

8. Electricity rate regulation to keep prices low ____votes

9. Tax credits and grants to promote green jobs ____votes

10. Save the Bay related legislation ____votes

11. Campaign finance reform ___votes