The Affordable Care Act, which became law in 2010, was a landmark moment in the quest to ensure access to health care for all Americans, expanding health coverage to more than 400,000 Marylanders, which reduced our uninsured rate from 12% to 6%. But the work did not end with ACA passage, and Maryland has subsequently taken a series of important steps to strengthen our health care system.

As Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) embarks on a new chapter with the appointment of a new superintendent, we believe this is a turning point — an opportunity to transform into a world class education system. We, the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA), the Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel (ASASP), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2250 (ACE-AFSCME Local 2250), and the Service Employees International Union 400 (SEIU 400), stand together with a focus on positive change and solutions.

Imagine a contemporary Rip Van Winkle fell asleep in 1993, when the average price of a gallon of gasoline was $1.10 and Maryland’s tax on that gas was 23.5 cents per gallon — or about 21% of the total price. He wakes up today to the news that, whoa, prices have gone up quite a bit. Motorists in Maryland are paying an average of $3.50 per gallon for gasoline, according to AAA.\

Frederick County’s student athletes put on quite a show in the spring sports state championships this year, with great team efforts and outstanding individual achievements. Our newspaper and website have been filled with stories and photos of victory after victory, achievement after incredible achievement. The athletes’ beaming smiles at the many victory celebrations are a reminder of the pure joy of sports competition.

 

As students working to address climate and environmental issues and preparing to join the Maryland workforce, we were excited to have a climate event on our UMBC campus earlier this month, which was co-sponsored by Maryland Matters. The panel included leaders from multiple agencies across the Moore-Miller administration, highlighting a trans-sectoral commitment to climate action and a real embrace of comprehensive policy implementation to respond to our pressing climates issues.

It’s not difficult for Democrats and Republicans alike to list multiple reasons to hate the debt limit agreement reached over the weekend by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden. The irony, of course, is that the partisans are often clucking about the same issues, just opposite takes on them. Expanded work requirements for those who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Aid for Needy Families program is a particularly galling imposition given how experience shows it won’t help recipients get jobs but will increase government bureaucracy.

Nearly a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion after almost 50 years. Our patients in Maryland experienced uncertainty and concern after the ruling as other states began to enact a myriad of abortion restrictions. Meanwhile, reproductive health care providers scrambled to establish a network of referrals to help patients get care in states where abortion remained legal.

In the year before the pandemic, I devoted several columns to the subject of reversing Baltimore’s population slide — things that a mayor, universities or groups like the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Downtown Partnership should do to attract people to the city again. When the latest population figures appeared, showing a further decline, I was not surprised.

On Thursday, the Greater Baltimore Committee held its annual meeting, the 67th such gathering since the advocacy group was formed by local civic and business leaders to help revitalize Baltimore. It was notable in several regards, not the least of which was the formal introduction of the new GBC President and CEO Mark Anthony Thomas to the 700 or so people in attendance. The significance of that event goes well beyond mere change in stationery or the “About Us” link of the Greater Baltimore Committee website.

With the longer days now leaving more light into the evening, farmers are taking every opportunity to work later and get this year’s crop in the ground. This means greater activity on the roads from both farmers and the public as more events are held. It may be best to remind ourselves to be considerate of our neighbors and heed the additional traffic guidelines regarding slow moving vehicles.