UFCW Local 400 Endorses Braveboy for Maryland Attorney General

The 35,000 working men and women of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 proudly endorse Delegate Aisha Braveboy in the 2014 Democratic primary election for Maryland Attorney General. Our endorsement recognizes Aisha’s tireless leadership to raise the minimum wage and advocacy on behalf of working families. We have endorsed Delegate Braveboy because she is a strong and effective leader with an exemplary 8-year record of fighting for Maryland workers, consumers and taxpayers.  Among other workers, UFCW Local 400 represents employees at Giant, Safeway and Shoppers grocery stores in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. region. READ MORE.

Washington, D.C. Building Trades Unions Endorse Braveboy for Maryland Attorney General

Camp Springs, MD. April 16, 2014.  The 15 affiliate unions of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council are pleased to announce our support for Delegate Aisha Braveboy in the June 24, 2014 Democratic primary election for Maryland Attorney General.  Aisha has been a loyal friend to construction industry workers throughout her eight years in the Maryland House of Delegates.  She has consistently stood with us in the legislature and now we are standing with her in the race for Attorney General.

“Aisha has been a reliable fighter for Maryland workers,” said Mark Coles, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council.  “She has been a leader on issue after issue that affects the economic livelihood of Maryland workers.  Whether strengthening prevailing wage laws, raising the minimum wage or improving workplace safety, Aisha is someone we can always count on to do the right thing for working families,” said Coles. 

“I am grateful to receive the endorsement of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council,” said Delegate Aisha Braveboy.  “As Attorney General, I will continue the fight to protect workers’ rights.”

The Building and Construction Trades Council will make the election of Aisha Braveboy a top priority.  We will provide financial support, communicate our support for Aisha to union members and their households and get out the vote for her in the June primary election.    

Contact: Mark Coles, Executive Secretary Treasurer

(301) 899-8134

Legislative Recap - Part 1

Delegate Aisha Braveboy had a very productive legislative session where bills she sponsored or cosponsored passed both houses of the Maryland General Assembly and was sent to the governor for signature.  All of the legislation spearheaded by Delegate Braveboy was designed to improve the economic security of working families and to promote Justice for All Marylanders.  Below is a brief summary of some of the major legislation advocated by Delegate Braveboy that is set to become law:

Raising the Minimum Wage

After being the chief sponsor of legislation to raise the minimum wage on three prior occasions, the Maryland General Assembly has finally voted to raise the state minimum wage to $10.10 by July 2018.  The bill that ultimately passed the General Assembly contained several major provisions that were initially introduced by Delegate Braveboy.  Aisha has been a tireless advocate for raising the minimum wage for the past four years because she believes that raising the minimum wage is the single most effective way to lift thousands of Maryland families out of poverty. This law will especially benefit women and families because women comprise approximately 2/3 of minimum wage workers. 

Marijuana Decriminalization

Based on the strong leadership of Delegate Braveboy, Delegate Keiffer Mitchell and other members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC), legislation to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana passed both houses of the legislature.  This legislation is important to address racial disparities related to the current law.  Even though white and black Marylanders use marijuana at the same rate, studies have shown that black Marylanders are three times more likely to be arrested and face incarceration for marijuana possession.  The marijuana decriminalization law will promote drug rehabilitation instead of mass incarceration for individuals caught with possessing less than 10 grams of marijuana. 

Public Safety Diversity Act

The Public Safety Diversity Act of 2014 passed both houses of the legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature.  Delegate Braveboy sponsored the bill to increase diversity among the Maryland State Police.  In recent years, Maryland has lost 37% of its African-American state troopers.  Of the 1,453 officers employed by the Maryland State Police, only 198 are black and 29 are Hispanic.  This law will require the State Police, when it advertises for or recruits new employees, to include advertising that is targeted toward individuals from underrepresented communities. This bill was a top priority for the MLBC because it will facilitate increased diversity and cultural sensitivity among the ranks of the State Police.

These are a few of the many legislative victories that Delegate Braveboy delivered during the session.  We will follow up with future posts about some of her other legislative accomplishments.

Anthony Jones, Policy Director

Braveboy for Attorney General

Prince George's Firefighters Endorse Braveboy for AG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Prince George’s County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics

Endorse Aisha Braveboy for Attorney General

Endorsement recognizes advocacy on behalf of public safety professionals

Bowie, MD.  April 10, 2014.  Today, the Prince George’s County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1619 announced our strong support for Aisha Braveboy in the race for Maryland Attorney General.  Throughout her eight years in the House of Delegates, Aisha has been a strong and consistent advocate for workers that put their lives on the line to protect the public.  “Aisha earned the endorsement of Local 1619 because of her excellent record of steadfast support for public safety professionals throughout Maryland,” said IAFF Local 1619 President Andrew K. Pantelis.

“We are supporting Aisha in the race because of her leadership on issues that affect the economic security of working families.  We especially appreciate the fact that Aisha sponsored legislation that would allow fire fighters and paramedics that contract job-related illnesses to receive enhanced workers’ compensation benefits,” said President Pantelis.

“I am honored and grateful to receive the endorsement of IAFF Local 1619,” said Delegate Aisha Braveboy, “Improving public safety will be a top priority for me as Maryland’s next Attorney General.”

IAFF Local 1619 represents approximately 1,500 professional fire fighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics at Prince George’s County fire and EMT stations.  The members of Local 1619 respond to over 100,000 emergency calls per year, protecting roughly 500 square miles and serving more than 850,000 citizens.

Local 1619 will communicate its enthusiastic support for Aisha Braveboy to its members and will provide support to her campaign.

Contact: Andrew Pantelis, President 

Phone: (301) 805-5300

Email: akpantelis@gmail.com

Marijuana Decriminalization

Based on the strong leadership of members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana passed the House of Delegates.  Similar legislation passed the Maryland Senate and will be sent to Governor O'Malley for signature.  Passage of this legislation is important to address racial disparities associated with enforcement of the current law.  Even though white and black Marylanders use marijuana at the same rate, studies have shown that black Marylanders are three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession.  The legislation which passed both houses of the Maryland legislature will promote drug rehabilitation instead of mass incarceration for individuals caught with possessing less than 10 grams of marijuana.  Individuals charged for possessing small amounts of marijuana will be subject to a fine of $100 for the first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for any subsequent offenses.  The legislation passed by the House mandates evaluation for drug treatment for first time offenders under the age of 21 and for those older than 21 upon a third offense.  The lives and futures of our young people should not be destroyed for petty marijuana possession.  I urge you to email and call Governor O'Malley and ask him to sign this important legislation.  READ MORE.