tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-313304152024-03-13T17:36:17.601-04:00Maryland Politics Watch@theseventhstateDavid Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comBlogger4542125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-1440977783495093632014-02-11T22:48:00.001-05:002014-02-11T22:48:22.050-05:00New Name, New URL
We're Moving! theSeventhState.com
When I thought about restarting Maryland Politics Watch, it felt time for some changes. I wanted a new platform and a new name to reinvigorate the blog. So I'm moving to theSeventhState.com. You can also follow me on twitter @theSeventhState.com.
All of the posts from this week have already been migrated over to the new digs. You'll notice a switch from David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-41630950548676674742014-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:002014-02-11T09:14:56.535-05:00Progressive Neighbors Debates Maryland's Foreign Policy
Lots of issues came up at the Progressive Neighbors Forum in Takoma Park yesterday but the issue that generated the most heat was American Studies Association boycott (ASA) of Israeli scholarly institutions.
Two bills have been cross-filed in the Maryland General Assembly directed at undermining the ASA boycott. Montgomery Del. Ben Kramer has filed HB 998 with a number of cosponsors: David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-4392368458735581532014-02-10T08:00:00.000-05:002014-02-11T00:36:15.636-05:00Duchy Trachtenberg For?
In this pre-filing period, some are still making up their mind whether to jump in the political pool and in which race to take the plunge. Former one-term at-large County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is not just the object of speculation but clearly thinking about it.
Duchy has a long history of running for office in Montgomery County. In 2002, Duchy lost the general election for Council David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-50879562114201436772014-02-09T11:26:00.000-05:002014-02-09T13:40:52.962-05:00Mr. Delaney Leaves Washington?
Congressman John Delaney gives not-so-subtle signs of wanting to enter the gubernatorial race. He has leaked a poll that shows many undecided voters and the three current contenders with low support. Delaney took a jab at Doug Gansler for "suggesting a sensible solution on the Maryland Exchange which is the same solution we have been proposing for months" (h/t Maryland Juice).
Hardly the words David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-73948673728372470972014-02-08T23:42:00.003-05:002014-02-09T10:26:35.462-05:00UPDATE on Sam Arora
Sam Arora replies to my earlier post on his ruminating about running for reelection:
The oblique snipe at me seems understandable (or at least unsurprising) in light of my post and earlier posts on this blog (here, here and here) calling Sam out for his changing stance on marriage equality. Regardless, I'm glad to hear that Sam was just talking large to a few people in Annapolis and for him David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-24627028618313198792014-02-08T18:30:00.000-05:002014-02-08T19:01:46.923-05:00And He's Back? Sam Arora
Sign from RootsCamp in 2012 (@BobBrigham/Twitter)
Delegate Sam Arora is very good at reconsidering. After campaigning on a strong-pro marriage equality platform in 2008, he then changed his mind and voted against the bill that he had originally cosponsored. Sam thus had the singular dishonor of being the only delegate from liberal Montgomery County (66% voted for marriage in the David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-55142031723009111662014-02-08T18:07:00.001-05:002014-02-08T23:53:40.340-05:00And We're Back. . .
After a long hiatus, I've decided to start blogging again. I'm hoping to move to a new platform and URL so watch this spot to follow Maryland Politics Watch. For now, I'm not going to publish comments because I just don't have the time or desire to moderate them. Enjoy!
David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-86494257504884695412012-02-13T00:02:00.002-05:002012-02-13T00:04:31.137-05:00Maryland JuiceI'm not posting these days so I'm happy to recommend David Moon's Maryland Juice. Great name, smart guy.David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-4322426952922160332011-09-24T15:21:00.005-04:002011-09-24T15:29:24.459-04:00Where Was George?The question that people are asking after receiving an email newsletter from Council President Valerie Ervin that is signed by all county councilmembers except George Leventhal:Dear Friends of Montgomery County:As the Council gears up for its busy fall schedule, we want to update you on some key issues the Council will be addressing. We also want to share with you our perspective on the David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-70253413059130998272011-09-23T17:37:00.005-04:002011-09-23T17:52:43.279-04:00Del. Tiffany Alston IndictedYou can read the indictment here (click on press releases). Likely best known for her very public withdrawal of support for same-sex marriage legislation, first-term (last-term?) Del. Alston is accused of using campaign funds to pay for her wedding:Charges brought by the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor allege that Del. Tiffany T. Alston (D-Prince George’s) spent thousands of dollars of David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-69230548503441214152011-09-23T17:34:00.002-04:002011-09-23T17:47:02.818-04:00D14 Central Committee VacancyFrom the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee:The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) will hold an election at its next regularly scheduled meeting -- Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., 3720 Farragut Ave., #303, Kensington -- to fill a District 14 voting position on the Committee. Maryland’s 14th Legislative District is in northern Montgomery County and David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-14592967364230910712011-08-28T12:58:00.001-04:002011-08-28T13:00:05.207-04:00Hurricane Irene Assessment and Response in the Town of Chevy ChaseDear Neighbors: The Town staff and Town arborist have completed an evaluation of the damage caused by Hurricane Irene in Town. In addition to multiple power outages, there are a number of trees that fell during the storm. Following is a list of the addresses where trees have fallen and a description of the resulting damage. If residents are aware of any other public trees that have fallen David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-1202679380657796812011-08-17T08:38:00.007-04:002011-08-17T08:50:38.761-04:00Unions Attack Valerie Ervin
This went out in the mail a few weeks ago but still seemed worth mentioning. For reporting on this issue, see Robert McCartney's article in the Washington Post. For an alternative point of view, see the anti-union and pro-Ervin editorial in the Washington Post. Ironically, the editorial's use of terms such as "union bosses" undercuts their own complaint about the "tenor of public comments" David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-33560849101147613352011-08-16T07:00:00.000-04:002011-08-16T07:00:09.749-04:00Local 1994 MCGEO for Marriage Equality
The following letter was sent to all members of the Maryland General Assembly:
Dear Delegate Michael G. Summers:
UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO fully supports legislation to allow gay and lesbian couples the right to marry in Maryland.
Families, no matter their demographics, deserve the right to protect their family interests.
Without the freedom to marry, gay and lesbian couples do not receive the David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-70025157598612143102011-08-15T10:18:00.003-04:002011-08-15T10:20:50.180-04:00Kumar Running for ComptrollerMaryland Juice reports the news: If there is an open-seat race for Comptroller (read: Peter Franchot runs for Governor), then Del. Kumar Barve will seek the job.David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-17446033229428848322011-07-22T17:24:00.003-04:002011-07-22T17:27:09.392-04:00Governor on Marriage EqualityAn outstanding and eloquent statement:David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-13743689374697409662011-07-22T15:54:00.003-04:002011-07-22T16:02:56.618-04:00Governor to Sponsor Marriage Equality LegislationGreat news from Annapolis today. The Baltimore Sun reports:Standing with House and Senate supporters, Gov. Martin O'Malley announced this afternoon that he will lead the charge for gay marriage in Maryland and put his name on a bill that allows same-sex couples to wed."Marylanders of all walks of life want their children to live in a loving, stable, committed home protected under the law," David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-75221309297181692292011-07-21T07:00:00.009-04:002011-07-21T10:27:10.970-04:00Fiends of Chevy Chase Lake IIThe Chevy Chase Land Company's efforts to create an ersatz "community" group to present support for its plans that find little favor in the actual community--see the articles in the Gazette and Patch--has been a terrific flop."Friends of Chevy Chase Lake" described itself as a "community organization formed and run by residents of Chevy Chase Lake." Except the manner of its debut (not to mentionDavid Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-41390452631847068002011-07-20T07:00:00.003-04:002011-07-20T07:00:02.837-04:00Fiends of Chevy Chase Lake IThe Chevy Chase Land Company appears to be attempting to revive its failed attempt (see tomorrow's post) to create a community group in an effort to attack the Planning Staff's proposal for transit-oriented development at Chevy Chase Lake. The group is to be called "Fiends of Chevy Chase Lake" as explained in the letter from Land Company President David Smith reproduced after the jump.The Land David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-68186587311879719112011-07-08T12:33:00.002-04:002011-07-08T12:35:32.148-04:00Kumar for Komptroller?The open governor's race in 2014 is causing the dominoes to start to fall. House Majority Leader Kumar Barve is considering taking the plunge for statewide office and running for comptroller if incumbent Peter Franchot runs for governor.David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-90986821355564036182011-05-19T10:30:00.000-04:002011-05-19T10:30:01.575-04:00Our Future MontgomeryA press release from Our Future Montgomery, a new coalition formed by MCEA, MCAAP, and SEIU Local 500 formed to fight for more funds for MCPSSCHOOL WORKERS REACH OUT TO COUNTY RESIDENTS AROUND MCPS BUDGET CUTSUnions representing 21,000 school employees hope to raise awareness about drastic cuts to K-12 education being considered by County CouncilRockville, MD (May 9, 2011) – As the Montgomery David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-32461340520634403142011-05-19T07:00:00.002-04:002011-05-19T11:57:32.778-04:00MoCo GOP Chair Attacks New Party RulesIt doesn't appear that democracy is the Maryland GOP's strong suit according to the Chair of the Montgomery County Republican Party: The Maryland State Republican Party on May 7th, 2011 adopted a new voting formula for party business under which counties with a combined population of 200,000 people can outvote counties with 2.5 million people.Under this new voting formula adopted by the state David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-65271725787959418282011-05-18T07:00:00.004-04:002011-05-18T10:38:39.430-04:00Purple Line Costs Up 28%; Ridership Down 2500; Money Taken from MARCThe Washington Examiner reports that MTA says that cost estimates for the Purple Line have risen 28% since the plan got past the phase of consideration by the public:It also now has a $1.925 billion price tag, up from $1.5 billion estimates made two years ago. MTA Executive Director of Transit Development and Delivery Henry blamed the increase on the complexity of the New Starts process and the David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-68670834543679388232011-05-17T16:45:00.001-04:002011-05-17T16:46:44.524-04:00Statement from Gov. O'Malley on Baltimore County Hate Crime CaseGovernor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the hate crime charge in the beating of Chrissy Lee Polis last month in Rosedale: “I want to commend Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger for using every available means to prosecute the heinous beating of Chrissy Lee Polis last month. “Even with Maryland's 'hate crimes' law, it is clear that more must be David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31330415.post-5995043371973433062011-05-17T09:58:00.003-04:002011-05-17T10:05:02.923-04:00Chevy Chase Lake Construction NewsLast night, Chevy Chase Land Company President David Smith and I spoke at the Rollingwood community association's annual meeting about the review of the sector plan at Chevy Chase Lake. David asked me to let people know that the Land Company supports having no construction at Chevy Chase Lake "until after the construction of the Purple Line."I am sure that the community will appreciate this David Lublinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08596745454943755686noreply@blogger.com