JUICE: Delaney Polling for Governor?, Van Hollen on Hillary's Hit List, O'Malley for $10/Hr Wage, Updates on Gov Race & More

Below Maryland Juice provides a round-up of news of interest to politicos:

JUICE #1: IS CONGRESSMAN JOHN DELANEY POLLING MARYLAND GOVERNOR & US SENATE RACES? - UPDATE: Maryland Juice received the following anonymous response from a source denying that the poll below involved the U.S. Senate race: "I have it on very good authority that Congressman Delaney has not been polling on Senator Mikulski in any way whatsoever. I'd prefer to not be attributed with this update, but wanted to pass the message along to you based on this morning's post."

Over the last week, Maryland Juice sources and readers have been mentioning a mysterious statewide poll surveying opinion about the 2014 Governor's race and U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski. Notably, the poll appears to weigh the status of Congressman John Delaney in both contests. Below you can see some messages we received on Facebook and Twitter regarding the poll. We received the following message on Facebook from Frederick area Democrat Patrick Allen:

PATRICK ALLEN: January 5, 2014 - John Delaney push polls began today in an effort for Mr. Delaney to assess his future political aspirations and / or opportunities. Mr. Delaney currently represents the Maryland 6th Congressional District.

The polling is being conducted by Mountain West Research, based in Pocatello, Idaho, using satellite telemarketers located in Armada, Michigan (1-586-625-1581). This firm is generally known as a telemarketing firm and has a number of complaints filed against it.

It is important to note that the pollsters are asking a number of Gubernatorial questions regarding Mr. Delaney as well as a series of negative questions related to Senator Barbara Mikulski.

One can imagine that Mr. Delaney's Republican-styled legislative experience during his first term as a congressman has him a bit worried regarding his chances of re-election.

After Maryland Juice mentioned rumors of the poll on Twitter, we received the following responses from Karla Raettig, the Executive Director of Maryland's League of Conservation Voters:

KARLA RAETTIG: I can confirm. I was lucky enough to get a call Thursday night. It was pretty interesting.... Just want to clarify that it was clearly Delaney's poll and not a decoy.

Today The Washington Post's John Wagner reported on the development (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: Is Rep. John K. Delaney (D-Md.) thinking about running for governor of Maryland? There’s at least some circumstantial evidence. A telephone poll has been conducted in recent days that includes the names of Democrats who’ve already announced they’re running for governor — along with that of Delaney, the freshman congressman....

Karla Raettig, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, happened to be among those who got called as part of the poll. Raettig said she was interviewed Thursday and surprised to hear one of the choices offered for governor.... Raettig said the poll did not identify its sponsor. It included questions about negative aspects of the candidacies of Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D), Raettig said....

JUICE #2: REP. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN ON HILLARY CLINTON'S HIT LIST? - One of Congress's insider newspapers, The Hill, released an interesting report this week that Congressman Chris Van Hollen was apparently on a "hit list" created by Hillary Clinton's campaign staff for a perceived betrayal during her 2008 presidential campaign (excerpt below):

THE HILL: A longtime adviser to Hillary Clinton played down the importance of a list drawn up by campaign aides that noted the lawmakers and superdelegates who staffers believed had betrayed the former presidential candidate during the 2008 Democratic primary.

Among those named on the list, and earning the most negative rating from Clinton loyalists under a points system they devised, were Secretary of State John Kerry, the late Edward Kennedy, and a number of other prominent Democrats including Sens. Claire McCaskill (Mo.), Jay Rockefeller (W.Va), Bob Casey (Pa.) and Patrick Leahy (Vt.), and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.).... The list, sources tell the authors, was sent to Doug Band, who at the time served as aide de camp to former President Bill Clinton....

JUICE #3: GOV. MARTIN O'MALLEY SUPPORTING $10/HOUR MINIMUM WAGE HIKE IN MARYLAND - WTOP reported this week that Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley appears to be getting behind a $10 an hour minimum wage increase (excerpt below):

WTOP: Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is calling for an increase in the state's minimum wage to at least $10 per hour. In an interview Sunday with CNN's "State of the Union", O'Malley said that if the minimum wage had only kept pace with inflation since 1968, it would be a little more than $10 per hour now. He says it would be $20 per hour if the wage had kept pace with productivity....

Correspondingly, O'Malley is now scheduled to speak at an Annapolis rally for a $10.10/hr minimum wage tomorrow. Progressive Maryland circulated the following event announcement (excerpt below):

PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND:  TUES. Stand with working families, PM, allies, leaders in Annapolis to Rally with Gov. O'Malley to 'Raise the Minimum Wage, Raise Maryland!'

Tuesday, Jan. 14th, 5:45 p.m. at Lawyers Mall, State Circle before the State House, Annapolis

• Raise the minimum wage to $10.10
• Index it to the cost of living
• Boost the pay of tipped workers from 50 to 70% of the prevailing wage

More than 500,000 Maryland workers will get a raise, boosting our state's economy for all.

JUICE #4: DOUG GANSLER CALLS FOR PRESS CONFERENCE AS REPORTS REVEAL MD OFFICIALS WERE WARNED ABOUT OBAMACARE ENROLLMENT PROBLEMS - In a lengthy expose, The Washington Post reported this weekend that Maryland officials were warned for at least a year about potential problems with the state's Obamacare enrollment platform (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: More than a year before Maryland launched its health insurance exchange, senior state officials failed to heed warnings that no one was ultimately accountable for the $170 million project and that the state lacked a plausible plan for how it would be ready by Oct. 1.

Over the following months, as political leaders continued to proclaim that the state’s exchange would be a national model, the system went through three different project managers, the feuding between contractors hired to build the online exchange devolved into lawsuits, and key people quit, including a top information technology official because, as he would later say, the project “was a disaster waiting to happen.”

The repeated warnings culminated days before the launch, with one from contractors testing the Web site that said it was “extremely unstable” and another from an outside consultant that urged state officials not to let residents enroll in health plans because there was “no clear picture” of what would happen when the exchange would turn on.

Within moments of its launch at noon Oct. 1, the Web site crashed in a calamitous debut that was supposed to be a crowning moment for Maryland officials who had embraced President Obama’s Affordable Care Act and pledged to build a state-run exchange that would be unparalleled.

Instead, by the next morning only four people had signed up using the Web site — and amazed that anyone had gotten through the system successfully, state officials contacted each of them to make sure they were real. The site’s problems continue to prevent Marylanders from signing up for health insurance. As of Friday, 20,358 people had selected private plans, and state officials have said they do not expect to come close to their initial goal of 150,000 by the end of March....

In response to The Washington Post expose, Attorney General Doug Gansler's campaign has announced a press conference today:

PRESS RELEASE

Doug Gansler to Hold Press Conference Today, Will Address Revelations About State’s Disastrous Health Exchange Rollout

Silver Spring, MARYLAND – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Attorney General Douglas Gansler and his lieutenant governor candidate Delegate Jolene Ivey will hold a press conference Monday afternoon to address recent revelations in the media about the role of Lt. Governor Anthony Brown in mismanaging the rollout of Maryland’s health exchange.

WHAT:  Press conference with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler and his lieutenant governor candidate Jolene Ivey

WHEN:  Monday, January 13, 2014 at 3 p.m.                

WHERE: Gansler / Ivey Campaign HQ , 1300 Spring Street , Silver Spring, Md.

###

JUICE #5: DOUG GANSLER SAYS EQUALITY MARYLAND TRADED ENDORSEMENT OF ANTHONY BROWN FOR TRANSGENDER NON-DISCRIMINATION BILL - The Washington Blade reported today that Attorney General Doug Gansler believes Equality Maryland (an LGBT rights group) traded an endorsement of Lt. Governor Anthony Brown for support for a stalled transgender non-discrimination bill (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON BLADE: Attorney General Doug Gansler told the Washington Blade last week that Equality Maryland “traded” its endorsement of Lieutenant Gov. Anthony Brown for governor for his support of a bill that would ban discrimination against transgender Marylanders.

Gansler told the Blade during a Jan. 10 telephone interview that Brown should “honor” the Equality Maryland endorsement by making the trans rights measure an administration bill as Gov. Martin O’Malley did in 2012 when he designated the same-sex marriage bill a legislative priority.... “That would be sort of putting his money where his mouth is,” said Gansler. “If it’s not an administration bill, I just don’t know....”

JUICE #6: FEMINIST MAJORITY ENDORSES HEATHER MIZEUR FOR GOVERNOR - Ms Magazine reported today that Delegate Heather Mizeur has received the endorsement of the Feminist Majority in her bid for Governor (excerpt below):

MS MAGAZINE: The Feminist Majority announced today its support for Del. Heather Mizeur in her bid to become governor of Maryland. Mizeur is an established state leader who fights for women's and human rights, health care access and education. If elected, Mizeur will become Maryland's first woman governor and the first openly gay governor in the nation....

"Maryland has a chance to make history by electing Heather Mizeur," said Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal. "I am extremely impressed with Heather's leadership in the General Assembly. If elected as governor, she will surely win advancements for Maryland's women, working families, young people and members of the LGBT community...."

Mizeur, in addition to Feminist Majority, has been endorsed by EMILY's List, Maryland NOW, National NOW and Women's Campaign Fund.

JUICE #7: MCGEO DISCUSSES UPCOMING ELECTION FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE - A Maryland Juice reader flagged the following letter from Bob Stewart the Executive Director of MCGEO (the union representing many Montgomery County government employees). In the following piece in MCGEO's latest newsletter, Stewart discusses the forthcoming Democratic Primary race for members of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (excerpt below):

BOB STEWART: In May 2013, we joined our brothers and sisters in the  FOP, the IAFF, the Metro-Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, and the Montgomery County Young Democrats in calling for a boycott and picket of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s Spring Ball. Beyond our dissatisfaction with the Committee’s role in eliminating effects bargaining for the County police, we felt that the party had strayed from  core democratic values especially its support for economic fairness and social justice for our most vulnerable citizens.

Fast forward to now, and you can see that our boycott had a tangible effect on the MCDCC and the choices it’s making in moving forward. An article in Bethesda Magazine says that the Committee is trying to produce a “unity slate” to fill upcoming vacancies on the Committee “who are palatable to local labor groups....”

Whether the MCDCC moves back to progressivism remains to be seen, but we are optimistic about these developments. We are happy to see that Dave Kunes, president of the Montgomery County Young Democrats, will likely play a huge role on the Committee. However, if the Committee doesn’t produce a slate that represents our issues we are ready to move forward with our own candidates....

JUICE #8: D29A DELEGATE JOHN WOOD RETIRING  //  PLUS: DEL. STEVE DEBOY RE-CONFIRMS HIS RETIREMENT DECISION - Maryland Reporter announced today that Democratic Delegate John Wood of District 29A is retiring. The article also notes that Delegate Steve DeBoy has re-confirmed his retirement from the Maryland House of Delegates (excerpt below):

MARYLAND REPORTER:  “I’ve had enough,” Del. Johnny Wood told his colleagues in the legislature last week, confirming he would not seek reelection after seven terms in the House of Delegates.... In a way, it’s the legislature that has moved on over three decades, and left Wood a dinosaur among Democrats. Conservative Democrats were plentiful in the House when Wood arrived the same year as House Speaker Michael Busch. But over the years, the Democrats have moved to the left and Wood has found himself one of the few Democrats voting with Republicans on many fiscal, business and social issues....

Another conservative-leaning Democrat, [Del. Steve DeBoy] has been rumored to be reconsidering that move, but Friday he said he did not know who had started that rumor and he was sticking to his decision to leave the House of Delegates....

JUICE #9: D46 SEN. BILL FERGUSON AND DELEGATES PETE HAMMEN & LUKE CLIPPINGER FORM SLATE WITH BROOKE LIERMAN - Maryland Juice received the following press release announcing that District 46 Democratic state legislators have formed a slate with newcomer Brooke Lierman (a high school classmate of Maryland Juice):

PRESS RELEASE

BROOKE LIERMAN JOINS 46TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC TICKET

Brooke Lierman joins Senator Bill Ferguson, Delegates Pete Hammen and Luke Clippinger as a candidate on the 46th District Democratic slate

BALTIMORE – Brooke Lierman, Fell’s Point resident and civil rights attorney, today announced that she is joining the Democratic ticket with incumbent State Senator Bill Ferguson and State Delegates Pete Hammen and Luke Clippinger. Brooke, a mother and community activist, is running as a Democrat.

“As a mother, community activist, and attorney, I have worked in the neighborhoods of our district to build a better City. I'm running for State Delegate to continue that work by making sure that Baltimore families and communities have a strong voice representing them in the State Legislature,” Brooke said. “I know that Bill, Pete and Luke share my commitment to Baltimore communities and families around the 46th District, and I am excited to be on a ticket with them.”

Brooke has been endorsed by former State Senator Perry Sfikas, former State Delegate Carolyn Krysiak, Councilman Ed Reisinger, and Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.).

“I’m thrilled to have Brooke Lierman join the Democratic ticket for the 46th District,” said Senator Ferguson, who has represented the district since 2011. "Since she launched her candidacy, Brooke has worked tirelessly to get to know the voters in our district. She has proven, time and time again, how dedicated she is to our neighbors and all the residents of Baltimore. Pete, Luke and I are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”

Brooke is civil rights attorney with the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein and Levy, where she represents low-wage workers and disabled individuals in wage theft and civil rights abuse cases.  Brooke also provides pro bono representation to homeless individuals and to neighborhood groups advocating in front of the Liquor Board to close dangerous bars. She serves on the boards of the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, and the Citizens Planning & Housing Association.

Brooke is a resident of the Fell’s Point neighborhood, where she lives with her husband and young son.

The 46th legislative district represents Southeast, South and downtown Baltimore, as well as the Middle Branch neighborhoods. For more information about Brooke and her campaign, visit www.brookelierman.com.
 

# # #

JUICE #10:  REP. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN'S HELP NEEDED TO STOP THE "TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP," A SECRET BIG-BUSINESS TRADE DEAL - The Huffington Post reported this week that President Obama is working with U.S. House Republicans on passing a secret trade deal that aids big businesses over ordinary consumers. Advocates I've spoken to about the "Trans-Pacific Partnership" (aka TPP) indicate that Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen is a key figure whose help is needed to stop the TPP. Here's some brief background from The Huffington Post which indicates that Van Hollen is receptive to our outreach to stop the TPP (excerpt below):

HUFFINGTON POST: President Barack Obama's international trade agenda is dead in the water if he doesn't do a better job engaging with Democrats in Congress.... "We want transparency. We want to see what's going on there," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters. "We have a problem with that."

As a result, many Democrats fear the actual terms of the deal do not reflect traditional Democratic Party policy priorities. "This is a big problem now," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee. "There is inadequate engagement on the substance of what will be in an agreement or out of an agreement."

Democrats in the House and Senate have complained for years about the secrecy standards the Obama administration has applied to the TPP, forcing members to jump over hurdles to see negotiation texts, and blocking staffer involvement. In 2012, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) complained that corporate lobbyists were given easy access while his office was being stymied, and even introduced protest legislation requiring more congressional input.

The issue came to a head Thursday in two ways. In one case, Obama's new nominee for China ambassador, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), angered his party by introducing fast-track trade legislation backed by the White House. The bill would ease the passage of the TPP and is cosponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.). But most Democrats oppose the bill, and ultimately, Baucus and the administration introduced the legislation without a House Democratic co-sponsor -- a public embarrassment that prompted House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to declare Obama needs to get his act together on trade policy....

And most Democrats don't think the pending TPP deal addresses numerous labor, environmental and other issues adequately. Like NAFTA, the TPP would empower foreign corporations to directly challenge the laws and regulations of a country before an international tribunal. Under other trade frameworks, like the World Trade Organization treaties, only nations themselves are permitted to bring trade cases before an international arbiter, meaning companies must first win support from a government before attacking a law. Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical, Eli Lilly and other corporations have used NAFTA to attempt to overturn Canadian regulations regarding offshore oil drilling, fracking, pesticides, drug patents and other issues....

ACT NOW TO STOP THE TPP CORPORATE POWER GRAB: The online mobilization group Credo Action is calling the TPP a "massive corporate power grab" and has issued the following alert (excerpt below):

CREDO ACTION:  Stop this massive corporate power grab.  The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a terrible "trade" deal being negotiated in secret by the governments of a dozen countries (including ours) colluding with corporate interests.

Under the TPP, more American jobs would be offshored. Internet freedom would be a joke. Developing countries would lose access to lifesaving medicines. Unsafe foods and products could pour into our country. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Our best shot to stop the TPP is right now. The enactment of the TPP will hinge upon the passage of so-called “fast-track trade authority,” which would allow the president to sign off on the TPP before the American people or Congress ever have a chance to read it. A fast-track bill was introduced in Congress last week. So we need to speak out today....

[ SIGN THE CREDO ACTION PETITION AGAINST THE TPP ]

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski Endorses Anthony Brown for Maryland Governor in Downtown Silver Spring

Yesterday Maryland Juice dropped by a campaign rally for Lt. Governor Anthony Brown in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. A couple hundred Democrats attended the event, where Senator Barbara Mikulski announced her endorsement of Anthony Brown for Maryland Governor. U.S. House members Donna Edwards and Elijah Cummings also spoke at the event. You can watch the full videos of the speeches below:

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski Endorses Anthony Brown

Representatives Donna Edwards & Elijah Cummings Speak at Anthony Brown Rally

MORE ON THE MARYLAND GOVERNOR'S RACE SOON!

JuiceBlender: Could Doug Gansler Pick Anti-Gay Running Mate, Pot Lights Up Baltimore Race, O'Malley & Van Hollen on Syria

Below Maryland Juice writers David Moon and Dan Furmansky present a few items of interest to politicos:

JUICE #1: GOV. MARTIN O'MALLEY & MARYLAND'S DEMOCRATIC LEADERS RESPOND TO VOTERS ON PROPOSED STRIKES AGAINST SYRIA - Maryland Juice recently reported that anti-war activists have begun pressing the state's Democratic members of Congress on resisting the impulse to carpet-bomb Syria. Below you can see a pair of articles in The Baltimore Sun containing responses from Representatives Chris Van Hollen & Elijah Cummings and Senators Ben Cardin & Barbara Mikulski, as well as from Gov. Martin O'Malley (excerpts below):

BALTIMORE SUN: He knocked on doors in Ohio for President Barack Obama's campaign last year and is active in Maryland's Democratic Party, but Dave Kunes nevertheless opposes the president on what has become the central issue of his second term: whether to launch a military strike in Syria. Kunes, a 24-year-old Silver Spring resident, joined several dozen protesters who rallied in Rockville and Ellicott City on Wednesday to deliver the message that even in Democratic Maryland ... there are deep misgivings about U.S. involvement in another Middle East war....

A Washington Post/ABC News poll released Tuesday found that nearly six in 10 nationwide are against airstrikes. Some Maryland lawmakers, meanwhile, report being flooded with calls. Additional anti-war rallies are planned at congressional offices this week.

Doing nothing, [Van Hollen] said, "would be an invitation to Assad to simply escalate his use of poison gas." As a half-dozen peace activists crowded into the Ellicott City district office of Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, an aide to the congressman, Amy Stratton, told them: "I think you're preaching to the choir...." Cummings said more than 95 percent of the people who have contacted his office on the issue say they oppose a U.S. attack....

Perhaps because of that, most Maryland lawmakers — nine of 10 of whom are Democrats — are wading into the debate carefully. Sen. Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was among the first lawmakers to cast a vote on the issue Wednesday. He supported the Senate resolution, which was approved by the committee 10-7. That measure would allow limited military action for up to 90 days and prohibit the use of ground troops....  Maryland's other senator, Barbara A. Mikulski, is undecided on how she will vote, a spokeswoman said....

Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is treading carefully into the debate as he prepares for a 2016 Presidential campaign (excerpt below):

BALTIMORE SUN: Gov. Martin O'Malley on Wednesday questioned U.S. military intervention in Syria, saying that although he has closely followed the discussion in Washington this week, it is still unclear to him exactly what the strike would accomplish....

"I think all of us need a clear understanding of what it is exactly this mission would hope to accomplish - and why should we believe that the sort of strike being advocated would accomplish it," O'Malley said....

JUICE #2: MARIJUANA LIGHTS UP RACE FOR BALTIMORE CITY STATE'S ATTORNEY AS CANDIDATE ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION - Defense lawyer Russell Neverdon went big today as he announced his candidacy for Baltimore City prosecutor, saying he would support legalizing marijuana. Notably, the current State’s Attorney Gregg Bernstein, who was elected to his first term in office in 2010, isn’t just opposed to legalization. Bernstein also opposes decriminalization (which means making possession of a small amount a civil rather than criminal offense) and therefore supports jail time and criminal penalties for minor non-violent offenders. Might there be racial dimensions to this campaign debate? With an African American challenger supporting legalization and the White incumbent opposing decriminalization, you bet there is.

You may remember that, according to an ACLU report released this summer, Maryland had the fourth-highest rate of marijuana possession arrests in 2010, the last year for which that information is available. In Baltimore black people were more than five times as likely to be arrested as whites, which is above average. Marilyn Mosby, a former prosecutor, is also running. No doubt this topic is going to rear its head again. Here’s the story on Russell Neverdon from WBAL-TV (excerpt below):

WBAL TV: [Russell] Neverdon, who will challenge incumbent [Baltimore City State's Attorney] Gregg Bernstein, used a favorite political question in introducing himself as a candidate. "Do you feel any safer today than you did three years ago?" Neverdon said....

Now, Neverdon wants to beat Bernstein at the ballot, arguing he can do better to stem the city's most stubborn problem. "I don't know about you, but I am tired of being in my home and in a state of fear. I can't raise my kids where they can enjoy the park because I worry will they come back safe," Neverdon said.

Neverdon joins already announced challenger Marilyn Mosby in the race. [Neverdon] promises to devote his energy on violent offenders and he said that means he can support legalizing marijuana, the kind of minor crime that fills police reports and courtrooms. "I would support any bill that does not violate the Constitution and civil rights that means we can move minor offenses to the side and focus heavily on those crimes affecting our community," Neverdon said.

Political analyst Doni Glover of BMoreNews.com said Neverdon's entrance in the race makes the state's attorney's contest next year more of a factor in the governor's race. Both races are on the ballot and both feature candidates running against the established political machine.

Neverdon’s position on marijuana is a stark cry from that of incumbent Gregg Bernstein. This summer, Bernstein took the time to write a thoughtful, albeit misguided, op-ed on the subject in the Baltimore Sun..... “Before we go further and consider decriminalization or legalization of marijuana, we need to pay careful attention to the possible unintended consequences,” [Bernstein] added, arguing that “searches based on the possession of marijuana sometimes yield firearms and other contraband.”

Bernstein can’t really point to any good reason to oppose decriminalization, but he does. “Unintended consequences” reminds me of people talking about how the sky will fall if same-gender couples are allowed to marry. Using the criminality of marijuana possession as an excuse to pull over more people and search their vehicles seems misguided, at best.  Possession is a victimless crime, but diversion programs don’t negate the realities of the humiliation of arrest.... Simply put, the criminalization of marijuana—which is safer than alcohol—is wasting police, prosecutorial and judicial resources.


JUICE #3: POSSIBLE PRINCE GEORGE'S PICKS FOR DOUG GANSLER'S RUNNING MATE OFFER SHARP CONTRAST ON GAY RIGHTS - The other day Maryland Juice reported that Josh Kurtz at Center Maryland says “the two leading contenders from Prince George’s to be Gansler’s No. 2 are Dels. Jolene Ivey and Melony Griffith. The choice of one over the other would have sharp implications.

Del. Griffith and Del. Ivey differ on one issue that is important to a large swath of the Democratic base: LGBT rights. Del. Ivey has been a very strong advocate for marriage equality for many years. Del. Griffith, meanwhile, didn’t just vote against marriage equality. She also failed to support much less controversial bills in years past extending very basic, fundamental rights to gay couples. We’re talking simple peace-of-mind bills.

In 2008, Del. Griffith cast no vote at all on a bill granting medical decision making and post-mortem decision making rights to same-gender “domestic partners.” Apparently her green button didn’t work either when it came to a bill exempting domestic partners from real estate transfer and recordation taxes, just like married couples are exempt.

Del.  Heather Mizeur is proudly running as an openly lesbian gubernatorial candidate. And Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown chose another strong LGBT rights supporter, Ken Ulman, as his running mate. If Doug Gansler chooses Del. Griffith as his running mate — or any individual with a shoddy record on gay rights — there will be many, unhappy campers among Maryland Democrats, and it will cost him votes.


JUICE #4: MD LAGGING BEHIND RED STATES LIKE NEBRASKA & MISSISSIPPI ON MARIJUANA REFORM // SEE WHICH MD DEMOCRATS ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET - Fifteen states have already decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. (This does not include Colorado and Washington, which have outright legalized). Included on that list are red states like Nebraska, Mississippi, and (now, sadly red) North Carolina. Decriminalization means that possession is a civil offense, typically treated like a traffic violation. And data shows that decriminalization elsewhere does not cause an uptick in marijuana smoking.

Sen. Bobby Zirkin’s bill to make the possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana a civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $100 passed the Senate this year by a vote of 30-16. The bill was far from perfect. 10 grams is a far lower than the amount allowed in other states. Decriminalization still carries a penalty, and that financial penalty may be burdensome for poor individuals who cannot pay the fine. But widespread support for the bill carried it over the top, and included five Republicans—Senators Jacobs, Brinkley, Colburn, Reilly, and Kittleman (who amended the bill on the floor to become a cosponsor). Notably, Senators Roger Manno and Nancy King from Montgomery County voted against decriminalization.

Unfortunately, the bill died in the House when Judiciary Committee Chair Joe Vallario predictably kept it in the drawer. It’s a sad day when Maryland is lagging behind Mississippi and Nebraska. Sadly, Gov. Martin O’Malley failed to take a position on the bill, which is shortsighted for someone who should be heavily courting the youth vote right about now. Gov. O’Malley should be out front on legalization. Yet he could have played it safe and supported the bipartisan decriminalization bill without taking a position on legalization. He chose not to, but hopefully he’ll have a bolder stance in 2014, his last year to leave behind a policy legacy in this state.

VIDEO INTERVIEW: Delegate Heather Mizeur Talks About Her Priorities for Maryland Governor & Respect for Senator Mikulski

Late last night, Maryland Juice reported that Delegate Heather Mizeur is announcing a 2014 run for Governor today. We thought that would make this a good time to release an exclusive interview we conducted with Mizeur last September. In the quick video below, our 2012 Democratic Convention correspondent Jed Millard captured Mizeur's thoughts on what her priority would be as Governor and who she takes inspiration from in her work. Note that the video was shot last September, so this piece is from the Maryland Juice vault:



Delegate Heather Mizeur also launched the following email blast this morning outlining some of her reasons for running (excerpt below):

HEATHER MIZEUR: Today I’m announcing that I’m all in. I’m running for governor because I love this state and I see limitless possibilities on what we can accomplish together to create good, well paying jobs, improve our schools, protect our environment, promote our health, and create safe and thriving neighborhoods in every community across Maryland.

There are great challenges facing us, and also incredible opportunities. I know that the solution at every turn is found by working together. I want to see Maryland live up to its full potential rather than settling for “good enough.” We are one community, and we need to start talking and interacting and working together like we understand that in our core.

It’s time to fundamentally change the way we do business, the way we govern. And that starts with a different kind of candidate, running a different sort of campaign.... 

Over the weeks and months ahead, we hope to see you at service projects around the state – repairing schools and playgrounds, restoring nature preserves, working with children and cleaning up our neighborhoods. We’re running this campaign out in communities across Maryland – not just giving speeches or holding rallies, but working side-by-side with our neighbors to make Maryland stronger. I’ve been warned that this will take too much time, draw too little press, keep me from fundraising full-time. But I believe that the best way to help Maryland is to lift up our communities and get our hands dirty. That starts on the campaign trail....

Public service is an opportunity for ordinary people to do extraordinary things – making our communities better every day through a commitment to build; to lift up; to collaborate.

I know that many Marylanders are ready to join a movement that strengthens this great state—one that honors the work that has been done, and recognizes the challenges ahead. I believe that by rolling up our sleeves and getting down to work in every corner of our state, learning about the challenges and struggles but also the opportunities all around Maryland, and how our communities are solving their problems – I can start a conversation about how we all come together. We can ensure that Maryland never settles for less than we deserve as a community and as a state....

Let’s get to work!

Heather

MORE ON THE BATTLE FOR MARYLAND GOVERNOR SOON!

JuiceBlender: Tea Partier Don Dwyer Considers Joining Dems, Gansler Attacks Iran, Cardin Staffs Up for AG, Tom Perez Rises

UPDATE: A spokesperson for Congressman John Delaney denies that his boss has reversed course on previous promises not to cut social security. Maryland Juice readers had pointed out that Delaney pledged not to cut social security while on the campaign trail, but that he is now seeking to raise the age for social security eligibility (along with other changes). Delaney's camp is arguing that he has always been publicly in favor of such alterations to social security.

It seems the confusion may be because Delaney doesn't consider changes like increasing the retirement age to be a "cut" to social security. Fair enough, I guess. But even taking this argument at face value, a visitor to Delaney's website would likely not catch this sort of nuance without also reading the fine print (aka additional newspaper coverage of his campaign statements). In any case, you can see Congressman John Delaney's response below:

SPOKESMAN FOR JOHN DELANEY: Saw your post. I would disagree with your characterization that Congressman Delaney is “reversing a campaign promise.” From the very beginning he’s been a strong supporter of Simpson-Bowles, which includes entitlement reforms and cost of living adjustments. This was literally in the very first stories about John as an official candidate (see John Fritze’s story in the Baltimore Sun, 1/4/12) and was discussed frequently during the primary and the general election. John’s specific support for entitlement reform, was covered in the Washington Post’s (3/10/12) primary endorsement as well, which was something we distributed widely during the campaign.

Congressman Delaney does not want to cut Social Security. Like President Obama and Leader Pelosi have also stated, as part of a grand bargain he does believe changing the cost of living adjustment should be on the table and the fact is changing the cost of living adjustment isn’t a cut, it remains a net increase. We’re in an environment with folks who want to privatize, voucherize, and truly cut our safety net. John is against this and he wants to make sure these programs can be sustained and that we can continue to make other needed investments in education, infrastructure, etc.

Below Maryland Juice highlights several brief tidbits that may be of interest to Free State politicos:

JUICE #1: TEA PARTY DELEGATE DON DWYER CONSIDERS SWITCHING TO DEMOCRATS - Eye on Annapolis is reporting on the astonishing news that Tea Party Delegate Don Dwyer is considering switching parties! The embattled Republican lawmaker is facing criminal charges due to his involvement in a drunk boating accident that injured children. Now it seems he is considering running for re-election as a Democrat (excerpt below):

EYE ON ANNAPOLIS: Conservative Republican Don Dwyer is considering switching parties in a move he has dubbed “Operation DINO–Democrats In Name Only.  Citing frustrations, Dwyer asked his Facebook audience if they would still support him and his conservative values if he switched parties.  The thought process was to upset the status-quo in the primary elections which tend to determine the make up of the General Assembly for Democrats....

Here is a screencap from Del. Don Dwyer's Facebook page confirming the news:

STRING OF PROBLEMS FACING MARYLAND REPUBLICANS - Dwyer's attempted rebirth as a Democrat is the latest sign that the Maryland Republican Party may be in severe turmoil. Earlier this month, the conservative bloggers at Red Maryland reported that MD GOP Party Chair Alex Mooney left the state to seek public office in West Virginia (excerpt below):

RED MARYLAND: Sources in West Virginia have confirmed to me that Alex Mooney, who until February 21st was the Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, has moved to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.

He intends to run for Congress there in the 2nd district seat being vacated by Representative Shelley Moore Capito, who is running for the U.S. Senate...

TEA PARTY CALLS FOR A THIRD PARTY IN MARYLAND - A final piece of evidence that the Maryland GOP may be in serious trouble is that Tea Party members are now calling for a third party alternative to the Republican Party. Potomac Tea Party Report blogger Ann Corcoran drafted a call to action last month, titled, "It's time for a new political party, let's try it in Maryland." The Maryland Tea Party writer noted, "Democrat and Republican leaders are too busy wheeling and dealing in their crony capitalism cabal to care about us." Check out an excerpt from her post below:

POTOMAC TEA PARTY REPORT: It’s time for a new political party, let’s try it in Maryland. Come on!  What have we got to lose in this state! I can just hear the wailing and the gnashing of teeth out there from all of you who find the concept anathema.  But, our situation is dire, perhaps as dire as when the founders signed the Declaration of Independence....

...there is no hope for our situation short of a new political party that welcomes all those who no longer feel represented, who feel that the special interests joined with the political class in Washington and in state capitals (Annapolis!) do not have the best interests at heart of the country class person who is completely disrespected by most of our representatives in government.... Democrat and Republican leaders are too busy wheeling and dealing in their crony capitalism cabal to care about us.

Frankly, I’ve listened for the last four years about how the country class needs to take over the Republican Party from within and I don’t see it happening (admittedly I have no stomach for it myself!).   It’s time to try something else.  And, I don’t mind being the whipping boy for suggesting it because I have nothing to personally gain or lose by doing so. I don’t need to be popular. Scream and shout!  Hate me all you want—it’s time to give the Republican Party some “brutal image”—a revolution! .... Now!  Who would like to step up and lead us?

JUICE #2: ATTORNEY GENERAL DOUG GANSLER CAMPAIGNS FOR 2014 GOVERNOR BY INVOKING IRANIAN THREAT - Maryland Juice recently stumbled upon a peculiar op. ed. by Attorney General Doug Gansler that appeared in the Wall Street Journal earlier this month. The 2014 Democratic Primary candidate appears to be campaigning for Maryland Governor by invoking threats from the Iranian government (excerpt below):

DOUG GANSLER (VIA WALL STREET JOURNAL): Despite partisan divides, Americans consistently unite to defend against threats to national security. Chief among those threats is Iran, which has ignored repeated international calls for peace and instead pursued its nuclear-weapons capability and sponsored terrorist plots against the United States and its allies.

At the federal level, the threat of a nuclear-armed state sponsor of terror has brought nearly every member of Congress together to take action. In 2010, by a vote of 408-8 in the House and 99-0 in the Senate, Congress passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act, which allows the U.S. to apply greater economic pressure on the Iranian regime. Cisada, as it is called, has been a powerful federal tool, but still more must be done....

As the lawyers for state pension funds and the defenders of state consumer pocketbooks, states' attorneys general should be doing all we can to protect state citizens from unnecessary financial risk. As the states' chief law-enforcement officers, we should be fighting lawlessness whenever it ensnares our states.

Coordinated state-level sanctions against Iran will disentangle state economies from Iran's harmful regime and increase pressure on companies to stop operating in Iran until its government changes its ways....

JUICE #3: DELEGATE JON CARDIN BEGINS STAFFING UP FOR 2014 ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE - Maryland Juice recently stumbled a job announcement from Delegate Jon Cardin indicating he is now staffing up for the 2014 Attorney General Race:

JON CARDIN JOB POSTING: Maryland State Delegate Jon Cardin Hiring Full-Time Campaign / Finance Staff Persons For 2014 Campaign For Attorney General of Maryland - Maryland and Washington DC

Responsibilities include:

• Traveling and working directly with the Candidate
• Organizing and coordinating events
• Compiling and analyzing data, research
• Developing and implementing strategic plans

Applicants for this position must:

• Have excellent communication skills
• Be able to write clearly and concisely
• Be able to balance and prioritize multiple projects
• Have proven organizational skills
• Be personable and enjoy working with others
• Be comfortable communicating on the telephone
• Ideally, have database experience

JUICE #4: OBAMA APPOINTS FORMER MOCO COUNCILMEMBER TOM PEREZ TO SERVE AS LABOR SECRETARY // WATCH VIDEO - A few days ago, President Obama appointed Tom Perez to serve on his cabinet as Labor Secretary. Perez is a former Montgomery County Councilmember who later served as head of Maryland's Department of Labor. Below you can watch President Obama's announcement of his selection of Tom Perez:



JUICE #5: CONGRESSMAN JOHN DELANEY CHANGES POSITION ON SOCIAL SECURITY CUTS - Two Maryland Juice readers have pointed out that newly elected Congressman John Delaney appears to be reversing a campaign promise not to reduce funding for social security. During his 2012 campaign, Delaney stated he was opposed to any cuts to the program:

JOHN DELANEY 2012 - Social Security is a promise, and as your Congressman it’s one I intend to keep.  For more than 75 years, Social Security has remained one of our most important and successful government programs.  Today this program keeps more than 13 million Americans out of poverty. For countless more it makes a middle class retirement possible.  The last thing we need to do is cut a program that has been so successful.

We must preserve this crucial program for future generations without cutting benefits or making radical and irresponsible changes. In Congress, I will defend Social Security and fight any attempts to privatize it.

Only one year later, Congressman John Delaney appears to be going back on his promise to not cut social security. Earlier this month, Delaney wrote an op. ed. in The Huffington Post indicating he's now seeking to cut social security benefits for people like me (excerpt below):

JOHN DELANEY 2013 - In 2010, 13 percent of the population was over 65. By 2030, it will reach nearly 20 percent. This singular fact puts enormous pressure on the federal budget. Left alone, this trend will cause entitlement spending to consume 70 percent of our budget by 2024 and crowd out all of our other priorities. While we debate our fiscal trajectory for the next ten years, we should remember that years 11-20 are even more concerning; this problem gets materially worse after ten years, when entitlement costs increase dramatically....

As Democrats we need to step forward and lead on comprehensive reform of entitlement programs to make them sustainable and affordable across the long term and allow us to invest in our future.... The Simpson Bowles commission proposed specifics -- including raising the cap on taxable income for Social Security, adjustments to retirement age, additional revenue, and a revised cost of living adjustment methodology -- to accomplish this goal....

Regardless of where you fall on the social security debate, it is impossible to ignore that Delaney is now calling for cuts to social security. He calls this proposal "comprehensive reform" that is needed to make the program "sustainable," but either way, that's not what he promised on the campaign trail.


JUICE #6: FOOD SAFETY ADVOCATES CALL ON SENATOR MIKULSKI TO DROP MONSANTO CORPORATE WELFARE - Montgomery County food safety advocates have contacted Maryland Juice to complain about fast-moving legislation in the U.S. Senate that would provide corporate welfare for factory farms using genetically engineered crops. A Maryland Juice reader pointed us in the direction of an action alert from the Center for Food Safety calling on Senator Barbara Mikulski to reject legislative favors for Monsanto, a giant in the factory farming industry:

CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY: Though wrapped in a “farmer-friendly” package, this corporate welfare earmark is simply a biotech industry ploy to continue to plant [genetically engineered] crops even when a court of law has found they were approved illegally....

This would negate any meaningful judicial review of USDA’s decisions to allow commercialization of [genetically engineered] crops.... Call Senator Mikulski and demand that she pull this dangerous and unconstitutional rider! Call her office at (202) 224-4654 today!

MEGA JuiceBlender: Updates on Don Dwyer, John Delaney, Maryland Wind Power, Death Penalty, Gun Control & More!

Below Maryland Juice presents several recent political tidbits to take note of, starting with an update on everyone's favorite gay-bashing, drunk-driving Delegate Don Dwyer. Sorry for the length of this JuiceBlender, but I'm playing catch up on a bunch of story threads below.

Maryland's Drunk-Boating Delegate Don Dwyer

JUICE #1: CRIMINAL CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST TEA PARTY LAWMAKER DON DWYER // SPOTLIGHT ON HYPOCRISY - Maryland Delegate Don Dwyer stunned political observers with his moral hypocrisy earlier this year when he admitted driving a boat with over three times the legal blood alcohol content (BAC). Dwyer is a self-proclaimed family values, Tea Party lawmaker who previously led the charge against marriage equality in Maryland. But Dwyer's drunk-boating led to serious injuries for several children, and now The Baltimore Sun reports that the Republican lawmaker is facing criminal charges (excerpt below):

BALTIMORE SUN: Del. Donald H. Dwyer Jr. is facing five charges in connection with an August boat crash that sent him and six other people — including four children — to the hospital....

Dwyer, 54, was charged Thursday by Maryland Natural Resources Police with operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, reckless operation of a vessel, negligent operation of a vessel, failing to register his boat and a rules-of-the-road violation.

If convicted, Dwyer could face a year in jail and up to $1,940 in combined fines.

The operator of the other boat, Mark "Randy" Harbin, also was charged in the crash; none of Harbin's charges were related to alcohol....

Don Dwyer's Republican colleague Del. Nic Kipke previously suggested that Dwyer should resign from office, but that was even before criminal charges were handed down. Now that Dwyer is actually facing jail time, The Capital Gazette has also weighed in and is joining the calls for Dwyer's resignation (excerpt below):

CAPITAL GAZETTE: ...after seeing Dwyer win three elections, we know he has a core of supporters who see his fundamentalist view of the world as their own. They have ignored his failing as a delegate, the inability to pass a single piece of legislation. Instead, they have been content with a representative focused on other people's morals, values and their lack of respect for the law. Now poor judgment has turned the table and the public must consider Dwyer's morals, values and lack of respect....

We should not tolerate a lawmaker who violates the laws passed by the very body he serves. Given the serious of the charges against Dwyer, he should resign.

With a blood-alcohol level measured at .24 -- three times the legal definition of intoxication -- his decision to take that boat onto the water represented a complete lack of respect for the lives of others. Police say he was negligent and reckless. He should have been charged with being oblivious.

It is less sensational yet of equal concern that Dwyer was piloting a unregistered boat. The man who has made his career lecturing us all on right and wrong decided he could ignore the law. His hubris was so great, so galling that he had the audacity to do it behind the wheel of a boat named Legislator.

Dwyer said he has no plans to step down....

JUICE #2: MD SENATE MAY SHIFT COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP TO PASS WIND POWER BILL, BUT FROSH NOT INTERESTED IN DOING SAME FOR DEATH PENALTY - Maryland Juice has been hearing rumors of potential shifts to the membership of various committees in the Maryland Senate. The reason for this would be to remove members who have been obstacles to various bills and allow the legislation to come to a full vote on the floor. The Associated Press (via WNAV) this month noted that Senate President Mike Miller wants a vote on a wind power bill (excerpt below):

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller says he will consider changing the membership of the Senate Finance Committee, if that's what is needed to get an offshore wind measure to the Senate for a full debate in the upcoming legislative session....

Additionally, the Prince George's County Young Democrats Tweeted at Maryland Juice that State Senator Joanne Benson announced she would changing committee assignments:

Maryland Juice has been hoping that if the State Senate is going to be making changes to pass wind power, that President Mike Miller will do the same to finally get the death penalty off the books in Maryland. Notably, Miller is an advocate of executions by the government and seems to be unexcited about bringing Maryland in line with global norms on the issue. Meanwhile human rights group Amnesty International noted the United States' embarrassing position on the issue last year:

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: The United States stayed in its dubiously bad place on this fundamental human rights issue. The U.S. was the only country in the Western hemisphere or the G8 to kill its prisoners, and was responsible for the fifth most known executions in the world, behind China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. (As an independent country, Texas would have ranked 7th, between North Korea and Somalia, with its 13 executions in 2011.)

This issue (and others) continue to fuel my belief that Maryland's legislative leadership is much more conservative than the voters they are supposed to represent. More surprising, however, is the fact that liberal State Senator Brian Frosh seems to be pulling his punches against the immoral and Dark Ages practice of conducting state-sponsored murders in Maryland. The Baltimore Sun reported last month that the NAACP planned to make repeal of government executions their top priority in Maryland. But The Sun's coverage also noted that Frosh, who chairs the Senate committee with jurisdiction over state executions, does not believe that Miller should change the composition of the Judiciary Committee to abolish the death penalty. This is an odd view for Frosh (a death penalty opponent), given that he is no stranger to using strong-arm tactics to advance or kill legislation, as he did when he unilaterally overruled his colleagues and killed student voting rights in Montgomery County this year. It is also an interesting position, given that the composition of Senate committees is pretty arbitrary to begin with. See an excerpt from The Sun's coverage below:

BALTIMORE SUN: The NAACP is vowing to mount in Annapolis its largest-ever effort to abolish the death penalty in a state, saying Maryland's historic role in the civil rights movement makes it an appropriate place for the push....

The NAACP has historically opposed the death penalty for a variety of reasons, including racial disparities in how it is applied. [NAACP President Ben] Jealous said Maryland is especially important to the NAACP because of the state's civil rights history — including the careers of native sons Thurgood Marshall and Frederick Douglass....

To get a repeal bill to the Senate floor under standard procedure, the Judicial Proceedings Committee would have to approve it. A 6-5 majority on the panel has consistently supported the death penalty....

Frosh, a Montgomery County Democrat, said he has little enthusiasm for one strategy suggested by repeal proponents — persuading Miller to shuffle committee memberships to dislodge the bill. "I don't think it's good policy to shift members of committees to pick up a vote on one issue," he said....

I agree that its not good practice to do this willy-nilly, but surely there are instances where it makes sense. When a state government grants itself the right to kill people, I think that might be a good time to dust off the old "committee membership switcheroo" tactic. Come on, we're doing it for wind power! I think that stopping state murder is at least as important as promoting renewable energy and halting climate change.


JUICE #3: SEN. BARBARA MIKULSKI TO CHAIR APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE // TEA LEAVES: NO RETIREMENT COMING - Numerous outlets are reporting that U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (aka BAM!) has been tapped to chair the body's appropriations committee, which (naturally) has jurisdiction over how the Senate spends money. Mikulski will be the first woman to hold the powerful post, and already Maryland politicos are thinking about how this may benefit the Free State. One Maryland Juice source noted, "This makes it much easier to get federal funding for both Red Line and Purple Line... if we can just get the state to come up with some transportation revenues." In any case, The Associated Press reported on the development via The New York Times (excerpt below):

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski is set to become the first woman to chair the prestigious Senate Appropriations Committee, a position left open this week by the death of Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye.

A Democrat, Mikulski was first elected to the Senate in 1986 after serving 10 years in the House. Last year, she became the longest-serving woman in Senate history.

With her ascendancy to the chairmanship of Appropriations, she enters a male-dominated realm that in the past has had sweeping power in deciding how federal dollars will be dispersed around the country....

On the other hand, Josh Kurtz from Center Maryland had an astute observation about the ascencion of BAM! In a column this week Kurtz noted that Mikulski's elevation to Appropriations Chair meant she was clearly not going to be vacating her U.S. Senate seat anytime soon (excerpt below):

JOSH KURTZ: ...for all the cheering about Mikulski in Maryland, there was also a perceptible, if mostly silent cry of pain last week among ambitious younger politicians looking to move up the food chain: My God, now she’ll never leave!

It’s already been widely suspected that the 76-year-old senator wasn’t planning to retire anytime soon, that she’d seek a record-breaking sixth term in 2016. Now there shouldn’t be any doubt. Mikulski, whose political career has been her life, has extra reason to stay....

JUICE #4: CONGRESSMAN-ELECT JOHN DELANEY TAPPED FOR HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE // WILL THE 1% BE GOOD FOR THE 99%? - A former campaign aide to Congressman-elect John Delaney reports that the 6th Congressional District Democrat has been tapped to serve on the U.S. House's Financial Services committee. Maryland Juice caught the following post on Facebook a few days ago:


Depending on what type of official Delaney turns out to be, this could either be a great thing or an unfortunate development. Remember when Dick Cheney let oil industry lobbyists make energy policy for the White House?

During Delaney's heated campaign for Congress this year, his opponents marched out a series of stories about his company Capital Source, including allegations that Delaney was essentially insensitive to the plight of ordinary people affected by his company's activities. I have no idea if those characterizations were accurate or not, but it does lead me to be slightly skeptical about whether it is a good thing to put a member of the 1% in charge of financial services in Congress -- especially if it is unclear if that one-percenter is committed to advancing social & economic justice. Note that I don't mean to use the 1% term pejoratively here; rather, I'm merely reflecting the reality that Delaney is (as a matter of fact) very, very, very rich, and he got that money through the very sector he will be regulating. Hmm.

On the other hand, Delaney could understand that most of his constituents are not interested in seeing further consolidation of wealth in the United States, and so maybe he will turn out to be a refreshingly forward-thinking voice on fiscal issues. After all, it should be obvious to those with at least half a brain that it is not healthy for our economy to have a shrinking body of wealth among middle-class consumers. But for now, we'll all have to keep close tabs on John Delaney's votes and priorities in Congress.


JUICE #5: STATE SENATOR BILL FERGUSON OF BALTIMORE MAY FACE 2014 PRIMARY CHALLENGE FROM FORMER SEN. JOHN PICA - State Senator Bill Ferguson of Baltimore is having an "interesting" month to say the least. We recently reported that his car was vandalized with horseshit and acid, and now a former State Senator who served 16 years ago wants to primary Ferguson in 2014. See a quick excerpt from The Baltimore Sun's coverage below:

BALTIMORE SUN: Former state Sen. John A. Pica Jr., who has been out of office the past 16 years, is considering a return to the political arena with a possible Democratic primary challenge to Baltimore Sen. William C. Ferguson IV....

"I wouldn't be looking at this if I didn't think I could be a much more effective senator," Pica said. He said that while his votes on issues would not be much different from Ferguson's, he could be more effective than Ferguson in bringing back state money to Baltimore....

Ferguson, the youngest member of the Maryland Senate at 29, knocked off seven-term incumbent George W. Della Jr. in the 2010 Democratic primary. After a bitter campaign marked by harsh accusations on both sides, the young teacher trounced the veteran by almost 60 percent to 40 percent.

The incumbent said he will seek re-election. If Pica does run, Ferguson said, the race will be seen as a contest between "old politics" and a "new way of doing business...."

JUICE #6: GOV. O'MALLEY PUSHING MARYLAND ASSAULT WEAPON BAN // FMR. LT. GOV. MICHAEL STEELE CONDEMNS NRA STATEMENTS - In the wake of Connecticut's school shooting, Maryland Democrats are making gun control legislation a priority in 2013. Governor O'Malley and Democratic state legislators are proposing a ban on assault weapons and other measures. WAMU reported a couple weeks ago on O'Malley's plans (excerpt below):

WAMU: Last week's shooting presents three main areas of legislative focus, the governor said: laws relating to assault weapons, mental health treatment and school safety....

Indeed, in tandem with O'Malley's push, several Democratic lawmakers are introducing bills to curb gun violence. In a follow-up article, WAMU detailed some of the bills that are being proposed by State Senators Bill Ferguson of Baltimore and Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County (excerpt below):

WAMU: In the wake of last week's mass shooting in Connecticut, a group of state senators in Maryland is unveiling a series of gun control bills they will push during the upcoming session of the General Assembly.

The bills are wide-ranging, including an assault weapon ban, mandatory reduction of ammunition clip size and banning concealed gun permits for people who've been committed involuntarily to a mental institution in the past five years....

"This madness must stop," Ferguson says. "We can not continue to have a community in which gun violence is accepted...."

"There is simply no reason for any civilian in the United States of America to be carrying around a military style assault weapon like an uzi," Raskin says....

Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, are proposing to simply require police officers to be present at Maryland high schools. The Gazette reported on the counter-proposal by Maryland Republicans (excerpt below):

GAZETTE: Del. John W.E. Cluster Jr. (R-Dist. 8) of Parkville has crafted a bill requiring school resource officers — sworn, active-duty police officers — to be assigned daily to every public school in the state....

Cluster made clear that his proposal would only include sworn, active-duty police officers, and that they could become good role models for the students in the schools they serve.

He also said he is skeptical of proposals such as the state assault-weapons ban, which he doesn’t feel would keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people....

In an interesting aside, former Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele recently weighed in on the gun control debate by condemning the NRA's call for teachers to start packing heat. In comments that appeared in Politico, Steele called the proposal "disturbing" (excerpt below):

POLITICO: “I don’t even know where to begin. As a supporter of the Second Amendment and a supporter of the NRA — even though I’m not a member of the NRA — I just found it very haunting and very disturbing that our country now is talking about arming our teachers and our principals in classrooms,” Steele said on MSNBC immediately after LaPierre finished his comments.

Steele continued: “What does that say about us? What does that say about us? I do not believe that is where the American people want to go. I do not believe that is the response that should be coming out of the tragedy out of Newtown....”

While Maryland Juice is glad to see the surge in interest in common-sense gun control legislation, I am curious why American policymakers continually wait for tragedies to occur before addressing obvious problems. We seem to lack a proactive or predictive policy apparatus in this country. Again, I point to the Minnesota bridge collapses, the flooding of New Orleans, the NUMEROUS school shootings in America, and many, many other tragedies as examples of dangerously reactive policymaking. When will Americans get macro and start working to preempt problems, rather than waiting until tragedy strikes to act?


JUICE #7: ALONZO WASHINGTON SWORN IN TO REPLACE DELEGATE JUSTIN ROSS // MEANWHILE GREG HALL STILL IN LIMBO - Prince George's County's political team has been undergoing constant shifts in recent years, and 2012 was no exception. A few days ago, Delegate Jolene Ivey posted a photo on Twitter of Alonzo Washington being sworn into the House of Delegates. Washington is replacing Democrat Justin Ross who vacated his seat earlier this year. I have to admit, I ~love~ Alonzo Washington's bad-ass hairdo:

Meanwhile, Maryland politicos are still awaiting the final outcome of litigation regarding Prince George's County's other vacant State House seat. Tiffany Alston and Greg Hall continue to battle in court for the right to represent Maryland's District 24. But with the case still in front of Maryland's high court, we may have to wait until 2013 to see how this shakes out.


JUICE #8: NANCY NAVARRO BEGINS MOCO COUNCIL PRESIDENCY, BERLINER REFLECTS ON HIS TERM AS PREZ - Councilmember Nancy Navarro became the first Latina to serve as President of the Montgomery Council this month. She succeeds Councilmember Roger Berliner, who ended a one-year term as President this month. Note that the MoCo Council Prez position changes every year, with the Councilmembers themselves voting on the leader of their body. Below you can see a video interview with Navarro where she describes her plans for the year. You can also see Berliner reviewing his year as President.

NANCY NAVARRO ON HER PLANS AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT:

ROGER BERLINER ON HIS TERM AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT: 

SIGN-UP NOW: U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski is Taking Requests for 2013 Inauguration Tickets from Marylanders

Now that the Presidential Election is over, politicos are beginning to move forward with other priorities -- including celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama's second term in office. The event will take place on Monday, January 21, 2013. The official website for the 2013 inauguration notes that "tickets for the Inaugural swearing-in ceremonies will be distributed in January 2013 by both Senators and Representatives elected (or reelected) this November."

MIKULSKI TAKING INAUGURATION TICKET REQUESTS: Indeed, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski's office already has a request form up and running for Marylanders who are interested in receiving inauguration tickets. You can sign-up to try and score some tickets now.

Senator Cardin's office is not yet taking ticket requests, but they posted the following note:

BEN CARDIN: It is still early in the planning process for the inaugural events, and it will be a few weeks before I will be able to take names of people interested in tickets. Please check my website after the Thanksgiving holiday for more information. When I have tickets available, I will be distributing them via lottery and not on a first-come, first-served basis, and there will be plenty of time to apply.

Maryland Juice will post more inauguration details as they come in!

VIDEO: Democratic Convention Speeches from Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Barbara Mikulski & Rep. Steny Hoyer // DNC LIVE

UPDATE: An Iowa newspaper The Des Moines Register has an interesting article today titled "O'Malley Makes Big Impression on Iowans." Indeed, the Maryland Governor's primetime speaking role Tuesday night is putting a spotlight on his 2016 White House ambitions. Roll Call blares "Martin O'Malley Prepares to Go National."

VIDEO REWIND: Last night Democratic Convention viewers watched speeches from no fewer than three Maryland politicos. Preceding President Bill Clinton in Charlotte, were remarks from Maryland's Sen. Barbara Mikulski and Representatives Steny Hoyer and Chris Van Hollen. We provide replays of their speeches below, along with a quick photo gallery from Maryland Juice's convention correspondent Jed Millard. Up next, Maryland Juice video interviews with Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and HoCo Exec. Ken Ulman -- live from the DNC!

P.S. - Tonight Rep. Donna Edwards of Maryland is slated to speak before President Barack Obama takes the stage. Look for her sometime around 5:30 pm


REPLAY #1: Rep. Chris Van Hollen's Convention Speech   
    REPLAY #2: Sen. Barbara Mikulski's Convention Speech

    REPLAY #3: Rep. Steny Hoyer's Convention Speech

DOUBLE-STANDARD: Feds Moving 450 Treasury Jobs from MD to WV // But NOAA Resists Move of 200 Jobs from MA to MD

WEST VIRGINIA TO GAIN MARYLAND JOBS: The Washington Post yesterday reported that the federal government plans to move 450 Treasury Department jobs out of Prince George's County, Maryland to neighboring West Virginia. The rationale for the "consolidation" is that it would help the agency more efficiently use its facilities (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: The federal government is relocating 450 Treasury Department jobs from Hyattsville to Parkersburg, West Virginia as part of a move to consolidate operations....

According to the General Services Administration, which manages federal real estate, the move will help Treasury meet a directive from President Obama for agencies to more efficiently use their facilities....

After hearing the news from Treasury officials, U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) issued a press release Wednesday expressing disappointment and suggesting that workers receive help finding new jobs....

Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, as well as Representatives Steny Hoyer, Chris Van Hollen and Elijah E. Cummings, all Democrats, attached statements to Edwards’ also condemned the move.

MASSACHUSETTS TRIES TO RETAIN JOBS MOVING TO MARYLAND: But Senator Barbara Mikulski proposed a similar consolidation of 200 fisheries management jobs from Massachusetts to Montgomery County, Maryland, and that plan is seemingly facing a great deal more resistance. Either the Federal government believes in efficiency through geographic consolidation of its workforce or it doesn't. See excerpts from The Gloucester Times below:

GLOUCESTER TIMES: U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s idea to relocate the Northeast Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service from Gloucester to near NMFS’ headquarters in Silver Spring, Md., would be costly and “could be disruptive” and inefficient, NOAA reported to Congress this week....

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal 2013 spending plan for NOAA in April that included an amendment to close the Northeast Regional Office in Gloucester and move the bulk of fisheries management, administration and law enforcement to Silver Spring, Md....

Opposition to the move locally was based on the economic impact of having more than 200 of NOAA’s mostly highly paid employees working and living in and near the city....

Will Maryland become the victim of a double-standard when it comes to the Federal government consolidating offices?

UPCOMING EVENTS: Democratic Rallies & Parties in MoCo, HoCo, PG, Talbot // PLUS: Dream Act & COSTCO Fundraisers

UPDATE: We've added two invitations to the event round-up below. The first is the Maryland Democratic Party's Gala next Monday. The second is Montgomery County's annual peace luncheon. Details below.

Here's a random blend of invitations to upcoming events that may be of interest to Democratic or politically agnostic Maryland Juice readers. With six months to go until the November General Election, it appears that Maryland Democrats are getting ready to fire up the base:

EVENT #1: PRINCE GEORGE'S DEMOCRATIC UNITY RALLY- THU 5/10

Please join the Cardin Campaign, Maryland Democratic Party and Obama For America for a Prince George's County Unity Rally as we show our support for President Obama and Team Maryland in 2012

Featuring:

• Senator Ben Cardin
• Senator Barbara Mikulski
• Comptroller Peter Franchot
• Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer
• Representative Donna Edwards
• County Executive Rushern Baker

Thursday, May 10th - 7:00pm
IBEW Local 26, 4371 Parliament Place, Lanham, MD
RSVP:  http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpstss

EVENT #2: MONTGOMERY DEMOCRATIC UNITY RALLY - MON 5/14

Montgomery County Unity Event: Please Attend. Show Your Support for Maryland Democrats

What - Montgomery County Unity Event with Gov. O'Malley, Sen Cardin, John Delaney and our Maryland Elected Officials
When - Monday, May 14th, 6-8PM
Where - Casey Community Center, 810 S. Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg MD

RSVP: https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpb33l

EVENT #3: IMPACT SILVER SPRING BASKETBALL WITH DOUG GANSLER - SAT 5/5

Community leaders, elected officials, beverage company representatives, Silver Spring families and others will gather for an afternoon of fun and some lighthearted competition this Saturday, May 5, as IMPACT Silver Spring, Maryland soft drink bottlers and the American Beverage Association (ABA) come together to host a local celebrity basketball game!

The Maryland non-alcoholic beverage companies will also announce a partnership with IMPACT Silver Spring to expand athletic programs and promote the importance of a healthy, balanced and active lifestyle.  The Washington GreenHawks will be on hand to entertain the crowd and take to the court for some basketball action. All attendees can enter a free drawing to win an iPod Touch!

When:            Saturday, May 5, 2012,  2-4 PM (3:30 PM  Program)

Who:              Ronnie Galvin, IMPACT Silver Spring
                       Seth Goldman, Honest Tea
                       Doug Gansler, Maryland Attorney General
                       Long Branch Athletic Assocation youth participants
                       Local community leaders          
                       Representatives of Maryland soft drink companies and the ABA
                       Washington GreenHawks

Where:          Long Branch Community Center Gymnasium
                      8700 Piney Branch Road
                      Silver Spring, MD 20901

Join us earlier in the day for the Montgomery County Department of Recreation's annual Long Branch Unity Festival!

EVENT #4: MOCO DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE SPRING BALL - SAT 5/12

Attend the Annual Spring Ball And Awards Gala

The Annual Spring Ball is our most important fund-raiser. The money goes to support Democratic ideals and candidates in Montgomery County. You can help by donating unique items for the Silent Auction. Jewelry, wine, spa treatments or other glamorous items always do well!

You can also help by buying and placing an ad of congratulations, recognition or thanks in the Spring Ball Program. Most of all, you can help by attending. Remember: First Pay – First Seating basis.

Click Here to RSVP

When: Saturday May 12, 2012, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville 20852.
What: A fabulous evening of fun: A Reception, Both Live and Silent Auctions, Dinner and Dancing 

Amount: $100 per ticket.

EVENT #5: DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF TALBOT COUNTY W/ WENDY ROSEN - WED 5/16

EASTON STAR DEMOCRAT:  Wendy Rosen, the Democratic nominee for the 1st District Congressional seat, is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. May 16 at Londonderry Retirement Community on Port Street.

The Democratic Women's Club of Talbot County meeting is open to the public. Rosen is challenging incumbent Congressman Andy Harris, R-Md.-1st.

Lunch will follow a question and answer session with Rosen. Lunch reservations are recommended and are available until May 7 through Natalie Caccia at 410-822-4812....

EVENT #6: YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF MD ANNUAL FUNDRAISER W/ MIKE MILLER  - SAT 5/5

SAT 5/4 from 2-4 pm: Join us at the 4th Annual Blue State Bash fundraiser in support of the Young Democrats of Maryland as we continue our hard work across the state to engage young voters and elect Democrats. This year’s Blue State Bash will be held in Howard County at the home of Delegate Guy Guzzone.

We're pleased to share that Senate President Mike Miller will be our keynote speaker, so we know we'll be in good company. We hope to see you there!

Individual tickets are $30 and can be purchased online via http://ydmaryland.org/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=747

EVENT #7: DANCE PARTY FUNDRAISER FOR DREAM ACT DEFENSE - SAT 5/5 

CASA Dream Act Fundraiser

Friday 5/4 - 9:00pm until 2:30am

COCOCABANA BAR & GRILL

2031 University Boulevard East, Hyattsville, MD 20783

What is the DREAM Act? Maryland’s new in-state tuition law, or the “Maryland Dream Act” as it is often called, allows a specific category of students to qualify for in-state tuition at any two-year community college or four-year university in the state of Maryland regardless of their immigration status.

• http://www.casademaryland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1368
• http://www.educatingmarylandkids.org/

This fundraising event will be the Biggest Latin Social Dance in the area of MD, DC, & VA. Where everyone is welcome to be part of a great community where the main purspose is to make an impact with our future generation and to support those that are already part of the DREAM.

We will have a lot information for you about CASA's work with the community and the DREAM Act. Also, dancing lessons, special shows, and performances through the whole night!

Workshops and times:
Bachata foundation: 9:00 pm - 9:30 pm w/ Yulio & Autumn
Bachata inter/Adv: 9:30 pm - 10:00 pm w/ Yulio & Autumn

Latin Social Dance: 10:00 pm - 3:00 am

Yulio's TBR Entertainment will be keeping you on the dance floor all night long with the hottest Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha-Cha, and more...

Shows Program:

11 pm Salsa performance w/ Omario & Margarite from the "SALSA PROJECT VA MD DC"
Slideshow photos and videos...
Presenting the DREAMERS...
12 am Bachata performance w/Yulio & Serena
Speech from one of the Maryland Dreamers

DONATION:
$10.00 minimum voluntary donation

EVENT #8: KENSINGTON COSTCO LEGAL DEFENSE DANCE PARTY FUNDRAISER  - SAT 5/5 

SUBJECT: Westfield Wheaton Costco Gas KHCA Legal Defense Dance Party

Juice, it would be great if you could give the event below a little promo. After three years of doing battle with billion-dollar bullies, we need all the help we can get. For more information, check out our YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SouGIX5uiDc
 
You are invited to a Dance Party at Kenmont Swim and Tennis Club!

Members and non-members are invited!

This Saturday May 5, 2012 - 7:30pm

The Kensington Heights Civic Association (KHCA) is sponsoring a Dance Party to raise funds to support the opposition to the Costco mega gas station proposed for Westfield Wheaton

$15 donation requested/$5 for children
in the Kenmont Clubhouse (2900 Faulkner Drive, Kensington)

Refreshments and good dance music provided; you supply the fun! This event is open to all (Kenmont membership not required), so bring your friends and family!

RSVP (so KHCA knows how many to expect) to Karen Cordry, karenc425@aol.com

EVENT #9: MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY GALA MON 5/7

VIP Reception 6:00 PM

General Reception 6:30 PM

Dinner 7:00 PM

Martins Crosswinds
7400 Greenway Center Drive
Greenbelt, MD 20770

RSVP

EVENT #10: ANNUAL MONTGOMERY COUNTY PEACE LUNCHEON  - SAT 5/19

Don’t miss Montgomery County’s annual Peace Luncheon, Sat., May 19, 11:30 a.m.  RSVP today at info@peaceactionmc.org.

Keynote speaker: the fabulous David Swanson, who will inspire you and give you hope and energy for our long struggle for peace.

Delicious Middle Eastern food, great speaker—and all to benefit two terrific organizations, one that provides services for rural Afghan women, the Afghan Women’s Fund (www.afghanwomensfund.org) and the other the national office of Peace Action (www.peace-action.org). We will present  the Maryland Peace Maker Awards, and the amazing MoCo Peace Players will make an appearance.

Suggested donation: $25 (includes lunch).

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Dr., Rockville. Directions here:  http://www.uucr.org/directions.php 

Everyone is invited, but please be sure to RSVP to info@peaceactionmc.org so that the organizers can ensure enough food for everyone!

Sponsored by Peace Action Montgomery, the UUCR Social Justice Committee, and Pax Christi.