I gave this prayer at the start of today’s General Assembly Session. Seventy years ago, the Opening Day second baseman for the AAA Montreal Royals, was making his minor league debut. Jackie Robinson made history that Opening Day. He hit a three-run homer in the third inning. His next at bat, he reached on …more >
“take NOTHING for granted.” A friendly lobbyist on my pre-kindergarten funding bill wrote that to me today. I responded, “Earlier today, on another bill I had occasion to remind my staff and myself to take NOTHING for granted… And after you take nothing for granted, an issue may arise that you didn’t think about. As …more >
It’s about to get late early in Annapolis. Normally, the Governor vetoes a bill after the General Assembly has adjourned. The override vote takes place in January when the legislature returns. However, if a bill takes effect then, it does not apply to the fiscal year starting that July. Several of the bills we’re about …more >
I thought I was going to get SLAPPed. Mother, that is not a spelling mistake. Translated, I had a far better hearing than expected on my bill to amend the statute dealing with a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. A SLAPP suit seeks to intimidate someone from exercising their 1st Amendment rights. The suit itself …more >
“We are about to pass a structured settlement bill largely because one judge became a rubber stamp for financial arrangements that took advantage of people who were without an attorney or financial advisor,” I said to Chief Judge John Morrissey of the District Court. “In light of that, should we now give discretion to a …more >
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 >
I’ve written before about learning things by just taking a walk down the hall or, now that it’s warmer, the sidewalk. Today I was on the other end, giving advice, instead of receiving it. A lobbyist for a non-profit asked me about an issue before the Board of Public Works. Send me the question where …more >
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 >
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 >
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 >
