• Earned Income Credit Expanded!
• Use JOTF's New “8 Ways to Save” Brochure to Help Your Clients Pay Less and Keep More!
• JOTF to Co-Host Workshop! Making Tax Time Pay: How the Earned Income Tax Credit Benefits Working Families (01/10/2008)
• JOTF Continues its FY2008 Development Campaign

OTHER NEWS

• Baltimore Sun, "It's the law" (Editorial) (11/23/2007)
• Baltimore Sun, "Reform child support to encourage parents to pay" (Op/Ed) (11/14/2007)
• Washington Post, "A Statistical Portrait That Puts Black America in a Hopeful Light" (10/31/2007)

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition Co-Hosts Foreclosure Solutions Forum (12/6/2007)
• Maryland Nonprofits Host Statewide Town Hall Meeting Focused on Base Realignment and Closure (12/13/2007)

OPPORTUNITIES

• Public Justice Center Seek an Attorney and Legal Assistant
• Open Society Institute - Baltimore Seeks Program Associate - National Initiative to Close the Drug Addiction Treatment Gap
• Primo Electric Company / Primenet Inc Job Opportunities

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During the special legislative session, Maryland expanded the refundable portion of the state's Earned Income Credit from 20% to 25% of the federal credit.

In addition, the legislature voted to allow low-wage workers without children living at home to claim the credit, which will lead to a refundable increase of as much as $103 per worker. The Earned Income Credit is a critical support for low-wage earners. It rewards work and increases the income of households struggling to make ends meet.

For more information on Maryland’s Special Session, please visit www.progressivemaryland.com.

The regular 2008 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly will begin on Wednesday, January 9.

For additional information, contact Melissa Chalmers Broome at 410-234-8046.

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JOTF to Co-Host Workshop! Making Tax Time Pay: How the Earned Income Tax Credit Benefits Working Families (01/10/2008)

Mark your calendars for this annual tax credit workshop! If you or your organization works with low-income families, join the Baltimore CASH Campaign and JOTF to learn what you can do to connect your clients to the EITC and other vital tax resources. If you’ve participated in this event before, come to get updates for the current tax season, or send one of your colleagues to spread the word!

The workshop will take place on Thursday, January 10 from 12.00 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 701 St. Paul Street, 5th Floor.

There is no charge for this event. Program includes catered lunch. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Jessica Traskey at 410-234-8040.

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JOTF Continues its FY2008 Development Campaign

JOTF asks for your help in reaching our FY2008 fundraising goal. Your contribution will allow us to continue to advocate for policies and programs that help low-wage workers advance to high wage jobs.

If you are interested in helping us meet our goal, donations can be sent to JOTF, 231 E. Baltimore Street, Suite 1102, Baltimore, MD 21202.

If you’d like more information on making a financial contribution please contact Jessica Traskey at (410) 234-8040.

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Baltimore Sun, "Its the law" (Editorial) (11/23/2007)

A Baltimore Sun editorial discusses changes in a Maryland expungement law, and encourages city police to start abiding by the new requirement that arrests without charge be automatically expunged.

Read "Its the law" (11/23/2007)

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Baltimore Sun, "Reform child support to encourage parents to pay" (Op/Ed) (11/14/2007)

In an Op/Ed piece in the Baltimore Sun, JOTF's Jason Perkins-Cohen suggests some specifics in policy change to encourage parents to support their children rather than turn them away.

Read "Reform child support to encourage parents to pay" (11/14/2007)

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Washington Post, "A Statistical Portrait That Puts Black America in a Hopeful Light" (10/31/2007)

Courtland Milloy, of the Washington Post, summarizes findings from recent reports that put the number of black teens graduating from the nation's high schools and going on to college on the rise, while their rates of tobacco, drug and alcohol use lower.

Read "A Statistical Portrait That Puts Black America in a Hopeful Light" (10/31/2007)

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition Co-Hosts Foreclosure Solutions Forum (12/6/2007)

Join the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition, the Prince George’s Homeownership Preservation Coalition, and the Maryland Housing Counselor’s Network for a Foreclosure Solutions Forum. A second annual day-long dialogue that will examine potential responses to the foreclosure issue in Maryland.

The forum will feature local, state, and national speakers representing the nonprofit, public and private sectors.

This Foreclosure Solutions forum is to be held on Thursday, December 6, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Annapolis Hotel, 210 Holiday Court, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Click here to learn more and register for the forum.

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Maryland Nonprofits Host Statewide Town Hall Meeting Focused on Base Realignment and Closure (12/13/2007)

Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor, Anthony G. Brown, will be providing a keynote address at Maryland Nonprofits (MANO) statewide town hall meeting focused on Base Realignment and Closure. MANO have invited the Lt. Governor, local county BRAC coordinators, and the entire nonprofit community to discuss BRAC’s impact on the nonprofit sector and how their organizations can interact with the BRAC process.

BRAC iNPact! a special statewide town hall meeting is to be held Thursday, December 13th, 2007, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the BWI Marriott, 1743 W Nursery Road, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090.

Fee: $25.00-Members / $45.00-Nonmembers (lunch included).

Don't miss the chance to participate in issue-based discussions designed to help identify and articulate the concerns and actions critical to our community.

Click here to learn more and register for the meeting.

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Public Justice Center Seek an Attorney and Legal Assistant

The Public Justice Center (“PJC”) is a nonprofit legal organization that seeks to protect and expand the rights of people who are denied justice because of their economic status or discrimination. The PJC selects and designs its cases and projects to effect systemic legal and social changes. The PJC uses diverse strategies to advocate reforms, including individual and class action litigation, appellate advocacy, legislative advocacy, policy advocacy with government or business organizations, client education, and public education. Current focus areas include workers, immigrants, homeless and foster children, tenants, health care, and prisoners.

Attorney - “Right to Counsel Fellow” Fellow

PJC seeks “Right to Counsel Fellow” – attorney with 1-5 yrs experience to work on national campaign to expand right to counsel in civil cases.

The position will be open until filled.

Applications are encouraged to be submitted by December 15, 2007 to be considered.

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and two writing samples to:

Executive Director
Public Justice Center
1 North Charles St - Ste 200
Baltimore MD 21201

 

Legal Assistant

Be a critical member in a team of social justice advocates! The Public Justice Center in Baltimore is seeking a legal assistant to take primary responsibility for administrative support and to provide litigation support for a nonprofit law office.

Apply by December 15, 2007, by sending a cover letter explaining your interest, resume, and references to taylora@publicjustice.org or:

Executive Director
Public Justice Center
1 N. Charles Street - Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21202

Click here for full descriptions of these two current positions.

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Open Society Institute - Baltimore Seeks Program Associate - National Initiative to Close the Drug Addiction Treatment Gap

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens.

The Program Associate, based in Baltimore, provides critical administrative and programmatic support for the National Initiative to Close the Drug Addiction Treatment Gap based at OSI-Baltimore and the Baltimore-focused Tackling Drug Addiction Program at OSI-Baltimore.

Click here for full description.

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Since their founding more than 40 years ago, Primo Electric Company has promoted an environment where people take pride in their work. As a result, Primo employees enjoy challenging careers, valuable educational opportunities and a competitive wage and benefit package. All in a workplace that emphasizes teamwork, safety, commitment and mutual respect. Whether seeking an apprenticeship, laborer, journeyman, foreman, or equipment operator position, Primo Electric offers numerous career opportunities.

PrimeNet Inc specializes in helping clients define, optimize, and manage their voice, data, video, and security communication systems. At PrimeNet, pride is more than just a feeling; its a concrete attitude and philosophy that influences every aspect of their business. As a result, employees enjoy challenging careers, valuable educational opportunities (Including onsite BICSI® certification) and a competitive wage and benefits package. All in a workplace that emphasizes teamwork, safety, commitment and mutual respect.

Click here to view Primo Electric Company and Primenet Inc job opportunities as of November 28, 2007.

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Newsletter Editor: Jessica Traskey
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