Tag: Pimlico Race Course

Speaking of sports

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Baltimore is a small town.  Everybody knows everybody.

So is Annapolis.  I was reminded of that today.

I was about to get up from lunch at Galway Bay when in walked Terence Smith.

Smith was a reporter for the New York Times, CBS, and the Public Broadcasting System.

I had met him at environmental receptions over the years, but our paths had not crossed since the pandemic.

He knows David Rubenstein, the new Orioles owner, from his work at the Carter White House.

The first person I’ve met who knew David from his post-City College days.

Terence remembered me and the fact that I was working to save Pimlico Race Track.

I was very impressed by his recall of my efforts.

He may have attended his first Preakness before I did.

His father, Red Smith, was a noted sports columnist.

A day’s work

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I trembled as I left a voice message with Nathan Lewin early this morning.

It’s not every day that I’m contacting one of the country’s leading constitutional lawyers.

He testified in support of my bill regarding religious divorce (a “get”) several years ago.

Today I wanted to talk to him about legislation resulting from the Israel-Hamas war.

My day concluded with a meeting of the advisory committee of neighborhood residents who live near Pimlico Race Track.

Mayor Jack Young and I created this group three years ago.

My job now is to bring the community’s concerns to the decision makers for Pimlico’s renovation.

From the First Amendment to the Daily Racing Form.

All in a day’s work.

First Meetings But Not the Last

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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.

It’s all local.

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All politics is local.

So are budget appropriations.

Where state dollars are available, it’s my job to try to bring them to the 41st District.

The capital budget is for construction projects.

The Pimlico Race Course redevelopment, the Ambassador Theatre renovation, and a new Enoch Pratt Library branch in Park Heights will each get more than $1 million, thanks to the efforts of myself and my 41st District colleagues.

Governor Hogan and the General Assembly just reached agreement on tax cuts for retirees and working families.

Individuals 65 and older who make less than $100,000 in retirement income will receive a $1,000 tax credit.  For couples earning less than $150,000 in retirement income, the credit is $1750.

In addition, certain medical, personal care, and child care products will be exempted from the sales tax.

Additional spending was also announced.

I’m aware of increases in public safety that could enhance police protection in Howard Park, scene of a triple homicide earlier this month, and other neighborhoods.

I’ll review the Governor’s supplemental budget to see if there are other programs where the benefits can be local.

From the Highway to Nowhere to Pimlico and Beyond

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We will sweat the details.

That’s the pledge my colleagues and I made to Edmondson Village residents regarding the effect of the Red Line transit system on their communities.

Cynthia Shaw, President of the Lyndhurst Community Association, asked me last week about the consequences for her neighborhood of proposed improvements to the Highway To Nowhere.

That’s the unfinished portion of Interstate 70 that connects to Edmondson Avenue.

“We told you we would sweat the details about the Red Line,” I responded.  “We will do the same for whatever transportation plans are proposed now.”

We’ll do that as well for the redevelopment of the Pimlico Race Course site and for every neighborhood issue.

You sweat the details on your bills in Annapolis.

You do the same for your constituents back home.

 

Senator Jill P. Carter, Delegate Dalya Attar, Tony Bridges, and I are having a Town Hall for the 41st District on Wednesday at 5:30. 

Please register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudOCoqTouGNV6Ed9J8i7mOILFMMU0Mxes

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

A week early

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The Maryland Stadium Authority is highly regarded in Annapolis.

The success of the baseball and football stadiums prompted the General Assembly to give more projects to the Authority.

That’s why I proposed that the future of Pimlico Race Course be studied by the Authority.

Today, the architectural and engineering contract for the racing portion of the redevelopment project was awarded to a Baltimore firm, Ayers Saint Gross.

This design work is expected to take two years.  Then a shovel will hit the ground, and a wrecking ball will hit the outdated spectator facilities.

Today’s award was a made a week early, however.  The Authority normally meets on the first week of the month.

Since construction is centered around running the Preakness the third Saturday in May, that one week could make a difference.  .

Another indication of why the Maryland Stadium Authority is highly regarded.

Maryland Stadium Authority selects architects and engineers for new Pimlico Race Course | Baltimore Brew

Join their discussion

| by delsandy | Uncategorized | No Comments

This bill is before us today because people put aside their differences.

I was on the House floor yesterday, speaking about the bill that would finance the redevelopment of Pimlico Race Course.

This compromise came about after Mayor Jack Young temporarily withdrew the City‘s lawsuit against the owners of Pimlico.

At our best, this is what we do in this House everyday: we listen to testimony, there are witnesses on both sides, and we tell them, “Work it out.”

That happens frequently on my committee. Yet again a half hour ago.

A state agency wants its bill to pass unamended. A group that’s affected by the bill wants an amendment.

As subcommittee chair, I told both parties to meet and report back to us by 10:00 a.m.

Then I got an email from a lobbyist for another relevant group.

I wrote back, “You can tell them that I have asked you to join their discussions.”

Nothing concentrates the mind like an early end to the session.

Before it was written

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To ensure that there are 71 votes for legislation supported by the House of Delegates leadership, the whips ask the Democratic members if they’re voting for the bill.

If the count falls short of the 71 needed to pass a bill, a certain number of delegates will be whipped to secure their support.

My whip calls me her easiest member.  It’s rare that I’m not voting yes on a bill that the House leadership supports.

This morning, I got whipped on the bill to finance the redevelopment of the Pimlico Race Course.

I replied, “I was for this bill before it was written.”

The Kitchen Sink and a Newsworthy Forum

| by delsandy | Sandy's 2018 Legislative Diary | No Comments

“We put the kitchen sink in this bill,” Delegate Pendergrass said during the hearing on House Bill 1782. “Provisions can be taken out after we have a public debate. “

The intent of the bill is to lower costs in the individual health insurance market.

The kitchen sink consists of various fees and revenue sources to subsidize and thus lower the cost of premiums.

Delegate Pendergrass is chair of the committee hearing HB 1782 and one of two sponsors of the legislation.

The bill has bipartisan support – from the Hogan Administration and Republican members of the committee.

Since it’s an emergency bill, 85 votes will be needed to pass it, instead of 71.

– – –

The first forum for House of Delegates candidates in my district was held last night.

The Baltimore Brew reports that I was “enthusiastic” about the renovation of Pimlico Race Track.

That is true.

What’s more newsworthy, however, is that all of the candidates present agreed with my position.

https://baltimorebrew.com/2018/03/12/house-of-delegates-candidates-battle-over-the-future-of-the-41st-district/

  • My Key Issues:

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