In the struggle together and a visit with Casey Stengel

“Even when there was not a direct impact, you were there.”

Governor Moore said that in his remarks to the Jewish Caucus at a meeting in the Governor’s Mansion this morning.

He was referring, of course, to the civil rights struggle of the 1960’s.

I would add the following, and he would no doubt agree.

When any minority is mistreated, all minorities are mistreated.

The law recognizes that.

The federal Civil Rights Act enacted in 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in public places, schools and employment.

It now prohibits such discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.

Over the decades, federal and state civil rights laws have been amended to protect the disabled and sexual orientation, for example.

That has come about because discriminated groups successfully made their case, working together through the legislative process.

I’ve known David Rubinstein, the new Orioles owner, since we were students at Pimlico Junior High.

The last time I saw David, about three years ago, he asked me, “Are you still keeping score?”

I am.

I have been since I was 7 or 8 years old.

My grandparents, Stewart and Sylvia Hecht, arranged for their eight-year old grandson to meet Casey Stengel, the Yankees manager.

Casey walked into the visitors dugout 10 minutes before the first pitch of a day game at Memorial Stadium.

Casey: I understand you keep score.

Me: Yes, I do.

Casey: There’s a groundball to the shortstop.   He throws it to the second baseman, who throws it to the first baseman.

Me: 6 to 4 to 3.

Casey: You’re better than our scorekeeper.

There’s a reason why Casey is in the Hall of Fame.

 

A Conflict – Not on the Issue

It’s not often that I fail to show up for an event with the Governor after receiving a personal invitation.

Eric Luedtke, the Governor’s Chief Legislative Officer (his lobbyist), called me this morning to invite me to a 2 pm announcement of his nominee for Secretary of Service and Civic Innovation.

During the campaign, I spoke with candidate Wes Moore about my passion for encouraging high school and college graduates to make a career in public service.

Like I did.

But there was one problem with my accepting the Governor’s invitation.

I chair the Subcommittee of Health Occupations and Long Term Care.

We were meeting at 1:30.

If we’re done in time, I’ll join the Governor’s event, I told Eric Luedtke.

We met until 2:50.

I’ll make room on my calendar to meet Secretary-designate Paul Monteiro in the very near future.

Straightforward and a More Perfect State

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.

Co-sponsorship and forward movement

As I’ve discussed before, co-sponsorship is the biggest waste of time in Annapolis.

Asking your colleagues to add their names to a bill does not help make the case that your legislation is sound public policy.

But there are exceptions.

When the Governor gives the General Assembly the opportunity to sign on to his bills before he makes the case for their passage in his State of the State address tomorrow, I signed on to all nine of them.

Two are of note for me.

One would create a service option for students the year after they graduate from high school.

Encouraging others to follow my career path in public service has been the passion of my legislative career.

Governor Moore will also be introducing a bill creating the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program.

I don’t know the details of his legislation, but Senator McCray and I will be introducing a bill that would invest in skills training for City residents to produce a workforce to rebuild Baltimore City’s infrastructure.

See https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/opinion/community-voices/commentary-investment-in-people-offers-path-forward-to-fix-baltimore-infrastructure-QIAROQRTHZG6NEA6UVXO56MEB4/?

The Governor’s bill could become the vehicle for forward movement on aspects of our bill.

First Meetings But Not the Last

I didn’t have meetings like this over the last eight years.

As I was leaving the State House after our floor session this morning, Governor Wes Moore was entering.

We’re on the first floor.  He’s on the second.

The governor let me know that he would be issuing an executive order today creating a state agency to run his Service Year initiative.

At a reception two days ago, I met the member of the Governor’s legislative staff who’s responsible for wagering issues.  That includes the redevelopment of Pimlico.

We met today at noon.

I began by telling him that I went to my first Preakness when I was in elementary school.

I concluded by telling him of my role in last year’s legislation requiring the Maryland Stadium Authority to update the legislature on the progress of the redevelopment plans for Pimlico and Laurel.

Both of these conversations will continue.

A Call To Service

“Wes had taken an oath of service.”

“Service is the thing that makes your heart beat faster.”

At today’s inauguration, the first statement was made by Lt. Colonel Jaime Martinez, who served in Afghanistan with Captain Wes Moore.

The second was made by Oprah Winfrey.

“My years of service transformed me,” Governor Wes Moore declared in his address.  “The work will be done together.  Today is not the victory.  Today is the opportunity.”

On Friday morning, I will be meeting with the governor’s staff member responsible for his legislation making a year of service available to students in the year after they graduate from high school.

Opening Day Prayer

I was honored to again be asked to offer the opening prayer at the first day of the legislative session.

 Matthew relates, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Both the Mishnah and the Koran teach us, “Whosoever saves a single soul is regarded as though he saved a complete world.”

As we address a multitude of issues over these next 90 days, may we remember to “Leave no one behind.”

As you may know, “Leave no one behind” was the campaign slogan of Governor-elect Wes Moore.

This afternoon, I saw him and gave him the printed text I had read from at today’s opening session.

January 4 – Creating a Service Year Option

On Sunday morning, I sent this email to two of my legislative colleagues, whom I’ve worked with on encouraging public service.

Wes Moore was just interviewed on CNN.  He twice said:

“We’re creating a Service Year option for every high school graduate.  We’re going to do it this session.”

Put me in, coach.  I’m ready to help get this done. 

I graduated from college and law school with no debt.

My first job was in the Baltimore City Housing Department.

Far too many college graduates are burdened with debt that affects not only their job decision but also their ability to buy a house.

One of my highest priorities/passions as a legislator is to make it possible for young people to choose a career in public service.

I’ve introduced legislation that created programs which repay a portion of your academic debt if you work for the government or a non-profit or pay for a public service internship while you’re in college or grad school.

I’ve already reached out to the people who run the internship program at the Shriver Center at UMBC, to get their input on the Service Year concept.

Most importantly, I discussed this issue with Wes Moore during the campaign, as well as yesterday in Annapolis..

When my Aunt Margie met Wes, he told her, “If I am elected governor, I want to work with Sandy on the public service programs he supports.”

We will now study the issue, find a funding source, draft a bill, and persuade the General Assembly and the public that a Service Year is in the best interests of recent high school graduates and the public that they will serve.

Thank You!

People like to be asked for their vote and thanked for their vote.

Tip O’Neill, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said that.

I asked for your vote with my work over the last four years – on issues in Annapolis and on problems back home.

I write now to thank you for your vote in the Democratic primary.

My colleagues, Senator Jill Carter, Delegates Dalya Attar and Tony Bridges, and I received more votes than any other General Assembly candidates in Baltimore City.

That’s a tribute to our working together on your behalf and to your exercising your right to vote.

Now it’s time to turn to the general election in November and the legislative session next winter.

The choice for Governor is clear.

I supported Wes Moore in the primary because of his positions on the issues and his broad experience in the public and private sector.

Wes Moore has pledged to implement a Service Year Option program that will enable Maryland high school graduates “to serve for a year in a public service role in exchange for job training, mentorship, and other support, including compensatory tuition at a Maryland college or university.”

During my career, I have enacted legislation to encourage students to enter public service.

Wes and I have already discussed this issue, and I look forward to working on it with him in Annapolis.

We also agree on two issues – reproductive health care and gun safety, that the Supreme Court has put on our agenda.

We must make access to reproductive health care affordable and accessible for all women so that they can receive the treatment they choose.

The Maryland law licensing the carrying of handguns in public must now be revised.  We must ensure public safety consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

There’s lots of work to be done.  I welcome your thoughts on these and other issues.

Thank you again for your support.

I Work With Others

I don’t get things done by myself in Annapolis.

I work with others.

Most often, it’s my colleagues in the General Assembly.

I need their advice and their support to pass my bills.

That’s why I’m proud to be running with Senator Jill Carter and Delegates Dalya Attar and Tony Bridges.

The 41st District has been well served by our joint efforts.

I also work with our state-wide elected officials.

They can set the tone for the debate on policy issues.

They can persuade reluctant legislators to vote the right way.

I’m also proud to be supporting Wes Moor for Governor, Katie Curran O’Malley for Attorney General, and Brooke Lierman for Comptroller.

Each would bring to his or her job the skills and knowledge to have a positive impact on Maryland’s future.

Whether you’re voting by mail, during Early Voting from July 7-14, or on Election Day, July 19, I ask for your support – for myself and for these other worthy candidates.

  • My Key Issues:

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