Commentary

Over the past year, 12 construction workers have come forward alleging they have not been fully compensated for work performed on new school buildings in Prince George’s County. Wage theft is a crime. The number of lawsuits filed against the lead developer, as well as several subcontractors, is growing as wage theft allegations — including failure to pay overtime, misclassifying employees as 1099 contractors, and failure to pay wages entirely — continue to surface on Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS).

In both an interview and speech last week, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore became the first of the region’s elected officials to say in public that the state’s economic performance in recent years has been “lackluster” and that it has underperformed adjacent states. In June, Moore, a Democrat, established an Economic Council that is to report its recommendations in January. Though the governor did not say so, he surely knows that Maryland’s economic problems are interdependent with those of the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia.

Listening to proponents and opponents of “accessory dwelling units” — garages converted to small homes, in-law flats, basement apartments — this seems obvious: Proponents bring fresh ideas and common sense to the nation’s housing shortage; opponents offer only tired arguments. Opponents say what they always say when advocates or developers propose more affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families: It will bring crime and increased traffic to nice neighborhoods, burden schools and disrupt “the character of our community.”

A few weeks ago, I held a fashion show in my living room. Instead of swimwear and bridal, the categories were more “Does that have holes in it?” and “Can you just wear a belt?” and “Trousers that are now the same length as cut-off shorts.” Yes, it’s the annual back-to-school scramble, when families transition their emotions, schedules, wardrobes and wallets from relatively laid-back summer mode to sensible bed times, packed lunches and permission slips due today shoved in your face on the way out the door.\

Congratulations to Maryland State Police Trooper 3 for 50 years of lifesaving service to the citizens of Frederick County and surrounding areas. Serving as a Central Alarm dispatcher when Trooper 3 first went in service, I vividly recall the early days of medivac helicopters. Early Bell Jet Rangers were about the size of a Honda Accord. Patients were loaded lengthwise, lying beside both the paramedic and the pilot. It was interesting to see tall troopers such as Eric Smothers and Paul Crutchley squeeze themselves into extremely small aircraft.

Maryland’s constitution covers a lot of territory in its 47 articles. The right to a trial by jury is in there. So are the legislative and executive powers. It specifically makes clear that people have a right to participate in the legislative process, that courts can’t silence free speech, that “paupers” ought not be taxed to pay for government and, thanks to some more recent amendments, there’s even language permitting slot machines and legalizing adult use of cannabis.

Last weekend in Ocean City, Gov. Wes Moore had his big chance to command the undivided attention of elected officials at the county and municipal level from Friendsville to Crisfield at the annual Maryland Association of Counties’ summer conference. It’s considered a big spotlight moment for Maryland governors, particularly those like Moore facing his first full 90-day legislative session beginning Jan. 10, 2024. And what was the 44-year-old Democrat’s vision for the future?