I want to be in the room where it happens.

When a decision is being made in Annapolis, I want to be in that room – or have someone there who’s looking after my bill.

So does Alexander Hamilton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovje92D742s

I also want to help my constituents be in that room.

As our City schools are being rebuilt, some of them are being closed. I want the neighbors and alumni of a closed school to have a real say in what happens next to that building.

Today, I discussed how to do that with two colleagues.

Two Baltimore Sun reporters interviewed me about a data analysis they conducted of rent escrow court proceedings in Baltimore.

If the tenant is in the court room but does not have a lawyer, I told them, the chances are far less that his or her rights will be protected.