Kensington Mayor Peter Fosselman will become the new Deputy Secretary of State in mid-April. He'll remain mayor as he takes on his new post. Congratulations, Pete!
Monday, March 28, 2011
MCEA, MCAAP and SEIU Local 500 Plan Large Rally for April 5th
Announcement from MCEA, SEIU Local 500, NCAAP
Tuesday, April 5 in Rockville, SEIU Local 500, MCEA, and MCAAP members along with parents and students will be rallying against budget cuts to schools in Montgomery County.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
College Dems at Del. Arora's Alma Mater Slam Sam
Statement by Columbia University College Democrats
Like so many throughout Maryland and across the nation, the Columbia University College Democrats were shocked and disappointed that the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act had to be recommitted to the Judiciary Committee on March 11 after it was determined that it would fall a handful of votes short of passage. hough we have high hopes that the bill will pass next year, we cannot help but Bemoan the frustrating pace of progress. Our sympathy goes out to the thousands of Marylanders who were hoping to become full citizens this year.
Friday, March 18, 2011
ABC-Post Poll Reports Majority Support for Marriage Equality Nationally
The best summary of the polls is at ABC News. The headline figure is that supporters outnumber opponents by 53 percent to 44 percent. Support has grown particularly sharply "among Catholics, political moderates, people in their 30s and 40s and men." The poll also found support identical among whites and racial minority groups. In an interview with George Stephanopoulos, Vice President Joe Biden called marriage equality "inevitable."
Thursday, March 17, 2011
No Matter How You Slice It
I tried to draw a majority-Republican legislative district in Montgomery. It no longer seems possible. This district went 62-36 for Obama in 2008 and 63-37 for O'Malley in 2006.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Del. Jeff Waldstreicher on Last Friday
Dear Friends,
You know, not everyone is like Joanna and me. Scientists tell us that about 10% of folk are simply wired differently than the other 90. One hundred years ago, those in the majority - parents especially - often tried dramatic measures to alter the habits of those in the minority. The common practice was behavioral therapy, which was simply punishment under a more polite name. Ronald Reagan was in that 10%. So is President Obama. Against all odds (they're fraternal), when given crayons, both of my twins also appear to be left-handed. (When they're not busy eating the crayons, of course!)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Jonathan Capehart Rips Sam Arora and Tiffany Alston
His must read column in the Washington Post. Capehart already went after Del. Arora earlier. Above is the same YouTube video of Rep. John Lewis, civil rights leader and icon, he uses in his post.
Anne Arundel Legislative Districts?
Excluding District 21, which is mostly in Prince George's, Anne Arundel currently elects 12 delegates, eight of whom are Republicans. This map might reverse that partisan balance. It was constructed without any knowledge of current legislator home addresses.
Harford State Legislative Districts?
Harford is a very Republican county in a very Democratic state. As in Frederick, the population growth that warrants giving additional representation to the area would seemingly be good news for the GOP. Except that it all depends on how the lines are drawn.
The 2010 Census revealed that Harford now has enough population for almost complete two legislative districts--an increase of virtually a full delegate over ten years ago. The above map shows one sample plan for two districts in Harford. Bear in mind that the population figures may be a bit off as Maryland requires that the numbers be readjusted to reallocate the prison population to their last known address.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Frederick State Legislative Districts?
Here is a potential map for two state legislative districts centered on Frederick County. Bear in mind that the population figures may be a bit off as Maryland requires that the numbers be readjusted to reallocate the prison population to their last known address.
Republicans hope that growth in "Republican" parts of the State, like Frederick might aid their party in legislative contests. However, the number of Democrats has grown along with Frederick's population and it is not difficult to draw one legislative district that leans to each party.
The northern district would be heavily Republican, having gone for McCain over Obama by 59-39. It includes a small slice of Washington County, though it could alternatively include part of Carroll County. District 4 now includes much of the same territory in Frederick as well as a big slice of western Carroll which is currently a separate subdistrict (4B) for elections to the House of Delegates. District 4 currently elects all Republicans.
The southern district includes the City of Frederick and would lean heavily Democratic; it went for Obama over McCain by 57-42. This district resembles current District 3 which is broken into two districts for purposes of House elections. District 3A is centered on the City of Frederick and elects one Democrat and one Republican. District 3B includes southern Frederick County and elects a Republican.
If the new district were at large, both Republican delegates might face a stiff fight for reelection. On the other hand, both might find hope in the fact they have already done well in territory that has otherwise been favorable to Democrats. Sen. Ron Young defeated Alex Mooney to take District 3's Senate seat in 2010.
Seven Democratic Districts?
One exciting aspect of redistricting this year is that almost anyone can play. Here is hurriedly drawn-up plan that shows one of many possible redistricting scenarios for 2012.
This map provides an extremely rough example of what a congressional redistricting plan with seven Democratic-leaning districts might look like. Extending the Sixth into Montgomery, where it used to go back in the 1980s when I lived in Beverly Byron's district, would switch it from a Republican to Democratic leaning district. All of the other six current Democratic districts continue to lean Democratic.
This map preserves the Fourth and Seventh as black-majority districts. The Fourth swaps territory in Montgomery for Anne Arundel. The Seventh no longer extends into Howard County--placed entirely in a substantially reworked Third District here--but takes in more of Baltimore County.
The First is very safe for Republicans by taking in strong Republican territory along the Mason-Dixon line as well as the Eastern Shore. The most severe changes likely would occur in the Baltimore area districts, particularly the Second and the Third Districts.
Note that the populations are only roughly, not perfectly equal. Also, the addresses of the incumbents (and other serious potential contenders) were unknown when this was drawn so to the extent that people are moved in or out of their current district the impact was unintended.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Del. Anne Kaiser's Floor Speech for Marriage Equality
Mr. Speaker-
It will come as no surprise to you that I support this bill -- and I do so unequivocally, unabashedly. My green vote today is a vote for equality and equal protection under the law. It is a vote against bigotry. Against fear. It is a vote in favor of love and stability.
What Happened?
Live Blogging the DebateI plan to share my thoughts about the outcome of yesterday's debate more fully at a later time. For now, I just wanted to respond to my queries about the motion to recommit the marriage equality bill to committee.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Bill Recommitted to Judiciary Committee
Judiciary Chair Joe Vallario is now speaking.
And then I started to think where Martin Luther King would be on this issue.
I sent this issue to floor so yoru voice would be heard.
Our people have been involved.
At this time, I am going to move to have this bill recommitted to the House Judiciary Committee.
The bill was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee without a single nay vote.
Debate Continues
Del C.T. Wilson (D-Charles) is speaking against the bill. Not everyone who opposes this bill opposes that love. Some of us are leading as we see right." "I have not had a chance to take this to my constituents."
Del. Ariana Kelly (D-Bethesda) speaks "proudly in support of this bill on behalf of my two young children. I worry for them as I hear about the struggles that my gay and lesbian friends have gone through. IN order to send the right message to all of our children, we need to stand strong. I'm a person of faith. There is no one person less imperfect than the rest of us."
"My religious marriage is completely separate and distinct from my civil marriage." Discusses her person family story of being born Catholic and becoming Jewish.
Del. Al Carr is speaking about his grandfather, an African-American man who married a white woman from Ontario of Scottish descent who could not live in MD because in 1910 their marriage was illegal so they moved to OH.
"I'm very fortunate to live in Maryland and have a wonderful wife and children. I cannot imagine what it woudl be to live life as a second class citizen. I am really the first generation in my family to have all of these rights and privileges. Because of some votes that were taken in this very body, I am able to take these things for granted." Speaking about law banning interracial marriage. "As I cast my green vote, I think of Del. Roy Hart (Prince George's) who cast his vote to repeal this law even though it was very, very unpopular."
"I am proud to vote green for a more just and a more inclusive Maryland." I think the day will come when it seems amazing that we seem to have a vote on this issue."
Speaking about Norm Stone who voted against repealling the ban on interracial marriage. Woudl he say he made the right vote today?
Go Al!
Del. Bonnie Cullison Speaks
"Virtually every single decision affects the lives of people but there is no vote over the next four years that will affect me mire equally."
"This is the vote that will determine if we really believe if all men and women really are equal and deserve the same rights."
"I want you to know me. I live a simple but busy life. I taught special education for years. I became the leader of educators. We took positive steps to close the achievement gap by developing the most rigorously evaluation system in this country."
"when my county lacked the money, I led my organization to vote to give up money so we could continue to educate kids."
"I believe that people elected me because they believe that I am someone of true integrity, true eompassion, adn someone with the courage to lead. They trust me to listen with an open mind and make tough decisions ontheir part."
"On a personal note, I have lived together with a women for 27 years."
"In all aspects, our marriage is the same as yours with all its trials, all its tests, and all its vicctories."
"Yet our mortgage describes us as joint tenants."
Despite all I have achieved, "I am still not seen as equal in the eyes." "A green vote means that you do see me as equal in our civil society."
"I am asking you to lead in a society against a tide of discrimination."
"The progress that this country has been made because of its elected leaders being so willing to take risks. See me know me. Vote green!"
Luke Clippinger Speaking
"Over these 8 weeks in Annapolis, I have heard so many things that are painful to me. I have heard it would redefine religious marriage. I am a Presbyterian. I'm an elder in my church. If this bill passes, I can't get married there because it is against my churches teachings. This bill does not impact religious marriage."
"I hav heard that this bill will lead to children being taught immoral things. I was raised by my parents and I hope that one day I can raise my children only half as well as they raised me. . . helping me achieve what I've achieved. This bill will not result in children being taught to be amoral. This bill will not result in the destruction of the way we raise our children. It only supports it."
"I have heard that somehow I am less than natural. That I somehow am less than human. That I am less than.
I am here today to proclaim to this house that I am not less than.
I am a child of God just like all of you are children of God.
I am not less than.
I am a altimorean. I am a child of Charles Carroll, Frederick Doglas, Harriet Tubman, and Nancy Pelosi. I am not less than."
"I am a prosecutor. I am not less than."
"Today I ask you for your vote to make me a full citizen of this state."
Heather Mizeur is Speaking
"When I was an 8 year old kid, I knew my Catholic faith was important to me. . . and I also knew I was gay."
"In the complex web of my humanity, I was all of those things. It was only going to be my relationship with God woulld allow me to reconcile these things. I prayed for it--especially the gay part--to go away. When I got to college, I realized that never once in my conversations with God did he tell me it was wrong. It wwas always people external to me telling me it was wrong. And I knew it to be something different."
"The most important teaching of my particular faith: the love that is in our hearts that comes from our discernment and prayer, that is the primary source of our wisdom and our actions. "
"You are made in my image. Be not afraid. Love one another as I have loved you. Do unto others as you would have them do to you."
"And empowered by that message, I set out to do God's will."
"Every day I hold up my hands and say these are God's hands. Let me do your will. I do that will through my work and also through my marriage. Doing God's will is best when you have a soulmate. Thankfully, God saw fit to send me my soulmate. Deborah I were married before our family and friends and our G-d. That's what marriage is. It's just a vow to love each other, to be with each other in good times and bad." "It's love that makes aa family but it's marriage that protects it."
"425 rights and protections come with a marriage licence." Discussing medical decisions in a hospital, riding in an ambulance and other very personal matters. That's all we're askingis to protect our relationships and our commitment."
"Even if this bill doesn't pass, my wife and I will still be married whether you choose to protect us from tragedy."
"You can't stop us from loving each other. You can't stop us from pledging our love in from of God and each other. All you can do is make it worse for us in challenging times when life throws you curve balls."
"What we're asking for is equal protection under the law."
"Choose love."
"This week in the Ash Wednesday service in the Gospel of Matthew we were reminded that we are called to prayer in private and that will be our reward." The word for hypocrites will get their reward here on earth, those who work hard and pray privately will have their reward in heaven.
"I choose love, not just Deborah, but I love all of you. I love each and every one of you without regard to party, without regard to jurisdiction, without regard to any ugly or nasty things you may have said in the past, or today, or you will say in the future. I love you."
"But we have to love each other. God loves you. Examine your conscience. Cast your vote in favor of love. Let the people of God say Amen."
Debate Continues
Del. Healey (D-Prince George's) identifies herself as a pro-life Catholic. "As a legislator, I believe that I must vote that people are equal before the law." "Civil marriage is a legal institution not a religious institution." 'This bill has religious protections."
Delegate Kathleen Dumais is speaking passionately. "We have to act as leaders. There is no escapinga choice at times like these. We should strike a blow for freedom and equality, an act of tolerance." "We can at the same time keep the freedom of every religious association to keep its theology, its freedom, and its values."
Senators Borchin adn Raskin are watching the debate together.
Del. Dumais is discussing Loving v. Virginia. "We need to pass this bill."
Del. Mary Washington is Speaking
"The bridge that is offered by civil unions is a bridge that takes us nowhere. There was no bridge out of slavery."
"Rights are indeed conferred by legislative bodies--such as the Voting Rights Act."
"I am proud that people across the world in movements of people that are oppressed take our experience as motivation and inspiration. That's something we should be proud of. The rights of LGBT to marry takes nothing away from others. Takes nothing away from my colleague's grandfather" (i.e. what he accomplished).
"This is not about same-sex marriage. This about everyone being equal to marry."
"For those of you who cannot accept that civil marriage is a civil right or the analogies to the fight against miscegenation laws, I respectfully disagree."
"There are many of you who are against this legislation but have sponsored legislation to extend protections to other Marylanders discriminated under the law." "I am asking you as a black American, as a women, as a same-gender living person who is here and not going here. We've been invisible, especially our African-American community, especially because of the bias against our community."
"Today is an opportunity to build us up and to build new allies. Or you can stand with the people in this body who have voted against more funding more your schools." "I am asking you to stand with the seven of us because we we believe it is the job of everyone in this body to stand for civil rights."
"You can know you're doing the right thing by the people you're around."
"Please stand with us.'
Debate Continues
Delegate attacking Del. Kaiser for breaking decorum in attacking her colleagues in a total mis-characterization of her brave and personal speech. Now attacking the House for rejecting the civil unions amendment. Now attacking the Speaker for rejecting the amendment on a voice vote. "If this is taken to the voters, it will be defeated. I urge my colleagues to look at civil unions. But it is not to be heard in this House today."
Del. Justin Ross (I think) rises "in proud support of the legislation today." "I have been convinced by all these people in my life that their family should have the same protections as my own family that I hold so dear." "If it is costing my election, then I am proud to have supported such an important piece of legislation is going down."
African-American Delegate from Prince-George's now speaking. "You should be able to love whoever you choose to love. I rise to tell you that I am voting against this bill based on fundamental principles." He wants a referendum and more religious protections. Odd that opponents all claim that this would go to referendum but now use that as a reason for voting against it. "I cannot vote against my base." "Many of us have said we're fully behind civil unions."
Delegate from Baltimore County has a question for floor leader Kathleen Dumais. Now he is speaking in support of this bill. (I think it is Del. carding." "We have to figure out a way to treat them the way we would want to be treated ourselves."
Anne Kaiser Speaking Now
"It's a vote for love and against fear."
"throughout this marriage equality debate, I've asked people to share a single legal reason to oppose marriage equality. I have yet to hear a single one."
"Some have gone so far as to suggest that this bill will allow people to people marry a toaster or my cat. It's unbeliavably offensive.
We want something very simple. My girlfriend and I want to be married. We want all the rights and responsibilities. And we want to get married in Maryland. And I want to get married in my parents' lifetime."
"My mother did what so many mothers do when I told her I was gay. She cried, and then she told me loved me, and then she told me she loved me again, and then she made me lunch."
"I deserve to marry the person I love."
"I come from a family that values marriage. My mother does not understand how my marrying my girlfriend would undermine their marriage. My parents have been married for over 50 years. My grandpoarents were married for over 67 years."
"This is a deeply important and personal vote. We have the power to assure equality to thousands of Marylanders. We have the opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the country that Maryland stands for equality. We have the chance to endorse love."
"I cast my vote for all members who stand for equality. What would be so horribly detrimental if the ladies and gentlemen from Montgomery County, Baltimore City, Charles County coudl marry their partners?"
Marriage Equality Debate Continues. . .
Delegate from Prince George's is speaking (I think it is Aisha Braveboy) She thinks that this will ultimately be decided in the court and then laws catch up. That's the way it works. The voters should have the right to weigh in.
An incoherent speech. Is she aware that the courts rejected a legal challenge? Does she think her rights should be up for a vote by the people?
12:37pm: Delegate from Baltimore City (Del. Glenn, I think) is offering an amendment changes the bill to say civil unions but "still provides the benefits that many are trying to provide to same-sex couples." She cannot go against her faith and support same-sex marriage.
Del. Dumais speaking against the amendment. Doctrines of religious marriage should not be the same as what the state recognizes as a civil marriage. Civil unions are not equal. We tried separate but equal before but it didn't work. Calling something different for a separate group of people isn't right and hasn't worked in New Jersey. Their bipartisan commission said that civil unions aren't working. They have to constantly explain what it means.
Delegate from Carroll County is asking Del. Dumais if it was offered in committee.
Delegate from Anne Arundel asking a question of the sponsor, Del. Glenn if this amednment woudl apply to men and women as well as same-sex couples. He argues that this amendment will work. "A marriage is a civil union."
Majority Leader Kumar Barve speaking out against the amendment. "If I had a choice of being in a civil union or married, I would choose marriage. Civil unions are different and dont' convey all the rights of marriage."
Speaker declares nays have it on voice vote
Marriage Equality Debate Continues
Del. Kathleen Dumais is asking body to reject a proposed amendment. The amendment was rejected by voice vote.
Del. Niemann (D-Prince George's) is speaking now about his daughter and how he would like her to be able to marry herr partner. "That's nto undermining marriage, that's standing up for it." Now, he is quoting the Declaration in support: "They are endowed by their Creator certain unaliienable rights." marriage is the same support he has had from his wife for 30 years and he would like his daughter to have. We have a long history of expanding rights to give real meaning to the Founders' idea that "ALL people are created equal." Lots of people said that the civil rights movement was against the Lord's will at the time too.
Del. Niemann is quoting Loving v. Virginia--the anti-miscegination (sp?) case that struck down laws banning interracial marriage, incuding Maryland's laws. Many people were outraged at the time because the decision "overturned the will of the people." Lots of gay people have been beaten for who they are. "The issue before us is a fundamental truth that has motivated our country for over 200 years." The meaning of equality can't be defined by the majority.
"Separate is not equal because it doesn't carry with it the dignity or the respect."
"When people look back are they going to say that you stood for equality, or did you take a walk?"
House Continues Marriage Equality Debate in Afternoon
12:10pm: Del. Peter Murphy (D-Charles) gently corrects a previous speaker who said that there are six openly gay and lesbian legislators. "There are seven." Del. Murphy received a standing ovation from his colleagues and the galleries.
12:12pm Del. from Anne Arundel talking about economic costs and benefits and "why we subsidize traditional marriage: procreation." "Other relationships be it two elderly sisters, a same-sex couple, or three college professors living together, those relationships are no business of the State and don't benefit society broadly and therefore don't warrant subsidization by the State."
Who knew that marriage was about fiscal policy? Talk about defining it down!
12:17 Del. Kieffer Mitchell: "This issue pains me because it has divided this body and some relationships this entire week. My commitment to this body after it's all said and done iss that I will do everything in my power to bring us all back together."
"there has been a lot of debate about it being a civil rights issue." "I do know that he [Clarence Mitchell] knew that all Americans should be treated equally under the law." "There is no way I would compare this to the Civil Rights Movement but it is a civil rights issue. When we as a State deny people equal protection under the law, it is a civil rights issue."
"John Lewis said: 'we are now at such a crossroads over the right of same-sex couples to marry. Their exclusion officially degrades them and denies them the right to marry the person they love and denies numerous legal protections for families. Our rights of Americans do not depend on the approval of others. . . "
Now Kieffer is quoting Julian Bond who urged the General Assembly to pass the bill and sees it as a matter of "civil rights and equal treatment before the law."
"I stand here in clear conscience, mind, and heart that this is the right thing to do for our seven colleagues and that theis the right thing to do for all of us, for Marylanders and for Americans."
"I'm going to vote yes for Lisa and Gita, for my neighbors Dan and Bill, for our colleagues, for the unseen generations who will say what was all the fuss about? I vote green."
Marriage Equality Debate Continues
12:00pm Delegates look bored waiting for Del. Burns to wind up with many of the ones I see starting to surf on their computers or doing other work and Speaker Busch is resting his cheek in his hand. Burns: "Show me those who had their homes invaded by the KKK and had their homes invaded and churches burned down." before comparing the fight for same-sex marriage to the civil rights movement. Obviously, he has never heard of Matthew Shepherd among numerous others. I guess he also doesn't think that Bayard Rustin was really his equal either.
Unlike African Americans, Del. Burns is now arguing that gays and lesbians can disguise who they are. Now, he is talking about the "homosexual" lifestyle and calling it a "sterile union" and invoking fears that children will be taught that gays and lesbians are equal to others. "This should not be thrust on our children."
12:07 Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk talking about how civil right leader Gwendolyn Britt was the lead sponsor of this bill before she passed and the quality of the person that Sen. Britt was. "I promised myself that I would live and be like her" when she died. Sen. Britt was a lead plaintiff in a civil rights suit that went ot he Supreme Court, she was arrested for integrating Glen Echol Park, she was a Freedom Rider, and was in jail for 40 days in Jackson, Mississippi.
"I am a person of color. Prior to the Civil War, I could not have voted and prior to 1967, I could not have married my husband because interracial couples were not permitted to marry."
President JFK said "When we grant rights to others which belong to them, we extend rights for ourselves."
Marriage Equality Debate
11:40 The House of Delegates has just taken up the Senate version of the Civil Marriage Protection Act.
An opponent is arguing that homosexuality is just as likely as product of nurture as of nature. There is no "gay gene." Same-sex love is "imaginary" love driven by neurotransmitters. Watching Dels. McIntosh and Rosenberg's faces--priceless. He fears that culture will teach it and schools will teach it if this bill passes. But he says there is no hate behind his views.
Del. Ben Barnes (D-Prince George's): "you don't have to have been discriminated against to understand injustice." "when our colleagues come before us and tell me about the inequities in our laws, I see them too. Injustice is injustice. We have a duty in this chamber to stamp it out." "This discrimination is immoral and unconstitutional."
"some can say that this bill doesn't affect me one way or the other but it does affect me because it's about what kind of nation and people we want to be."
"Do we really want to be a nation that says that the kids of same-sex couples are not as good as other kids?"
11:49 Del. Burns (D-Baltimore County): "There is a cancer growing on the political process here. I had hoped from the very beginning that this legislature would come to the point where is would not discuss legalizing homosexuality." "I am unalterably opposed to same-sex marriage but we must remain collegial."
Now he is quoting the Declaration of Independence and arguing that one cannot juxtapose civil rights with gay and lesbian rights in a way I can't follow.
Live from the House of Delegates Session
11:30 The House is now doing a quorum call. 138 delegates plus the speaker are here.
11:32 The House is quickly passing on third reading a number of bills.
11:35 I think Del. Aruna Miller just passed her first bill based on the applause. Congratulations! Del. car's bill on access to public records also just passed. Kudos, Al!
11:38 Del. Shane Robinson just passed his first bill. :)
Live from the General Assembly
I'm sitting in the gallery in the House of Delegates waiting for the session to start. The bells for the Senate have been ringing for over five minutes. Not a single delegate is in the House. I think that the Democratic Caucus has yet to meet today. I'm sitting with Chuck Butler and Rosemary Nicolosi from the Equality Maryland Board. In the row behind me is Barrie Carr--De. Al Carr's wife and a wonderful friend who I am glad is here today.
Update at 11:22: the delegates are entering the chamber. Reports say that the Judiciary Committee has voted down a last minute attempt to amend the marriage equality bill.
Update at 11:25 Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk just led the House in prayer. She said the serenity prayer. Session is now beginnning.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
How Did the Delegates Vote? Part Four
This is part four (and the final post) in a series about how delegates voted yesterday on amendments to the marriage equality bill. See the first post for information about the content of the amendments. This post looks at how Democrats from Baltimore County and Baltimore City voted.
Guled Kassim's New Progressive Radio Show
From the press release:
"It is about time!" is how one local elected official responded to the news that Guled will begin a progressive talk show.
How Did the Delegates Vote? Part Three
This is part three in a series of posts about how delegates voted yesterday on amendments to the marriage equality bill. See the first post for information about the content of the amendments. This post looks at how Democrats from counties other than the four most populous (Montgomery, Prince George's, Baltimore City and County) voted.
How did the Delegates Vote? Part Two
This is part two in a series of posts about how delegates voted yesterday on amendments to the marriage equality bill. See the previous post for information about the content of the amendments. This post looks at how delegates from Prince George's--all Democrats--voted.
How Did the Delegates Vote? Part One
Over the course of today, I am going to try to present some information about how delegates voted on the amendments to the marriage equality bill yesterday.
Four amendments came up for roll-call votes in the House of Delegates; all failed. Del. Donoghue's (D-Washington) amendment would have allowed adoption agencies to turn down adoptions by same sex couples without legal recourse; it failed 58-79. Del. Afzali's (R-Frederick) amendment would have given teachers the authority to not teach about "homosexuality" in public school curricula; it lost 54-86. Del. Serafini's (R-Washington) would have changed the title from Civil Marriage Protection Act to the Same-Sex Marriage Act; it went down 52-85. Del. Braveboy's (D-Prince George's) amendment would have required through a convoluted process contingent on the passage of a separate constitutional amendment that the bill go up for a referendum; it failed 63-72.
This first post covers delegates from Montgomery and Republicans--two groups of delegates that voted overwhelmingly as blocs against and for the amendments, respectively, with very few exceptions.
Bonita Spikes Speaks Out for Her Child
Reproduced below is her amazing testimony on behalf of the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination bill at the hearing held yesterday
Chairman Hammen and Committee members, I thank you for allowing me to come here to ask for your support for House Bill 235 – Gender Identity and Gender Expression Anti-Discrimination.
My husband and I knew very early on that our youngest child was uniquely different. Michael, as he was known growing up, told my husband and me that he felt he was trapped in the wrong body ever since he could remember. We loved him and tried to be understanding. As he approached early teens he stated he wanted to dress as a female. I knew nothing about what it meant to be transgender, but I sought out information and did my best to educate myself.
Ravens Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo Supports Marriage Equality
The Baltimore Sun has more information and the Huffington Post has his op-ed piece on the topic.
AG Doug Gansler's Actions on Civil Rights
As my second term as Attorney General gets underway, I would like to take a moment to let you know about some of the work our Office is doing to serve the people of Maryland and protect the State’s resources.
In this term, we renew our focus on our top four priorities: protecting the environment, strengthening public safety, defending consumers, and advancing civil rights. Today I would like to share a few updates on our efforts to advance civil rights in Maryland.
Photo: Marriage Equality Opponent Don Dwyer Speaks to the Press
Del. Don Dwyer doing a media interview outside the Statehouse yesterday shortly after the marriage equality bill passed second reading
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
NOM Offers Campaign Cash for Votes
The National Organization for Marriage (read: organization against marriage equality) pledges to raise $1 million to defend any Democrat who votes against marriage equality. Oh, and Maggie Gallagher--NOM's talking head--says that the opinions of younger voters should not matter on this issue. No prizes for guessing which side they support. More info on NOM's website, Joe.My.God, and AMERICABlog.
Delegate Mary Washington Testifies
for the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination BillDel. Washington's statement below the fold.
Anti-Gas Tax Protestors Outside the Statehouse
Outside the Statehouse shortly after the House adjourned for the day
Owen Smith's Testimony for the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Bill
My name is Owen Smith and I currently live in Baltimore, Maryland.
I want to share a staggering statistic for you - according to a recent study from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 1 in 5 transgender people are fired from their jobs because of their gender identity and presentation, not because of their ability to perform on the job. Of those that lost their jobs, 12 percent became homeless.
Hans Riemer on Political Pulse
At-Large Montgomery County Council Member Hans Riemer will be on the "Political Pulse" TV Show in MoCo on Thurs, March 10th, at 9:00 p.m. and Fri-Sun, March 11th-13th, at 6:00 p.m. Topics include: the County's budget deficit, development and problems with Pepco. Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV in Montgomery County, MD
MoCo Takes on Hoarding
ROCKVILLE, Md., March 8, 2011—The Montgomery County Council’s Health and Human Services Committee and its Public Safety Committee will meet jointly at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 10, for a worksession with the County’s Task Force of Hoarding Behavior. The task force was established in 2009 to raise public awareness and develop hoarding prevention strategies by assisting county residents who are among the 2 to 5 percent nationally afflicted with this unusual condition.
House Debating Referendum Amendment
Opponents of marriage equality are saying put it to the people yet many of the same legislators advocating for the amendment proposed by Aisha Braveboy opposed a slots referendum because "we were sent here to decide these issues," as Kirill Reznik just pointed out. In any case, while voters can petition a law to referendum, there is no constitutional provision allowing the General Assembly to put a law up for a vote on the ballot.
Update: Del. Ben Barnes is explaining that this amendment would kill the bill and any opportunity for the people to vote on it as it would send it back to committee and die. Majority Leader Kumar Barve is now saying that he opposes putting up rights to a plebiscite but that he has no doubt that it will end up on the ballot through the normal process.
Update: Amendment fails by 63-72 and that ends debate on marriage equality for the day. Kudos to Speaker Michael Busch for running a tight debate.
Delegate Comes Out on Eve of Marriage Vote
From the Washington Blade:
Del. Peter Murphy (D-Charles County), a divorced father of two who also has two grandchildren, said his colleagues and family have known for years that he is gay.
“I have never denied [being gay],” Murphy said, “I just presumed people knew.”
Murphy’s announcement brings to eight the total number of openly gay and lesbian members of Maryland’s legislature, the most of any state in the country. There is one openly gay state senator — Rich Madaleno — and now seven members of the House of Delegates.
Murphy said he’s confident the marriage equality bill will pass later this week, possibly in a final vote on Friday.
“As I have said all along, I think it’s a strong civil rights bill,” Murphy said. “I think it’s a fair bill because it also addresses the religious issue and doesn’t require any religious organization to practice something that goes against their teachings.”
Murphy represents a conservative part of the state, but said he’s not concerned about any backlash in making his sexual orientation public in the media.
“I’m not concerned,” he said. “People who know me know that I represent everyone in the district. I work hard to make sure that everyone has a voice and an opportunity to be heard.”
Koch Brothers Boycott
Local activist Susan Heltemes asked me to pass along the following list of products produced by business entities affiliated with the Koch Brothers--their support for attacks on the rights of works to bargain collectively through union in Wisconsin has inspired a boycott.
Pepco v. the Post
Pepco and the Washington Post have diametrically opposed views of the independent consultants' report. Pepco's press release characterizes their findings as "Independent Consultants Find Pepco's Electrical Distribution System Well Designed" while the Washington Post declares "Pepco reliability plan 'cobbled together' without detailed study."
The consultants concluded that Pepco's reliability fell in 2004, after the company failed to increase efforts to improve its distribution system following 2003's Hurricane Isabel.and Pepco's press release:
"Normally one would expect a utility to spend more on preventative maintenance after such an event to counteract the increased risk of outages caused by hurricane damage," the consultants said in their 136-page report, which was filed last week. "Pepco, however, responded with insufficient preventative maintenance. . . . Not surprisingly, conditions on the system continued to deteriorate."
The report said that Pepco's spending on tree trimming and other vegetation management has been "inadequate" and that the company "routinely failed to meet its annual trimming goals." . . .
The consultants' nine-week investigation focused on outages related to four major storms in 2010. The report concluded that the factors that caused storm outages also played a major role in blue-sky outages, which come on days with no severe weather.
The report concluded that Pepco's vegetation management budgets in recent years "were never adequate enough to provide for the required level of [tree] trimming."
The report also said Maryland laws that restricted tree trimming raised the cost of maintenance. It concluded that if Pepco's more aggressive program were adequately funded, it would significantly improve reliability.
During field inspections, the consultants said, they found a number of problems that should have been identified during Pepco's routine examinations, including deteriorating power poles, broken guy wires and loose insulators. Some of the damage appeared to be storm-related.
"This is not surprising, as Pepco does not perform after-storm inspections or patrols to look for, for example, broken branches in overhanging trees that can easily come down in the next storm - faults waiting to happen," the report said.
Pepco agrees with many of the findings contained in the Report, and says the work that the company has underway is consistent with the findings.
Pepco Holdings Chairman, President, and CEO, Joseph Rigby, noted “Although the Commission’s independent consultants concluded that Pepco's physical storm restoration efforts were 'reasonably good', we recognize that further improvements, including improved communications with our customers will be critical to restoring confidence in the utility."
The Report concludes that Pepco’s distribution system infrastructure is sound, well designed and consistent with good utility practice. However, the Report also makes several key recommendations for system improvements, including increased vegetation management, the addition of advanced technologies that can help detect outages and restore power more quickly, and improved methods of estimating outage durations and communicating with customers.
Consistent with the consultants' recommendations, the Company looks forward to further developing the components of its comprehensive Six Point Reliability Enhancement Plan in order to achieve greater system reliability and customer satisfaction.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Opposed Not Just to Marriage Equality but to Gays and Lesbians
From the email inbox of a member of the House of Delegates:
Dear Delegates:
Others may be afraid to speak plainly to you, but I am not.
You all have psychological disorders.
Raskin-Hixon Letter on Military Budget
The following letter has been signed by 40 members of the General Assembly and was the center of the Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home coalition's press conference in Annapolis yesterday. Progressives from around the State, including members of Progressive Maryland and Progressive Neighbors, lobbied their legislators on this and other issues.
“ Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.”
--President Dwight David Eisenhower, 1953
Dear Senators and Representatives:
We, the undersigned members of the Maryland General Assembly, urge you to do whatever you can to move tens of billions of dollars from the bloated Pentagon budget into the urgent national project of rebuilding our crumbling physical and social infrastructure at home.
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