Here’s some important information about exercising your right to vote in this important election during the time of Coronavirus. This is an unusual election, and many things are changed because of COVID-19. Make sure you have all the information, make a plan for how you will vote, and please don’t wait until the last minute. Between the postal service delays …
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Juneteenth and Freedom
Today is Juneteenth, the anniversary of the date when slaves in Texas were finally notified of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today we celebrate freedom, but we should also take this day to meditate on what freedom really means, when our society has never treated Black people in a fair and equal way, and …
COVID-19 Update
We in the General Assembly are still in Annapolis, working hard on behalf of Maryland residents and businesses. The Governor, the legislature, and all state agencies are working together to keep residents safe in the wake of this public health threat. I am committed to transparency during this situation. I would like to express that we don’t need to panic …
Important Announcement
This morning, former Delegate Charles Sydnor was sworn into the Maryland Senate and became Senator Charles Sydnor. Congratulations to Senator Sydnor! His appointment to the Senate leaves a vacancy in the House of Delegates in 44b, and I plan to apply for that vacancy. I care deeply about the district and the people who live here. As an activist, I’ve …
Legislative District 44 Vacancy Appointment
Last night, I was honored to take part in the process to appoint a new state senator to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Senator Shirley Nathan-Pulliam. This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. All of the candidates were excellent, each in their own way. I spent hours looking at resumes and …
Public not considered in new County Council procedures
A couple of months ago, I wrote about the developer impact fees bill, and the process by which it was amended and passed. In that post, I wrote: The county council’s standard procedure is to hold a public hearing (work session) on each bill to allow the public to testify. Work sessions are held at 2pm on a Tuesday in …
Protect Green Space in Baltimore County
Baltimore County has an Adequate Public Facilities law, which requires that developers provide 1,000 square feet of open space per dwelling unit, or alternatively to pay a fee to the county to help fund parks, trails, and other natural areas. However, loopholes in the current law allow developers to deduct from the fee: Parking islands, small strips of grass between …
How Much Impact Will the Impact Fees Bill Have?
The development impact fees bill that passed the Baltimore County Council on May 23 was a compromise bill that included provisions from both the County Executive’s version and Councilman David Marks’s version, with some addition provisions and exemptions added. Some of those provisions were added at the request of other council members. However, some of the exemptions and changes seem …
Progress in Baltimore County
Yesterday, I attended the Baltimore County Council Budget Legislative Session. The Council convened to vote on County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s budget and all related bills. The good news is that the package passed largely intact. There were some changes, which I’ll explain below, but I’m excited to say that Baltimore County will be moving forward with some significant progress. First, …
Baltimore County Ethics and Government Reform
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski has introduced a very important ethics and government reform package. Time is short and we need your help to support this reform package! The hearing will be next Tuesday, March 12, and the county council will vote the following Monday, March 18. See below for ways that you can help. The package consists of three …