Longtime advocate trying to unite state's progressive movement

A new group is trying to weave the many individual strands of Pennsylvania's progressive movement into what can become a single, unified force to apply pressure on the state's policy makers.

Keystone Progress is the first group of its kind in the state, according to creator Michael Morrill, and is part of a larger network across the country that is similarly unique. Together they are trying to increase cooperation among progressive groups that, contrary to their ideology, rarely work talk or work together.

"The goal is stop fighting so much so we can utilize all our resources, especially in the communications realm," he said.

Communication is the key, Morrill said, even for advocates like union members and environmentalists who seemingly have little in common. Already he said he's those groups realize shared goals after talking.

"In past, what would happen is they would fight each other," Morrill said. "Now, as part of people sitting down and talking to each other they're realizing there's much more in common."

The concept is simple -- the groups are stronger together than apart.

Keystone Progress will be more than a facilitator, Morrill said. It will also, if asked, help groups develop a message, write press releases and run media events, he said.

And it wants to develop a network that's ready to mobilize when one of its members sounds the alarm on an issue, Morrill said. Labor unions don't keep an eye on clean-water legislation, but if an advocate group that does starts yelling about a bill moving through the General Assembly, the unions still bring their influence to bear, Morrill said.

"There's a natural affinity among a lot of our organizations that hasn't been developed," he said. "Once a group sounds the alarm, thousands of people who don't consider themselves environmentalists look at that and say, 'Wow, that's crazy. Why aren't our legislators responding to that?'"

"The group will also try to increase cooperation among progressive bloggers, Morrill said, whether getting them to share information or practical tips about how to use increase readership.

Morrill emphasized the group will focus only on issues.

"We're not going to be working on campaigns," he said. "We're going to be, although it'll be clear where some of us stand, an issue-based organization."

Many of the groups that have signaled interest cannot be revealed yet as members, Morrill said, as they make sure joining won't affect their tax-exempt status. But he said he's optimistic most will.

"Our goal by the end of the year is to have the largest online activist network in Pennsylvania," he said.