“Did you have to ask me that?” I had asked my Democratic colleague, “Will you vote against the two death penalty bills in our committee?” “I’m not taking anybody’s vote for granted,” I replied. We will send a strong message if every committee member who opposes capital punishment votes against legislation that would expand the …more >

“That’s my bill!” I said to myself early this morning. An article in the Sun referred to a state statute that “prohibits meritless suits brought by large private interests, often real estate developers, to deter ordinary citizens from exercising their political or legal rights.” That quote is from Alan Rifkin, the lawyer for opponents of …more >

By nature, I think the glass is half full. But in Annapolis, I don’t take that for granted. Ten years ago, I sponsored the bill creating a special fund for the money Maryland received from its legal settlement with the tobacco industry. We targeted this money to address the health problems caused by tobacco use: …more >

“I don’t have a vote – for now.” That’s what I told a lobbyist who came to see me about my one of my bills. After you introduce legislation, it’s assigned to a committee. Your bill is now in the possession of that committee – literally and legislatively. If an amendment to your bill is …more >

“Bagel Brain Jews Want Your Bullets and Your Guns” This anti-Semitic attack on myself and Senator Brian Frosh is the handiwork of the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership. I ignored this foul slur when I first learned of it from a Google News Alert. After it was mailed to residents in Senator Frosh’s …more >

I don’t think I’ve quoted Justice Scalia before. But today I did. Testifying on my gun control legislation, I read from his decision striking down a law prohibiting a citizen from keeping a gun in the home for self defense. “Nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the …more >

What do George Soros and Glenn Beck have in common? Soros, a survivor of Nazi and Communist oppression in his native Hungary, has funded various liberal advocacy and research organizations. Beck was a Top 40 DJ before he became a leading voice of the conservative movement as a host on Fox News. Yesterday, discussion of …more >

Sometimes, other people can do the work for you. You may remember that the doctors objected to my bill allowing homeless minors to provide consent for their medical treatment. I asked the bill’s advocate to meet with the pediatricians’ lobbyist. I have heard that their talks were productive. Today, I was told a letter is …more >

“Can I read it first?” I was on my way to the Amendment Office with the advocates’ proposed changes to my legislation. And I did read the bill with the staff lawyer who would draft the amendments before I gave my OK. It is an advocate or lobbyist’s job to advance their cause, but it …more >

Friday, March 5 – Nothing is guaranteed No votes were taken today, but progress to report on several bills. Two of my bills have been assigned to subcommittees. That’s no guarantee of favorable action. Nothing is guaranteed in the legislative process. But a committee chair doesn’t ask members to work on a bill that the …more >