Tag: Bobby Zirkin
13 new Maryland judges proposed at cost of $4.1M
Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera told the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Thursday that there are not enough Circuit and District judges in Maryland, which has resulted in courts being overloaded with cases. Barbera testified in favor of SB 117, a bill the judiciary asked for that would add a total of 13 judges around the state at a total estimated cost of $4.1 million including support staff in its first year. The judiciary has included $3.8 million in the fiscal 2017 budget to pay for the new judges.
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Maryland lawmakers override 5 of Hogan’s vetoes; Senate delays on felon voting rights
Despite impassioned speeches from Republicans, the Democrat-controlled Maryland Senate voted Thursday to override three of Gov. Larry Hogan’s vetoes from last session, and decided to postpone voting on a fourth.
Read MorePolice conduct, drug crime sentencing focus of General Assembly’s proposed reforms
The Maryland General Assembly responded in this year’s legislative session to public concern about police misconduct, drug crime, domestic violence and more.
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Baltimore Co. Democratic club fails to endorse state incumbents in dispute over local race
A Baltimore County Democratic Club, based almost solely on battle of the local county council race, declined to endorse a contingent of State House incumbents, despite the fact that those lawmakers have been long-standing members in the group.
Read MoreMarijuana legislation could save millions or cost taxpayers more
Two bills aiming to decriminalize or legalize marijuana heard in a Senate committee last week could potentially bring in millions in new revenue for the state, or could wind up costing taxpayers more than ever.
Proponents of the bills point to possible savings on jail time, courts and police, not to mention extra income from taxes on what is now illegal.
Read MoreKittleman must woo Dems to win Howard exec race
It’s no secret that Sen. Allan Kittleman will need lots of Democrats to vote for a Republican for Howard County executive for him to accomplish what the GOP did 23 years ago — take over the county government. “If Allan Kittleman can’t have a chance in Howard County, no one has a chance,” said attorney Michael Davis, who was campaign chairman for Republican Chuck Ecker when Ecker defeated Democrat Liz Bobo during her re-election bid for executive in 1990.
Read MoreBusiness group gives low marks to many Md. lawmakers, mostly Democrats
A Maryland business group rating state lawmakers in its annual scorecard gave low marks to the two Democrats leading the Maryland General Assembly, typifying how business organizations view the legislature as a whole. Maryland Business for Responsive Government gave House Speaker Michael Busch a 29% in 2013, and Senate President Mike Miller fared slightly better at 40%.
Read MoreBill requiring landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers sparks debate
A bill that would require landlords to accept tenants through the federal Section 8 program sparked a debate about civil rights on the Senate floor Tuesday.
Read MorePodcast: Dog-bite legislation dies; pit bulls remain ‘inherently dangerous’
Pit bull legislation changing liability for dog bites dies as House passes different version of the bill and the Senate refuses to go along, reports Duane Keenan in this podcast.
Read MoreSenate set to approve online financial disclosure for state officials
A bill to require state lawmakers and their cabinet level appointees to post financial disclosures statements online cleared the Senate for final passage Thursday, after spirited debate on Wednesday on amendments to apply the same requirement to county, municipal and school board officials.
Read MoreSenate votes to increase state income tax as debate gets personal
The Senate approved the state’s entire $35 billion budget package and reforms to maintenance of effort on Thursday as the spending plan cleared its first major hurdle before heading to the House of Delegates for further tweaking.
Read MorePodcasts: Miller, “I needed to get 24 votes” on the tax hike; Pipkin, “It will cost us jobs”
In this podcast, Senate President Mike Miller explains that progressive Democrats in his caucus demanded a higher tax on high earners. Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin says, “It will cost us jobs.”
“It’s class warfare,” said Sen. Bobby Zirkin in a second podcast. “It’s the worst instincts of the Democratic Party.”
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