Legislative Diary

March 24 – A parent with a disability and the best interest of a child

This time I was in the room. At the request of the National Federation of the Blind, I introduced House Bill 976. When deciding what is in the best interest of a child – whether the issue is adoption, guardianship, a Child In Need of Assistance, custody, or visitation, the focus cannot be on whether …more >

March 22 – Nothing for granted, again

I’ve given this speech before. The topic was Medicaid funding for abortion.  My first session in 1983, I was a floor whip for the pro-choice side. The Republicans’ amendment would deny funding if the medical justification was the woman’s mental health. I reminded my House colleagues that the voters of Maryland approved the law protecting …more >

March 21 – Too close to assume

Two favorable committee votes today send different messages. The Senate bill to require the Governor to fund the state’s $11.1 million match for a $30M federal grant to expand pre-kindergarten opportunities got a favorable committee report.  The vote was on party lines. That was also the case when my identical bill passed the House on …more >

March 17 – Out of the box first

Top Maryland Democrats agree to $290 million package to help Baltimore That was the headline on a front page story in today’s Baltimore Sun. There would be new funding for demolition of vacant housing, redevelopment of distressed areas, after-school and summer programs, college scholarships for 7th and 8th graders, and mentorship programs. I’ve already talked …more >

  • My Key Issues:

  • Pimlico and The Preakness
  • Our Neighborhoods
  • Pre-Kindergarten
  • Lead Paint Poisoning