Most of the day was spent in meetings on the revenue bills needed to balance the budget, but I did have time to draft my testimony for tomorrow’s hearing on repeal of the death penalty. When given the opportunity, two dozen Marylanders have voted no on the death penalty. Prosecutors have sought the death penalty …more >
One-arm bandits have been replaced by computer chips. Whatever the technology, slots machines still generate a lot of money – for the owner of the slots facility and the government. If you thought this issue was decided by the referendum four years ago, it may return to the ballot this November – or it may …more >
“Our child won the lottery.” The subject was not gambling. (That hearing is tomorrow.) The witness’s child had won a lottery to gain admission to a free pre-kindergarten education in a Prince Georges County public school. The bill was mine. House Bill 1241 would make a full-day program available for …more >
I was going to ask a question about the Red Line. The proposed mass transit line runs through the heart of the Edmondson Avenue neighborhoods I represent. The hearing was on the Governor’s gas tax bill, and I was going to make the point that the Red Line could not be built unless we …more >
If you don’t need to take credit for everything, you can get a lot done. Two examples: I introduced House Bill 68 to provide more preventive care for minors who are homeless or living independently of their estranged parents or guardians. Senator Kelley introduced an identical bill. In January, we …more >
A bill signing ceremony with the Governor is preferable to a summer study – most of the time. My bill to assist seniors with housing repairs so that they can remain in the homes they own called for a summer study from the outset. We needed to find the money. When my 41st District colleagues …more >
Your testimony is terrific. Don’t read it. You will be far more effective if you tell your story to the committee as you would instruct your students. That’s the advice I gave to a teacher this morning after reading his testimony online. Andrew Coy came to Annapolis to testify on my bill …more >
Thirty years ago, when I first introduced legislation to prevent lead paint poisoning, some people blamed the parents. “They don’t keep their rental units clean. They don’t teach their children not to put things in their mouths,” we were told. The compromise bill we passed in 1994, the Reduction of Lead Risk …more >
The subcommittee chairman talked too much when explaining the bill on the House floor. Too many words may bring attention to an otherwise uncontroversial bill. The sponsor droned on at a bill hearing. An expert read his four pages of testimony. Both lost my interest. Then a witness said …more >
I had a life before the legislature. When I was a producer at WJZ-TV in the late 70’s, I helped create Square Off. The goal was to make this show different than the usual collection of talking heads. “We don’t want panelists who work for the government or some interest group …more >
