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Policeman watching the St Patrick's parade
Anne Arundel police unions question how to implement Maryland standard on when to use force
May 4, 2021 -

After the state legislature passed major police reforms, police unions say the legislation creates practical uncertainties that will need revision next session. State police representatives were heavily involved in drafting landmark police reform bills this session about how, and what kind of laws, can make police departments safer for the communities they serve and hold officers accountable in new ways. But police representatives said their concerns about amorphous policies were swept aside in the final marathon days of the legislative session.

Read More: Capital Gazette
WINNER: Delegate Jessica Feldmark MD-12
May 3, 2021 -

Back by popular demand, we’re continuing to highlight the winners of the 2021 Maryland legislative session.

Delegate Jessica Feldmark, representing Maryland District 12 in Howard and Baltimore Counties, took on the challenge of a virtual session with the same dedication she’s known for in her district. This session, Feldmark is claiming victory on several fronts. From securing the Job Creation Tax Credit (HB 278) and community college funding (HB 173), to achieving the Building Out Broadband Act (HB 1328) and ensuring HBCU representation on the TEDCO Board (HB 6), Feldmark delivered for her constituents in a big way.

Read More: Center Maryland
Anne Arundel police unions question how to implement Maryland standard on when to use force
May 3, 2021 -

After the state legislature passed major police reforms, police unions say the legislation creates practical uncertainties that will need revision next session. State police representatives were heavily involved in drafting landmark police reform bills this session about how, and what kind of laws, can make police departments safer for the communities they serve and hold officers accountable in new ways. But police representatives said their concerns about amorphous policies were swept aside in the final marathon days of the legislative session.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
the conference call cover image
11. Colm O’Comartun on the State of American Reform
May 3, 2021 -

On episode 11 of The Conference Call, Damian is joined by a long-time friend and ally, Colm O’Comartun, Principal at 50-State and former Executive Director of the Democratic Governors Association. Join us for a conversation about Colm’s Irish roots, the road to American politics, and the Maryland Gubernatorial roadmap. Afterward, the guys discuss the goals of state politics, where they intersect with national interests, and the value of localizing national conversations.

The Maryland State of Reform conference is coming up on May 13th. Details and registration can be found here: https://stateofreform.com/all-conferences/

Music by Dillion O’Brian

Read More: Center Maryland
Wes Moore Creates Fundraising Committee Ahead of Possible Run for Governor
April 30, 2021 -

Wes Moore, the Baltimore-based nonprofit executive, is one step closer to entering the 2022 Democratic primary for governor. Moore created a campaign fundraising committee with the State Board of Elections on Wednesday, Wes Moore for Maryland, which enables him to begin raising money for a possible bid. Sources said that Moore, who disclosed in late February that he was “seriously considering” a run for governor, isn’t quite ready to announce his candidacy yet. But the new fundraising entity is another sign that he is preparing to become a candidate, with a final decision likely within the next few weeks.

Read More: Maryland Matters
Biden declares ‘America is rising anew’ as he calls for expansion of federal programs on scale not seen in decades
April 29, 2021 -

President Joe Biden declared Wednesday night that “America is rising anew” as he called for an expansion of federal programs to drive the economy past the pandemic and broadly extend the social safety net on a scale not seen in decades. In his first address to Congress, he pointed optimistically to the nation’s emergence from the coronavirus scourge as a moment for America to prove that its democracy can still work and maintain primacy in the world.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
WINNER: Pokuaa “PK” Owusu-Acheaw of MSEA
April 28, 2021 -

PK Owusu, Managing Director of Political and Legislative Affairs for the Maryland State Educators Association (MSEA), came away from the 2021 legislative session with huge wins for Maryland educators and students. From resisting Governor Hogan’s veto of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, to securing critical protections for COVID-vulnerable educators, PK and her team worked with legislators to hold the line on historic successes and advocate for educators in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“None of this would have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of Team MSEA, especially the Government Relations Team, MSEA Governance, and the entire membership of MSEA members, 75,000 strong, who have tirelessly shown up on the frontlines to make sure that Maryland students receive a quality education, regardless of their zip code,” PK Owusu-Acheaw.

Read More: Center Maryland
The county where Black women hold power — a few miles from the White House
April 28, 2021 -

The hallway was lined with sharply dressed Black women, awaiting the new administration’s first cabinet meeting. Who are they, the deputy fire chief wondered that December day in 2018. She had attended such sessions for eight years, but had never seen the foyer look like this. As the women took their seats at the table, she read their names and titles. These women, she realized, were in charge.

Read More: Washington Post
WINNER: Gene Ransom and MedChi
April 27, 2021 -

Gene Ransom, CEO and Executive Director of MedChi (The Maryland State Medical Society) approached the 2021 session with one goal: deliver for MedChi membership on Maryland issues after more than a year with physicians in the national spotlight. Whether that meant a massive increase in physician payment for Medicaid, preservation of payments for telehealth services post-pandemic, or successfully resisting changes in state code that would have lowered the standard for the term “physician,” the MedChi team was relentless in the interest of Maryland physicians.

Read More: Center Maryland
3 Maryland families for years criticized David Fowler’s rulings as medical examiner. Then came Derek Chauvin’s trial.
April 27, 2021 -

For years, the families of Anton Black, Karreem Ali and Tyrone West have tried to get someone — anyone — to listen. They filed lawsuits, held vigils and investigated, all in hopes of making people take another look at former Maryland Chief Medical Examiner David Fowler’s conclusion that police weren’t responsible for their loved ones’ deaths. Earlier this month, Fowler testified that the Minnesota police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes had nothing to do with Floyd’s death. Fowler blamed carbon monoxide, drug use, a heart condition and other factors, contradicting other medical experts in the trial who said there was no question that former Officer Derek Chauvin killed Floyd.

Read More: Baltimore Sun

The Morning Rundown

We’re staying up to the minute on the issues shaping the future. Join us on the newsletter of choice for Maryland politicos and business leaders. It’s always free to join and never a hassle to leave. See you on the inside.