Maryland has already experienced over 50 flash flood warnings so far this year, up from 45 total last year. The extreme, rain, and dryness have been a constant reminder that this extreme weather patterns are the new norm and we need to make sure that polluters pay for the consequences of these extreme weather events AND that we can build the infrastructure we need to help our communities adapt.

That is why last year we introduced the Responding to Emergency Needs from Extreme Weather Act study bill. The vote was 100/38 in the House, a supermajority. The legislation is an important cost calculation study bill, costing $500,000, paid for by the dedicated Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF)to calculate the current and future cost of climate change to the state of Maryland. This is the necessary first step in making out of state polluters pay for the costs of climate change, something two thirds of Marylanders support.

Unfortunately, to all of our surprise, Governor Moore vetoed our RENEW Act study bill. So, for the last month, our rockstar volunteers from across the state have been reaching out and connecting with legislators, asking for them to support efforts to overturn the Governor's veto. And while we have gotten commitments from some, we still have a long ways to go to hear back from Democratic Delegates and State Senators. We need to make sure our state legislators are committed this year to override Governor Moore’s veto of the RENEW Act study bill.

Don't forget: this bill determines how much Marylanders are spending to protect themselves from the worst impacts of climate change. Knowing this important cost calculation will help us to ultimately make polluters pay to help Maryland prepare for extreme weather in the future.

We Need Your Help. Please join us for this mass meeting to learn about:

1. Our veto override strategy and which democratic legislators we are still seeking a commitment to override the veto from.

2. How you can contact your legislators to help get a response.

3. How to find events in your community that your legislators might be attending. We are trying to show up at these events to ask the questions publicly.

4. How you can organize an a meeting at your home or in your community to talk to your legislators about RENEW.

We need to secure as many supporters for overriding the veto as possible by the middle of December and many legislators need to hear from a group of constituents on this issue.

So please get involved in this fight!  Sign up now to join us October 8 at 7:00 PM!

RSVP to get Zoom details!

Co-sponsors: Progressive Maryland, Sierra Club Maryland, Nature Forward, Food and Water Watch, Third Act, and Vote 16.