MD PPC's Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2024

The MD PPC has selected its top five legislative priorities for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly and Local/Statewide Initiatives.

Please use #poorpeoplescampaign and the suggested hashtags below when you post in support of these priorities on social media. Follow & tag us at the various social media platforms listed at mdppc.org/links.

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1. Establish Quality, Affordable, Stable Housing for All

Fund Emergency Rental Assistance, Eviction Prevention, & Rent Stabilization.

Rents are skyrocketing. The average family of four needs $64,642 to afford a 2-bedroom rental (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2021). Housing is a human right! Guarantee stable housing and eviction prevention measures. #HousingIsAHumanRight #EverybodysGotARightToHaveADecentAffordablePlaceToLive

2. End Maryland Child Poverty

Raise the income eligibility level for the Maryland Extended Child Tax Credit (ECTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): These tax credits help all low-wealth children and working people.

The Federal ECTC successfully raised 45% of children out of poverty. Congress allowed the ECTC and the EITC to expire. Only a dysfunctional federal government would rip that away. The Maryland General Assembly passed an extended child tax credit in 2023. It does not provide any assistance for many low-wealth Maryland children and working adults. Children and others need a fair tax credit now. Restore the safety net for Maryland children. #EndChildPovertyMD #ChildTaxCredit

3. Fund HealthCare for EVERY Person

Stop unraveling the Medicaid benefits in Maryland.

Over 100,000 Marylanders have already been purged from the Medicaid system, 65% for spurious bureaucratic reasons. The state must restore automatic enrollment. Maryland‘s current eligibility ceiling should be raised so every person who needs Medicaid can get it. #HealthcareForAll #Medicaid

4. Set a Living Wage in Maryland

Raise the Maryland minimum hourly wage to $20, including an annual cost-of-living adjustment.

A single adult in Maryland must earn $19.61 per hour to cover basic living expenses. The Economic Policy Institute estimates a Baltimore family of four needs $78,021 per year to secure a modest standard of living. Raise the hourly wage now. #LivingWageNOW

5. Ensure Food Security for EVERY Person

Fully fund essential food programs.

Congress has cut food benefits in critical programs like SNAP and WIC. Feeding America Maryland reports 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 5 children face hunger. Maryland needs nearly $4 million more per year to meet the food needs of people. No one in Maryland should fear hunger. Abolish food insecurity now. #FoodSecurity #EndFoodInsecurity #AbolishFoodInsecurity