Tag: Joe Vallario
Rascovar: Defending Joe Vallario
There’s no denying Del. Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. of Prince George’s County is a stingy gatekeeper when it comes to loosening Maryland’s civil and criminal laws. But to blame the defeat of liberalizing legislation solely on Vallario is a misreading of the inner workings of the Maryland General Assembly.
Read MoreHot pot debate ends in close House vote to decriminalize marijuana
Following hours of hot debate, negotiation and shouting, the House of Delegates Saturday approved removing criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in a 78-55 vote. The measure already approved by the Senate, SB364, would make possessing 10 grams of marijuana or less a civil offense, like a parking ticket. A first-time offender would pay $100, while second and third breaches would get a fine of up to $250 and $500, respectively.
Read MoreHouse Democrats appear likely to approve decriminalizing marijuana
A wave of support among House Democrats for decriminalizing marijuana is apparently forcing the House Judiciary Committee to reverse itself and approve a Senate bill, SB364, removing criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
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Senior citizens in charge at the State House
With the two longest serving presiding officers in Maryland history, the state Senate and House of Delegates, and a majority of their committees, are headed up by people in their 60s and 70s.
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Off to the Races: Stewart in, Hyatt out in District 12; geezer ceiling at State House; Cohen vs. Pantelides in Naptown; vying for teacher support; and Kittleman of Columbia
On the campaign trail: announcements, debate, endorsement and picknicking.
Read MoreIn rare move, delegates nix double jeopardy bill in final vote
In a rare turn of events, a bill prohibiting double jeopardy prosecution in Maryland was defeated on third reading in the House of Delegates, 89 votes against to 46 in favor.
Sponsored by Del. Curt Anderson, D-Baltimore City, HB 152 sought to prohibit the state prosecution of a defendant who was acquitted in a federal court for the same crime.
Read MoreDueling ignition interlock bills pass both chambers
Two different bills that expand the ignition interlock program to keep drunk drivers off the road passed both the Senate and the House of Delegates on Thursday morning, setting the stage for an end-of-session showdown.
Read MoreHouse approves parole for inmates with life sentences after 90 days of inaction by governor
By a slim margin, a bill that limits the governor’s time to take action on parole recommendations for inmates serving life sentences passed the House of Delegates with a 74 to 66 vote Tuesday morning. Gov. Martin O’Malley has not acted on 50 recommendations for paroling prisoners with life sentences.
Read MoreVallario recalls evolution of laws through last 36 years on Judiciary Committee
By Megan [email protected] House Judiciary Committee Chairman Joe Vallario has been pursuing two legal careers, practicing law since the 1960s and making laws almost as long as a member of the House of Delegates....
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