Category Archives: General Maryland Politics

Senate Seat Staredown

Jonathan Shurberg   January 27, 2016   No Comments on Senate Seat Staredown

A little itty bitty local news digest piece in the Post hints at a brewing stalemate over the vacant Senate seat in District 14. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) said Tuesday that Gov. Larry Hogan should name Del. Craig J. Zucker (D-Montgomery) to fill an empty state Senate seat as soon as possible because “there are 125,000 people that… Read more »

Cabin Fever Is Setting In

Jonathan Shurberg   January 24, 2016   No Comments on Cabin Fever Is Setting In

I think people are getting a little nutty being cooped up in their houses this weekend with the 25 or so inches of snow that’s fallen. How can I tell? Here’s some evidence: Adam Pagnucco says because Peter Franchot got more votes than Anthony Brown, he’s the most powerful Democratic politician in Maryland. No allowance for the fact that Franchot’s 2014… Read more »

BREAKING: New Poll: Van Hollen 38, Edwards 36 [UPDATED]

Jonathan Shurberg   January 19, 2016   No Comments on BREAKING: New Poll: Van Hollen 38, Edwards 36 [UPDATED]

[UPDATE @8:57 am]: Statement from Van Hollen campaign spokeswoman Bridgett Frey: We’re pleased that Chris Van Hollen has maintained his lead, despite the million dollar blitz of Super PAC advertising. We’re confident that voters are looking for his effective, progressive leadership that gets things done for Maryland families. Original post follows: Early this morning, a new Senate race poll from Patrick Gonzales… Read more »

Police Reform Workgroup Recommendations Issued 

Jonathan Shurberg   January 12, 2016   No Comments on Police Reform Workgroup Recommendations Issued 

The General Assembly’s Workgroup on Public Safety and Policing Issued its recommendations yesterday, just in time for the start of the legislative session tomorrow. This Post article has a good summary of the situation and some reactions. A Maryland legislative panel on Monday offered sweeping changes in police policies, including giving officers periodic psychological evaluations and allowing the public to attend police… Read more »

Veto Overrides - A Correction

Jonathan Shurberg   January 11, 2016   No Comments on Veto Overrides - A Correction

Back in May, I wrote about the prospects for veto overrides of the four bills. With respect to the marijuana paraphernalia bill, I stated then that only one Republican voted for the bill. In fact, it was three (Grammer, Kittleman, and Miele). Moreover, there were eight D “no” votes, not six as I wrote. And the bill was SB517. I pretty… Read more »

Annapolis Preview - The Post Needs A New Expert

Jonathan Shurberg   January 11, 2016   No Comments on Annapolis Preview - The Post Needs A New Expert

Apparently, every Washington Post reporter has one name on their Rolodex when it comes time to write an article about Maryland politics. And it turns out to be Todd Eberly, our favorite know-nothing analyst, who always predicts doom for Democrats when they act like, well, Democrats. Today’s otherwise uneventful preview article finds the Post and Eberly warning Democratic legislators against, well, doing… Read more »

2016 Priority: Paid Sick Leave

Jonathan Shurberg   January 3, 2016   No Comments on 2016 Priority: Paid Sick Leave

For several years, the Maryland General Assembly has been unsuccessful in passing a paid sick leave bill. It’s a national priority for President Obama, Montgomery County did it, and the District of Columbia did it - although Prince George’s County saw its 2015 bill squelched by Council President Mel Franklin. With the start of the legislative session only ten days… Read more »

Bringing Down The Curtain

Jonathan Shurberg   December 31, 2015   1 Comment on Bringing Down The Curtain

2015 was quite a year, huh? A year ago everyone knew that Barbara Mikulski and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake were both running for reelection, Freddie Gray was still alive, Jeb Bush was going to win the Republican nomination, Donald Trump was an eccentric businessman, and Bernie Sanders was a not very well known senator from Vermont. Not only that, but Maryland Scramble… Read more »

The Most Important Veto Override

Jonathan Shurberg   December 28, 2015   No Comments on The Most Important Veto Override

In 16 days, the General Assembly goes back to work. There will be many story lines, not least of which seeing how things go for the five officeholders who are running for Congress in CD4 and CD8. But the first order of business for the legislature will be the prospect of whether to override Governor Larry Hogan’s four vetoes. There… Read more »

More On Money Bail In Maryland

Jonathan Shurberg   December 28, 2015   No Comments on More On Money Bail In Maryland

I wrote about the problems with Maryland’s bail system in criminal cases back in September. Summary: our system sucks. One thing I didn’t write about back then was the current legislative stalemate over how to fix the system following a court ruling. A quick history primer: Back in 2012, the Court of Appeals held that, contrary to what was actually happening,… Read more »