I would give my testimony a B++. Why a grade? I was speaking alongside the deans of the University of Baltimore and University of Maryland law schools, where I co-teach the Legislation class in the fall semester. I knew the issue and never looked down at my written statement. If my rhetoric had sung, …more >
Bills are guaranteed a hearing if they’re introduced by a certain date. They’re not guaranteed a vote by the committee after that hearing. They may remain in the committee chair’s drawer instead. So I asked a member of committee leadership if my bill was stuck in the chair’s drawer for the rest of the session. …more >
My legislation criminalizing fraudulent campaign flyers designed to suppress voter turnout was enacted in 2005. The threat to our democracy now comes from sophisticated technology. The Securing America’s Federal Elections Act (SAFE Act) passed the House of Representatives eight months ago, but it still sits on Senator Mitch McConnell’s desk. I had legislation drafted adopting …more >
For the bill hearing on the redevelopment of Pimlico, my 41st District colleagues and I have expressed our support. We wrote, “What is now essentially a vacant property, except for the third weekend in May, will become an attraction for Park Heights, northwest Baltimore communities, city residents, and countless visitors.” The full text of our …more >
When I took the Constitutional Litigation seminar at Columbia Law School, the professor was Telford Taylor. Taylor was a chief prosecutor during the Nuremberg war crimes trial after World War II. Nathan Lewin, a noted Supreme Court litigator, taught the seminar after Prof. Taylor retired. Prof. Lewin and I testified together today, along with Delegate …more >
The committee chairman’s questions are very valuable. They are asked after my supporters and I have testified and all other members of the committee have asked their questions. The chair’s questions provide insight into his or her thinking on my bill. House Bill 457 would require schools to test more frequently for the presence of …more >
We have made great strides in reducing the number of children suffering from lead poisoning in Maryland. Under compromise legislation that I introduced and Governor Schaefer signed, property owners are required to reduce the risk of a child being exposed to lead paint. However, they do not have to remove all lead paint from a …more >
Today was the bill hearing for House Bill 1300, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future – Implementation. It’s the Kirwan Commission recommendations for pre-K-12 public education. I spoke at a rally prior to the bill hearing: “I am a very proud graduate of the Baltimore City Public Schools. “I now teach five hours per week in the …more >
Students who want to spend a year in community service before college could join the Maryland Corps. Senate President Bill Ferguson and I are the lead sponsors of legislation that would mandate funding for this program. My prepared remarks for a press conference on our legislation follow. I know this issue well. I don’t expect …more >
Legislating is the art of compromise. An identical version of one of my bills (a crossfile) was heard in the Senate yesterday. This morning I emailed a friendly lobbyist: “Testimony attached. Let’s discuss possible compromise.” We met this afternoon. The lobbyist will talk to committee staff to gain insight into what the members are thinking …more >
