Policy and Legislative Advocacy

We work across Maryland — and at the local, state, and federal levels — to bring people and organizations together to challenge the financial systems that let powerful corporations profit while people of every age, all across the state, are pushed into cycles of hardship.

We confront the laws, regulations, debt-collection practices, and housing systems that stack the deck against Marylanders, because we believe power should be in people’s hands, not concentrated among a wealthy few.

Together, we uncover systemic issues in our financial system and work to create policies that don’t just put bandaids on problems, but heal the system for good.

2026 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% having trouble affording basic necessities.

Unfortunately, for Marylanders struggling to make ends meet, there was little meaningful action on pocketbook issues this legislative session. Legislators made incremental progress on housing, energy, and consumer protection issues at a time that called for monumental changes to make housing and credit more affordable, limit evictions, and reduce energy bills.

The 2026 legislative session is over, but the fight to advance consumer protections continues!

You can read our 2026 Legislative Review here.