Politics

The marble hallways of the Maryland State House echoed with laughter and backslapping Wednesday as the 188 members of the General Assembly — one in a top hat, another in a Maryland flag dress — settled in for an annual marathon of policymaking that will focus on cutting spending or raising taxes to pay for big ambitions. The festive start, a political ritual attended by dignitaries from across the state, launches a 90-day session controlled by Democrats, who have held supermajorities in both chambers for decades.

It’s easy to get lost in the pomp and grandeur of the Maryland State House. The splendid marble floors and staircases, the historic artwork and sweeping glass-paned ceilings of the chambers can transport one to another place and time. But as lawmakers mixed and mingled among lobbyists and local officials on the first day of the legislative session, what kept them anchored to the reasons they ran for office in the first place?

After a rush of schmoozing and ceremony, a hush rolled over the Maryland State House mid-afternoon Wednesday as public officials trickled back to their offices and temporary apartments surrounding State Circle. One day down, 89 to go. We distilled the day’s events from offices deep in the State House basement.

Montgomery County leaders were the center of attention at opening day of the Maryland General Assembly’s 446th legislative session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis on Wednesday afternoon. “There’s going to be a lot of challenges this session, but I’m really excited to get back to work for our Maryland families,” Del. Joe Vogel (D-Dist. 17) told MoCo360 in the General Assembly lobby as legislators milled around after the House of Delegates adjourned.

The Maryland House of Delegates will focus on a “decency agenda” in 2024, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) said. During an interview last week at her office in Annapolis, Jones said the package of bills will focus on combating hate and prejudice, including against Jewish and Muslim people.

Gov. Wes Moore announced his plan Tuesday to sponsor three criminal justice-focused bills that intend to aid crime victims, recruit more law enforcement and quell gun violence. “When it comes to public safety, we aren’t going to point fingers — we aren’t going to just simply place blame — we’re going to lead and lead together,” the governor, a Democrat, said at a morning news conference in Annapolis.

A bill introduced in the Maryland legislature would expedite development review for certain affordable housing proposals — one of several bills the sponsor hopes will help make this year’s General Assembly “the housing session in Annapolis.” Del. Vaughn Stewart, D-District 19, representing the central part of Montgomery County, has formally introduced HB-3, which would require localities to establish and implement expedited development review processes for qualifying affordable housing projects.

The Maryland General Assembly’s 2024 legislative session begins in Annapolis on Wednesday, both sides of the aisle say that juvenile crime and changing justice reforms is a top priority. MoCo360 reached out to Maryland decision-makers on both sides of the political divide. Democrats say that only minor tweaks to clarify the 2022 Juvenile Justice Reform Act are necessary, but Republicans said that some parts of the law need to be completely rolled back.