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.

Shifting Politics: DC Suburbs

Annapolis, MD - The center of Maryland Politics has been shifting for years. The DC suburbs of Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties want to flex their muscles. Its tough but the numbers of voters bear out that the pair of counties which trend Democratic want a say. It's also one of the most diverse portions of the state with large minorities of African-Americans, Latino's, Muslim, and Asian communities. The former power structure still wants a say on who can lead and who should be chosen. Some voters are having any of it. Its pitting the old guard against a group of upstarts which keep asking/telling anyone, "its my turn."

Who better to ask about this other than Bruce DePuyt of Maryland Matters (www.marylandmatters.org). The new website has a cagey bunch of veterans including founder Josh Kurtz (formerly of the Maryland Gazette), Bill Zorzi (formerly of the Baltimore Sun).

In this edition of Live from the Pit we talk about the emergence of the DC suburbs. We also delve into the hotly contested races for County Executive in both jurisdictions. If you're fan please follow and don't be afraid to suggest guest.