Governor O’Malley – Sandy Rosenberg

The best person to lobby the Governor

“Is there someone who can make our last pitch to Gov?”

I sent that email to a colleague and a lobbyist first thing this morning.

We have a bill where the outcome is uncertain, and Governor O’Malley’s support would be very helpful.

We quickly decided on who would be the best person to lobby the Governor.

The highlight of today’s floor session was a visit from Ravens receiver Torrey Smith, the Lombardi trophy for winning the Super Bowl in his grasp.

Governor O’Malley joined him on the rostrum, then stepped aside for the picture taking.

“I’m the best person to lobby the Governor,” I audibled to myself.

I made my pitch and got a positive response.

Results to be known before the clock runs out on the session.

If your Task Force recommendation can make it there, it can make it anywhere…

January 26, 2013 | by delsandy | featured, Sandy's 2013 Legislative Diary | No Comments

The New York Times reports:

Governor Cuomo’s “aides worked with several advocacy groups, including the Brady Campaign in Washington, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in San Francisco, to develop a package of measures that would be comprehensive but also politically achievable. They looked to other states; a provision in the new law to require mental health professionals to report possibly violent patients was similar to a recommendation by a task force created last year by Gov. Martin O’Malley and state legislators [Delegate Lu Simmons and I were the sponsors] in Maryland.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/nyregion/cuomo-used-all-his-means-to-pass-gun-control-package.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

That is a first. My legislation leads to a law being enacted in another state before we do so in Maryland.

As we draft our bill, Delegate Simmons and I will include all of the recommendations of the Task Force so that they can receive a full hearing by the legislature.

We will also introduce legislation outlining the preventive programs the State should fund so that people don’t reach the stage where they pose a threat to others.

One flight up and hiding the ball

January 8, 2013 | by delsandy | featured, Sandy's 2013 Legislative Diary | No Comments

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 2^nd floor, the Governor was met by a gaggle of reporters.

In response to a question about the death penalty, he said, “There may well be a majority of Senators who support repeal.”

Senate President Miller has said that the bill will be debated on the Senate floor only if there are the necessary 24 votes for passage.

So the Governor’s statement is good news.

—

My colleague and I had agreed to introduce a bill.

One person at the meeting stated, “We hope this bill will pass under the radar of its likely opponent because that group has far more costly issues to deal with this session.”

I responded: “The first contact should be from us, explaining the need for the bill. Otherwise they might think the worst.”

Everyone agreed.

You don’t try to hide the ball.

The power of persuasion

February 1, 2012 | by delsandy | Sandy's 2012 Legislative Diary | No Comments

Gov hasn’t found the two votes yet, but he has the power and the skill to “persuade.”

That’s how I responded to a friend’s email about the status of the marriage equality bill.

That analysis equally applies to the revenue measures that Governor O’Malley discussed in his State of the State address. And on those issues, he needs to “persuade” more than two members.

“How much less education do we want? How much less public safety?” declared the Governor.

If my colleagues agree that their constituents would answer “none,” they will vote yes.

One thing for sure: the next 70 days will be a case study of how many tough votes we can make in one session.