Social Justice

AIM & Universal Pre-K Update

Thanks to those who attended AIM’s Budget Hearing Action at the April 8 County Council meeting. We showed up to ask the Montgomery County Council to prioritize the following items in this year’s budget:
•    Pre-K expansion
•    Linkages to Learning at Burnt Mills Elementary
•    Funding parent engagement at Excel Beyond the Bell schools
•    Increasing the Housing Initiative Fund to preserve affordable housing
•    Funding HHS’ mobile dental clinic, and
•    Community/recreation center in Montgomery Village.

Visit here for the latest information about AIM’s PreK campaign.

AIM & Statewide Climate Update

After several months of organizing, we achieved 3 major victories in the Maryland state legislature this year!

The state legislature passed these 3 bills which we have been supporting:

1.    EmPOWER Reform (HB864)
This bill will make sure that most of the $350 million per year EmPOWER fund goes towards helping households and low-income apartment buildings make energy efficiency and electrification upgrades. It will help protect our families’ health and the climate by reducing indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

2.    Housing Expansion & Affordability Act (HB538)
This bill will allow and incentivize the construction of affordable housing within 0.75 miles of transit stations, on state land, and on all land owned by congregations or nonprofits.

3.    Renters’ Rights & Housing Stabilization Act (HB693)
This bill will raise the fee for landlords to file an eviction, which will provide renters some protection from being evicted for minor causes like overdue rent. This bill was amended to allow landlords to deduct the fee from the renters’ security deposit, but renters will not have to directly pay the fee. The revenue gained from the fee will go towards the rental voucher program and legal aid for tenants. The bill will also limit landlords from charging more than one month’s rent as a security deposit when they move into a new home.

The fourth bill we supported, Good Cause (formerly “Just Cause) Eviction, did not pass, but it made it further than it ever has before, and we can consider working on it again next year. 

Governor Moore is expected to sign the 3 bills into law in the next few weeks. If you would like to come to one of the bill signing events, please contact Cynthia. 

Please join us to celebrate, evaluate and talk about next steps as a statewide collective: 

Statewide Action Team Meeting 
Thursday, May 9
7:00-8:30 PM on Zoom
To register, email katiew@actioninmontgomery.org.

JUFJ MOCO MEETINGS

Get Involved with Local Issues
What local issues are important to you? Join one of JUFJ’s Montgomery County team meetings to learn more about current advocacy efforts. All are welcome! You can find information about upcoming meetings here.

JOIN US

Be sure you never miss a social justice opportunity with B’nai Israel! Join the email group, and receive notices about all upcoming events right in your mailbox. Click here to add your name and email.

Questions about AIM? Contact Mona Levine.

Questions about JUFJ ? Contact Deedee Jacobsohn.

Questions about SEA Change and other ways to get involved? Contact Marla Schulman.