Tag: State of the State

Good Quotes Across Party Lines

| by delsandy | Uncategorized | No Comments

28 times.

That’s how often Governor Moore used the word “partnership” in his State of the State address today.

From what you’re written me over the years, I know how much you appreciate partnership across party lines.

The Governor spoke about partnership with the General Assembly – both Democrats and Republicans.

“Partnership isn’t partisan,” he declared.

The Governor also spoke about issues that are of particular interest to me.

“We will protect Marylanders where they live, work, worship, and go to school,” he declared.

“We need to keep investing in lead abatement for children and families, “ he also said.

I’ll use those quotes when I testify on my bills opposing all forms of violent extremism and preventing lead poisoning.

Straightforward and a More Perfect State

| by delsandy | Uncategorized | No Comments

As a bill sponsor, I try to describe what my bill would do in a straightforward (no legal terms) manner that is readily understandable to a fellow legislator or a constituent.

“To support House Bill 259,” I told the Judiciary Committee members this afternoon, “You have to answer two questions.”

Should the State of Maryland hold gun manufacturers liable for the harm caused by their product?

Does the bill before you allow such lawsuits within the limited set of circumstances permitted by the relevant federal law, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act?

I answered both questions with a Yes.

What matters is the response of a majority of the committee.

—

Governor Wes Moore, in his State of the State address today, declared, “Service is how we re-engage our people in the project of forming a more perfect state.”

If proof were needed as to how important a year of service opportunity is to the new governor, that makes it very clear.

Free and fair elections

| by delsandy | Sandy's 2016 Legislative Diary | No Comments

“And let’s also come together in a spirit of bipartisanship, to protect that most fundamental right of every American citizen: the right to free and fair elections.”

Governor Hogan said that in his State of the State address today.

He was referring to his legislation that would institute nonpartisan drawing of district lines for Congress and the General Assembly.

I introduced a bill today that meets the Governor’s standard of protecting our fundamental right to free and fair elections.

It deals with any proposed change in voter registration, polling place locations, absentee ballots, or provisional ballots.

An election board would have to provide the public notice of any revisions.  These changes could not have the purpose or effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race, color, or disability.

The Attorney General could ask a judge to prevent the implementation of any change that violated this law.

I welcome Governor Hogan’s support for my legislation.

From Greatest hits to a simple test

| by delsandy | Sandy's 2015 Legislative Diary | No Comments

At some point, the campaign will end and the governing will begin.

Not today, however.

Governor Hogan’s State of the State speech began with his greatest hits from the election.

           “40 consecutive tax hikes have taken an additional $10 billion out of the pockets of struggling Maryland families and small businesses. We’ve lost more than 8,000 businesses, and Maryland’s unemployment nearly doubled.”

He also stated that he would introduce legislation cutting taxes by an estimated $30 million.

What he would cut from his budget if these reductions are made, he did not say.

The Governor further said, “We have universities and schools that are among the best in the nation.”

How that jibes with the increase in K-12 class size that his budget would bring about, he did not say.

However, the Governor did give an indication as to how he will deal with the realities of governing:

             “And every decision I make as governor will be put to a simple test.

            “Will this law or action make it easier for families and small businesses to stay in Maryland?

            “And – will it make more families and small businesses want to come to Maryland?”

Before we complete our work in April, the Governor and the legislature will have countless opportunities to answer those questions.

  • My Key Issues:

  • Pimlico and The Preakness
  • Our Neighborhoods
  • Pre-Kindergarten
  • Lead Paint Poisoning