Commentary

A set of proposals to legalize recreational marijuana in Maryland in two phases — a statewide referendum on a constitutional amendment and then administrative implementation — passed the Maryland State House of Delegates Friday. The state Senate is expected to take up the legislation shortly. The bill — crafted by Del. Luke H. Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) — appears to have carefully addressed many issues that have plagued recreational legalization in other states. Though the disposition of the legislation remains to be seen, Democrats have a veto-proof majority and strong support in both chambers, so the prospects for success are very good.

At long last, 2022 could be a banner year for animals, as the Maryland General Assembly appears poised to pass bills that would ban wildlife trafficking, prohibit declawing and protect pets in extreme weather. But despite the flurry of activity, one critical bill continues to languish: cost of animal care. Annapolis must take meaningful action this session to hold defendants in animal cruelty cases financially responsible for their pets.

A week ago, on behalf of The Baltimore Sun, the editorial board issued an apology for the paper’s history of upholding and furthering racism throughout its 185 years and failing to serve Black communities, chronicling many of its wrongs along with some more recent efforts to improve. As part of that project, we asked for feedback from readers about what we have yet to acknowledge and how we can do better. We received many thoughtful responses from throughout the region.

Across the nation and in various counties in Maryland, mask mandates are being lifted. Politicians on all sides waiting for midterms and upholding promises to the business community have decided it’s OK to put Black lives at risk for personal gain. Black people know this game. Our whole lives are based on survival since the founding of this nation. Horrifically, Black people are always the first to be sacrificed and the last to be protected. Everything from the polluted air we breathe in our neighborhoods to mass incarceration and food insecurity are intentional symptoms of the legacy of racism.

A small freshwater fish called the Maryland darter – the only known species unique to Maryland – might not be top of mind for legislators or members of the Hogan administration in this year’s 2022 General Assembly. In truth, the idea that anyone in Annapolis would ponder the recent extinction of the Maryland darter during a busy session, in an election year, is as much a longshot as was the decades-long effort to protect this rare fish. Still, the extinction of the Maryland darter, announced last year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, represents an ominous trend in the natural world that must be addressed.

Maryland should require rigorous standardized tests of students starting at the ages of 4 or 5. No kidding. This proposal is sure to shock and enrage many parents and educators. “Too much testing” is already a common criticism of public schools. On top of that, many parents and early childhood practitioners think public schools have already gone too far, too fast in academically “drilling and killing” our youngest schoolchildren.

Since I was sworn in as the eighth county executive for Prince George’s County over three years ago, I have had the privilege of making numerous appointments to help move our county forward. Among them; a fire chief, a police chief, a school CEO, a chief administrative officer, a chief information officer, and many more. Each time I have sought a candidate to lead an agency or entity, I have kept one thing top of mind: choose the best qualified person for the position, who will do their level best for the residents of this county.

Two major transportation projects have hit something of a crossroads. First, there was Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge John M. Maloney’s Feb. 17 ruling to delay, in ortder to consider a bid protest, what has proven to be Gov. Larry Hogan’s favorite transportation initiative: the widening of Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway, and replacement of the American Legion Bridge under a public-private partnership.