Governor O’Malley announced today that he will commute the sentences of the four men on Death Row to life without the possibility of parole. I was honored to be asked to be a lead sponsor of the legislation that repealed the death penalty. After eight years of work, we have now accomplished our goal. I …more >
The Maryland Democratic Party’s “center-right legislators have shrunk to a handful,” writes Barry Rascovar, a former editorial writer at the Baltimore Sun. http://politicalmaryland.com/2014/11/13/missing-democratic-moderates-md/ The Republican Party faces a similar problem. None of the three GOP legislators who voted for marriage equality is returning to Annapolis. Two were elected to local office, Senator Alan Kittleman and …more >
I agree with former Governor Robert Ehrlich that voting is “our most sacred constitutional right.” (“Middle class value claims are a joke” http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-ehrlich-1019-20141018-column.html) “The removal of ineligible names (mostly the deceased) disenfranchises nobody,” Mr, Ehrlich wrote. No dispute there. However, the so-called voter reforms that he and the Republican Party support are intended to make it more …more >
“You can’t handle the truth.” If Col. Nathan R. Jessup, Jack Nicholson’s character in A Few Good Men, were a pundit, that’s what he’d say about Larry Hogan’s flip flop on gun control. During yesterday’s debate, Mr. Hogan pledged that he would enforce the new gun law and had no plans to quietly roll it back, …more >
California’s tenure laws for public school teachers violate that state’s constitution. So ruled a trial judge this past June. There could be a similar lawsuit or legislation in Maryland. I’m seeking a middle ground. Providing incentives to our best teachers to instruct students with the greatest needs will benefit these children. Rewarding teachers for their …more >
I saw Robin Williams before I heard him. Mork and Mindy was airing on the tv sets in the WJZ newsroom on Thursday nights when Square Off was taped. Richard Sher was the host, and I was the producer. The sound was turned down on the tv sets. After I heard about Robin Williams’ suicide, …more >
“Expanding Opportunity in America” was the title of Congressman Paul Ryan’s speech yesterday. Cong. Ryan is the chair of the House Budget Committee and was Mitt Romney’s running mate. He would merge up to 11 anti-poverty programs into a single grant program. I agree with some of his proposal but not all of it. http://paulryan.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=389081 …more >
The moral test of government is how we treat those in the shadows of life – the sick, the needy and the handicapped. Hubert Humphrey said that. If we want taxpayers to support what the government does with their money, we must spend it wisely and effectively. I’ve said that on candidate questionnaires. The death …more >
Campaigns are often about rhetoric. A slogan can define an opponent or encapsulate an idea. Governing is about decisions. How much should we tax our citizens? How should we spend that revenue? The Supreme Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby case is an opportunity for policy decisions about family planning to be discussed during the …more >
First, my thanks. First and foremost, to the voters who cast their ballots for me. In addition, to those of you who volunteered or contributed to my campaign, as well as those of you who have provided suggestions and advice on legislation over the years. Now it’s time to return to my agenda for next …more >
