AFT-Maryland Political Coordinator Todd Reynolds briefed the Political Committee on all of the upcoming political news and information at their March meeting. Much of the meeting was spent discussing the Metro-Baltimore AFL-CIO endorsement process and what candidates were endorsed or considered for endorsement by the AFL-CIO.
With a little over three weeks left in the legislative session, and the looming challenges of interpersonal interaction posed by the discovery of more COVID-19 cases, the AFT-Maryland March Legislative Committee meeting took on a heightened sense of importance. Several AFT-Maryland locals including BTU, BCFPE, CUB, and BCFPHN were represented.
The union’s legislative arm is strongest when members are the advocates lobbying for themselves. Legislators listen with a closer ear and a more compassionate heart when public employees share their experiences from their worksites.
By emergency proclamation of the Governor, the 2020 Presidential Primary Election has been postponed to June 2, 2020. This election will be primarily a “vote by mail” election. This means that ballots will automatically be mailed to all eligible voters. You should receive your ballot in early to mid May.
Implementing the Kirwan Commission recommendations is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to make significant changes to the way Maryland students are educated. These changes will have particular effects on Baltimore City Public School students as well as students from Prince George’s county.
While many members enjoyed the Presidents Day holiday with a day off of work, AFT-Maryland was in Annapolis for a marathon Kirwan Commission hearing. The joint session included the House Ways and Means Committee and Appropriations Committee as well as the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and Education, Health and Environmental Affair Committee.
AFT-Maryland is a proud member of the Fair Funding Coalition (FFC). This coalition is a collection of organizations that seek to ensure that Maryland public schools are fairly funded for every student throughout the state. The coalition is a cross section of justice organizations, advocacy groups, labor unions, and more.
The state federation represents correctional officers in Baltimore County through the Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees (BCFPE) and has been working with legislators to pass the Hometown Heroes act. This act would lower the age from 55 to 50 for a tax break for certain retired public safety professionals.
A hot topic among many working professionals is student loan debt. This is also true for members of the unions of AFT-Maryland. We know how pressing an issue student loan debt is because of the huge response to the student loan debt clinics that the state federation has provided to members. In Annapolis, AFT-Maryland is supporting legislation sponsored by Sen.
AFT-Maryland continues to work to ensure that our members and the students they serve have the opportunity to work and learn in a safe and healthy environment. This session, AFT-Maryland has been supporting our members of BTU and CUB by working with state Sen. Cory McCray to pass the Safe Schools Drinking Water Act.