Update from WDC’s Task Force on Racial Equity in Public Safety (REPS).

On August 12, REPS Task Force Chair, Lisa Henderson, and member, Beth Tomasello, met via Zoom with Councilmember-At-Large Will Jawando and his Chief of Staff, Cecily Thorne. Councilmember Jawando reviewed the provisions of County Council Bill 27-20E (which he sponsored) to discuss how the provisions addressed the #8CANTWAIT use-of-force policing reforms which the REPS Task Force has endorsed as first steps in reinventing County policing. Councilmember Jawando also discussed future legislation needed to address transparency, training, and accountability in County policing, including the need for comprehensive data collection on racial disparities in policing. The County only collects information on traffic stops; however, that data clearly show a great disparity in the number of stops directed at Black men and men of color.

At the recommendation of the REPS Task Force, WDC signed on to two letters sponsored by statewide advocacy groups. The first letter

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Update On WDC’s Actions to Repeal Our Confederate State Song

WDC’s advocacy in reaching out to our legislators and asking them to act to repeal our Confederate State Song, "Maryland, My Maryland", is having results. Thank you to all of our members who contacted their elected representatives.

On July 14, the Montgomery Democratic Party passed a Resolution that strongly supports the efforts to repeal "Maryland, My Maryland" as our State Song and urges the Maryland General Assembly to repeal this song in the 2021 legislative session.

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WDC Annapolis Day Rocks the Maryland General Assembly

An energetic team led by Advocacy Chair Leslie Milano hosted a lively, activity-packed Annapolis Day for WDC members and state legislators on February 26 at the House Office Building in Annapolis. The day began with a pre-event (optional) visit to the weekly Women’s Caucus meeting, where newly elected House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson stopped by to greet WDC members, sharing their support for several WDC priority bills and applauding our legislative activism.

WDC President Diana Conway launched the official program, with a welcome to members and guests and a quick outline of the day’s events. Advocacy Committee issue captains then briefed …

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Advocacy Committee Report | February 2019

The 2019 State Legislative session began January 9 and will end April 8. During this time our State legislators will consider several thousand bills. WDC sent letters to Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch asking them to support legislation that addresses WDC’s priorities. WDC’s Advocacy Committee will identify bills that are directly relevant to women and their families and address each of our six priority issue areas (Affordable Housing, Aging, Children and Youth, Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Health, and Working Families). WDC will submit testimony requesting a favorable vote for these bills. Be sure to sign up for WDC’s Advocacy Alert Team (link) to receive notice of WDC’s testimony and help WDC advocate for passage of these bills.

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Advocacy Committee Report | December 2018

MONTGOMERY COUNTY STATE DELEGATION PRIORITIES HEARING

On November 14, WDC Board President Fran Rothstein presented testimony on WDC’s 2019 State legislative priorities to our Montgomery County State Delegation at the Delegation’s 2019 priorities hearing. This hearing is an opportunity for our elected State Delegates and Senators to hear from their constituents before the 2019 State legislative session convenes on January 9. Read WDC’s written testimony here. WDC’s Advocacy Committee will identify specific bills that address these priorities and advocate for their passage.

 

MLAW FALL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

On November 17, WDC Board President Fran Rothstein and members of the Advocacy Committee attended the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women’s (MLAW) Fall Legislative Conference, “Thinking Globally, Acting Locally…What Rights are at Stake at the Federal Level and What Maryland Can do to Protect Them” at Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore. State legislators and advocacy groups presented legislative proposals for consideration by MLAW for inclusion in its 2019 legislative agenda. Fifteen bills were presented, including the “Adoption and Parentage Equity Act” that was presented by WDC President Fran Rothstein. MLAW members will have an opportunity to vote on these legislative proposals. MLAW members will prioritize those legislative proposals, and MLAW will select the top five or six to comprise the organization’s 2019 Legislative Agenda.

Click here to join MLAW.

HELP STILL WANTED – WDC ADVOCACY COMMITTEE!!

Are you interested in getting more involved with our WDC Advocacy efforts? Do you have some time to research and take the lead on specific legislation? Our Committee has a number of vacancies. Our advocacy work is limited by the number of our members. Please Contact Advocacy Committee Chair Ginger Macomber at ginger.macomber@gmail.com if you are interested in helping with any of the following:

  • Aging Issues Committee Chair

  • Affordable Housing Issues Committee Co-chair and Committee Members

  • Criminal Justice and Public Safety Issues Committee Members

  • Working Families Issues Committee Members