Fire Storm with Floor Debates

Annapolis – There were two spirited debates today. In the house the issue of same sex marriage was up for floor debate. The opposition was spirited, but despite amendments none were taken and it came through clean. I thought Delegate Kumar Barve’s observation regarding this issue being sent to the voters in a referendum in 2012 maybe on point. But those who wanted this bill got their way. Maryland looks to become the six state in the union to approve of same sex marriages. A couple of issues of note Delegate Aisha Braveboy offer an amendment which was like a poison pill. It would have sent the bill back to the Judiciary Committee which has its own version same sex marriage. Delegate got a lot of bi-partisan votes on having it go to the voters. In the end it failed but did have a lot of unusual support. Also, kind of surprise at the efforts by several large churches in Prince George's going after Delegates from this area asking them to fight the move. Several outside groups will apparently take up the petitions drive to get on the ballot. The final vote will occur on Friday.

Instate Tuition for Immigrants

The other issue today was the so call “Dream Act.” The title has changed to Higher Education - Tuition Charges - Maryland High School Students. The initial idea was to provide instate tuition for dependents of undocumented works at all state colleges and universities. It’s been watered down to take affect at community colleges initially. Listen to the debate in the Senate.




Lastly, Senator Lisa Gladden brought forth emergency legislation dealing with protesters at military funerals. This legislation came from a Supreme Court ruling in the Westboro Baptist case. The controversial church has been showing up at the funerals Iraq and Afghanistan War dead. They believe god is punishing these individuals for recognizing gays. The court ruled last week their protest are part of free speech and can go ahead. In the wake of this ruling several measures are in the works to keep them away (in Maryland you must stay 100 ft. from funerals). This new law would ban them from coming within 500 ft. Sen. Joe Getty talks about the issue.

Negro Mountain et al...

(Annapolis, MD) - The ability to frame a debate can often be curious. Such as the case involving a natural wonder in western Maryland, called Negro Mountain. To the uninitiated holding on to a name like this seems to relate to a different time. Some would even suggest a time which has come and gone. It's not like people didn't know this existed, in fact some people have posed in pictures with signage.

The story behind the name apparently relates to former slave who saved a group of White Frontiersmen. In honor of his heroic efforts they honored him by calling this scenic mountain, Negro Mountain.

Many of the attempts to change the name have often come from people outside of Western Maryland where it sits. The feds tried but were thwarted. State Senator Lisa Gladden from Baltimore has tried to unsuccessfully for a number of years to change the name.

This year however, she has also included another mountain name that some suggest is politically incorrect, Polish Mountain. Senate Joint Resolution 3 has nine sponsors. FYI, when this was brought to the floor of the house and the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus had not taken a position on the name change.

For Western Maryland delegates some suggest this is a bit much. Listen to the arguement Del. Kevin Kelly made to me in the Maryland State House.









The irony about his position, he's apparently been willing to battle any and all comers on this subject.

"What was I thinking"

There have always been people who want to stir the pot in Annapolis, enter Delegate Curt Anderson. Delegate Anderson (I don't know if he was joking or trying to balance a new caucus) announced he was joining the Tea Party Caucus in the the Maryland Legislature.

When news of his joining the caucus was discovered, there were gasps. There was even a suggestion he could be stripped of his seniority in the Judiciary Committee.

This only lasted a few days because according to sources who went to an open delegation caucus he received a tongue lashing from several high powered Democrats including Delegates Maggie McIntosh, and Melvin Stukes. Len Lazarick of Maryland Reporter.com says, all Del. Stukes could do is shake his head, "I'm disappointed."

End of Week Politics in Annapolis

Annapolis - There are couple of items that caught my attention this week one involves the Department of Natural Resources haul of 20,000 pounds of "rock fish" from illegal gill nets that were anchored below the surface. The nets were found near Bloody Point Light, south of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay. In the Round table I said there was a $10,000 reward but its only $7000 reward. In lieu of this activity the gill net season has been closed.

For those wondering the fish was sold to the Maryland Wholesale Fish Market in Jessup, Maryland at market price(shouldn't it go at a lower price). The proceeds are put back into the DNR Police. Last year they able to purchase a radar.

Next week hearings on PEPCO, a Washington suburban utility will get a grilling and the contentious issue of Gay Marriage comes up.

Alan Brody of the Gazette has a excellent piece on taking slots out of the Maryland constitution. Several people suggested when it was originally proposed it should not be a part of a constitution because it would be difficult to change. Dahhhhh!!!!

The Herb and Lisa Show



When MPT decided to put Senator Lisa Gladden and Delegate Herb McMillan on the face off it became classic. The pair return and they are in rare form.You can catch their act on Maryland Public Television.

Also this week I have a story about higher education budget cuts which features Morgan State University President Dr. David Wilson.





Well it's what you've been waiting for the Roundtable. This week my guest is Nicholas Sohr of the Maryland Daily Record. He writes a blog called Eye on Annapolis.



Lastly, you can check out my appearance on Annapolis Week with Len Lazarick of Maryland Reporter.com.

Till next week or when things break.