policy
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Hearing on BOE Adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of Antisemitism
Read more: Hearing on BOE Adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of AntisemitismOn December 5, 2024 several members of the public testified before the Board of Education against the BOE adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of Antisemitism, as the County Council did in 2022. Former MCPS parent Evelyn Frankl stated in her testimony, “In the context of Jews and Palestinians in the US, Jews are…
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CM Albornoz’s legislation shows progressives cannot deliver solutions
Read more: CM Albornoz’s legislation shows progressives cannot deliver solutionsThe Surgery Center of Oklahoma is an absolutely amazing medical facility. Founded in 1997, this hospital takes no insurance. Everything is cash on the barrel. How much cash on the barrel? Go to their menu of surgery prices and click on the body part that ails you most. Gall bladder removal with biopsy: $7,556. Appendectomy:…
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How optimistic can we be for school reform with “Term Limits” Boss Stein?
Read more: How optimistic can we be for school reform with “Term Limits” Boss Stein?In a video clip appearing on Montgomery County Media, incoming president of the Montgomery County Education Association (teachers’ union) David Stein delineated his responsibilities. I need to be the public face of the union…I need to be the person who is talking to MCPS, overseeing our bargaining processes, talking to our members, supervising the staff…
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Reproductive Freedom Amendment Violates Parental Rights
Read more: Reproductive Freedom Amendment Violates Parental RightsThis election, Question 1 on the Maryland ballot asks voters to amend the Maryland Constitution with a reproductive freedom amendment. The Reproductive Freedom amendment is not what you think. Over 70% of Marylanders are pro-choice. Supporters and sponsors hoped to take advantage of that sentiment and get this amendment passed without any effort without voters…
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MoCo’s Relationship with Annapolis
Read more: MoCo’s Relationship with AnnapolisIn February 2024, Delegate David Moon promoted, on behalf of the entire Montgomery County delegation in Annapolis, HB1300. The brutally concise summary of that legislation holds unenforceable certain restrictions in housing associations, specifically those meant to limit construction of dense housing on lots designated as single-family detached. The bill’s title appears as Montgomery County –…
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MoCo State Delegate Wilkin’s Anti-Free Speech Bill Gets Dramatically Watered-Down, Passes Both Chambers
Read more: MoCo State Delegate Wilkin’s Anti-Free Speech Bill Gets Dramatically Watered-Down, Passes Both ChambersA quick follow up to our story about the draconian, anti-free speech Maryland House Bill 333, co-sponsored by Montgomery County based delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (Democrat, representing part of Silver Spring). It passed. Unfortunately, it is now headed to Governor (and sometimes fantasy baseball player) Wes Moore’s desk. It’ll be signed and become law. The good news? …
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HB1300: Part 4—Your Remedies are to Move or Vote Libertarian
Read more: HB1300: Part 4—Your Remedies are to Move or Vote LibertarianIn Part 1 of this series we described the background to removing deed restrictions, in Part 2 we described some of the immediate impacts on existing property owners, and in Part 3 we exposed who is responsible for the circumstances leading up to this legislation. In this final post we discuss what options remain for…
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Bill 2-24: What Will Jawando Doesn’t Want You to Know
Read more: Bill 2-24: What Will Jawando Doesn’t Want You to KnowThe premise of Bill 2-24, introduced by Councilmember Will Jawando, is flawed. He states that consent searches of motor vehicles during traffic stops disproportionately affect Black and Brown residents. Data from the Maryland race-based traffic stop dashboard shows, however, that there are no real disparities in consent searches by race. 13-14% of all races consent…
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HB1300: Part 3—Origins and Accountability
Read more: HB1300: Part 3—Origins and AccountabilityIn Part 1 of this series we described the nature of deed restrictions, and in Part 2 we described some of the immediate impacts of unilaterally removing those restrictions. In this post we discuss the conditions leading to HB1300 came to be, and who is responsible for those conditions. Recall that HB1300 voids restrictions appearing…
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HB1300: Part 2—Implications of Canceling Restrictions
Read more: HB1300: Part 2—Implications of Canceling RestrictionsIn Part 1 of this series we described the background and potential extent of HB1300 and its intent to void restrictions on multi-family housing. In this part we’ll describe some implications of this legislation, one of which was articulated by a resident of Olney to an Annapolis delegate (redacted). “I am writing this note to…