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Commentary

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Robert A. Smith: General Assembly action decimates policing in Maryland
April 12, 2021 -

In the name of “police accountability and transparency” the partisan General Assembly hastily cobbled together pernicious amendments to existing laws and created new laws that systematically decimates Maryland policing and its ability to effectively perform its statutory duties to safeguard lives and property, maintain order; provide public safety, enforce laws; and make arrests. The rights of police officers are guaranteed by the Constitution and U.S. Supreme Court precedence.

Read More: Capital Gazette
Cutting costs for prescription drugs shouldn’t mean cutting access to care
April 12, 2021 -

Patients who face high out-of-pocket costs for their prescription drugs are too often forced to decide between purchasing their medicine or putting food on the table. In Maryland, many of the highest-cost prescription drugs treat conditions that disproportionately impact seniors and Black patients, such as diabetes and sickle cell disease. Not filling, delaying, or curtailing the use of prescription medications for such conditions can have life-threatening consequences.

Read More: The Daily Record
A simmering dispute
April 12, 2021 -

A judge’s ruling has turned down the heat on the long-simmering dispute between Frederick County government and its firefighters’ union, but the issue is far from resolved. This goes back to a ballot question approved by voters in 2018, which changed the charter rules on collective bargaining between the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 3666 and the county. The new rules included a requirement for binding arbitration in the event that the sides could not reach an agreement during collective bargaining.

Read More: Frederick News Post
Electronic medication records could save billions in health care costs – and lives
April 12, 2021 -

One of the scariest things patients say in the pharmacy is, “I don’t know what medications I’m taking or what they’re for. My doctor prescribed them, so I just take them.” Of course, patients’ records are in the pharmacy system, but only for medications dispensed at that chain. If a patient gets some medications at Walgreens and some at CVS, there is no way for the staff at Walgreens to know what the patient gets at CVS, and vice versa unless the patient is able to tell them.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Evidence-based policing: Let’s begin it in Baltimore
April 12, 2021 -

While we are frustrated with the striking lack of data about the killing of unarmed civilians by police, we are nevertheless encouraged by recent assertions of medical researchers that this problem can be framed as an issue of public health. This insight has implications for police departments, as they are at a critical and troubling moment in U.S. history.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Yard 56, Bayview: Baltimore-based developer David Bramble brings life to a dead zone
April 9, 2021 -

A moment of triumph has arrived for David Bramble. A man whose parents once ran a corner grocery in West Baltimore has succeeded in developing a shopping center for his hometown with a big, bright, brand new supermarket. That’s a pretty good storyline, but just one way of looking at Bramble’s most recent accomplishment. There’s more here than meets the eye.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Wes Moore: Here’s what the American Rescue Plan could mean for Baltimore
April 9, 2021 -

I was not yet 4-years-old when my dad died from a rare, but treatable virus. He had just been sent home from the hospital hours earlier with instructions to get some rest, and with doctors asking my mom if he was prone to exaggeration. My family has long felt that race played a role in his care — or lack of it. Even beyond the emotional trauma, the economic damage to my family was severe. Thrust into single motherhood, my mom worked multiple hourly jobs to support my sisters and me. She couldn’t find full-time employment that included benefits until I was 13-years-old.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Our Say: Progress made on vaccine rollout, but still more work to do
April 8, 2021 -

Suddenly, progress seems real. The good news is mounting up. Just over 30% of the Anne Arundel County population has received their first COVID-19 dose, and 18.7% are fully vaccinated. Everyone in Maryland who is 16 or older will be eligible next week to get the coronavirus vaccine at any site offering shots in the state. Anne Arundel County will stop requiring preregistration for vaccination appointments, allowing the public to sign up directly for clinic openings on the schedule that will be released on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Read More: Capital Gazette
Georgia election flap underscores our collective action problem
April 8, 2021 -

The Georgia debacle is a perfect example of the rolling collective action problem of our democracy. A collective action problem, simply put, is when there is a goal that would benefit everyone — in this case, confidence in our machinery of democracy — but the incentive structure for the individual players makes it impossible to cooperate to reach the goal. The Georgia electoral mess goes back to the 2018 Georgia governor’s race — and every faction in that state has made it worse over the last three years.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Removing O’Donnell statue: a critical step toward aligning Canton with community’s values
April 8, 2021 -

A more inclusive Canton starts today. The Canton Anti-Racism Alliance, founded in July 2020, is a coalition of volunteers dedicated to effectuating long-term, impactful changes in our Baltimore City neighborhood to foster a more diverse, equitable, inclusive and welcoming community. Led by Canton Community Association President Mark Edelson, we represent a diverse group of residents, educators, and historians from Canton and throughout the city. We meet monthly to formulate strategies that will usher in transformative change.

Read More: Baltimore Sun

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