A new car salesman once asked me if I was interested in a convertible. “That’s one more thing that could go wrong,” I responded. “No thanks.” I am no expert in the parts that could go wrong with a convertible top or any other part of a car. However, I am a lifelong friend of …more >
Telford Taylor was my Constitutional Law professor. He taught Marbury v. Madison, which established the principle of Supreme Court review of the actions of the executive and legislative branches. He also taught me what a lawyer could do. He was the chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes trial. He also defended people targeted in …more >
“Never allow a good crisis go to waste. It’s an opportunity to do the things you once thought were impossible.” Rahm Emanuel said that when he was President Obama’s chief of staff. That sound advice came to mind twice today. This morning, I spoke to advocates for a right to legal counsel. We passed a …more >
Waiting for my SLAPP bill to be heard in the Judiciary Committee, I scanned the room. A majority of the committee members, it seemed, were new to Annapolis and the committee. A good thing that I had not taken the hearing for granted. I was ready to discuss the bill as if it had not …more >
Gun safety is the most depressing issue I work on. Far more people die from guns in this country than anywhere else. Legislative remedies are blocked or limited by the NRA Now, even the Supreme Court has struck down gun safety laws. We heard testimony today on the positive effects of intervention to assist someone …more >
Don’t take anything for granted. My first bill hearing of the session is this Wednesday. It’s my SLAPP legislation, which would strengthen the protections against frivolous lawsuits. The most frequent example: a developer sues neighborhood residents who oppose his project. My bill has passed the House three times. However, it’s yet to receive a committee …more >
I didn’t have meetings like this over the last eight years. As I was leaving the State House after our floor session this morning, Governor Wes Moore was entering. We’re on the first floor. He’s on the second. The governor let me know that he would be issuing an executive order today creating a state agency …more >
“Wes had taken an oath of service.” “Service is the thing that makes your heart beat faster.” At today’s inauguration, the first statement was made by Lt. Colonel Jaime Martinez, who served in Afghanistan with Captain Wes Moore. The second was made by Oprah Winfrey. “My years of service transformed me,” Governor Wes Moore declared …more >
This story begins with the Baltimore Orioles. But it has nothing to do with baseball. John Angelos announced yesterday that the team would be contributing $5 million to the College Bound Foundation. I wrote Cassie Motz, the Executive Director of the Foundation. “What can the State do to support this effort? Could the state…provide counseling …more >
I was struck by what Martin Luther King III said today on Morning Joe: His daughter now has fewer voting rights and personal rights regarding her body than when she was born. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. declared, “Give us the ballot and we will place judges on the benches of the South who will …more >
