Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

State Roundup, October 12, 2016

After much jockeying, Howard County’s embattled Sheriff Fitzgerald to retire; Gov. Hogan announces another exec order to make obtaining a school start waiver more difficult; Attorney General Frosh warns that cash bail system could be found illegal; Baltimore-D.C. area lawmakers urge regionwide transit system; Ike Leggett says he won’t seek 4th term as Montgomery exec; Baltimore City school board found in violation of state Open Meeting Law; and Dixon files as write-in candidate for city mayor.

Howard County’s mini-constitutional crisis is over as sheriff departs

Howard County elected officials of both parties are mightily relieved that Democrat Sheriff Jim Fitzgerald finally succumbed to intense political pressure from all sides and all levels and has agreed to retire. The sheriff was accused by the county’s Office of Human Rights of bullying and harassing employees, using racial and ethnic slurs in the process, and creating a hostile work environment. But when Sheriff Fitzgerald dug in his heels last week and refused to step down, other elected officials were not left with many legal options under Maryland’s constitution.

State Roundup, October 11, 2016

Howard County Exec Kittleman presses sheriff to resign, to seek other ways to for his ouster even while some lawmakers say that will be difficult; Sheila Dixon expect to announce write-in campaign for Baltimore City mayor; fine collections from speed cameras on the decline; and Hoeber, Szeliga, Sauerbrey all stand with Trump despite his admitting assaults on women.

Opinion: Absentee ballots are weak links in voting integrity

The Maryland State Board of Elections wants to move forward with a scheme to allow voters to request absentee ballots on-line. This is a bad idea that should be stopped. The Board’s proposal would allow a voters to request absentee ballot on-line, print and hand mark it, and then mail it to election officials. The system also will have an on-line marking tool to assist voters with disabilities.

Rascovar: More reasons for Marylanders to vote

This year’s apparently one-sided presidential election in Maryland may encourage some people to consider not voting. Polls consistently have Democrat Hillary Clinton ahead of Republican Donald Trump by a whopping 30 percentage points. There are plenty of other reasons to show up at the polls or cast an absentee ballot. This is especially true for Republicans who may have had enough of Trump. The worst thing they could do would be to take a pass on voting.

State Roundup, October 10, 2016

Hillary Clinton gets points for restraint in latest presidential debate, edge goes to Donald Trump; Maryland political leaders condemn Trump’s vile account of assaulting women but Republicans who back him won’t back away from him; Gov. Hogan addresses racial imbalance in initial licensing, appoints new member to medical marijuana commission; following assault, DHMH to overhaul patient protections; Senate hopes Szeliga and Van Hollen debate on-air, joined by Green Party candidate in Columbia forum; judge rules pro-life “pregnancy” centers don’t have to post that they don’t provide abortions, birth control; Anne Arundel County Exec Schuh marries; and longtime Baltimore area journalist Barbara Pash dies at 75.

3 Senate candidates together for first forum and maybe last time

They are equal on the November ballot, but the three candidates for U.S. Senate sat together on the same stage for the first and possibly last time Saturday at a forum in Columbia sponsored by an African American coalition. Dr. Margaret Flowers, a physician representing the Green Party, appeared with Republican nominee Kathy Szeliga, the House of Delegates minority whip, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the Democratic nominee to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

Lazarick: Nasty campaign lives down to expectations in debate

We knew back in late May, when Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were wrapping up their party nominations, that the coming campaign was going to be one of the most god-awful nasty races in modern history. We also knew the debates between the two would be among the most watched since they began in 1960. Little did we know that the campaigns would be at their nastiest during these debates.

Vatz: Much substance on both sides; close debate victory for Trump

It was a good substantive debate for the most part: a little messy, but that’s what good debates are sometimes, writes Richard Vatz. Trump on points but not clear it would be sufficient to transform the election.

State Roundup, October 7, 2016

Poll finds Gov. Hogan’s popularity at 71%, but solid support for re-election at 46%; the Legislative Black Caucus supports an effort to curb school suspensions of pre-K pupils; Caucus also introduces legislation to pause state medical marijuana licensing until racial disparities are addressed; state adopts encrypted email system; corruption probe continues into state prison system; congressional delegation now calls for Howard sheriff’s resignation; and Cecil County government’s first solar project months early, ready to go on line.

Cynthia Prairie

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