Donald Trump is not the first President who failed to take action on racial issues. “If I come out for the anti-lynching bill now, they [the southern Senators] will block every bill I ask Congress to pass to keep America from collapsing. I just can’t take the risk.” Franklin Roosevelt said that to Walter White, …more >
Every summer, I meet with advocates in the mental health community to discuss what issues they think I should work on when we return to Annapolis. We haven’t met yet, but I’ve already raised two issues. Should the police continue to make house calls when it’s known in advance that an individual has a mental …more >
Pelosi has always been a progressive; until the last few years, the right used her as the ultimate symbol of left-wing extremism. But her relentlessly pragmatic approach to politics is the polar opposite of, say, the Bernie Sanders approach. Pelosi doesn’t begin by asking what kind of world we want. She asks where the votes …more >
Back in November, I joined Brandon for a discussion on bridging the “Two Park Heights.” Both of us grew up in 21215. We both studied at the Pratt Library Branch at Park Heights and Garrison. Brandon and I both see the great potential in keeping the Preakness at Pimlico and bringing commercial and residential development …more >
In a democracy, being a citizen is essential work. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/06/underlying-conditions/610261/ In an election year, that means studying what the candidates have done before they asked for your vote, as well as what they’ve said they would do if you elect them. After the votes are counted, concentrate on an issue you really care about and …more >
It should come as no surprise. “We can’t be satisfied as policy makers until every child in every zip code has the chance to succeed,” declared Speaker Adrienne Jones at a hearing on the pre-K-12 school performance and funding legislation based upon the Kirwan Commission report.. “If you live on the south side of Northern …more >
The coronavirus has taught us a lesson. There are inequities in our society that the pandemic has laid bare. It is our responsibility as public officials and as citizens to address these problems. So we hope. Governor Hogan’s vetoes of bills yesterday were not a step in that direction. Governor Hogan and Senate President Ferguson …more >
Assisting constituents with unemployment claims, small business loans, and personal protective equipment. That’s been the focus of Jackie Greenfield, my Constituent Services Director. She’s kept me informed and sought my advice. Meanwhile, I’ve been planting seeds – taking steps that could lead to legislation when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. I’ve worked on mental …more >
There once was bipartisan agreement on voter fraud. After the counting of hanging chads in Florida, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act in 2002. That law lists acceptable forms of identification if a voter is challenged on Election Day. They are an individual’s voter registration card, Social Security card, or valid driver’s license; any …more >
It began as a change to an obscure regulation. It resulted in an emergency bill that will be signed into law this afternoon. The issue is telehealth. The question is when can a health care provider give advice to a patient who is not physically present. The regulation was brought to my attention because it did not …more >
