Commentary

Under Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell, the federal government not only blocked efforts to address the climate crisis but aggressively expanded the fossil fuel economy. But one bright spot that mitigates the damage from Washington has been the deeper commitment to clean energy initiatives at the state and local levels. These efforts must continue now that President Trump is out of office, and there’s no better place to ramp up action than right here in Maryland.

Federal transportation officials have announced they will go back to the drawing board before proceeding with a multibillion-dollar redevelopment of Union Station. That is welcome news. This once-in-a-generation project in the heart of D.C. needs to be done right, and plans developed by the Trump administration ran counter to the desire of local officials and residents for a transportation hub that not only served the needs of travelers but also would be fully integrated into the life of surrounding neighborhoods.

I read with interest the article in Maryland Matters last week describing Senator Hough’s crusade against waste-to-energy’s participation in the state renewable electricity portfolio standard (RPS) and wondered if there was a more misunderstood environmental issue in Annapolis. At a recent state legislative hearing, supporters of Senator Hough’s position testified that waste-to-energy (WTE) was not “real renewable energy” and should not participate in the RPS because it was not “clean.” This could not be further from the truth as WTE is modern, clean, and renewable despite Senator Hough’s protestations.

When Gov. Larry Hogan signed The RELIEF Act Monday, exactly five weeks elapsed since the day he announced the package of more than $1 billion in aid to Marylanders suffering the worst economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Another 10 days passed before it was introduced in the General assembly. By legislative standards, 3 ½ weeks is a sprint of epic speed.

As former chair of the Election Law Subcommittee in the House of Delegates, I focus much of my policy energy on improving our voting experience. Our dynamic system must move toward a place where everyone who is allowed to vote can vote in a convenient, safe and transparent process. The fact is that extensive barriers remain on the journey to the ballot box, serving as roadblocks to civic activism. House Bill 274 ensures that every legal voter in the state gets a ballot in the mail that they can choose to take to the polls to vote or mail in at their convenience.

Last September, I had the chance to talk with culinary workers at a virtual town hall. One of those workers was M. Rocha, who used to work at a hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. When the pandemic hit last March, like so many in the tourism and hospitality industry, she was furloughed. She’s still not back on the job today. She has a wife, son and elderly mother she takes care of, and they all depend on her paycheck.