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Politics

Montgomery Democrats pick community leader Greg Wims to fill latest vacancy in House of Delegates

A longtime Montgomery County business, community and political leader, W. Gregory Wims, was chosen Tuesday night as Montgomery County Democrats’ pick for a District 39 vacancy in the House of Delegates. Wims was chosen by the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee from a field of six candidates to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Del. Kirill Reznik (D), who left the seat he’d held for almost 16 years to become an assistant secretary at the Maryland Department of Human Services.

Anne Arundel bill to ban plastic bags at retail establishments gains widespread public support

A bill being considered by the Anne Arundel County Council that would ban many retail establishments from providing customers with plastic bags received positive feedback Monday for the second consecutive hearing. Representatives from the Anne Arundel County chapter of the Sierra Club, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Conservancy, Arundel Rivers Federation and other environmental advocates submitted oral and written testimony arguing that prohibiting plastic bags is an important step in protecting the county’s delicate waterways.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Maryland Democrats defend abortion drug in brief to Supreme Court

Maryland’s Democrats in Congress have joined an amicus brief to the Supreme Court opposing lower court rulings that would prohibit or restrict the sale of the abortion pill mifepristone. Senate Democrats and independents and House Democrats argued that the “FDA’s determination that mifepristone is safe and effective is based on a thorough and comprehensive review process prescribed and overseen by the legislative branch.”

Maryland weighs letting judges order mental health care

When Ashoke and Vinita Rampuria’s son returned home after taking a year off from college, to complete his course work, he didn’t seem like himself. “He was unable to complete tasks. He was lying on the sofa,” said Ashoke Rampuria, a resident of Acton, Massachusetts. “He took some jobs, but could not hold them.”

Maryland Sen. Cardin recommended to temporarily replace Feinstein on Judiciary Committee

Maryland’s senior senator has been recommended to temporarily replace California’s senator on the Judiciary Committee, but Republicans aren’t having it. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, has been recommended to temporarily replace U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Cardin tweeted that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, recommended the Maryland senator as a temporary replacement on the committee.

 

 

Maryland lawmakers passed over 800 bills during the 2023 session. Explore them by topic, sponsor and see which are already signed.

With Maryland state lawmakers back in their districts, at their day jobs, or, after last week’s sprint to the finish, perhaps on a vacation, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore has hundreds of bills to consider. The first-year governor has already signed 93 of the over 800 sent to him by the General Assembly, and doesn’t get a formal say on the abortion referendum, which he supports, or a final say on the state budget, which he initiated.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Two Maryland AFSCME councils vote to merge

Two of Maryland’s largest — and most politically active unions — have voted to become one. AFSCME Council 67, which represents nearly 15,000 city and county government employees, is joining forces with AFSCME Council 3, which represents nearly 30,000 state government workers and university employees. The combined union, which will carry the Council 3 name, will represent nearly 45,000 public employees across the state.

 

Mayor Scott pitches expanded services and political stability in State of City address

More than halfway into his first term, Mayor Brandon Scott pitched Baltimoreans a renaissance of expanded city services, including longer recreation center hours and the return of weekly curbside recycling at Monday night’s State of the City address. The annual speech, usually delivered in the winter and this year delayed several times, also allowed the 39-year-old progressive Democrat — who faces a potentially tough bid for reelection next year — an opportunity to promote continued political stability to execute his agenda as he offered a glimpse into future programs.

Baltimore working on summer strategy to keep youth safe, engaged

Baltimore’s mayor put the blame for youth violence squarely on the shoulders of parents, but he placed the solution on everyone. Mayor Brandon Scott on Monday morning held a roundtable on youth violence that included Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa and clergy and community leaders to discuss summer strategies and seek help to keep young people safe and engaged.

Read More: WBALTV
Baltimore County Council to confirm McCullough as next police chief

The Baltimore County Council on Monday voted unanimously to confirm Robert McCullough as the next chief of police. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski nominated McCullough to lead the department on April 7. Olszewski released a statement following the confirmation: “I applaud the Council for its swift confirmation of 35-year Baltimore County Police veteran Robert McCullough as the department’s newest chief…”

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