What should we make of the recent survey finding by the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) that 41% of the state’s teacher’s work a second job to make ends meet?
Commentary
Opinion: If you value educators, pay them fairly
To be a teacher these days, we are also social workers, counselors, life coaches, and frontline health responders to Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS) kids, every day, in our classrooms and in the halls of our schools, says Prince George’s County teacher Yvonne Baicich in an opinion piece we publish to mark the national Teacher Appreciation Day.
Commentary
Bob Bauman remembers publisher Ralph Hostetter
In his 97 years, Ralph Hostetter, in pursuit of his many interests, personal and business, touched many lives for the good. He was my friend and the editorial support of his newspapers contributed greatly to my political success.
Commentary
Opinion: New $15 minimum wage raises hard issues left out of debate
Several possible consequences of the General Assembly’s decision to hike Maryland’s minimum wage to $15 over Governor Hogan’s veto have been left out of the public debate, at least so far. Here are thoughts on a few of them. Independent contractors and temp agencies may be one of the moves.
Commentary
Commentary: A bipartisan solution for state retirees on drug costs
On prescription drug costs, I believe we struck a fair balance between what we are providing to state retirees and what we are asking the rest of our citizens to pay for in the future.
Commentary
Opinion: Baseless attacks on the restaurant industry
The Restaurant Association of Maryland responds to Progressive Maryland’s commentary attacking its polling and credibility. When Larry Stafford of Progressive Maryland implies that the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) is deceptive with regard to the arguments we make to policymakers, writes Melvin Thompson, I have to draw the line. His attack is baseless, unwarranted and shows he has little understanding of business economics.
Commentary
Opinion: Maryland needs strong steps to protect online privacy
State legislatures across the country are questioning how to respond to our national epidemic of privacy violations. Maryland’s Cybersecurity Council is suggesting answers in hearings this week on a new Online Consumer Protection Act.
Commentary
Opinion: $15 minimum wage will have big impact on small Md. businesses and employees
If Maryland raises its minimum wage to a $15 an hour, a woman-owned company providing traffic control services in Glen Burnie will have to figure out how to cover the half of a million dollars needed to cover the increase.
Commentary
Opinion: It’s time to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
Across Maryland, people struggle to pay for the prescription drugs they need to lead healthy lives or even stay alive. Prices keep going up, while drug companies spend more on marketing and reap enormous profits. That’s why we are sponsoring legislation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that will have the authority to review and set fair and affordable maximum drug costs in the state.
Commentary
In West Baltimore for MLK Day: Too cold to march, but still honoring the dead
It was deemed too frigid Monday afternoon for the peace march from St. Bernadine’s parish in West Baltimore to walk the few blocks around the church where eight people, including a 7-year-old girl, were shot and killed just in the past year. Instead, in honor of Martin Luther King, we sang and prayed and listened to Archbishop William Lori. He condemned racism and acknowledged the complicity of the church in supporting it, including several of his 19th century predecessors who owned slaves themselves.
Commentary
Opinion: Kirwan Commission disregards achievements of charter schools
As we begin national School Choice Week, here’s an open letter to Brit Kirwan, chair of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, which completed its preliminary report on Friday with no mention of charter schools.