Statement on Pugh Scandal

As you have probably heard, Mayor Pugh is on a temporary leave of absence as she recovers from pneumonia and deals with the state investigation into her Healthy Holly book deals with UMMS.  Just this week, the the Baltimore City Council and the Maryland State Delegation have called on her to resign.   This is the latest example of the revolving door policy between wealthy institutions and powerful Democrats.  While Kaiser Permanente purchased $100,000 of Mayor Pugh’s books and later received a $48 million contract to provide City employees with health insurance, poor Baltimoreans continue to pay ever increasing costs for medical care.   Continue reading

What We Need in the New Baltimore Health Commissioner

The selection of a Baltimore City Health Commissioner is an opportunity to prioritize public health to meet the urgent needs of Baltimore residents in collaboration with residents. Disparities in health outcomes, life expectancies and access to necessary services exist in Baltimore despite being home to major medical institutions. Priorities and programs that have been initiated in the city to address health concerns are often determined without participation by residents or those who are being served. We describe key areas of concern and solutions to address them below.   During the process of choosing a new health commissioner, we request the mayor to hold town halls with candidates in different parts of the city to hear from residents about their healthcare needs. Candidates for commissioner should explain how they would improve public health and time should be provided for candidates to respond to questions from the audience. Continue reading

Civil Rights Leader Marvin "Doc" Cheatham on Why He Joined the Green Party

Dr. Marvin "Doc" Cheatham, former President of the Baltimore NAACP, discussed why he became a member of the Maryland Green Party's local Baltimore City chapter. Continue reading

2018 Candidates

The Baltimore City Green Party is running five candidates for the House of Delegates, our largest class of delegates candidates ever. We are also running a candidate for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, as well as for U.S. House of Representatives, 2nd District, which includes parts of East and South Baltimore. Continue reading

BGP Statement on Medicare for All, State-Level Reforms

The Baltimore City Green Party believes that healthcare is a human right. We have a strong record of fighting for equitable, affordable healthcare—challenging the corrupt two-party system that has consistently prioritized the financial interests of insurance companies and HMOs over the basic needs of the people. BGP members and candidates have been—and will remain—at the forefront of the struggle for an improved, national Medicare-for-all system. At the state level, we will continue to advocate for progressive reforms in Annapolis that will bring greater access to high-quality healthcare—including mental, dental, and vision care—to all Maryland residents. Dr. Margaret Flowers, Medicare for All activist Continue reading

BGP Joins Hollaback! Baltimore's Safer Spaces Campaign

We at the Baltimore City Green Party are excited to announce that we have signed the Hollaback! Baltimore Safer Space Pledge. We share their vision: a world where street harassment is not tolerated and where we all enjoy equal access to public spaces. Continue reading

Baltimore Green Party Urges Immediate Steps Towards GREEN Transformation of BCPSS Facilitiies

The well-being and safety of our children is the priority #1. The social and economic future of Baltimore City depends on a high-quality, well-run education system. It is unacceptable that Baltimore City Public School facilities cannot maintain adequate and safe temperatures during the school day. Our children deserve world-class education in high-quality facilities. Continue reading

BGP to Push Tuition-Free Higher Ed, Equity in Annapolis

  Baltimore, MD- The Baltimore City Green Party (BGP) will push a bill for a tuition-free University System of Maryland (USM) and community college (CC) network in the upcoming 2018 Maryland General Assembly (MGA) Session. The bill, the Maryland Higher Education Equity Act (MHEEA), prioritizes access to undergraduate and graduate degrees, which result in higher life-time earning, for groups traditionally marginalized by and in the State, while proposing a tuition-free undergraduate education for all graduates of Maryland high schools. Continue reading

Baltimore City Green Party Puts Forward Vision for Education Equity in Maryland

Baltimore, MD- The Baltimore City Green Party will release a bold vision for achieving equity in higher education. The Maryland Higher Education Equity Act (MHEEA), will be one of the Party’s top objectives in the coming 2018 Maryland General Assembly session. “This will be an important bill that seeks to achieve educational, racial, gender, immigrant, and environmental justice through a set of ten deep reforms of the University System of Maryland and the state’s network of community colleges,” said Joshua Harris, who is exploring a run for the Maryland House of Delegates in the 40th District as a Green. “Let’s build a bright future for our City and our state by centering equity in higher education,” he added. The bill would enable tuition-free undergraduate education at all University System of Maryland (USM) institution and Maryland community college for any graduate of a high school in the state. Additionally, room, board, books, and graduate school tuition would be free for descendants of Maryland’s enslaved and indigenous peoples. “I am looking forward to seeing (Black) community leaders and public figures supporting [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] (HBCUs) in Maryland. The MHEEA bill is not only a chance to do so, but an opportunity to show unwavering support for ALL students enrolled in college across the state,” said Brandon Walker, a Coppin State University Urban Studies student and Ujima People’s Progress Party activist, in a written statement. In addition to tuition-related provisions, MHEEA addresses serious shortcomings in how Maryland’s public colleges and universities interact with African Americans, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, women, the environment, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities within the USM. MHEEA would make Maryland a national leader in sexual violence prevention by mandating a 1 credit class on the topic for all freshman, increasing funding for Title IX enforcement, and creating an independent state-level monitor to ensure schools' proactive compliance with federal and state law. MHEEA would codify Judge Blake’s ruling ending the duplication of successful HBCU programs at Historically White Colleges and Universities within the USM. MHEEA would make all USM and community colleges Immigration and Customs Enforcement non-compliant sanctuary campuses, allowing all students to learn free from the fear of deportation. MHEEA would mandate all USM and community college presidents submit five and ten year plans for reaching specific sustainability goals. The bill would be paid for with a Peace, Equity, and Green tax on military contractors, household incomes over $250,000, and major polluters. These industry and tax bracket groups, which have received numerous federal, state, and municipal tax cuts in recent years, would be asked to pay their fair share to achieve a more highly educated, less indebted, more efficient, innovative, and productive workforce in Maryland, making the state an international destination for startups and businesses. By pursuing equity in higher education, MHEEA aims to build community wealth across the state.

Help Us Put Solar Panels On Baltimore Public Schools

Consider it …. a city-wide public works project to install solar panels on all available rooftop space on BCPSS school buildings.   It will produce much-needed clean energy, reduce electricity expenses for the school system, create “green” jobs in the Baltimore metropolitan area, and increase demand for solar manufacturing. Baltimore could be recognized, worldwide, as a leader in clean energy technology. This will lead to more investment in clean technologies, and will open up exciting possibilities for our youth.   Investments in solar provide schools with a number of benefits. Solar presents teachers with a number of educational opportunities in STEM subjects. How wonderful for our students to be able to learn about clean energy technology, and get direct experience with it. We may be setting them up to become leaders in these emerging industries. In addition, solar provides facilities managers with a long-term hedge against increases in utility rates. District administrators will recognize the ability of solar power to deliver cost-savings to the district.   Baltimore Greens are working with experts to develop this proposal and drive it forward.   It's FEASIBLE and it's SENSIBLE, and it aligns well with our core values and our commitment to racial, economic and environmental justice.   Be a part of it! WE need Green Party members, locally and nationally, to join this initiative. Come to the TABLE with your expertise, your connections to the environmental/clean technology movement, and your passion for positive change. Discussions and planning/strategy meetings are ongoing.   SIGN UP HERE to get notices for our next livestream event, meeting or phone conference.