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 Herman Berlin.

His family business is Baltimore Auto Supply Company.

Since the state has entered into a contract with Auto Zone, Herman has lost business, and the State of Maryland has lost the opportunity to buy certain parts at a lower price.

I’ve introduced House Bill 199, which would require the state government to give more notice to local businesses before it enters into contracts with national companies and to evaluate the impact of such contracts on a regular basis.

The bill hearing is February 15.

Herman and I had a zoom meeting with state officials today to see if both he and the state could benefit from making certain changes in procurement policy that would not require a change in the law.

“It’s always easier to make progress without having o pass a bill,” I told him.

He understood.

Herman is a quicker study of the legislative process than I am of auto parts.