The Report Card • Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Welcome back to The Report Card, Strong Schools Maryland’s 2023 Session Newsletter.
Today marks the beginning of Black History Month. Please join us in celebrating Black people, Black freedom, and just general Blackness throughout February, and each and every other one of the 337 days this year.
In honor of this prestigious occasion, each week we'll be highlighting Black leadership or accomplishment in the Maryland General Assembly as part of our Legislative Minute.
⏱️ LEGISLATIVE MINUTE
The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland has released their legislative agenda for the 2023 Session of the General Assembly.
Among those priorities is Education, and the LBC name-dropped the Blueprint for Maryland's Future multiple times at the press conference announcing their agenda. You can read more about their priorities via AFRO News, and you can read about Strong Schools Maryland's Legislative Priorities here.
✅ This week, Strong Schools Maryland will be supporting Delegate Eric Ebersole's HB185, which would prohibit Corporal Punishment in childcare and in nonpublic schools. You can tune in to that hearing today at 2:00pm.
✅ We'll also be providing testimony for HB 046, Delegate Mary Lehman's bill to compel businesses to use combined reporting to ensure that corporations are paying their fair share in taxes. That hearing will be tomorrow at 1:00pm.
❌ Finally, we will be providing testimony against HB 203, Delegate Robert Long's bill which seeks to add an additional layer of reporting to in-school arrests; a layer which would violate student privacy and perpetuate stigmas. This bill is antithetical to our legislative priorities this year, among which is a commitment to a safe learning environment for all. This will be heard tomorrow at 2:30pm.
🫱🏿🫲🏻 GET INVOLVED
📅 Drop-In Opportunities
TONIGHT @ 6:30PM: Legislative Process 101 Join our training to learn everything you need to know about the legislative session and how to get your start in advocating for World Class Schools. RSVP
FEB 6 @ 10AM and 4PM: Hop on zoom with our Local Organizer, Maya, to prepare testimony for upcoming bill hearings. She'll provide guidance and talking points for Team Leaders and Team Members who want to testify in front of the General Assembly. RSVP
🥳 Upcoming Events
Monday, February 13 @ 5PM Blueprint Day 2023 Join Strong Schools Maryland and the Coalition for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future as we take over Annapolis with special guests, fun activities, and opportunities to work for World Class Schools ( RSVP on Eventbrite Facebook)
Thursday, February 2 @ 1PM AIB Special Meeting The Blueprint Accountability & Implementation Board will convene for a special meeting tomorrow at 1:00pm. (Tune in to the livestream of that meeting via Youtube).
🪧 Start or Join a Team of 10
In 2020, people like you stood up, spoke out, and passed the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
In 2023, we want you to help us make sure that Maryland keeps our promise: Sign up here to start or join a Team of 10 in your county – we're going to need all the help we can get.
🪧 Start or Join a Team of 10
In 2020, people like you stood up, spoke out, and passed the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
In 2023, we want you to help us make sure that Maryland keeps our promise: Sign up here to start or join a Team of 10 in your county – we're going to need all the help we can get.
Always keep an 👁️ on this space for more opportunities to meet us at the statehouse (and RSVP for Blueprint Day).
That's it for Week 4, join us again next Wednesday for The Report Card, and please forward this to a friend, neighbor, or co-worker who wants to get the latest on the Blueprint in their inbox. For the Future, Strong Schools Maryland