FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media Contact: 

Tyler Jones Sr. 

443-783-1362

[email protected]

lowershoreprogressives.com 

 Lower Shore Progressive Caucus leads local coalition in Support of HB0329 Commission on Universal Healthcare

Coalition calls on Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes and Health & Government Operations to support this vital bill

Fruitland, MD March 14, 2023 -- The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is proud to support 

HB0329, a bill that establishes a Commission on Universal Health Care in Maryland. The bill, sponsored by Delegate Sheila Ruth, aims to create a comprehensive plan to provide quality, affordable health care coverage to all Marylanders.

As an organization committed to advocating for policies that improve the lives of all people, the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus believes that quality health care is a fundamental right that should be available to everyone. The Caucus recognizes that the current health care system in Maryland leaves many individuals and families without adequate coverage and financial protection.

"We believe that healthcare is a basic human right, and it is unacceptable that so many Marylanders struggle to access the care they need," said Jared Schablein, Chair of the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus. "We support HB0329 because we believe that establishing a Commission on Universal Health Care is a critical step towards creating a health care system that is equitable, affordable, and accessible for all."

The LSPC led a state-wide letter campaign signed by local elected officials, community leaders, and organizations from across the State to call on local Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes and members of the Health and Government Committee to support this vital bill: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gQRJ0IlFS9PZErF_B6oR6oTiTu4M8fHkVjw1PCwvbtw/edit?usp=sharing 

The Commission created by the bill will be tasked with developing a comprehensive plan to provide universal health care coverage to Maryland residents. The plan will include recommendations for how to finance universal health care coverage and how to transition to a universal health care system. The Commission will also be responsible for conducting an analysis of the current healthcare system in Maryland and identifying areas for improvement.

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus urges all Maryland residents to contact their legislators and ask them to support HB0329. Together, we can create a health care system that works for everyone.

About Lower Shore Progressive Caucus We are an organization that fights for economic, social, and environmental justice. Our goal is to work on the local level to bring about positive change for the underserved and underprivileged. Our mission is to identify, recruit, and elect Progressive candidates, and to promote Labor and Progressive issues. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media Contact: 

Tyler Jones Sr. 

443-783-1362

[email protected]

lowershoreprogressives.com 

SALISBURY, MD January 24, 2023 -- The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is disappointed to see our Congressman Andy Harris spreading misinformation about the recent whale death on Assateague Island in an attempt to smear our region’s growing Off-Shore Wind industry.  

Despite the misleading statement by Congressman Andy Harris, there is no evidence indicating off-shore wind is responsible for the whale death. The Maryland-based company building the project, Ørsted, has openly worked with the local community by sharing  their surveying timeline. Orsted concluded their offshore surveys in Spring of 2022, & are not currently conducting offshore survey activity for Skipjack Wind. Ørsted-contracted vessels concluded surveys off the coast in the Spring of 2022 and did not experience any marine mammal strikes during their activities.
 

The offshore wind industry is subjected to some of the most stringent levels of environmental regulations  for marine mammals and protected species. Every aspect of offshore wind, from surveying to construction to operations, is reviewed by both federal and state agencies, and subject to protective conditions, including vessel speeds, seasonal restrictions for construction activities, and mandatory protected species observers. 

It is so well regulated and protected that the deputy chief for permits and conservation with National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, Benjamin Laws said, “I want to be unambiguous: There is no information supporting that any of the equipment used in support of offshore wind development could directly lead to the death of a whale.” It is clear that Congressman Harris is so concerned about the success of offshore wind, because it would have a direct detriment to the oil and gas coalitions that fund his campaigns. During the 2022 cycle alone, Congressman Harris received over $28,000 in campaign donations from various oil and gas groups. To the people of the Eastern Shore, it is very clear that Congressman Harris is more concerned with lining his pockets than providing long-lasting economic opportunity for his constituents.

LSPC Chair Jared Schablein said, “The truth is, that in no case has a whale been found to have been killed by offshore wind activity. It is time for Congressman Andy Harris and his allies to stop lying about offshore wind and support the amazing economic opportunity this industry is bringing to the Eastern Shore.  Local Progressives are committed to continuing our steadfast support for offshore wind because these projects will fight the climate crisis, establish local energy sources, and raise our area out of poverty with good paying jobs.”  

About Lower Shore Progressive Caucus We are an organization that fights for economic, social, and environmental justice. Our goal is to work on the local level to bring about positive change for the underserved and underprivileged. Our mission is to identify, recruit, and elect Progressive candidates, and to promote Labor and Progressive issues. 

Media Contact: 

Jared Schablein 

443-669-4444

[email protected]

lowershoreprogressives.com 

Pittsville, MD February 3, 2023 -- The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is proud to celebrating the six year anniversary since our founding.  

On February 3, 2017, just a few weeks after Donald Trump was elected,  Ryan Poe, Michael Feldman, Mark Chimel, and Jared Schablein met for the first time at a Wicomico County Democratic Club Meeting.  During the 2016 presidential election, all four were strong Bernie Sanders supporters and wanted to build an organization to continue the political revolution by building and growing the Progressive Movement on the Lower Eastern Shore.  The four went on to found the Wicomico Progressive Caucus to build a movement of working people and eventually the organization expanded to cover the entire Lower Eastern Shore and adopted the name the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus known today.   

Since that time the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus has grown into one of the largest political organizations on the Eastern Shore with both statewide and national recognition. 

Today the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus covers Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties and is unaffiliated with any political party. Our organization is committed to empowering working people and accomplish that goal by building a Progressive Movement both on the Shore and at a large scale. We do this by electing Progressive representatives who will pass Progressive legislation. This will create a government that represents the many, not just the powerful few, by working to solve the economic, political, social, racial, and environmental injustices we face.

Chair Jared Schablein said on the historic milestone "When we started, people laughed and said we would be lucky to last two weeks here on the Lower Shore. Since then, the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus has grown into one of the most prominent political organizations on the Eastern Shore, with both statewide and national recognition. However, our work as a movement still needs to be done, and we refuse to become complacent. We still strive every day to empower the Lower Shore’s working people by building our Progressive Movement. We do this by electing Progressive representatives who will pass Progressive legislation. This will create a government that represents the many, not just the powerful few, by working to solve the economic, political, social, racial, and environmental injustices we face."

For those interested in joining the LSPC in celebration of our founding day.  Folks can donate $6 or the amount of their choice to our PAC to build and sustain our movement at the follow link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lspc6birthday

Salisbury, MD - On Thursday afternoon, a memo was released that revealed a request from Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano to fire the county’s current special legal counsel & replace him with failed gubernatorial candidate, Dan Cox.

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is disappointed  to see our Wicomico County Executive to repay political favors at the taxpayers expense. 

Our County’s current special legal counsel, Kevin Karpinski, has a long and distinguished career practicing law for local government, and would be replaced by a failed politician who doesn’t share the same experience or record of success as Karpinski.  He does however have a track record of losing frivolous lawsuits against the state over mandates, election law, and other topics. He was also overwhelmingly rejected by Maryland voters in 2022 due to his fringe political views. 

Dan Cox is also seeking to charge Wicomico county $350 per hour for his services. Our current special legal counsel Kevin Karpinski only charges the county $250 per hour. This is a 40% increase resulting in an extreme waste of taxpayers money.

This  conflict of interest is deeply concerning to the members of the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus, & we call on County Executive Giordano to withdraw this unprofessional  request and focus on serving all of Wicomico County. Not just looking to repay political favors from 2022.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 6th 2022

[email protected]

lowershoreprogressives.com 

 Lower Shore Progressive Caucus Calls on Cambridge Commission to oppose Curfew

Ordinance 1207 would implement an ineffective and dangerous curfew criminalizing children.

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is calling on the Cambridge City Commission to oppose draft Ordinance 1207 which would criminalize children in the City of Cambridge. Drafted Ordinance 1207 would establish a youth curfew without any studies or data to show that there is a need for a youth curfew. There is no evidence that implementing a curfew would achieve any desired goals in terms of keeping our youth safe and the City Commissioners advocating for the curfew are refusing to conduct a study to prove this policy is needed. 

We have seen from curfews implemented on the Western Shore and across the state that they are ineffective and would only cause the following negative effects on our community: 

1. This ordinance would have the understaffed Cambridge police department divert resources from community policing efforts to enforce a curfew that will criminalize children rather than keep them safe or out of trouble.
2. This ordinance will put the youth of Cambridge under virtually house arrest.
3. This ordinance will increase negative interactions between Cambridge police and families including incidents where children are not in danger or doing anything wrong. 
4. This ordinance is likely to be enforced disproportionately against children of color. 
5. This ordinance is being considered without conducting necessary studies to see if a curfew would help with actually improving public safety and not violate civil rights.

We encourage the residents of Cambridge to join us in opposition to Oridence 1207 by writing the Cambridge Commission and telling them to vote oppose here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/oppose-proposed-curfew 

About Lower Shore Progressive Caucus We are an organization that fights for economic, social, and environmental justice. Our goal is to work on the local level to bring about positive change for the underserved and underprivileged. Our mission is to identify, recruit, and elect Progressive candidates, and to promote Labor and Progressive issues.

Tyler Jones

Communications Advisor

[email protected]

443-783-1362

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus calls on local delegation and General Assembly to raise Minimum Wage.

Fruitland, Maryland - 2/29/23, The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus, is urging the Eastern Shore Delegation and the Maryland General Assembly to stand with Governor Moore and pass the Fair Wage of 2023 Act to raise the minimum wage. As the economy faces two significant issues, the bill offers a solution that will benefit low-wage earners, small businesses, and the local economy.

The first issue facing our economy is that inflation is the highest it has been in over 40 years, and wages are not increasing fast enough to match the rising cost of living. This has resulted in low-wage earners on the Eastern Shore and around the state having to work two to three jobs just to stay afloat. The second issue is that small businesses are struggling to retain employees due to paying lower wages than many large businesses. This puts small businesses at a competitive disadvantage, and many are struggling to find workers due to the low salaries they offer.

The solution to these problems is the passage of this bill because when low-wage earners get a raise, they are most likely to immediately spend that money on basic necessities and goods & services in the local economy. The increased customer base combined with increased spending in the local community will be good for businesses. Data shows that raising wages will boost the economy as we recover from the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. Raising the minimum wage will circulate $2.6 billion in the Maryland economy through increased consumer spending. It will also lift 152,000 children up the economic ladder, meaning better pay earlier in life.

The Eastern Shore needs our delegation and the rest of the General Assembly to stand with Governor Moore and pass this bill. 90% of minimum wage workers are over the age of twenty, and half of the workers who will benefit from this raise are women and people of color, helping to narrow the gender and racial pay gap.

Chair of the LSPC Jared Schablein had the following to say: “Study after study has shown that when working people aren’t struggling to make it, they spend money in the local economy causing businesses to flourish. This common-sense piece of legislation will reduce poverty, grow our local economy, and fulfill the vision of the creator of the minimum wage, President Franklin Delano Roosvelt in being a livable wage.”

The Lower Shore has proudly worked on legislation to raise the Minimum Wage to $15/hr since its first passed back in 2019. As an organization we are committed to ensure every worker on the Eastern Shore makes a livable wage and can achieve a good quality of life. 

Read our testimony here

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is a political and activist organization that covers Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is unaffiliated with any political party and is committed to empowering working people. We do that by building a Progressive Movement both locally and on a larger scale to elect progressive representatives, enact progressive legislation, and by working to solve the economic, political, social, racial, and environmental injustices we face.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Tyler Jones Sr. 

443-783-1362 

[email protected]

Lower Shore Progressive Caucus (nationbuilder.com)

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus Announces 2022 Endorsements 

Lower Shore, MD March 27, 2022 -- The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus, a non-partisan​, local activist organization committed to empowering working people, is proud to announce our endorsements for the 2022 primaries election:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Tyler Jones Sr. 

443-783-1362 

[email protected]

Lower Shore Progressive Caucus (nationbuilder.com)

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus to Host Here Is Home Town Hall with Mayor Jacob Day 

The LSPC encourages the community to come learn about the Here is Home initiative

Lower Shore, March 28, 2021 -- The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is proud to announce a virtual town hall on the City of Salisbury’s Here is Home initiative with Salisbury Mayor Jacob Day. 

This town hall is the perfect introduction to the Here Is Home initiative and how the program will drastically improve the economic conditions and housing supply in the City of Salisbury. The program will include a discussion on what is in the initiative, an educational Q&A period to answer community questions, and educating the community-at-large about what the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is and what we stand for. 

Interested individuals can attend this informative town hall by watching live at the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube channels beginning Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 6:30 pm: 

Lower Shore Progressive Caucus | Facebook

Lower Shore Progressive Caucus (@LowerShoreProg) / Twitter

Lower Shore Progressive Caucus - YouTube

About the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus

The LSPC is a political and activist organization that covers Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is unaffiliated with any political party and is committed to empowering working people. We do that by building a Progressive Movement both locally and on a larger scale to elect progressive representatives, enact progressive legislation, and create a government that represents the many, not just the powerful few by working to solve the economic, political, social, racial, and environmental injustices we face. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Jared Schablein

443-669-4444

[email protected] 

https://www.lowershoreprogressives.com

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus calls on Senate President Bill Ferguson to extent Virtual Testifying indefinitely  

Virtual testifying before the Maryland State Senate empowers Eastern Shore voices and allows us to be involved

Lower Shore, April 10, 2021 -- The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus calls on Senate President Bill Ferguson to reverse course on removing the option to testify virtually on Monday, February 14th. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the General Assembly to implement new technologies to improve access to the legislative process. The most important of these innovations was virtually testimony via zoom. This virtual option allowed residents across Maryland to get involved in the legislative process and share their voice with lawmakers, no matter how far away from Annapolis they live. As a result, never before has the process been more inclusive and accessible for rural and other disenfranchised communities to have their voices heard.  

LSPC Chairman Jared Schablein said, “ Since taking over as Senate President, Senator Ferguson has always been fair and helpful to the Shore. That is why he must consider this decision with our experience in mind. Living on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, we are two and half hours away from the General Assembly building, which means our residents must drive a minimum of five hours to go to Annapolis and back. Since most of the hearings happen during work hours, making in-person testimony possible for many residents on the Lower Shore is problematic. We need these virtual hearings to become permanent to ensure our voice in Annapolis is heard on important issues that affect us everyday.  

About the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus

The LSPC is a political and activist organization that covers Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is unaffiliated with any political party and is committed to empowering working people. We do that by building a Progressive Movement both locally and on a larger scale to elect progressive representatives, enact progressive legislation, and create a government that represents the many, not just the powerful few by working to solve the economic, political, social, racial, and environmental injustices we face. 

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The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus 2020 Endorsements

SALISBURY, MD September 16, 2019 --  The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus, a non-partisan, local activist organization committed to empowering working people, is proud to announce our endorsements for the 2019 local elections. We believe in the right for all individuals to obtain economic security and support systems and infrastructure that uphold economic, racial, and gender equity; not systems that only provide exorbitant profits for a few. Our endorsements reflect our values as an organization and we believe our endorsed candidates will fight for the citizens in our community and will uphold our goals within in their elected positions.

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is pleased to endorse the following candidates: