House Bill 536 would do two things.

It would provide scholarships for public service internships for college and graduate students in the fall and winter semesters.  We already do that during the summer break.

It would also allow graduates of Maryland high schools, but now going to school out of state, to receive a limited number of these awards.

During the floor session yesterday, I was counting votes.

I spoke to members of the subcommittee, where the vote will determine the bill’s fate in the House.

They were all fine with adding the two semesters, but some had misgivings about adding the out-of-state students.  I was aware of that before today.

I made a pitch for the latter but added, “I don’t want to lose the bill over it.”

The perfect is the enemy of the good, goes the saying.

What happened here is relevant to most every bill.

Keep your ear to the ground.  Don’t take a member’s vote for granted.  Be willing to compromise.