Long before “Hamilton” opened on Broadway, I learned that a legislator wants to be in the room where it happens. In Annapolis, that usually means being part of the committee leadership that meets prior to the public voting session to decide which bills will get an up arrow, indicating favorable action is expected. When I …more >
The protections in Maryland law for women seeking an abortion or other reproductive health care are in jeopardy. I testified today on my bill to protect women women and their health care providers from the long arm of liability under the anti-choice laws of Texas and other states. My remarks begin at 1:21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_GHOKsUnW8
Under House Bill 456, pharmacies would be required to provide notice to customers of the availability of accessible labels for prescription drugs for blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled individuals. The bill’s sponsor, Delegate Michele Guyton, testified that the failure to do so violates federal law. I asked how the federal government enforces the law. …more >
Neighborhoods don’t like swing schools. That’s an empty school that becomes the temporary home for another school. It’s happening in Baltimore as new schools are being built on the site of existing schools. Instead of a new and permanent use for a school building and the adjacent land, determined after community input, there’s a temporary …more >
Good votes come in different packages. I ran into a colleague in the garage this afternoon. She told me that one of my bills is on her committee’s voting list – with an up arrow. That arrow means the committee chair wants the legislation to get a favorable vote. Another of my bills is on …more >
Primary Election Day next year is also the first day of Passover. Orthodox Jews would not be able to vote on that holy day. Delegate Dalya Attar and I wrote a joint letter to Linda Lamone, the State Administrator of Elections, informing her of our intent to introduce legislation that would move the election date …more >
Every bill has a purpose clause. That clause for House Bill 351 begins: “Allowing a licensed direct-entry midwife to assume or take responsibility for a client who had a previous cesarean section and regulating the circumstances under which the responsibility may be assumed or taken.” At today’s bill hearing, a supporter of the bill testified, …more >
The witness, Laura Bogley, Executive Director, Maryland Right to Life, was testifying in opposition to the reproductive freedom constitutional amendment. “The state is failing to invest in and promote lifesaving alternatives to abortion like quality prenatal care, the Maryland Safe Haven Program, affordable adoption programs and foster care reform.” The Safe Havens program sounded familiar. …more >
The General Assembly is not a law school class. I tell that to the students in my Legislation class. Today, I said that to some colleagues in Annapolis. The issue was the constitutional amendment protecting a woman’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom. We shouldn’t rely on an abstract legal discussion of the additional protections a …more >
No doubt you’re driving slower on the Jones Falls Expressway. But if you aren’t, those speed cameras will cost you. I want the revenue (an expected $34 million annually) to be put to good use. Under existing state law, the monies collected from the speed camera fines are to be used first to cover the …more >
