Category: County Government

County Government

More Time Needed for Police Accountability Bill

By Elizabeth Brown. The Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 mandates, as part of a new disciplinary framework, the establishment of a Police Accountability Board in every County to review complaints and disciplinary outcomes and recommend ways to improve police accountability in the County. Providing for civilian oversight of the police through such a Board has the tremendous potential to bring transparency and trust so … Continue reading More Time Needed for Police Accountability Bill

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County Government

On being a member of County Council

By Danny Golombek. Dear Councilman Quirk, I am puzzled by your comments quoted in the WYPR article about Judge Griggsby’s decision to approve the County Council’s re-drawn district map. You are quoted saying “those who brought the suit wanted to have the power of the county council.” You are a public servant, and, as the founding documents of our nation state, the power rests in the people. You, your colleagues, … Continue reading On being a member of County Council

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County Government

What Are Fair Maps? And Why People Care.

By Baltimore County Coalition for Fair Maps. The results of the 2020 census justify two Majority-Black districts and one Majority-Minority district for Baltimore County in 2021. In 2000, the County’s minority population was 200,402: 26.6% Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). It was only after pressure from ACLU and NAACP that a majority-Black District – the 4th – was drawn. That was back in … Continue reading What Are Fair Maps? And Why People Care.

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County Government

Redistricting: Towson, oh Towson, where are you?

By Rose Deane Kinder. I am a long-time resident of Towson, and I come here tonight to speak in strong opposition to the Council district plan as produced by the Commission. There are many here tonight to address the racial inequities of the proposed plan. I agree with them that our new council districts should have at least 2 black majority districts. Further, I am … Continue reading Redistricting: Towson, oh Towson, where are you?

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County Government

ACLU MD to County Council: Create a 2nd Majority Black District

By Justin Nalley. I am the Policy Analyst at the ACLU Maryland. This is my first time in front of this body, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today. The ACLU MD opposes the recommendations put forth by the redistricting commission and respectfully urges you to reject the commission’s plan.  Baltimore County has experienced tremendous diverse growth over the last 10 years, … Continue reading ACLU MD to County Council: Create a 2nd Majority Black District

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County Government

Green Towson Alliance Opposes Proposed Redistricting Map

By Elizabeth Miller. The Green Towson Alliance opposes the October 6, 2021 map proposed by the Baltimore County redistricting Commission for two reasons: 1) the map fails to unite greater Towson into a single district and 2) the map as drawn does not conform to the Voting Rights Act due to unlawful minority vote dilution. GTA wrote to the commission requesting that greater Towson be … Continue reading Green Towson Alliance Opposes Proposed Redistricting Map

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County Government

Don’t Be Texas: Reject the Current Proposed Map

By Sheldon Laskin. According to the latest U.S. census, 39.8% of the population in Texas is white, 39.3% is Hispanic, 11.8% is Black, and 5.4% is Asian. In the initial redistricting map for the Texas House prepared by Texas lawmakers during the current special legislative session, most eligible voters in 59.3% of the districts are white, in 20% are Hispanic and in 2.7% are Black. No … Continue reading Don’t Be Texas: Reject the Current Proposed Map

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County Government

League of Women Voters Calls for New Redistricting Map

By Ericka McDonald and Tana R. Hamilton. The League of Women Voters of Baltimore County calls for the creation of a new map that fully considers the rights of people of color and the requirements of the Voting Rights Act. We believe that the current plan unlawfully dilutes the votes of minority residents. Because of the long history of racial inequality in representation in Baltimore … Continue reading League of Women Voters Calls for New Redistricting Map

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County Government

Crabs Don’t Vote: Proposed District 5 “Pinched” in the Middle

By Fergal Mullaly. If you look at the map submitted by the commission, you should immediately notice something… The inlets, bays, and peninsulae that make our county shoreline such a beautiful place have all disappeared, replaced by a smooth border. The maps extend beyond the coastline and into the bay. And while perhaps the official boundaries of the county extend into the water, crabs don’t … Continue reading Crabs Don’t Vote: Proposed District 5 “Pinched” in the Middle

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County Government, General Interest

County must reject pro-incumbent, anti-voter map

By Sonia Shah. Over the past decades, Baltimore county has steadily diversified. In 1980, we were 10 percent black; in 2000, we were 20 percent black. Today we are 30 percent black. Forty-seven percent–nearly half of us–are non-white.  Our diversity is a strength that benefits all of us in the county. And thanks to the Voting Rights Act, by law it must be reflected in … Continue reading County must reject pro-incumbent, anti-voter map

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