FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Jared Schablein
443-669-4444
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.
###