Report on Jan. 7 Legislative Forum

This very successful event was sponsored by Progressive Neighbors, along with co-sponsors Progressive Maryland, Clifton Park Baptist Church, NAACP, Impact Silver Spring, and Peace Action Montgomery. Held at Clifton Park Baptist Church, over 100 activists and 10 state legislators engaged in a discussion of progressive issues in the 2012 State Legislative Session. Photos taken by a participant (Edward Kimmel) can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mdfriendofhillary/sets/72157628773044289/

The six questions Progressive Neighbors and the other sponsoring organizations submitted to the legislators in advance of the meeting focused on progressive revenue sources (combined reporting, graduated income tax reform, and a luxury tax); single payer health care in Maryland; democratizing the Annapolis legislative process; measures to help the community with jobs, housing and services; measures in addition to the DREAM Act to support the rights of immigrants; and the need for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case supplemented by real campaign finance reform.

Roger Berliner, current chair of the Montgomery County Council, greeted the group and said that income disparity in the County was worse than ever. The County, he stated, has not cracked the problem of affordable housing and needs ideas from progressives. He said he was proud to be in a county which is committed to social justice and which spends more money on health insurance for uncovered residents than any other county in the country. He asked for specific suggestions from the group.

Each elected state representative then had up to 4 minutes to address the issues raised by the six submitted questions.

Delegate Eric Luedtke (District - 14) said that he supports the progressive revenue measures advocated by the group. Also introduced, he noted, will be a gas tax, which, while regressive, will create jobs and build the infrastructure; an increased tax on smokeless tobacco; and closing tax loopholes. He expressed his support for single payer system and thanked people for their support of the DREAM Act, but said we have to fight to defend the Act against the petition challenge.

Senator Karen Montgomery (D-14) said that she was upset that government was not fulfilling its obligation to help poor and needy people in the State. Forty corporations were not paying any state income tax. We need to get serious about this. She said that taxing businesses fairly won't discourage businesses. The state has a good workforce and a productive economic environment. She is considering introducing an alternative minimum tax on corporations that are not paying taxes. Corporations should not be considered people. We also need a better health care system - we're paying more than than other countries, but we are getting less in terms of quality of care and coverage.

Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez (D - 18) explained that she felt there needs to be a single member district in the Wheaton area which recognizes the growth of the Hispanic population in that area. She said, in terms of raising revenue, we need an increase in the capital gains tax. The capital gains tax is lower in most states surrounding Maryland. She also emphasized that we have a huge battle ahead of us in defending the DREAM Act

Sen. Rich Madaleno (D-18) said that he is interested in legislation disallowing certain Federal tax deductions on Maryland income taxes. This could be done in such a way that it would make the state income tax more progressive and mean more revenue for the County as well. He also favors starting the Legislative Session earlier - the first week of January - to allow additional time to discuss bills and get more public input. On the Citizens United Case, he supports measures to overturn it and will support Jamie Raskin's efforts. Finally he urged support for marriage equality legislation and against gender identify discrimination.

Sen. Roger Manno (D-19) said that because of the budget crisis in Maryland, he will support both progressive revenue measures and even some that are not progressive, including the gas tax, before cutting Medicaid coverage. With a $1 billion state shortfall and $2-3 billion cut in Federal aid, even if we pass all the progressive tax measures we've discussed, it won't be enough, and he does not want to let the Public Review Board make the cuts. This is the job of the General Assembly. His solution? Send more progressive representatives to Annapolis.

Sheila Hixson (D-20) said that District 20 was the most progressive and caring district in the state. The House of Delegates has passed combined reporting 5 times; we need the Senate to pass it. She said a gas tax is likely to be proposed. She also supports a new verifiable voting system in Maryland.

Tom Hucker (D-20) said he has supported combined reporting for the past 10 years as an elected official and as director of Progressive Maryland. Corporate loopholes need to be closed; if won't raise a huge amount of money, but it's the right thing to do. He also supports extending the millionaire's tax which was sunseted. He supports wind farm legislation which would create jobs as well as retrofitting existing buildings and making new construction green. He said we need a single payer health care system and wants the Maryland General Assembly to be a friend of the court in supporting the 2010 Federal Affordable Care Act.

Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-20) stated that progressives are actually winning victories in Annapolis such as the DREAM Act. And we passed marriage equality in the Senate. He voiced support for the the progressive tax measures presented, but also said that we need to cut unnecessary spending that is not having the desired effects. He voiced support for repealing the death penalty. He supports single payer, but noted that we need to transition the thousands of people who work for insurance companies to other jobs. He supports democratizing the General Assembly. He also noted that in terms of expanding the franchise, 86,000 ex-felons now have the right to vote in Maryland. And the National Popular Vote Bill was passed in Annapolis which would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in the entire United States. The Bill now needs to be passed by additional states. (The law has been enacted by states possessing 132 electoral votes - 49% of the 270 electoral votes needed to activate it.) Finally, Jamie said he will introduce a “HOME Act” to ban discrimination in housing against people based on the source of their rental income - so long as the source is a lawful one. This would prevent rental discrimination against people who use Section 8 vouchers, VA benefits and alimony payments to pay their rent.

Note: Delegate Bonnie Cullison (D-19) came late, but participated in the question and answer session.

In the open question and answer session, among the issues raised by participants were slots and revenues that were supposed to be produced by their legalization; establishment of a state bank as in North Dakota; why more progressive legislation is not passed in Annapolis; how can progressives can work in common even though there are some issues that divide us (Rich Madaleno said the key was open dialogue rather than labeling those with whom you disagree.); cuts to aid to education and the possible passing of pension funding responsibilities to the Counties which, it was stated, would devastate Montgomery County's budget; the Citizens United Supreme Court Case (Jamie Raskin said he will be introducing a resolution in the General Assembly to overturn the case and the concept of corporate personhood); 'ban the box' legislation which would prohibit asking about a person's prison record in most job interviews; the problems that ex-offenders face being reintegrated into society; and racial profiling by law enforcement.