Hamilton – Sandy Rosenberg

Long before “Hamilton” opened on Broadway, I learned that a legislator wants to be in the room where it happens.

In Annapolis, that usually means being part of the committee leadership that meets prior to the public voting session to decide which bills will get an up arrow, indicating favorable action is expected.

When I was the vice chair of the Judiciary Committee, the chairman, Joe Vallario, discussed pending bills with me and the committee’s legal staff prior to the meeting with the committee leadership.

On most committees. subcommittees act on bills before they’re reviewed by the leadership group.

However, subcommittees are often presented with an amended bill.

Comments and changes are welcome and accepted at the subcommittee meeting, but there is significant momentum for the amended bill.

I learned today that I will be involved in drafting amendments to two bills before they’re considered by a subcommittee.

My first bill hearing is tomorrow.

The first draft of my testimony began with a bland summary of the Maryland Technology Internship Program.

“My first rule when writing testimony,” I told my staff, “is to grab the committee members’ attention with your first sentence.”

After some Googling, my testimony now begins:

“My advice for young people is, study what you love and intern in what you want to do.”

-Eva Chen, Director, Instagram

I added: Whatever your aspiration, an internship can be a vital first step on your chosen career path.

Another rule I try to live by is be in the room where it happens – where decisions are made.

As you may know, “The Room Where It Happens” is the title of a song in Hamilton.

“The Room Where It Happened” is the title of former national security adviser John Bolton’s upcoming memoir.

Before he made it to Broadway, Hamilton wrote of Aaron Burr that if he became President, there was a risk that he would undertake “a bargain and sale with some foreign power, or combinations with public agents in projects of gain by means of the public monies.”

“The public good,” he further wrote, “must be paramount to every private consideration.”

My Key Issues:

Tag: Hamilton

In the Room Where the Drafting Happens

Where It Happens

My Key Issues: