There is an art to amending a bill that has already passed one house of the legislature. The bill is no longer the idea of one member. It’s the work product of a committee, which is then ratified by the full body. Twice in the last few days, people have sought my advice. Don’t surprise …more >
This is how I began my testimony on House Bill 1075, which would establish an Office of Domestic Terrorism Response in the Department of Emergency Management. We have seen the carnage violent extremism leaves on minority communities. Just last month, the FBI intervened to thwart a plot by two neo-Nazis to target several BGE …more >
This afternoon, the House passed the bill protecting the privacy of women who receive reproductive health care in Maryland. There was no floor debate. I attribute that to the merits of House Bill 812. As the bill’s sponsor, I prepared the following remarks. When this General Assembly codified the holding of Roe V Wade and …more >
There’s language I’m trying to add to the budget bill. There’s language in the budget bill I’m trying to revise or delete. I was told that my legislation on domestic terrorism would be reported to the House floor. Then I ran into the floor leader for the bill. He asked me for my thoughts on …more >
When one of my bills is in my committee, I make the case for its passage to my chairwoman. If my legislation is in another committee, I still talk with the chair. Then I ask a delegate who’s in the leadership group for that committee. He or she will be in the room where decision …more >
Sometimes I do my best thinking on my seat. I had testified on my bill to broaden the permitted uses of the money from speeding tickets on the Jones Falls Expressway. One of my objectives with House Bill 512 is to fund a pedestrian bridge over Cold Spring Lane for the hundreds of Poly and …more >
This is Crossover Week. If a House bill passes the House by the close of business next Monday, it’s guaranteed a hearing in the Senate. Same guarantee for Senate bills coming to the House. But, as I remind people, you’re guaranteed a hearing on your bill, but not a vote. After that deadline, you’ve got …more >
When I first wrote you about the need to change next year’s primary election date because it was the first day of Passover, I said the following: “The Passover holiday celebrates our exodus to freedom. Centuries later, Election Day celebrates our fundamental right in a democracy – the right to vote.” Two weeks later, election …more >
Sixteen amendments were offered during the House of Delegates floor session today. They all failed on party-line votes. Republicans voted yes, and Democrats voted no. Why did this happen? Is it a good way to make laws? The work of the House is done in our six committees. They hold hearings on bills. They study …more >
“Building a new school,” I began my testimony on House Bill 798, “is like making an omelet. You need to break eggs. As part of the legislation funding the construction of new schools in Baltimore City, a significant number of schools have to be closed. The decline in enrollment meant there were too many empty …more >
