Monday, May 6, 2013
People are talking about the prospect of a referendum on Maryland's death penalty repeal.
With Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) signing legislation repealing the Maryland's death penalty Thursday and death penalty proponents gathering signatures to put the issue on the 2014 ballot, discussion of the controversy moved to social media in recent days. Those against the death penalty rejoiced. @jglassroth tweeted: "Proud to live in Maryland: #nomoredeathpenalty." @SallyAlbright is pleased with the governor, tweeting: "My new fave gov.... Martin O'Malley signs Maryland death penalty repeal." Not everyone was pleased, however. @bmenlend of Bethesda tweeted: "Martin O'Malley is moving #Maryland forward. No death penalty/gun bans. Very safe. If you're a criminal. 'Do what u like we won't kill u.'" @baronpen of Kensington also is not happy …
Monday, November 5, 2012
A look at what's at stake—and how the battle is being waged.
Note: This article was originally published on Oct. 25 but is being featured again ahead of Tuesday's election. WHAT IT'S ABOUT Question 7 asks voters whether they favor a plan to expand gambling in Maryland that would: The ballot question is a result of legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly during its 2012 special session (view the House and Senate roll calls) and signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. Several other portions of the law are not subject to a referendum. Slot machines have been permitted in the state since voters approved a gaming referendum (59 percent to 41 percent) in November 2008. Passage of Question 7 would mark a significant shift, however, bringing Maryland's casinos closer in line with those of Atlantic City …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
As advocates boost their million-dollar ad campaign, more than 800 faith leaders will rally Tuesday in Silver Spring to spur more voter outreach ahead of Election Day.
With Election Day just two weeks away, "Dream Act" advocates have stepped up their million-dollar ad campaign and are convening a pair of rallies this week, one of which is expected to draw more than 800 faith-based activists to Silver Spring today. Signed into law after narrowly clearing the 2011 legislative session, the Dream Act would allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition if they: A Republican-led petition drive quickly garnered more than 100,000 signatures, more than twice what was required to send it to referendum. If it survives the Nov. 6 vote, Maryland voters will be the first in the nation to approve in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Dream Act opponents say that the collection of so many signatures in less than …
Thursday, August 30, 2012
With two months until Election Day, a new campaign is launched to win two controversial ballot initiatives.
Casa de Maryland, the state’s largest immigrant advocacy organization, and Equality Maryland, the largest LGBT rights group, have forged an alliance to convince voters to approve same-sex marriage and to allow certain college-bound illegal immigrant students to pay in-state tuition. Dubbed “Familia es Familia,” the campaign launched Tuesday in Langley Park with advocates framing same-sex marriage and the Maryland Dream Act as kindred causes grounded in a family-first sensibility. The campaign will draw its persuasive power from the personal experiences of young, LGBT immigrants. Montgomery County Councilwoman Nancy Navarro told the story of her brother Pedro, who came out to her and her sister 17 years ago, reported The Washington Blade…
Monday, August 27, 2012
Same-sex marriage, in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, expanded gambling and congressional redistricting all come down to state voters this November.
With voters deciding four of Maryland’s most divisive issues, pundits and pols are bracing for an Election Day outcome the likes of which the state has never seen. The Nov. 6 ballot will feature seven statewide referenda in all—the most ever, reported The Washington Post. Those ballot questions were certified last week, to include: one question each for Prince George’s County and Baltimore County to require that orphan’s court judges pass the Maryland Bar, and a change in state law to accelerate the removal or suspension of elected officials convicted of crimes while in office. The other four ballot questions are expected to spur unprecedented electioneering by advocates on all sides: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE If gay couples come out of Nov. 6 …
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
In-state tuition for illegal immigrants will be one of seven ballot questions voters will settle in November.
With barely 10 weeks before an Election Day decision on the 2011 law that would allow in-state tuition for undocumented students, opponents of the Maryland “Dream Act” are gearing up for a campaign to persuade voters to shoot the act down. Advocates on both sides of the issue now know how voters will have the question put to them when they take to voting booths November for Maryland’s first referendum on an enacted law in more than 20 years. On Monday, the Maryland State Board of Elections spelled out the language for all seven questions appearing on the Nov. 6 ballot, of which the Dream Act will be fourth: Public Institutions of Higher Education – Tuition Rates (Ch. 191 of the 2011 Legislative Session) Establishes that individuals, …
Monday, August 13, 2012
Del. Curt Anderson said he spent the weekend looking for "dirty tricks" in the Senate bill. "I found several," the city delegation chairman said.
Concerns about a Senate gaming bill will lead to nearly a half dozen amendments from Baltimore City delegates. "Did they think we weren't going to read the bill?" said Del. Curt Anderson, chairman of the Baltimore City delegation to the House of Delegates. Anderson made his comments during and after a one-hour meeting with city legislators on the version of the Senate bill that seeks to expand gambling in Maryland. Anderson said he spent the weekend reading the bill looking for "dirty tricks." "I found several," Anderson said. The Senate passed its bill Friday night and will not reconvene until 7 p.m. Tuesday. Any changes made by the House would have to be approved by the Senate. Five provisions of the Senate bill have caused concern among…
Saturday, August 11, 2012
"Concerns are everywhere," said Del. Frank Turner, chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Gaming Law and Regulation.
A bill authorizing gambling expansion in Maryland will likely be amended, according to the chairman of the House subcommittee that is holding hearings on the legislation. Del. Frank Turner, a Howard County Democrat, initially characterized possible changes to the bill passed Friday by the Senate as minor. "Mostly it's a lot of tweaks," said Turner, the chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Gaming Law and Regulation. When asked what concerns his committee might have, Turner suggested the changes might be more substantive. "I think there are concerns everywhere," Turner said. "There are all kinds of concerns and ideas. Some will be germane and others won't. I think we're going to make it a better work product than what the …
Friday, July 27, 2012
O'Malley says session, which begins on August 9, will be about job creation and funding for schools.
UPDATED (2:57 p.m.)—Gov. Martin O'Malley Friday announced he will call the General Assembly back to Annapolis for a special session on the issues of gambling and the creation of a sixth casino. "This is an issue about jobs," O'Malley said. "This is an issue about maximizing revenues from gaming." A bill was not available at the time of the morning news conference. O'Malley said it needed tweaking and would likely be made public shortly before the beginning of the special session. O'Malley, House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller all said the bill would create about 2,500 jobs from the legalization of table games and generate $100 million for schools. Sen. E.J. Pipkin Friday afternoon blasted O'Malley for …
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Supporters say law gives students who are illegal immigrants "a level playing field."
Karina is a "Dreamer." She says she's not the only one. The 22-year-old illegal immigrant and Montgomery College student spoke Wednesday at a news conference at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County to kick off Educating Maryland Kids, an effort to pass the Maryland DREAM Act. "My mother has always told me that education is the path to my success and I very much believe that," said the woman who was only identified by her first name. Karina, who plans on graduating next year with dual associate degrees in general studies and mental health, called for support for a bill that would grant in-state tuition rates to students like herself who are in this country illegally or are considered undocumented immigrants. The law that would grant…
tom walker
9:43 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Let the Voters be heard!! and we will see were the majority really is!! more ›