I introduced my first bill of the session. House Bill 217 would extend early voting to the Sunday before Election Day and double the number of early voting locations in every jurisdiction before the general election. Baltimore City, for example, would have ten, instead of five. For the bill hearing later this session, I hope …more >
“The most important decision you make each year is which 25 guys to bring north from Florida,” Earl Weaver told us at Fantasy Camp. As he chose his roster, Weaver envisioned the role each player would have. In his only season as an Oriole, there was no doubt about Reggie Jackson’s status. …more >
“I found my father on Facebook before Catholic Charities did.” Thomas Diepenbrock decided at age 40 to try to find his birth parents. He was testifying on House Bill 22, which, according to its supporters, would “expand the rights of adopted adults to know their original identities, as well as their medical and ancestral histories.” …more >
“The NRA is very good at what it does,” I declared. I was a guest on the Marc Steiner show. “The existing law is riddled with loopholes, thanks to the NRA,” I continued. “For instance, agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms can make only one inspection per year of a licensed …more >
“The death penalty was broken from birth,” declared Benjamin Jealous, president of the NAACP. He spoke at the press conference where Governor O’Malley announced that he would sponsor the bill repealing capital punishment. The Governor’s action is a big deal. He brings the power and resources of his office to our effort. So has Ben …more >
The Speaker has appointed me House chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, which reviews regulations proposed by the executive branch. After your bill passes, the regulations implementing it can be crucial. I now have responsibility for that process for all departments and agencies. My appointment was made public Thursday at …more >
Every bill has a fiscal note. It estimates the cost to state government if the legislation is enacted. A bad fiscal note can kill your bill before you speak the first words of your testimony. I know. It happened to me once. The customary culprit is a state agency that doesn’t like your bill and …more >
The first day of the session is for renewing acquaintances among colleagues – even though our last time together was in August for the slots special session, instead of April. It’s also the first day that I receive my bill requests in the form suitable for introduction and first reading. Nine to be exact. …more >
I usually walk up one flight of stairs. But when Governor O’Malley is taking the elevator, so am I. We were headed to the annual eve-of-session luncheon for Democratic elected officials. When we reached the 2nd floor, the Governor was met by a gaggle of reporters. In response to a question about the death penalty, …more >
You don’t always need to pass your own bill in order to accomplish your objective. That’s what I told 100 members of the Maryland Association of Non-Profits at their pre-session meeting today. The Governor’s budget bill can be the vehicle for these groups to make legislators and the executive branch aware of deficiencies in existing …more >
