In the News
Tips to beat the rising temperatures – and your rising electric bill
The cost of keeping the lights on is rising – and this week’s extreme heat will make that affordability crisis even worse. According to a survey we conducted this winter of over 550 Marylanders, 75% said their utility bill increased in the last year. Nearly 20% said their bills increased by over $250. As temperatures skyrocket and households struggle to stay cool, July utility bills may break as many records as the heat index. Read on for tips to stay cool – and ways you can join the fight to reduce surging energy prices. Know How to Stay Cool Fans, ...
Join Us in October! Uplifting Progress and Renewing the Fight for Economic Justice!
Economic Action Maryland Fund turns 25 this year. And our work - directly supporting economic justice for older adults and renters, while advancing systemic policy reform - is needed now more than ever. Join us for our 25th Anniversary Gala and Annual Awards Celebration to celebrate 25 years of progress - and renew our commitment to the fight ahead. We will honor our economic champions, enjoy good food and drinks, and come together in solidarity to build a more economically just Maryland. Get more information, and purchase tickets or sign up to sponsor here. You can find out more information ...
Maryland’s Property Tax Credit Season is Open!
Good news! Maryland residents may be eligible for a Homeowners’ or Renters’ Tax Credit that can provide significant financial relief. Here’s a quick overview of the two programs: Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Application Available to Maryland homeowners of all ages. Under Maryland law, you may be eligible for a substantial credit on the property tax bill issued for your home, based on your gross household income. The credit is calculated solely on total household income — including wages, Social Security, pensions, Railroad Retirement, Veterans’ benefits, and other sources, even if they are nontaxable. If the actual property taxes on your ...
2026 Maryland Consumer Protections Legislative Review
The sky was overcast and gloomy which mirrored the feelings of many economic justice advocates yesterday on Sine Die, the last day of Maryland’s 90 day legislative session. In January, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk opened the legislative session promising to focus on affordability. Affordability is top of mind for most Marylanders. Our survey of more than 500 Marylanders as well as our tenant and older adult clients, found that 80% said that increase in cost of living has had an impact on their lives with more than 50% cutting back on spending, and nearly 28% ...
Hold Maryland Hospitals Accountable!
With only a few days until the end of the 2026 legislative session, the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) is pushing forward Senate Bill 890 that would provide a two-year moratorium and pause collection of $25 million in back taxes that hospitals owe. It would also pause requirements that the hospitals pay taxes going forward. Although all Maryland hospitals are nonprofit, it has come to light that 16 nonprofit Maryland hospitals created for-profit insurance subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands. Under Maryland law, the insurance subsidiaries must pay a 3% premium receipt tax on the gross premiums charged for the insurance. These ...
Post Crossover Priorities 2026
End Unfair Debt Practices SB 939/HB1098: Increase the amount of a homeowner’s equity protected from debt collectors. Each passed their chamber of origin and need to be amended to reflect the stronger, Senate amendments before final passage. SB865: Workgroup on the Affordability of Private Passenger Automobile Insurance – Extension and Alteration of Membership and Duties. Passed the Senate, waiting on action in the House. Keep People Housed SB353/HB523: Provide clarity to homeowners facing foreclosure and end zombie mortgage foreclosures. Passed the House, waiting on action in the Senate. SB180/HB213: Expand ability for fair housing organizations to root out discrimination. Passed ...
Save the Date! Our 25th Anniversary Gala is Coming Up!
Join us for an evening celebrating 25 years of progress for economic justice - and coming together for the fight ahead! October 15, 2026 Baltimore Museum of Industry 1415 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230
Tenant Guide: Updated for 2026!
Our popular Tenant Guide has been updated for 2026, and now includes information for victims of domestic violence, the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, and information on Maryland's new mold law. You'll find lots of tips and tricks for finding a rental property, navigating the lease and regulations, how to investigate the landlord, and more. Go here to download any of our landlord-tenant or Fair Housing publications and fact sheets, including our updated Tenant Guide and our Guide to Fair Housing for Maryland Landlords.
Act Now! Protect Debtors, Homeowners, and Tenants This Legislative Session!
Monday, March 23 is crossover day for Maryland’s General Assembly. This means that legislation needs to pass out of one chamber and cross to the opposite chamber by midnight on that date to have a good chance of passing this legislative session. Almost all of the bill hearings are done, so the next few days are crucial. Advocates are racing to ensure priority legislation makes it onto committee voting lists, moves out of committee, and passes on the House or Senate floor. All the while, monied interests are working hard to ensure bills die in committee, are weakened to the ...
Take Action — Let’s Stop Coerced Debt in Maryland!
One form of control that an abuser exerts over a victim is financial abuse. Many individuals who exert control - whether emotional, psychological, or physical abuse - also control their victims' finances. This financial abuse can take many forms including incurring coerced or fraudulent debt in a survivor’s name. Financial abuse is the main reason why many people are too afraid to leave a domestic abuse situation.HB1198 establishes a process for survivors to state that a debt is coerced and allows debt collectors to consider dropping the court case and to possibly pursue the abuser for the coerced debt instead. ...