A core legislative / governing theme has emerged this 2024 session of the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis, MD. Power and decision rights are being taken away from Maryland counties and localities and being centralized in Annapolis. Well, to be specific, centralized in the hands of a few Democrat politicians who convene in Annapolis a…
The local headlines are on repeat. Rinse, wash, and repeat. Almost as predictable as the day is long. “County grants $XX/YY Thousands to Deter Hate Crimes” they blare. “Places of worship to receive $XX funding to prevent hate.” An “anti-hate” task force is commissioned. Its recommendations are long on grievance and grifting, short on actual…
Fresh off his demands for higher corporate and income taxes in Maryland, as well as his push for the set-up of “special taxing districts” locally, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has set his sites on taxing music – be it recorded or live. “People are playing music for free every day. People are consuming live…
Alex, an industrious teenager, comes home after a week at his first job. He is frustrated to the point of tears. “Dad,” he says. “I’m not making enough money at the hamburger stand. I’ve worked extra hard, stayed overtime, and still the wage isn’t enough to pay for my car’s gas and insurance.” “Yes, Alex,…
How much is being spent on these County Council “productions” / PSAs? And are they truly needed in the year 2024? What is the value of something like this, other then to ensure a CM gets their “90 seconds” in front of a camera and then can make shallow pop culture references? This is a…
The county’s Charter Review Commission is taking up a proposal that changes the way the County Council’s president is determined. Currently, the council members themselves elect the council president. (Interestingly, in his three terms as a council member, County Executive Marc Elrich was never vested with this office by his counterparts. The council president’s term…
Part one in a multi-post series about what you need a Photo ID for in Montgomery County, Maryland, particularly if you want to participate in society or just get “freebees” from local government. Remember – this is a County run by elected officials in Rockville and represented in Annapolis by people such as State Senator…
Things are heating up in Montgomery County, as board of education candidates are finalized. Outside of the at-large race, which is going to be very interesting, the race for District 4 looks like it could bring some fireworks. Two new candidates have entered the race for District 4: Laura Stewart and Bethany Mandel. Both registered…
Silver Spring-based Maryland state delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (Democrat), herself a frequent user of social media accounts to spread election and public policy influence (and to take plenty of partisan shots), doesn’t appear to be a fan of free speech or tech platforms like X (formerly Twitter) that allow it. Co-sponsoring House Bill 333 this year in…
Going back to November 7, 2023, Council Member Evan Glass expressed his support for ranked-choice voting. It’s Election Day! Make sure to vote if there’s an election in your community. And let’s continue working to ensure that there’s ranked choice voting in more communities next year!#electionday #rankedchoicevoting #rcv #democracy pic.twitter.com/zvYS2O4NFN — Councilmember Evan Glass (@CMEvanGlass)…