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Maryland's legislators rarely hear the voices of the poor above the clamor of better financed, better organized business interests and lobbyists. The Public Justice Center seeks to bring a voice to those who have none. Legislative and policy advocacy is one of the Public Justice Center's key strategies in producing systemic change for the disenfranchised.
Our legislative strategy focuses on combining the presence of a full-time lobbyist in Annapolis with the expertise of the attorneys in the PJC offices. While our lobbyist meets with coalition partners and coordinates our advocacy, the PJC staff conducts research, drafts bills, and prepares oral hearing testimony. We have had success both in passing and preventing the passage of key legislation. We usually work in coalition with partners such as Medicaid Matters!Maryland, the Rental Housing Coalition, Advocates for Children and Youth, the Maryland Alliance for the Poor, and the ACLU.
Join our growing list of supporters by contributing to PJC's efforts, or join our mailing list to stay in touch with our legislative and policy advocacy.
Giving a Legislative Voice
to Those Who Are Not Heard
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Public Justice Center Releases 2010 Legislative Session Report
As legal advocates for people living in poverty, it is not enough that we simply work within the existing framework of law and procedure. When we encounter unjust laws, laws that do not give Maryland’s poor and working families equal access to justice, or laws that try to further erode what rights they do have, we must talk to the lawmakers. The Public Justice Center commands the legislative ear by organizing constituents and allies to testify in Annapolis, by researching and drafting legislation, and by door to door lobbying. We work actively with other advocates and within several formal coalitions. This year, we were assisted by Public Policy Partners, our lobbyists on the ground in Annapolis. And most importantly, we bring our clients down to Annapolis to testify so that legislators see the real people who their decisions affect.
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