Spring Into Action
Multiple Ways to Build Power
A Note from Our Executive Director
Dear Friends and Changemakers,
Spring is here and so is a season of action. This month, as communities across Maryland feel
the real-world consequences of decisions made by appointed boards and elected officials, we
are reminded of something fundamental: power belongs to the people. But only when we show
up to claim it.
From unnecessary wars to runaway utility bills to landmark elections, the choices being made
right now will shape Maryland for years to come. That is why we are spotlighting the tools and
opportunities available to you: serving on boards and commissions, eliminating big donors’
stranglehold on elections, and training the next generation of leaders. There is something here
for everyone ready to step up.
Read on, get informed, and then take action.
In solidarity,
Charly Carter
Executive Director, Step Up Maryland
Who Decides Your Utility Bill?
Marylanders are still feeling the aftermath of a brutal winter, and the sticker shock at the
thermostat may not stop anytime soon. Energy costs — both supply and delivery — are at
historic highs, and with an ongoing conflict in the Middle East putting pressure on global energy
markets, relief is not on the horizon without legislative and political action.
Here is a key fact that too few Marylanders know: the body that authorizes utility rate increases
is not elected. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) is an appointed regulatory body
that oversees utility company rates across the state. In 2024 and 2025, the PSC approved
significant increases in both electricity and gas supply rates, as well as energy delivery rates —
hitting households with a double blow.
Relief is on the way, the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) passed a sweeping bill designed to
give consumers up to $150 in rebates on gas and electric expenses. It also prohibits the utilities
from asking for additional multiyear rate increases in advance. Utility costs under these rate
plans have risen by 40% over costs before 2020.
There is more to be done on this issue:
● Read your utility bills to understand how much you are spending on supply vs. how
much you spend on energy delivery.
● Contact local elected leaders -ask their plans to lower energy costs this year
● Tune in to a Public Service Commission meeting. Make your voice heard
Boards & Commissions Spotlight: Spring Is Application Season
Now that you know an appointed board controls your utility rates, here’s the next logical
question: who sits on that board — and could it be someone like you?
Across Maryland, spring is the prime season for local boards and commissions to open
applications. These are the appointed bodies that make consequential decisions about land
use, housing, public health, transportation, environmental policy, education, and yes — utility
rates. They are not elected, which means most residents never think about them. But they
shape everyday life in profound ways.
How to Apply
● Visit your county or city’s official website and search for “Boards and Commissions.”
Most jurisdictions maintain a public directory.
● Review the list of current vacancies and identify boards that align with your expertise,
lived experience, or passion.
● Submit your application — most require a brief biography, a letter of interest, and
sometimes a short interview with the appointing official (often your county executive or a
council member).
● Tell your network. Applications are stronger when community members advocate for
candidates they trust.
How to Vet Candidates for Appointed Positions
When your elected officials are appointing people to boards, you have a right to weigh in. Here’s
how to evaluate candidates:
● Look for ties to special interests — does the candidate have financial or professional
relationships with the industry the board regulates?
● Check their public record — have they spoken at community meetings, submitted public
comments, or taken public positions on relevant issues?
● Ask your elected officials directly — call or email your council member or county
executive to ask why a specific person was chosen and whether community input was
considered.
Public Financing 101: How Small-Donor Programs Work in Maryland
Utility rates are just one example of how big money can dominate politics. But Maryland is
one of the states working to change that — and the 2026 election cycle is the most expansive
yet for public campaign financing in the state’s history.
What Is a Small-Donor Matching Program?
Small-donor matching programs allow candidates who opt in to receive public funds that
multiply the impact of small contributions from everyday residents. For example, a $50 donation
from a constituent might be matched several times over with public dollars — making grassroots
fundraising competitive with big-money donors.
To qualify, candidates must first demonstrate community support by collecting a minimum
number of small donations from residents in their jurisdiction. This ensures public funds go to
candidates who have genuine local backing — not just wealthy networks.
Where Is It Available in Maryland?
Public campaign financing programs are now active in six jurisdictions for the 2026 cycle:
● Montgomery County — Maryland’s pioneer, first implemented in 2018
● Howard County — active since 2022
● Baltimore City — launched in 2024
● Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, and Baltimore County — all launching for
the first time in the 2026 cycle
At the state level, Maryland also has the Fair Campaign Financing Fund (FCFF) for
gubernatorial candidates. By 2026, more than half of Maryland’s registered voters will live in a
jurisdiction with a fully implemented public financing program.
Why this matters: If you live in one of these jurisdictions and want to support a candidate who
is running with public financing, your small donation goes further than ever. Look for candidates
who have opted into their county’s program — they are running on your power, not big-donor
power.
Take Action: Three Opportunities to Step Up
Apply for the 2026 Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI)
Are you a community activist or grassroots leader ready to take your advocacy to the next
level? The BCLI is a six-month fellowship that prepares people like you to serve effectively on
public boards and commissions. Fellows meet twice a month to build skills in power analysis,
peer-to-peer relationship building, and navigating the culture and language of appointed bodies.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
Apply and learn more at stepupmd.org/bcli
Apply for the New Leader Boot Camp© (NLBC)
Are you a first-time candidate or newly elected official? We are proud to announce the return of
the New Leader Boot Camp©, a six-month training program designed to give first-time elected
officials the tools and resources they need to hit the ground running as a legislator. Since 2014,
the NLBC has supported more than forty state and local leaders who are now implementing lifechanging policies across Maryland.
Whether you’re preparing to run or just won your seat, this program is built for you.
Learn more and apply at stepupmd.org/nlbc
Save the Date: Building Governing Power – August 15, 2026
In a “deep blue” state like Maryland, voting alone is not a winning strategy. We need the power
to hold elected leaders accountable and pass serious policy reforms.That’s called Governing
Power!
If you’re ready to make real change now, join us for Building Governing Power, a hands-on
program designed for activists and community members who are tired of watching big donors
and corporate interests calling the shots, while working families wait for relief.
Led by seasoned candidates and campaign professionals, you’ll learn how to engage your
neighbors; effectively mobilize authentic community support; and turn electoral wins into
governing power through sustainable, people-driven strategies.
Sessions will include:
● Understanding and mapping your civic power
● Grassroots organizing and strategies to harness collective power
● Crafting a powerful community vision through listening and turning
that vision into a powerful community driven policy agenda
● Incorporating accountability and collaboration into relationships with
elected leaders
