Can You Teach Me How To Dougie?

(Annapolis, MD) There are some names in Maryland Politics who are ground breakers. Doug Mayer is one them. You may not know the name but he was a part of Governor Larry Hogan’s communications team. When it was time for re-election, Mayer became Deputy Campaign Manager focused on strategy and messaging. Say what you will, it was effective and ushered in a stunning defeat of a Democratic candidate.

So what’s he up to these days? He is a partner in Strategic Partners & Media, an Annapolis based firm. In addition to its political client list (which isn’t just based in Maryland) they also are doing public relations for a number of corporate clients. We drill down on the Governor’s popularity and how he was able to use Facebook to his advantage. The “new media guru” talks about the governor’s last week of campaign ads. These included a number of individuals who you wouldn’t likely expect to endorse a Republican candidate. I learned a new term in this political landscape, “permission ads.”

Is the Governor Running for President?

Governor Hogan is in Des Moines, Iowa for the National Governors Association's, "Good Jobs for All Americans," Regional Workshop (3/4-5/2019). So you know I had to ask the question, “Is Larry Hogan running for President?” The message is clear, “he hasn’t ruled it out.” Mayer gives insight on Maryland’s chief executive thinking.

In a wide ranging interview Mayer talks about his time as communications chief and strategy.

Just click here, Doug Mayer Live from the Pit.

I didn’t get chance to ask if can dance, but I know he is a “hip-hop head.” I bet he can do the Dougie.

Opening Week in the MDGA 2019

(Annapolis) – The first week of the Maryland General Assembly is always filled with anticipation. There are 61 new members, it’s the largest class of women lawmakers, one of the most diverse groups and new leadership. The selection of leadership was never been in question. Delegate Michael Bush was re-elected by the House and the Senate choose Senator Thomas V. “Mike” Miller to be President of the body. Both men are in their 70’s and with so many new members the standard both men have set should not be taken likely. Some of the freshmen campaign on the idea “shaking up the status quo.”

The legislative body has laid out several issues Baltimore Crime, School Funding, Minimum Wage, Marijuana, and Sports Gambling. To sort it all with me is Josh Kurtz of Maryland Matters. We breakdown what we saw and its varied impacts. I also hope you read his take on Sen. Miller.

https://www.marylandmatters.org/2019/01/11/josh-kurtz-this-is-big/

Josh Kurtz joins me for Live from the Pit.

Maryland Stories of the Year 2018

Maryland and it’s a proximity to Washington, DC means were are inevitably in the national spotlight. This year the Attorney General sued the Trump administration on several occasions. The violence of urban areas also consumed the state. We continue to buck trends by re-electing a Republican for Governor. I wrote earlier about how “Maryland is Different.” I am happy to note the opening of  the Harriet Tubman Trail. Was shocked when the UMBC Basketball Team a  #16 seed knocked off a #1 seed. On the horizon are the challenges everywhere. So now for the annual disclaimer, you don’t have to agree with my list, so make your own. As always comments are welcomed.

Rev. Jamal Bryant with Sen. Bernie Saunders in Baltimore

10. Rev. Jamal Bryant Leaves Empowerment Temple – Clergy in Baltimore not only preach to their “flock,” but also have a broader message to society. Reverend Bryant of Empowerment Temple in Baltimore used his position to champion the cause of Black men dying at the hands of police (Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Freddie Gray). He preached at the funeral of Gray and that same day an “uprising” occurred on Pennsylvania and North Avenues. Leaving a CVS and other businesses torched at the hands of protesters.  Rev. Bryant joined with civic leaders the next day to call for calm. He even names a community center for Gray. His famed parishioners include former Raven football player, Ray Lewis and was a spiritual advisor to Omarosa Manigualt. So when word comes he’s leaving Baltimore a number of people were puzzled. He’s headed to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta to take over the church once presided over by Bishop Eddie Long.

9. Opioids – When Governor Larry Hogan called the opioid crisis a statewide emergency four years ago, the focus was on pain pills like Oxycontin.  As their supplies were scrutinized users replaced the legal drug with heroin. Today heroin is being replaced by a drug called fentanyl. Its ramifications are deadly. There are more fentanyl deaths in the state and they are outpacing heroin overdoses. Naloxone which is used to revive overdose victims has been a godsend. The price however is growing and may put this drug out of the reach of those who need it most.

8. Baltimore Police Chiefs – Over this year Baltimore had three Police Commissioners. They include Kevin Davis, Darryl De Sousa, and Joe Tuggle. This isn’t a good look no matter how you spin it. The city has challenges, problems, financial issues and is a under a consent decree. So next up is Joel Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, is the former Chief of Police in Fort Worth, Texas, His selection was kept under wraps until a Fort Worth Councilman leaked it to a Dallas Newspaper. His confirmation starts in January. Here’s what he faces not enough officers, record breaking overtime, murder rate over 300 people and a consent decree that still leaves the community distrusting the police.

7. Det. Sean Suiters death – There is something that just doesn’t feel right about this Detective’s death. He dies a day before he was supposed to testify in the Gun Trace Taskforce federal grand jury case 2017. The shooting happen in the Harlem Park neighborhood of Baltimore. Detective Suiter was investigating a cold case when he was allegedly shot by an unknown assailant. Police shutdown the neighborhood for a week, a $215,000 reward was offered, and conflicting statements from police. An independent panel of police from outside the city said, it appears he died from a “self-inflicted wound.” His widow is not buying the story.

6. The Gun Trace Task Force – people in Baltimore were not surprised when eight members of this elite force were indicted and found guilty of federal racketeering. It was as if they were a gang, robbing drug dealers, keeping money collected in raids, setting up people for illegal arrest and reselling the drugs. The stories told on the witness stand were unbelievable. It has allowed a number of people who were convicted by this group to go free. The irony, no one in the command staff knew it was occurring.

5. Women in Power – When the Maryland Legislature convenes in January there will be more female legislators than ever before. Many of these ladies are new comers who ran not because they are of a different gender but because they are looking to make change. Once again there is this irony, the entire United States Congressional delegation is made up of men. What’s wrong with this picture?

4. Election Results 2018 – While Governor Hogan was able to remain in office, the same cannot be said for members of the GOP who thought they may succeed him. In County Executive races, several large jurisdictions Baltimore, Howard, and Anne Arundel Counties were able to beat back Republican candidates. In Prince Georges and Howard Counties there were first. Prince Georges County elected its first Black female leader, Angela Alsobrooks and Howard County elected its first African-American chief executive Calvin Ball.

3. Governor Larry Hogan – “Aw Shucks,” is how I have described the current Maryland Governor’s demeanor. There was never any doubt Governor Hogan was going to re-elected (an average of polls showed he had between 60-70% approval ratings). He amassed campaign contributions, understood the Presidents lack of popularity in the state, and getting a candidate he could easily define. I actually think he enjoys being Governor (at least for the next four years). The Governor hoped to bring in additional Republican legislators to help with governing, but it didn’t happen. He is the first Republican Governor to be re-elected since the 1960’s

2. Ellicott City Flooding – It started as a bright sunny afternoon on May 27, 2018 at Patapsco State Park celebrating my son’s dual graduations (one from Tennessee State University – B.S., and Wagner College – Masters). The sky darkened, rain and lightning came. We were lucky, we continued under a shelter. An hour before things ended a ranger came to the shelter. She suggested we might want to end early because a bridge across the Patapsco River was washed out and there was flash flooding. When we arrived home we watched in horror as flooding from the Patapsco River and its tributaries washed out large parts of the Ellicott City Main Street and Oella. A former military officer who was trying to save a woman from the raging waters was sweep away and drowned. This wasn’t supposed to happen a second according to County Executive Alan Kittleman. One person died and it’s likely what cause Kittleman to lose re-election.

1. Capital Gazette Shooting – Time Magazine chose the Journalist who were killed and those who survived at the Annapolis newspaper as their Person(s) of the Year. I concur. As a journalist, I look over my shoulder often. The President has given license to those whose mental capacities may be diminished. I hope as you read this, and you assess what do to make ends meet you never have to wonder if someone will take your life away.

Maryland is Different

(Owings Mills, MD) “I’m going to vote for Jealous, but I know he is going to lose,” is a sentiment I heard often while covering the Maryland Gubernatorial election of 2018. But after that, the people who would tell me who they voted for made this admission, “I want to send a message,” that’s what I heard.

This was a message election which spilled into the state. It manifested itself with early voting, was it enough? Trump’s name wasn’t on the ballot, but he was on their minds. I jokingly said, “Will Maryland have an Ocean City Wave, a Blue Wave or a Tsunami.” Turnout was the key. Democratic nominee Ben Jealous said as much when he came to Maryland Public Television prior to General Election.  “If we (Jealous Campaign) can have a million voter’s turnout for the election I have a chance.”

Wishful thinking or shrewd strategy? Looking back at the Jealous and Gov. Larry Hogan campaigns they had different goals. For Governor Hogan, it was about not expending more cash or energy than necessary, limit debate opportunities, play to strengths, and have a closing argument which could have coattails.

For Jealous it was about nationalizing the race, maximizing voter turnout in the democratic strongholds and paint the governor as an extremist.

Each man used different methods to reach their goals, but there can only be one winner.

Governor Hogan had to expend little energy during the Republican primary. He ran ads touting his accomplishments and laying the foundation for a second term. The Governor thought his Democratic challenger would be Prince Georges County Executive Rushern Baker. Baker was the choice of the establishment Democratic Party in the state. The Prince George’s County candidates name recognition was limited to the Washington suburbs, so he spent an inordinate time in the Baltimore metro area. What he was unprepared for was the Jealous’ ground game. Jealous also defined himself via TV ads. The Republican Governors Association wasted no time airing ads right after his nomination in the general election. Jealous had no money left to counter being defined as “extreme and a socialist.”

What Larry Hogan Got Right

Governor Hogan’s rise to the top came at time when Maryland voters were tired of democratic control of state. The political novice was and is shrewd. In a two to one democratic state Hogan knew using a national Republican playbook was not going to work. While surrounding states (Virginia, New Jersey, West Virginia and Pennsylvania) had trended to the GOP, he knew it wasn’t going to work. Instead his idea was to appeal to the “every-man” idea. What I am talking about is Hogan was the kind of guy who you might have a beer with in a bar. I like to call him, the “Aw shucks Governor.” He also rejected Republican touchstone issues (abortion, school choice etc…) to prove it, he bucked the national party and only embrace New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s model. Governor Christie’s tactic of lowering taxes, ending bureaucracy, and becoming business friendly. The catch phrase of his first campaign was “ending the rain tax.” A populist move that few could disagree with.

Once in office he found his perfect foil, the Maryland Legislature. With super majorities he could run against them calling them obstructionist. But what put Hogan over the top, was sympathy he received after being diagnosed with cancer. Despite being in the hospital receiving chemotherapy Hogan spent hours doing work from his hospital bed. This lead to a nearly 60 percent approval rating in a “blue state.”

He also found an issue which crossed party lines, the opioid crisis. Look, heroin addiction has been in Maryland since the 1920’s. It was confined to inner city Baltimore. Hundreds were hooked on the drug and help fuel a crime wave to feed a habit from the 60’s through the 70’s.

When the drug came to the suburbs in the 80’s and 90’s killing white kids and adults it was serious for this politician. It was a dirty little secret no was paying attention to and wasn’t just affecting major population areas but was an epidemic in places like Cumberland, Hagerstown, and Frederick, Washington, Carroll, Cecil and Queen Anne’s Counties. These jurisdictions saw people turn to the heroin because they were unable to keep up with their OxyContin dependencies. I was initially suspect. It changed when Governor Hogan, said he was personally affected when a cousin overdosed after years of addiction.

Under the radar Governor Hogan through his Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford cultivated something the Maryland Democratic Party never embraced, Black Business. Despite years of “lip service,” minority set asides had gone from hard targets to simply goals. The whole idea of the state having minority vendors had become a mess. This entrepreneurial class has embraced anyone who would listen to their plight and actually make a difference. Enter the Maryland GOP. The governor’s embrace of a “business first mentality” was perfect for this group. African-American entrepreneurs are lukewarm to embrace the party’s social policies, but they are “all in” on getting a seat at the table. They ended up having this group to themselves.

 

So why are 30 percent of African-American voters drawn to Governor Hogan? This group was half this size in his first run. They are collection of voters who are discussed at the idea "Democrats have Black people’s interest at heart." You saw this at the end of the O’Malley administration, when the idea of locking people up (mostly African-Americans) for nuisance crimes was policy in Baltimore. Add to this disinvestment in communities of color. The “Baltimore Uprising” was literally the last straw and how former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake was nowhere to be found during at its height. They may have whispered their support in the past, but now you see it. The Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle sided with Hogan in his first run. The closing political ad featuring Bmore News founder, Doni Glover, saying “Governor Hogan showed up and it wasn’t his first time.” The ad laid bare and full view of an anti-establishment critic endorsement.

Shhh, Ben Jealous is Running for Maryland Governor.

In a crowded primary field Ben Jealous was the perfect “I’m not a politician candidate.” The problem is this type of candidacy would have worked four years ago, but was an anathema in an era which gave us President Donald Trump. Was he qualified? His turnaround of the national office of the NAACP was laudable, but no one had ever voted for him for anything. It is true all politics are local. 

So a surrogate for Presidential candidate Bernie Saunders national campaign saw a clear path to victory by nationalizing a gubernatorial race and its disgust with Washington, DC. It worked in the primary enabling Jealous to raise money outside the state. This allowed him to be the first up with television with ads, allowing him to define himself.

What Maryland politicians saw and understood from this, “he didn’t need them.” Great for an insurgent campaign but not for coalescing the state’s power brokers to embrace your run.  Its manifestation came in what can be best described as “non-endorsements.” Hogan trotted out a number of former Democratic leaders to endorse his campaign (most were people who were beyond their expiration date). You know it’s telling when the states Comptroller Peter Franchot says, he “will not endorse you, but not campaign against you.” (What the hell?).

Even more telling after the primary, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker delays embracing your campaign and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggit questions your platform of “Medicaid for All.” Leggit asks, "How will pay for it?  Stop. These are two leading African-American leaders in the state (Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh is the other) and they are already questioning your policies in the state (In my ESPN voice “C’mon Man!).

Race is a delicate issue. Some politicians use it to their advantage, others discount it and lay claim to being the best candidate in the race. Jealous is a product of a bi-racial marriage. His parents were forced to move to California where he grew up but spent his summers in Baltimore with his grandparents (Hogan suggested he didn’t live in the state but he does).His time at the NAACP has gave him a close up look at the "mean and nasty" regarding race. Nowhere did he ever embrace the notion of being the first African-American governor of the state of Maryland and what it would mean. It was understood internally it would turn off white voters embracing his campaign.

Crying you’re "being treated unfairly" is not a political strategy. The Jealous organization to counter being out spent tried to go around the ads defining him to the public. News organizations love an underdog story.  So we often want to hear your thoughts about scurrilous claims. On August 8, 2018, Washington Post Political Reporter Erin Cox asked Jealous “Whether he identified with the term “socialist,” as his political opponent, Gov. Larry Hogan (R), has labeled him. ‘Are you f---ing kidding me?,’ Jealous responded.” This was an endorsement event, and left those in attendance with mouths open.

Look these are challenges a traditional campaign would have thought through. This is big boy politics where your narrative is key and people have to see themselves in you. During this campaign I did not see an air of “desperation.” Politicians who I’ve seen be successful have this sense they are losing and must talk to everyone who will listen. Those who won’t listen to you still reach out them because you can believe you can persuade them. If you don’t persuade them they must come away with an idea that you are competent.

The Debates

Fast forward to the debate/s. My office Maryland Public Television MPT has a stellar reputation as being the host for statewide debates. I was fortunate to be selected to be a part of the Democrat Primary debate at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. During this session I got candidate Jealous to admit how he was going to pay for “Free College Tuition.” “I’m going to tax the highest ten percent tax payers in the state.”

As we awaited word on the General Election debate Governor Hogan announced he would do two debates in September. Jealous countered with having five in October. In the end we were left with just one debate at MPT on September 24, 2018. The planning for the debate was coordinated by the two campaigns (sitting or standing, how close the podiums will be, opening/closing statements). It was agreed there would be five panelist. Both camps were given a single veto over who could be a questioner. This is where things get tricky.   Both camps were concerned about previous questioners in the primary (including yours truly, Jane Miller – WBAL-TV, and Clarence Mitchell IV WBAL Radio). We were out. It was agreed to have two the leading newspapers in the state participate but the Hogan camp insisted that there be a reporter from the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland. Earlier during the campaign it didn’t help that Jealous had to retract several debate decisions.

He suggested that Tamela Baker of the Herald-Mail in Hagerstown should be remove. He ended up retracting the idea. Not a good look. He also suggested Maryland Reporter.com was a right-wing website. Hmmm! That’s a stretch.

So where do we go from here? My quick assessment is this will be the last time Democrats in Maryland nominate a Black candidate. The failure to deliver in two elections cycles is telling. I don’t think this will be the right choice but it will send the message.

Lastly, for the next four years the GOP will expand the landscape in Maryland. Here’s the rub, "who is waiting in the wings."

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The Restlessness

(Baltimore, MD) The wave of voter restlessness struck Maryland by rejecting a well-respected Prince George’s County Executive in favor of a former Civil Rights leader. Say what you will about a crowded Democratic field but Ben Jealous, the former NAACP Leader, was able to mobilize his base and found much needed campaign funds outside of Maryland to get out the gate first and get up on television before he could be defined.  The "wave election" has sweep in progressives and candidates with political pedigrees are out. Jealous touted his leadership credentials at the nation’s oldest civil rights organization, efforts to remove the death penalty and approved gay marriage in the state.

The victory was almost overshadowed by election problems in Baltimore City where several polling locations didn’t open on time. An emergency order by a judge allowed polls to stay open until 9 pm. The other major snafu was the Department of Motor Vehicle Department (MVA) not updating its system to the Board of Elections. It’s estimated this may affected as many as 80,000 voters. “The leadership of the Motor Vehicle Administration and the Board of Elections must immediately demonstrate that they have the capacity to accurately explain the size and impact of the problem and fix this violation of the public trust or they must make room for leaders who are able to restore confidence in Maryland elections,” said Rev. Kobi Little, a spokesman for the NAACP's Maryland State Conference President, Gerald Stansbury.” The investigation is expected to begin next week ensuring there isn’t a re-occurrence during the General Election.

The story of this election was about the rejection of those who have served to long. Not only did it affect the governor’s race but it spilled into the Maryland Senate race in Baltimore and other parts of the state. Out are Maryland Senators Nathaniel McFadden, Barbara Robinson, and Joan Carter Conway to name some in the upper chamber. In the lower chamber, the House of Delegates, longtime Judiciary Chairman Joseph Vallerio was defeated in Southern Maryland. 

Jealous, if he wins, would become the first Black governor of the state of Maryland. Appealing to racial solidarity in the “old line state,” has its positives and dangers. For the positive, it would send a unique signal that old style politics in the state have outlived its usefulness. Party bosses will not dictate this elections outcome. It is likely to energize young voters who want a seat at the table. Lastly, there will not be a lethargic electorate which helped to suppress voting totals in traditional strongholds for Democrats. I already know that Sundays will be spent in churches, a place where Jealous is very comfortable.

The danger for the Civil Rights leader is being defined by Governor Larry Hogan who easily won his primary because he had no challenger. “It isn’t about them…it’s about a referendum on the job we’re doing,” said Hogan. It didn’t take long for the Governor’s supporters to begin to strike back. It began with a press release from the Republican Governor’s Association.

“Ben Jealous’ radical views make him unfit to serve as governor,” said RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson. “Ben Jealous is promising to systematically undo all of the progress Maryland has made over the past four years by hiking taxes to never-before-seen levels in order to fund his radical pie-in-the-sky spending plans. Voters will reject Jealous’ ill-conceived plans this November and keep Maryland on its current path of more jobs, a stronger economy and better schools.”

A second press release came from a former Democratic Committee Chairman.

Democratic Party Chairman Nate Landow in response to Ben Jealous winning the Democratic primary election for governor:

“It is imperative that Democratic voters who value moderation, fiscal responsibility and functional government support Governor Larry Hogan in the general election. His record of sensible, bipartisan reform and his genuine decency is the antidote for what ails our politics today. He stands in stark contrast to the irresponsible and extreme ideas of Ben Jealous.”

These are coded words and issues. The Root writer, Damon Young, who writes under the section of “VerySmartBrothas,” pointed this out in his recent column called, “30 Ways White People Say Black People Without Actually Saying Black People..” Here are a couple of observations we’re likely to hear; “high crime neighborhood, gang related, and depressed neighborhood/school/people/population.

“We talked with the people,” said Jealous who held his victory celebration at the Reginald Lewis Museum of Maryland of African-American History and Culture. He continued to point out his difference with the governor and welcomed the opportunity to litigate his case to the voters of Maryland.  “I’m running to the people of Maryland.”

The Next Steps

Raising Money, is paramount. Governor Hogan has at least 9 million dollars in cash on hand for the general election. Conversely, Jealous is reportedly down to about $100,000. To reverse this trend there are several unity events scheduled to coalesce the losers with the Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee. It includes the arrival of former Vice President Joe Biden this weekend for a fundraiser. Like the primary, I’m expecting to see a number of early supporters for Jealous. Including U.S. Senators Corey Booker (NJ), Sen. Kamala Harris (California), and Sen. Bernie Saunders (VT). They’ve already made their presence known and I expect them to double down on this early bet. Celebrity wise, comedian, Dave Chappelle has appeared and he is likely to convince others to get on the train.

I don’t know how many debates we’re likely to see but it should be spirited. I can tell you having only two people on a stage will allow questioners to drill down on issues you can’t get with a large field.  As a fly on the wall, I'd love to hear both candidates working on their one liners and sharpen their attack.

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Live From the Pit

Annapolis - The beginning of the year marks the start of the Maryland General Assembly. While you would expect harmony its been anything but that. Governor Larry Hogan suggested "politics should not cloud the session." Well you throw that out the window. It began with the introduction of the 2019 Budget. Governor Hogan previewed his priorities but failed to alert the legislative leaders. The "Mike's" took as a slight, so they didn't show up for a breakfast meeting. It led to some name calling and mistrust.

For the next couple of weeks you'll hear from news makers, journalist and others on this years session. I call the podcast, "Live from the Pit." Its where I work in Annapolis. You can respond here or on twitter @C3newsman.

Here goes, hold on to your hat.

Live From the Pit

Top Ten Maryland Stories of 2016

There were a lot of holdovers from 2015 and the biggest players in the state, got bigger. The national political climate had little effect on local politicians. As a simple disclaimer you are welcome to disagree. In fact I encourage you to create your own list.

10. The loss of political power by women in Maryland. The Maryland Congressional Delegation has no women and there are no female County Executives. The top two women in the state are Nancy Kopp, the State Treasurer and Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh. What’s really a lost Sen. Barbara Milkulski is leaving the US Senate. Her feistiness enabled more women to enter politics and she was seen as the Dean of Women Politicians. It’s even worst on the GOP side. While Del. Kathy Szeliga (R) of Baltimore and Harford Counties challenged for the US Senate. She ended up losing. The bench on the Republican side isn’t deep. If there is a silver lining, women are becoming a larger share of the Maryland Electorate.

9.  Political Power Shift to Washington Suburbs. We saw this coming. The draining of population from Baltimore City and its overall influence on Maryland is waning. The interesting part is Baltimore is still the state’s economic engine. You can’t discount this. However, places like Montgomery County (the state’s wealthiest district) and Howard County are demanding more for their tax dollars. I would caution those who live around DC, be careful of flexing your political muscle.

8. Devastation of Ellicott City. We know how powerful water can be and its potential destruction. We saw on July 30, 2016 what the neglect of infrastructure can mean for a commercial district. I will not forget water pushing cars down Main Street and the number of human rescues. County Executive Alan Kittleman vowed to rebuild and has done it with the help of the state.

7. Rejecting Candidate Trump. Early on Governor Larry Hogan was a supporter of New Jersey Governor Christ Christie's run for President of the United States. When Governor Christie dropped out and endorsed Donald Trump, Governor Hogan did not follow suit. Maryland’s Governor also skipped the GOP Convention in Cleveland. What did Hogan gain? A 70 percent approval rating. Those numbers will be used to squash any Democratic challenger as he runs for a second term.

6. Chesapeake Bay – After years of doom and gloom the Bay got a report card that was encouraging. The crab population increase by 35 %. Bay grasses expanded by 21%. The numbers provided by Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) gave the movement to “save the bay” momentum. I watched as CBF moved its oyster recovery project to Baltimore City. The foundation was able to bring science to the conversation without being preachy.

5. Under Armour – Kevin Plank. Under Armour’s worldwide headquarters is based in Baltimore. With investment resources and a large staff the apparel maker solidified its position as a major economic player in the city. They doubled down in asking the cash strapped city for a 760 million dollars in tax abatements to take over an industrial area called Port Covington. Critics suggest the city gave away too much. The deal was modified to accommodate job training, infrastructure, and the state kicked in some additional money. It was the only train leaving the station and the city punch its ticket. 

4.    Transportation – This is tricky. The Beltways, the Interstates, and well-traveled roads are in need of repair. Philosophically, Gov. Larry Hogan decides what priorities to push. For years it was about public transit. For the people who elected the governor, they didn’t see the cost benefit in public transportation. New gas taxes provide money to make either one of these transportation ideas possible (the governor wanted to reduce the gas tax but couldn’t). At the beginning of the last legislative session the Governor laid out a plan to provide road construction money to rural areas and a conditionally green light to the Purple line in the Washington suburbs. He summarily rejected the Red line in Baltimore calling it a “boondoggle.” It angered the Baltimore delegation. The delegation help push through a scoring plan for all road projects. It passed without the governor’s signature (This year he’s made the repeal of the law his legislative priority). To squash the anger surrounding the rejection of the Red Line, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) says it was going to redesign bus lines for Baltimore.

3. Fallout from Freddie Gray – The six Baltimore Police Officers who were charged with Gray’s death dodged a bullet. Three were acquitted of charges and the remaining three officers had their cases dismissed. Weeks after the trial the US Justice Department who had been investigating the Baltimore Police Department released a devastating report detailing civil rights violations and a culture of indifference between the Police Department and Black communities they serve. What we await is a consent decree which will fix these problems.

2. Governor’s Race 2018 – Two years into his term, Governor Larry Hogan has solidified his political footing in the state. As the second Republican Governor in the modern era, he has confounded his critics and posted the best approval numbers (70%) of any governor. He has chided potential challengers (Kevin Kamenetz) and found an ally in Comptroller Peter Franchot. Being a Republican in a Democratic state has not boded well for second terms. If you ask me right now, Hogan is likely to win re-election.

1. Dysfunction in Annapolis – The rhetoric has ratcheted up with name calling from the Legislative branch to the Executive Branch. While the Governor sets the agenda, the Legislature sifts through the debris. The Appropriations Committees in both chambers has found money cut from the budget to fund additional educational funding which the governor has rejected. This year the Governor wanted something the legislature had control over, tax incentives. In return for giving Northrup Gruman/Marriott Hotels favorable tax relief, the Governor released more money to school districts. Sen. Mike Miller and Delegate Michael Bush are cautious and they would like to make sure Governor Larry Hogan doesn’t get a second term.

Person of the Year

P. Kenneth Burns

First I am mentor of P. Kenneth Burns. I have watched his career and know he is a solid a reporter at WYPR-FM. When I received word he was banned from Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's briefing in a conference room, I was stunned. I asked, “Are we talking about P. Kenneth Burns?” Then I hear the reasons: “He appears threatening; he types loudly; and is rude.” Then I saw the video of the press conference in question. He presses the Mayor on asking for additional money to fund the Police Department and asked who was in control of the police force? She says, "we’ll get back to you later." We later learned the Police is controlled by the state and the city did ask for a supplemental budget to implement changes in the BPD, which he reported.

I’ve been through banning a reporter at the Annapolis State House. The resolution always makes the accuser look bad. I wrote in open letter to the Mayor (signed by my colleagues) asking her to rescind the order. I appeared on radio to talk about this injustice. I also asked for “better angels” to intercede to correct this wrong. Sadly, Mayor Rawlings-Blake charged the media with “circling the wagons” to protect Burns. Far from the truth. Truth is the only currency reporters have and we value it. There were no facts. Burns spent a two months away from the briefings. He returned with the swearing-in of Mayor Catherine Pugh.  

Burns didn’t stop reporting because of this incident and that for me makes him the perfect “Person of the Year.”

And then it was gone

(Annapolis) Armed with a series of poster boards, the House Appropriations Chairman Maggie McIntosh proclaimed, “We have closed the structural deficit.” It was a victory lap of sort for legislative leaders who had to endure complaints of “business as unusual” from the states Chief Executive.

The structural deficit came from a series of issues. They included overspending, mandates on programmatic activities, an under-funded pension fund and an economic climate where people were tightening their belts. These issues partly laid the ground work for a Republican Governor to win in Maryland in 2014. With one party controlling the Executive branch and another controlling the legislative controls the “kumba-ya moment” which seem to begin this process went “south” quickly.  

 When last we left the Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and the Legislative Leaders (Sen. Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and Speaker Michael Bush) following the 2015 session was in the review mirror with both sides claiming victory. Underneath the pleasantries was an animosity about being up staged.

The Governor provided two supplemental budgets. He was pissed they never got a hearing on either side of the aisle. He went against the wishes of his partners in the legislature by deriding the savings they found. Instead of taking the extra money and use to shore of education funding, he used it to firm up the State Pension program.

The legislative Leaders did do the heavy lifting by cutting and trimming programs to get to a balance budget. They took aim at the Governor Hogan’s cuts to education. They restored the cuts but, also found money to fund the Geographic Index -GCEI (this is part of the Thornton Funding plan which gave large jurisdictions more money).

In the waning days of the 2015 Session the Legislature heard the governor wasn’t going to put in money for GCEI. They in turn put in a measure which said if you don’t fund GCEI this year, going forward it would become a mandate. The irony here is that Democratic and Republican governors have used discretion in funding this program (some have even decided not to fund it in lean years). So as of July 1, 2015 this becomes a mandate.

Spinning the Debate

“Halloween is over,” said Senator Richard Madeleno of Montgomery County as he stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow Democrats crowing there success. The mantra from the legislature has been to add the extra money they found to improve school systems. Despite these calls, the Governor has been reluctant to acquiesce to the request.

“Who do you stand for?” President Miller asked rhetorically. In response, Doug Mayer the Deputy Communications for the Governor, had his own questions. “As both Senate President Miller and Speaker Busch know, Maryland is still facing a nearly $1 billion cumulative deficit over the next five years. On top of that, there is a $20 billion hole in the teacher and state employee pension system that the General Assembly has repeatedly failed to address.”

Going into the 2016 Session the wars of Budget will continue to be fought. The Hogan Administration often touts its “funding of education at record levels” (because of formulas adjusting for an increase in the number of students – each year will be more than the previous year.). The Democrats crow their ability to make tough choices, find savings, and apply them to areas like education.

These are interesting times for both sides. Are we out of the woods finically? The State Treasurer and the Comptroller will suggest we aren’t. By the way they weren’t spared from being chided by Legislative leaders. Speaker Busch asked, “The Comptroller and the Treasurer to step up to the plate.”

We are two months from the start of the 2016 Legislative Session and budget is just one item to be hotly debated. According to Baltimore County Delegate Adrienne Jones there are some 500 Bills pre-filed, a record.

Del. Maggie McIntosh Announcing End to Structural Deficit