Tag: Mike Smigiel
Marijuana paraphernalia a sticky issue under new bill
The recent move to remove criminal penalties for 10 grams of marijuana or less has been heralded by its supporters as radical reform that would save state money, and alleviate a significant portion of drug-related arrests, which are racially imbalanced.
But a hole in that legislation — one that remains unaddressed — is that drug paraphernalia remains criminal.
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Common Core curriculum in practice is embraced and vilified
To see the Common Core curriculum in practice, reporter Glynis Kazanjian visits a second grade classroom in Gaithersburg. She also talks to experts and educators who support the controversial curriculum and opponents who say they had no say in the standards which are too low, inflexible and untested.
Read MoreDel. Hershey asks commissioners to support Senate bid using official stationery, apparent ethics violation
Del. Steve Hershey has lobbied county commissioners in Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, and Cecil for letters of support to the governor in his bid to fill the seat vacated by Sen. E.J. Pipkin in District 36. But he has done so using his official legislative letterhead — prohibited under ethics rules established by the legislature.
Read MoreDon’t leave choice for Pipkin seat to Democratic governor, Republicans say
The chair of Caroline Republican Central Committee is blaming the central committee in Queen Anne’s County for giving Gov. Martin O’Malley the power to choose the successor of Sen. E.J. Pipkin in District 36. Del. Mike Smigiel, one of the two nominees, is asking the four county central committees to jointly interview him and Del. Steve Hershey to help break the tie and avoid leaving the choice to O’Malley.
Read MoreDistrict 36 drama goes on: Smigiel, Hershey tied, but both question committee process
The score is now 2-2 in the race to fill the seat vacated by Sen. E.J. Pipkin, and the drama goes on. Del. Mike Smigiel, R-Cecil, and Del. Steve Hershey, R-Queen Anne’s, have now each won the votes of two Republican central committees in District 36, and both have complaints about how two different central committees handled their nominating process. Other candidates said people were “disgusted” with the process and expected “another round of bizarre behavior.”
Read MoreScott withdraws from race for Pipkin seat
Former state GOP chair Audrey Scott withdrew her name from the race to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Sen. E.J. Pipkin in District 36 of the Upper Eastern Shore.
In an email late Friday afternoon to members of the Republican central committees of the four counties — Caroline, Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s — Scott suggested that they vote for either Del. Mike Smigiel or Del. Steve Hershey since each legislator got the support of one of the county committees, “putting them each in a position to be our next State Senator,” she wrote.
Read MoreUPDATED: Pipkin seat still up in the air, as GOP committee reneges; Harris denies involvement
The internal party struggle over filling the Senate seat vacated by Sen. E.J. Pipkin in District 36 on the Upper Shore remains in flux as freshman Del. Steve Hershey of Queen Anne’s County secured the official vote of the Kent County Republican Central Committee on Thursday. This reversed a Tuesday vote that went to Audrey Scott, the 77-year-old Queenstown resident and former Republican State Party Chair.
Read MoreAudrey Scott is surprise front-runner in race to replace Pipkin
In the insider race to succeed Senate Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin in the seat he resigned on the Upper Shore, former Republican Party State Chair Audrey Scott has become the surprise front runner. Two of the central committees in the four counties of District 36 have voted for her, dissing the campaigns of current Dels. Mike Smigiel and Steve Hershey.
Read More29,000 people of both parties voted for Pipkin, but just 32 Republicans get to choose replacement; Wargotz applying
In 2010, 46,000 people in four counties on the upper Eastern Shore participated in electing the state senator for District 36, and less than half of them were registered Republicans. Yet 29,000 of these voters chose to reelect Republican Sen. E.J.Pipkin, who resigned Aug. 12. By Sept. 10, 32 people or less, all of them members of the Republican Central committees from the four counties, will get to choose his successor.
Read MoreUPDATED: Four-way race to replace Sen. Pipkin: Hershey, Smigiel, Sossi, Wargotz
Three-term Del. Michael Smigiel of Cecil County will now have to compete against a close colleague in District 36 to fill the seat vacated by Senate Republican Leader E.J. Pipkin, who is moving to Texas. Freshman Del. Steve Hershey, R- Queen Anne’s, said he will enter his name for consideration with the Republican central committees of Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties — saying there is currently “no clear cut favorite.” Former Del. Richard Sossi, defeated by Hershey in a close 2010 race, said he will also file.
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Smigiel will seek Pipkin’s seat
Del. Mike Smigiel said he has put his name in for the nomination to replace Sen. E.J. Pipkin, who will resign effective August 12. Republican Central Committees from the four Upper Shore Counties will submit a name or names to the governor. Pipkin announced Monday he would resign to earn a master’s degree in sports management at Southern Methodist University in Texas.
Read MoreFundraising veterans license plate proposed again
Del. Mike Smigiel is reintroducing legislation to create a state license plate emblazoned with the words “Maryland Supports Veterans” after a year of campaigning for its passage.
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