Even committee chairs stood in the line outside the Clerk’s Office. Today’s the deadline to introduce your legislation and be guaranteed a public hearing. (A vote on your bill still remains within the discretion of the committee chair.) I was in that line – with four more bills, for a total of 29. All of …more >
A good letter can mean no bill hearing. This summer, a constituent complained that he had to get a license in every county where he conducted his liquid waste hauling business. Why not a single state-issued license instead? I had a bill drafted. Last month, I met with a representative of the Maryland Association of …more >
This morning, I received the Cas Taylor Award. It’s presented to a sitting member of the House of Delegates for steadfast commitment to public service and the integrity of the House of Delegates. My thanks to my constituents, advisers, mentors, family, and staff who helped me earn this honor. This is what Speaker Busch and …more >
If any of the Republican Presidential candidates were to win next November and nominate pro-life justices to the Supreme Court, a woman’s right to choose would be at great risk but not in Maryland. Twenty five years ago this Monday, we passed the bill making the holding of Roe v. Wade the law of Maryland. …more >
“The last time it took us seven years,” I told my co-sponsor, Delegate Dumais. “It” was repeal of the death penalty. The first time we introduced that bill was in 2007. It passed in 2013. A persuasive argument for many of my colleagues was that we would be replacing execution with the sentence of life …more >
“And let’s also come together in a spirit of bipartisanship, to protect that most fundamental right of every American citizen: the right to free and fair elections.” Governor Hogan said that in his State of the State address today. He was referring to his legislation that would institute nonpartisan drawing of district lines for Congress …more >
Sometimes a letter will do. But legislation may be needed to get that letter written. A constituent was upset that the licensing permit issued by Baltimore City for his business was not valid in other counties. Why should he have to pay for additional permits? I shared my bill draft with the Maryland Association of …more >
Frank Robinson left spring training early in 1966, his first year with the Orioles. He needed to find a place to live. No one would rent to him in segregated Baltimore. I spoke about that at a meeting of the Access to Justice Commission this morning. In 1966, I was a student at City College. …more >
One dark aspect of American history – lynchings, has received little attention. Civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson wants to erect markers at the site of every lynching in the states that joined the Confederacy. House Bill 173 is my attempt to recognize Maryland’s lynchings in an appropriate way. My press release follows. George Armwood …more >
“When I spoke to this body on Opening Day, I talked about our obligation to address the needs of the least among us,” I began my speech on the House floor today. “The people who would be able to vote because of this bill – those who have been imprisoned but are now on parole, …more >
