A recent survey found that almost one fifth of those between 18 and 34 had not heard of–or were not sure if they heard of–the Holocaust. With that in mind, Montgomery County Senator Ben Kramer is sponsoring a bill that would require a course on the Holocaust be taught in all public and private schools throughout the state.
Maryland legislature considers limits on the use of plastic straws in restaurants
The House Economic Matters Committee on Wednesday heard from both supporters and opponents of a bill that would severely limit the availability and use of plastic straws in restaurants starting in 2020.
Maryland state senator called to active duty during the legislative session
Montgomery County State Senator Will Smith is being deployed. Smith, a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve, will soon be on his way to Afghanistan ten days before the 90-day session of the Maryland General Assembly wraps up.
Maryland Senate votes to return school start dates to local school boards
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed an Executive Order in 2016, requiring Maryland’s public schools to begin classes after Labor Day. Now, Maryland senators are pushing back, approving legislation giving local public school boards throughout the state the authority, again, to determine the start and end date of the schools in their county. The measure now moves on to the House.
Local officials team up to push for hike in state’s minimum wage
Several county executives and the mayor of Baltimore joined together on Thursday to urge the legislature and Governor to support an effort to increase the statewide minimum wage to $15. Governor Larry Hogan says he’s open to the conversation but isn’t convinced it’s needed because of concerns of the impact it would have on some businesses.
Legislation would update Justice Reinvestment Act
After a comprehensive law overhauled the state’s criminal justice system, Maryland has seen a decline in the state’s prison and jail populations and more streamlined treatment for addicts who are charged with crimes, but advocates want to add to the law to keep inmates from returning behind bars.
Mothers take on State House to push for additional gun control
They call themselves “Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America” and members of the Maryland chapter came to Annapolis on Thursday to push for new gun control provisions. The moms and their supporters say they want the legislature to ban “ghost guns” and 3D printed guns as well as require background checks for anyone wanting to buy a shotgun or long guns.
Moms group rallies to push gun-control laws
Led by chants of “moms demand action” and “gun sense is common sense,” dozens of red-shirted volunteers from the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America lobbied in Annapolis to support stricter gun laws Thursday.
Lawmakers React to Governor Hogan’s State of the State
State House Democrats and Republicans may have their differences but Montgomery County Senator Susan Lee (D) says Governor Hogan’s State of the State showed his willingness to work with both parties. But the Democrats say they are concerned about the Governor’s proposed half-billion dollars in additional tax relief and his failure to support an increase in the minimum wage.
Governor Hogan again urges bipartisanship, sets priorities in State of the State
Republican Governor Larry Hogan, inaugurated for a second term just two weeks ago, told a joint session of the Maryland General Assembly that the state of the state has “never been stronger.”