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Politics

Voters should change their party affiliation because their current one does not represent their values

Dear Mr. Harden, As a fellow Democrat, I applaud your willingness to keep serving our country, this time from the US House of Representatives. Certainly flipping Maryland’s first district will not only serve the district but also the state and the nation as a whole. In your June 17 email you raise an interesting question: why people should be affiliated with an insurrectionist faction. It … Continue reading Voters should change their party affiliation because their current one does not represent their values

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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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General Assembly

Maryland Owes the Promised Prescription Drug Coverage to Its Retirees

By Peta Richkus. To quote the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)”.. the GASB believes that the government has an obligation to pay Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB)* based on the level of retirement benefits promised to an employeein exchange for his/her services.” The judge agrees; now its time for the General Assembly to do likewise. Former DGS Secretary Peta N. Richkus updates the status of MD … Continue reading Maryland Owes the Promised Prescription Drug Coverage to Its Retirees

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Politics

Takeaways from latest campaign fundraising reports

By Sachin Hebbar and Elizabeth Brown. A whopping 892 candidate committees, PACs, super-PACs, slates, central committees and more raced to file their campaign finance reports by the January 12th deadline. The stakes were pretty high as candidates looked to position themselves ahead of the June primary race. Here are seven interesting takeaways from this latest round of reports. More than 600 candidates are raising money. … Continue reading Takeaways from latest campaign fundraising reports

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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

IG Oversight Needs Transparent and Citizen-involved Approach

Indivisible Towson, a progressive grassroots, non-partisan organization with members from throughout Baltimore County, has urged County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. to expand his list of OIG work group members to include new, thoughtful voices. Their message to the County Executive follows. Thank you, County Executive Olszewski, for withdrawing the proposed bill intended to, among other things, establish an Office of the Inspector General Oversight Board … Continue reading IG Oversight Needs Transparent and Citizen-involved Approach

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County Government

Developer Stranglehold Grows in Baltimore County

By David Plymyer. The Baltimore County Council seems gripped by a wave of nostalgia for the days of Spiro Agnew and Dale Anderson, former Baltimore County executives convicted of corruption. The council is stretching the limits of state law in an effort to install its seven members as de facto zoning czars in their respective districts. It is turning land use planning, zoning, and development review into … Continue reading Developer Stranglehold Grows in Baltimore County

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