JUICE: Ulman & Mizeur Can Fundraise During Session, State Cops for Brown, LCV for Frosh, and D15 & D11 Delegate Updates

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

JUICE #1: GANSLER-IVEY PROHIBITED FROM FUNDRAISING DURING SESSION, WHILE ULMAN & MIZEUR-COATES MAY PROCEED - Yesterday the Maryland Board of Elections issued an opinion clearing the way for Lt. Governor candidate Ken Ulman to continue raising money during the coming legislative session. Ordinarily, state officeholders cannot fundraise during a legislative session, but given that both Anthony Brown has chosen a running mate who does not serve in a state office. Meanwhile, Attorney General Doug Gansler and Delegate Jolene Ivey will have their hands tied for fundraising between January 2014 and the end of the legislative session in April. The Washington Post reported on the development yesterday (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: The Maryland State Board of Elections ruled Thursday that the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Anthony G. Brown can continue raising money during the coming legislative session even though Brown himself is prohibited by law from doing so.

The decision was immediately criticized by Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, another Democratic candidate for governor, who said he expects that a court will decide the elections board misinterpreted a law that is “crystal clear.”

Maryland law prohibits statewide officeholders — including Gansler and Brown, the state’s lieutenant governor — from raising money during the 90-day session, which starts Jan. 8. Members of the state legislature also may not raise money during the session, which means that Gansler’s running mate, Del. Jolene Ivey (Prince George’s), is subject to the ban as well.

There is no explicit prohibition that covers Howard County Executive Ken Ulman (D), Brown’s pick for lieutenant governor....

According to The Baltimore Sun, the ruling does not apply to Heather Mizeur's campaign, as she was already able to raise small funds during session (excerpt below):

BALTIMORE SUN:  The ruling doesn't apply to Brown and Ulman's political rivals for the Democratic nomination. Del. Heather Mizeur of Montgomery County filed this week to accept public financing for her campaign, a move that allows her to accept low-dollar donations throughout the election cycle even though she is a state official.

Below you can read a series of press releases from Doug Gansler and Common Cause Maryland criticizing the ruling, followed by the full BOE memo. Here is Gansler's first press release, which was sent shortly after release of the BOE's decision yesterday:

PRESS RELEASE

Gansler/Ivey Campaign Statement on Maryland State Board of Elections Decision
Silver Spring, MARYLAND — The Doug Gansler/Jolene Ivey gubernatorial campaign today released the following statement from Communications Director Bob Wheelock in response to guidance issued by the Maryland State Board of Elections about prohibited fundraising activities during legislative session:

"Lt. Governor Brown and County Executive Ulman are on the same statewide ticket together. It's one campaign; you can't draw a line down the middle. We fully expect the courts will decide this is prohibited -- but regardless, it's clearly unethical for one member of a ticket to continue raising money when the other member is barred from doing so. This does not even come close to passing the voter smell test."

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The Gansler campaign followed up on the press release above with another one today:

PRESS RELEASE

Gansler to Candidates: Stand Up to Special Interests, Say No to Fundraising During Session
Silver Spring, MARYLAND — Today, gubernatorial candidate Douglas Gansler responded to yesterday's State Board of Elections decision by calling on all gubernatorial candidates barred from fundraising during the upcoming legislative session to agree to prohibit their running mates from raising money during session.

"Running for governor and, ultimately, being governor, means you must take a stand for what's right. Accepting money from powerful special interests during legislative session is not only illegal, it is unethical. Do not ask your running mate to do what you are barred from doing," said Gansler. "Either you open the door to special interests, or you keep it closed. Which is it? The voters of Maryland are waiting for your response."

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Common Cause Maryland also weighed in on the BOE memo with the following press release:

PRESS RELEASE

Common Cause Concerned Over Fundraising During Session

Calls on candidates to voluntarily limit activities

(Annapolis) – Common Cause Maryland expressed concern over today’s guidance by the State Board of Elections that allows candidates for Governor or Lieutenant Governor to continue to fundraise during the legislative session even if one candidate is a state-level elected official if the other is not.

“This guidance allows some elected officials to skirt critical ethics reforms intended to limit the corrupting influence of fundraising during the 90 day legislative session,” said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, Executive Director of Common Cause Maryland.

“The decision rests on the assumption that one candidate can engage in fundraising without coordinating those activities with the other candidate. But corruption can occur even without coordination,” Bevan-Dangel explained.

For example, the minimum wage is widely anticipated to be a critical issue in the coming session. If a large corporate employer makes a significant donation to County Executive Craig or Ulman, and the County Executive later expresses to their running mate their concern over provisions of the minimum wage bill, there never needs to be a conversation over the specific fundraising activities or campaign expenditures. The donation has had the effect of impacting legislative decisions – the very reason fundraising is prohibited during session.

Common Cause Maryland called on the candidates raising money to consider voluntary limitations on their activities.  Candidates running on a slate with a state-level official should consider:

• Prohibiting fundraising during session;
• Restricting their fundraising to low-dollar donations only;
• Enacting clear firewalls within the campaign so that neither candidate knows what individuals or entities are donating money during the legislative session.

# # #

You can read the full Board of Elections decision below:

MD Board of Elections Decision on Gubernatorial Fundraising During Session

JUICE #2: ANTHONY BROWN WINS ENDORSEMENT OF STATE POLICE UNION - Maryland Juice received the press release below from the Brown-Ulman campaign announcing the endorsement of a state police union:

PRESS RELEASE

Anthony Brown and Ken Ulman endorsed by Maryland State Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 69

Organization cites Brown’s commitment to public safety and record of results in reducing crime and domestic violence

UPPER MARLBORO, MD - Today, the Maryland State Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 69 endorsed Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and County Executive Ken Ulman in their race for Governor and Lt. Governor. The organizations cited Brown’s long-running commitment to public safety, his work fighting for Maryland’s middle class families, and his distinguished military service in Iraq as key to their backing.

Brown has been a leader in helping to reduce crime and domestic violence. Since 2006, violent crime in Maryland has decreased by 26.3 percent, to the lowest levels since 1975. Additionally, with Lt. Governor Brown leading legislative efforts to reduce domestic violence, the State has experienced a nearly 20% decrease in domestic-violence related assaults and a 15.3% reduction in domestic-violence related homicides.

“Maryland’s dedicated and selfless state troopers put their lives on the line every day to keep Maryland families safe, and I’m honored to have their support,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “I’m committed to partnering with our public safety professionals to make sure they have the tools and training they need to continue doing their jobs protecting the public. That commitment will never waver throughout my tenure as Governor.”

“The courage and commitment of our state troopers is a shining example what makes Maryland great, and Anthony Brown and I are thrilled to have their support,” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “Anthony has a long record of results in supporting Maryland police and reducing domestic violence and, together, we’ll make Maryland the safest state in the nation.”

“Anthony Brown and Ken Ulman have strong records of fighting for Maryland’s public safety officers and we’re proud to back them as the best team to build a better Maryland,” said Drew Liberto, President of Maryland State Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 69. “Anthony’s forceful leadership has helped us reduce violent crime in Maryland to the lowest levels since 1975, and he's led the way in passing real reforms that have reduced domestic violence assaults by 20%. Anthony's commitment to fighting for middle class families is exactly what we need in our next Governor. We’re excited to join the Brown-Ulman team.”

The Maryland State Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 69 was founded in 1967 and represents 499 active and associate members throughout Maryland. The organization advocates on behalf of member police officers and their families, and will mobilize to generate grassroots support for Anthony Brown and Ken Ulman in their race for Governor and Lt. Governor.

To view an updated list of all of Anthony Brown’s endorsements, click here.

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JUICE #3: MARYLAND LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ENDORSES BRIAN FROSH FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL - Maryland Juice received the following press release announcing that the environmentalists at the League of Conservation Voters have endorsed Brian Frosh for Attorney General:

PRESS RELEASE

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Endorses Brian Frosh for Maryland Attorney General 

 “Long Time Environmental Champion” Endorsement is Environmental, Political Group’s First for 2014 Elections
(Annapolis, MD) – The Maryland League of Conservation Voters endorsed state Senator Brian Frosh (District 16, Montgomery County) for Maryland Attorney General on Friday. Citing Senator Frosh’s legislative record, the group said it is excited to back a “long-time environmental champion” as its first endorsement for the 2014 election cycle. 

“Marylanders have counted on Senator Frosh to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways, fight climate change, make our air safer to breathe, reduce trash and toxic pollution and conserve open spaces,” said Maryland League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Karla Raettig. “Attorney General Frosh will bring that same dedication and passion to protect all Maryland families.” 

“Brian has been a tireless voice for our land, air and water – including the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Parris Glendening (1995-2003). “He’s also one of the hardest working public servants I know, and I am so excited for him to be our next Attorney General.”

Senator Frosh earned a 100 percent score on the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV) 2013 legislative scorecard and has a 99 percent lifetime score. In recognition of his environmental record, Frosh received Maryland LCV’s John V. Kabler Memorial Award in 2003.

“The Attorney General plays an enormous role in defending and enforcing our environmental laws,” said Maryland LCV Board of Directors Chair Tony Caliguiri. “Electing a 100-percent green champion to this important office will help protect Maryland’s valuable natural resources and public health.” 

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1987 and to the Senate in 1995, Senator Frosh has established himself as a leading environmental voice. His accomplishments include:

• establishing the state’s recycling program
• enacting a law to prohibit oil and gas drilling in the Chesapeake Bay
• ensuring shoreline protections for Maryland’s Coastal Bays
• passing nutrient pollution regulations
• advancing Maryland’s acclaimed Smart Growth program
• championing the Brownfields Revitalization Program
• promoting energy conservation
• Frosh chairs the Judicial Proceedings Committee and chaired the Senate's Environmental Subcommittee from 1995 to 2003. He also serves on the multi-state Chesapeake Bay Commission, which he chaired in 2001.

Before each state election, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Board of Directors and staff evaluate questionnaires and conduct interviews with dozens of candidates for state-wide office, including Comptroller, Attorney General, and Governor as well candidates as for the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate.

In the 2014 elections, Maryland LCV will once again campaign to elect pro-conservation candidates. The organization will release endorsements in the coming weeks and months.

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JUICE #4: MOCO ATTORNEY BENNETT RUSHKOFF GEARS UP TO TAKE ON DEL. DAVID FRASER-HIDALGO IN DISTRICT 15 - A couple Maryland Juice sources have recently provided us with details indicating that challenger Bennett Rushkoff is gearing up for a serious challenge to newly appointed District 15 Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo. Here are two bits of news we've recently heard from more than one source:

1. Ruskhoff is expected to be able to self-finance at least $100,000 in the District 15 Delegate contest, while David Fraser-Hidalgo will be prohibited from fundraising once the legislative session begins in January.
2. Ruskhoff has hired Feldman Strategies the firm of former Delaney campaign aide and confidant Andrew Feldman.

We'll be keeping a close eye on this race as it develops!

JUICE #5: DISTRICT 11 DELEGATE CANDIDATE SHELLY HETTLEMAN NETS ENDORSEMENTS FROM US SENATOR BEN CARDIN & REP. ELIJAH CUMMINGS - Maryland Juice received the following press release from Democrat Shelly Hettleman, who is running for the D11 Delegate seat being vacated by Attorney General candidate Jon Cardin. Hettleman was formerly a campaign aide for Senator Ben Cardin, and she confirms that the Senator has endorsed her campaign. The press release below announces the endorsement of Congressman Elijah Cummings:

PRESS RELEASE

Congressman Elijah Cummings Endorses Shelly Hettleman for 11th District House of Delegates

On Thursday, December 19, Congressman Elijah Cummings endorsed Shelly Hettleman, former Campaign Director for Senator Ben Cardin in her House of Delegates run for the open seat in the 11th district of Baltimore County.  “Shelly has an incredible commitment to public service and is a hard worker.  We need someone with her character and compassion in Annapolis fighting for Baltimore County residents.  As a former delegate in the Maryland General Assembly, I know how important team work is to get things done and believe Shelly is ready to jump right in to work for Baltimore County.”  The 11th legislative district includes parts of the 7th congressional district that Rep. Cummings represents. There is an open seat in the 11th District as Del. Jon Cardin has declared a run for Attorney General.

Ms. Hettleman is committed to public service.  She has worked in numerous community programs, including advocacy groups for parents and abused women. She served as Sen. Cardin’s Campaign Director and as one of the leaders of the 2012 Maryland Democratic Coordinated Campaign, she co-led the re-election campaign of the entire Maryland Democratic congressional delegation.

Shelly has the skills, work ethic, and vision to be an effective legislator. “It’s not about flashy promises,” Ms. Hettleman says, “To get things done, it takes hard work and being in close touch with the needs of children, families and seniors.”

Senator Ben Cardin, Senator Paul Sarbanes and Congressman John Sarbanes joined over 250 Marylanders to attend Ms. Hettleman’s Campaign Kick-Off this past Sunday in Pikesville.  At the Kick-Off, Ms. Hettleman outlined some of her legislative priorities, among them: better public schools and early childhood education, more and better jobs, a fuller range of services for seniors, protecting the environment, and a series of steps to ensure robust citizen and neighborhood involvement.

If elected, Ms. Hettleman would be the first woman to represent the 11th in nearly 30 years.

A graduate of Pikesville High School, Shelly Hettleman and her husband Jeff raised their son and daughter in the Dumbarton community.  In addition to her work with Senator Ben Cardin, she helped found CHANA, an aid network for abused women in the Baltimore region and Parent Action, a grassroots organization dedicated to strengthening early childhood education and family friendly workplaces.

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Gansler Fights Back // Lt. Gov. Running Mate Del. Jolene Ivey Criticizes Anthony Brown for MD Obamacare Enrollment Errors

Maryland Juice has been watching the development of the last few news cycles relating to the 2014 gubernatorial primary, and I had begun thinking that Doug Gansler's campaign was getting beat up pretty badly in the media lately.

Today, however, we saw the first signs that Gansler may begin to fight back, and that he may do so through his Lt. Governor running mate Delegate Jolene Ivey. We received the following press release from Ivey today criticizing Lt. Governor Anthony Brown for being unaware of the massive issues Maryland residents have had enrolling in the state's Obamacare system:

PRESS RELEASE

Statement from Delegate Jolene Ivey in Response to Lt. Governor  Brown's Remark that he was Unaware of Enrollment Problems with Health Exchange
"Almost three weeks after Maryland’s Health Exchange opened, only 16,000 of Maryland’s 800,000 uninsured have been able to complete online applications. Our Lt. Governor, the man the Governor put in charge of the rollout, says that he had no idea there would be problems with the online enrollment program. He had time to send out a press release attacking my record fighting for the families of Maryland, but he doesn’t have time to watch out for so many uninsured Marylanders – time for politics, but not for people. In 2008, one of the reasons Doug Gansler and I supported then Senator Obama was his commitment to healthcare reform. Getting it done was an historic achievement. We owed it to our President and to the people of Maryland to get this right."

Baltimore Sun Article, http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-health-exchange-meeting-20131016,0,7788485.story

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And with that, I would say hold on to your hats folks.  The epic 2014 gubernatorial battle may be headed in as rapid a negative direction as we've seen, since the 2012 primary battle between John Delaney & Rob Garagiola!

IT'S OFFICIAL: Doug Gansler Names Del. Jolene Ivey of Prince George's Choice for Lt. Governor // Anthony Brown Responds

Maryland Juice just received the following email from Attorney General Doug Gansler announcing Delegate Jolene Ivey (Prince George's Democrat) as his running mate for the June 2014 gubernatorial primaries, along with a press release from the rival campaign of Anthony Brown, noting policy disagreements between Ivey and Gansler and issues ranging from the death penalty, gas tax, wind energy, budgets and more:

Juice,

I am pleased to announce that two-term Maryland Delegate and Prince George’s County Delegation Chair Jolene Ivey has joined my ticket as Lieutenant Governor in my campaign to become governor of Maryland.

As a mother, volunteer, broadcast journalist, and delegate, Jolene Ivey has been a voice for women, families, and other Marylanders in need of an advocate. Her legislative record is one filled with determined efforts to pass legislation that protects families, children, and small businesses.

As Maryland’s next Lieutenant Governor she will be a true partner in moving this state ahead, leading a portfolio that will include efforts related to education, transportation, and family issues.

The mother of five boys, Jolene Ivey knows the importance of character, values, devotion, and commitment.

The daughter of a Buffalo Soldier in World War II and the Korean War, Jolene has inherited from an optimistic belief that big challenges can be taken on, not with flash and fake promises, but by doing what her parents did: rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.

This Lt. Governor understands in her heart and in her soul what it means to stand for human dignity and fairness – and she will take on discrimination and bias and hate and sexism and homophobia in all its forms.

Jolene is dedicated to representing those who need a voice in government and is ready to lead for each and every Marylander. Like me, Jolene is Maryland Proud and together we will Build our Best Maryland.

Best,

Doug

The Anthony Brown-Ken Ulman campaign responded with the following press release highlighting disagreements between Doug Gansler and Jolene Ivey on several policy issues:

PRESS RELEASE

Doug Gansler versus his running mate

Del. Jolene Ivey, Gansler’s choice for his running mate, has taken the opposite position of Gansler on numerous major issues

Upper Marlboro, MD: The Brown campaign releases the following statement from campaign manager Justin Schall regarding the selection of Del. Jolene Ivey as Doug Gansler’s running mate:

"We are hopeful that Delegate Ivey, who has consistently voted for the O’Malley-Brown administration's initiatives to strengthen our schools and the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act, can explain to the Attorney General why his views are wrong on these important issues and why a $1.6 billion corporate tax giveaway will hurt middle-class families."

Below is a roundup of numerous major issues in which Del. Ivey has opposed Doug Gansler:

 

Delegate Jolene Ivey                   Attorney General Doug Gansler

On Tough Decisions to Balance Budgets Ivey voted in favor of Governor O’Malley’s budget bills seven times, or every year she and the Governor have been in office.[1]	Gansler: “But in terms of the governor, you know, the taxes have been rough, 40 consecutive tax increases. I think that there is a breaking point for people.” [2]
On the Corporate Tax Rate Ivey voted in support of the Tax Reform Act of 2007, which raised the corporate income tax rate from 7 percent to 8.25 percent and raised taxes on the state’s top income earners.[3] [4]	In August Gansler called for the state to lower the corporate income tax, saying, “We have to lower our corporate tax from 8.25 to 6 percent to match Virginia's.”[5] As the Washington Post noted, “Nonpartisan analysts have projected that similar plans introduced in recent years in the Maryland General Assembly would have cost the state more than $300 million a year in lost revenue.”[6] Overall, non-partisan state legislative analysts project the decrease would cost the state $1.68 billion over the next five years.[7]
On the Gas Tax Ivey voted in support of the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, also known as the “gas tax.”[8] Gas Tax Effects on the Poor "I would like to speak for the poor people in my district and in my county who are going to have expanded transit. Who are going to be able to get on a bus where no bus has been before, and won't be unless we pass this bill."[9]	In April 2013, Gansler called the gas tax increase “unfortunate” during an interview with BayNet, arguing that the tax disproportionately affects poor Marylanders.[10] Gansler: “The most recent being the gas tax, which I think is regressive and hurts poor people and working people.” [11]
On Abolishing the Death Penalty In March 2013, Ivey served as a co-sponsor of Governor O’Malley’s efforts to repeal the death penalty in Maryland.[12] Ivey also tweeted out her support for the passage of the bill Gansler opposed.	In February, Gansler reiterated his support for the death penalty on the Kojo Nnamdi Show, saying “As a prosecutor, it's a wonderful tool to have.”[13] In 2009 Gansler wrote an op/ed claiming “the notion that our death penalty system in Maryland is discriminatory toward minorities is misguided…I remain convinced that we need the death penalty for use in appropriate cases.”[14]
On Wind Energy In 2013, Ivey served as a co-sponsor of the Maryland Off-Shore Wind Energy Act.[15]	In an April 2013 interview with The Baynet, Gansler noted concerns he had about windmills, saying he would like the state to emphasize providing assistance to farmers to protect the bay from agricultural runoff, instead of on wind power, while also saying he was concerned about wind turbines’ effect on the Navy.[16]

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[1] House Bill 50, Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2008)
    House Bill 100, Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2009)
    House Bill 100, Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2010)
    House Bill 150, Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2011)
    House Bill 70, Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2012)
    House Bill 85, Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2013)
    House Bill 100, Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2014)

[2] “The Politics Hour - Oct 4, 2013,” The Kojo Nnamdi Show, 10/4/2013

[3] Tax Reform Act of 2007, HB 2

[4] “New Year Brings Tax Increases In Maryland.” Associated Press, 1/31/13

[5] “The Politics Hour - Oct 4, 2013,” The Kojo Nnamdi Show, 10/4/2013

[6] “Democrat Douglas F. Gansler calls for cut in Md. corporate income tax rate,” Wagner, Washington Post, 8/29/2013

[7] "Fiscal and policy note - SB 34." Maryland Department of Legislative Services, 2013

[8] Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2013, House Bill 1515

[9] “House OKs gas tax plan,” Jackson, Gazette, 3/23/2013

[10] “Attorney General logs in on legislative actions.” Dick Myers,TheBayNet.com, 4/22/13

[11] “The Politics Hour - Oct 4, 2013,” The Kojo Nnamdi Show, 10/4/2013

[12] “Death Penalty Repeal and Appropriation from Savings to Aid Survivors of Homicide Victims.” House Bill 295

[13] “The Politics Hour,” The Kojo Nnamdi Show, 2/22/2013

[14] “A worthy compromise?,” Douglas F Gansler, Baltimore Sun, 3/19/2009

[15] Maryland Off-Shore Wind Energy Act of 2013, House Bill 0226

[16] “Attorney General logs in on legislative actions.” Dick Myers, TheBayNet.com, 4/22/13

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JUICE: Doug Gansler's Shortlist of Running Mates, Garagiola = Lobbyist, Mizeur Pushes Crim Justice, St. Mary's Living Wage

Below Maryland Juice provides a quick round-up of recent news regarding politics in the Free State:

JUICE #1: DOUG GANSLER'S SHORT LIST OF POSSIBLE LT. GOVERNOR CANDIDATES - The Washington Post today published a short list of potential running mates for Attorney General Doug Gansler's gubernatorial campaign. Their write up mentions not only candidates who may be under consideration, but also a few who are indicating they are not interested in the #2 spot. Below you can see a few names under consideration, but the list of folks not seeking the LG slot includes Sen. Catherine Pugh, Del. Adrienne Jones, and author Wes Moore (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: Maryland Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Douglas F. Gansler has narrowed his search for a running mate to a handful of names and is likely to announce his pick next month, his advisers said Monday.

Several African American officials from Baltimore and Prince George’s County are apparently in the mix. Baltimore Comptroller Joan M. Pratt (D) confirmed in an interview that she recently talked to Gansler about the lieutenant governor position....

Several state legislators, including Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George’s) and Del. Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. (D-Baltimore), have also had conversations with Gansler about the No. 2 slot, according to people with knowledge of the conversations but who were not authorized to speak on behalf of Gansler’s campaign....

Del. Melony G. Griffith (D-Prince George’s), who previously led her county House delegation, has also had discussions with Gansler about his ticket, according to several of Griffith’s colleagues. Griffith declined to comment on her future political plans in a brief interview Monday....

JUICE #2: SEN. ROB GARAGIOLA LEAVES ANNAPOLIS TO BECOME LOBBYIST - This isn't a huge surprise, but outgoing District 15 State Senator Rob Garagiola is revolving into a new role as a lobbyist for one of Maryland's top lobbying firms, Alexander & Cleaver. The Washington Post yesterday reported on Garagiola's new role, which will include lobbying Montgomery County officials until the 90-day ban on lobbying his former colleagues expires (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: Robert J. Garagiola, who stepped down this month as majority leader of the Maryland Senate, has joined Alexander & Cleaver, a law firm with a major lobbying presence in Annapolis. Garagiola, a Montgomery County Democrat, will manage the firm’s new Montgomery County office, Alexander & Cleaver said in a news release Monday morning.

Garagiola said in an interview that he plans initially to focus on practicing law and might do some local government relations work, but hopes to focus on Montgomery County rather than Annapolis. “There is a lot to be done in Rockville,” he said. “I’ll re-evaluate state-level lobbying in the future.” Under Maryland law, former legislators are barred from assisting clients in Annapolis during the first 90-day legislative session after their departure....

JUICE #3: "WIRE" ACTOR SONJA SOHN HIGHLIGHT'S HEATHER MIZEUR'S COMMITMENT TO MEANINGFUL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS - Delegate Heather Mizeur has been running an issue-centric campaign in her quest for the office of Maryland Governor. She's previously come out aggressively as an opponent of fracking and helped re-spark interest in justice for Ethan Saylor, a Frederick man with Downs Syndrome, who was killed by off-duty police while trying to stay for a second showing of a movie. But with the recent pushback on the War on Drugs and mass incarceration issues by the Obama administration, it appears Mizeur is staking out space in this increasingly hot issue area. Last week, The Baltimore Sun published an op-ed by Sonja Sohn, an actor who played Detective Kima Greggs on the popular TV series "The Wire," highlighting Mizeur's commitment to criminal justice reform (excerpt below):

SONJA SOHN VIA BALTIMORE SUN: It was encouraging for the Obama administration to recently propose finally ending federal mandatory minimum sentencing for non-violent drug offenses.... I applaud Attorney General Doug Gansler, who plans to run for governor, for addressing our alarming recidivism rates.

But we need lawmakers and leaders with a larger vision. We will only achieve meaningful reform by addressing systemic, generational problems.... Proposals like giving wireless tablets to inmates miss the larger point about where the problems begin in the first place....

[Heather Mizeur] talks about shifting millions in state resources away from more walls and bars and instead investing in affirmative opportunities for youth. She proposes reducing penalties for low-level drug offenses that incarcerate far too many non-violent offenders.... She envisions a system that no longer stacks the deck by making it impossible to find a good job or decent housing and by restricting voting rights and the ability to serve on juries. We still make it nearly impossible for former inmates to ever become full members of society again....

JUICE #4: FACULTY & STUDENTS AT ST. MARY'S COLLEGE PROPOSE LIVING WAGE FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES TO COMBAT TUITION SPIKES  - In the midst of a growing regional and national debate on the record high wealth gap and wage standards in America, advocates at Maryland's St. Mary's College are proposing a living wage for school employees and salary caps to help rein in rapidly escalating tuition costs. Check out the press release below:

PRESS RELEASE

St. Mary’s College Wage Plan First of its Kind in Nation
St. Mary’s City, Maryland, Sept. 2013: Faculty, staff and students at St. Mary’s College of Maryland are proposing a new salary structure they say will increase wages for the lowest paid while reining in college costs. The innovative plan is the first of its kind in the nation.

Titled “St. Mary’s Wages, the St. Mary’s Way,” the proposal would guarantee a living wage to all full time employees of the College and place a cap on faculty, administrative, and presidential salaries. The proposal’s authors say it reflects the mission of the State’s only public honors college.

“We are a public college that values ‘social responsibility and civic-mindedness’ along with the goal of ‘promoting and maintaining a community built on respect,’” said Dr. Laraine Glidden, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Emerita. “I can think of no better way to demonstrate that we live what is in our catalog than by advocating for a living wage for all, paid for by limits on the highest earnings.”

The proposal’s supporters argue the caps on higher salaries and initiatives to stem the growth of non-faculty administrative positions would eliminate one of the drivers of the cost of college education. They hope to limit future tuition increases and improve the College’s ability to implement its mission of inclusiveness and affordability.

“Affordability is important when it comes to maintaining the diversity of the student body, which matters to me and my classmates,” said senior computer science major Ashok Chandwaney. “This proposal can help keep St. Mary’s affordable by ending the insane and interlocked upward spiral of tuition and executive salaries that’s happening everywhere.”

The subject of wages has long been a point of interest at St. Mary’s College. In 2006, a student campaign ended with students staging a Living Wage Sit-In in the President’s office. In 2012, students launched the “Living Wage Campaign” culminating in a hundred-strong march of students, faculty and staff across campus.

“St. Mary’s Wages, the St. Mary’s Way,” is available online at www.stmaryswages.org.

Images of past events are available upon request.

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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.

JuiceBlender: Del. Minnick to Retire, Impact of Prince George's Runningmate for Gansler, Activists Press Van Hollen on Syria

Below Maryland Juice provides a quick round-up of recent tidbits of interest to politicos:

JUICE #1: DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE SONNY MINNICK TO RETIRE // TWO OPEN SEATS IN DISTRICT 6 - The Dundalk Eagle reported last week that Delegate Joseph "Sonny" Minnick will be retiring in 2014. Minnick is a Baltimore County Democrat who has represented District 6 in the State House for over two decades. He's now planning on spending time with his grandchildren and family (excerpt below):

DUNDALK EAGLE: There has been a Minnick representing the Dundalk area in Annapolis for all but nine years since 1966. That era will come to an end in 2014 after Del. Joseph "Sonny" Minnick announced his intention to not seek re-election on Monday.

"After 23 years, I think it’s time for me to step down, let someone else do the job," Minnick said. "Maybe someone younger, with different ideas.... Six grandchildren I don’t see enough of," he said. "Hopefully, I’ll get to see them more often now. I also have golf to keep me busy...."

With Del. John Olszewski Jr. having announced he will be running for the state Senate, Del. Michael Weir Jr. is the only incumbent seeking re-election in the 6th District in 2014. Only one challenger, Eric Washington, has announced his intent to run in the Democratic House primary. Six Republicans have declared their candidacies.... "Who will take my place? I have no idea," [Minnick] said.

Maryland's House of Delegates District 6 is currently represented by one Democratic Senator and three Democratic Delegates. But with Sen. Norm Stone's retirement from the body, Dundalk's Patch.com reported last July that D6 Delegate John Olszewski Jr. is leaving his House seat to run for Senate (excerpt below):

PATCH.COM: State Sen. Norman Stone said Monday that he will not seek re-election after more than 50 years in the Maryland General Assembly.... "I've decided that 52 years is enough," said Stone in an interview. "I think it's time." Stone will attend a campaign fundraiser event for Del. John Olszewski Jr. Tuesday where the two-term delegate is expected to announce his intent to run for Stone's seat....

With this continued reshuffling of the deck in the Maryland legislature, there will now be two open Delegate seats in District 6. It appears that Democrats are needed to run for these seats!


JUICE #2: A PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY RUNNING-MATE FOR DOUG GANSLER?  //  PLUS: WHAT WILL HEATHER MIZEUR DO? - It is now September, and Attorney General Doug Gansler has been promising to formally announce his obvious campaign for Governor this month. Word on the street has been that Gansler intends to pick an African American running-mate from the Baltimore area. But yesterday Center Maryland columnist Josh Kurtz published a piece speculating on a possible Prince George's running-mate for Gansler, and the impact that may have on down-ballot races. Kurtz's piece indicates that former Democratic Congressman Al Wynn is supporting Gansler (excerpt below):

JOSH KURTZ VIA CENTER MARYLAND: If Doug Gansler picks a running mate from Prince George’s County, expect serious downballot ramifications.... It could determine who County Executive Rushern Baker endorses for governor, and it could also determine if a ticket of Democratic dissidents is cobbled together throughout the county – a place where incumbents tend to slate together and state senators have an inordinate amount of power.

For now it’s widely assumed that the two leading contenders from Prince George’s to be Gansler’s No. 2 are Dels. Jolene Ivey and Melony Griffith. Ivey is openly campaigning for the job. Griffith, who has seen lawmakers from her district – like Brown and Dereck Davis – move on to bigger and better things, is getting antsy. She may get help with Gansler from former Congressman Al Wynn, a Griffith ally who supports the attorney general’s gubernatorial bid.

If Ivey gets the nod, the implications may be broader – because if Griffith is passed over she will surely take a look at challenging state Sen. Ulysses Currie (D) in the 25th district, which is right in the heart of the county. Currie is vastly better funded and will have the strong support of Senate President Mike Miller. But Currie will be 77 next year, and could be vulnerable given his federal corruption trial a few years ago – acquittal notwithstanding....

Hopefully we will soon know who Doug Gansler's running-mate will be. But in the meantime, an equally interesting question is who Del. Heather Mizeur may run with in the gubernatorial primary.


JUICE #3:  PEACE ACTIVISTS PUSH REP. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN AND MD'S DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMEN TO OPPOSE SYRIA ACTION - As you may have noticed, the White House and Congress are currently debating whether the United States should take military action in Syria. Maryland Juice received a press release yesterday from anti-war activists indicating that they are ramping up efforts to encourage Rep. Chris Van Hollen and other members of Maryland's Congressional delegation not to intervene:

PRESS ADVISORY

Syria Letter from Maryland Voters to be Delivered to Rep. Chris Van Hollen at Rally

Letter Urges No U.S. Attack, Increased Diplomacy for a Political Solution

WHAT: Community advocates will hold a street demonstration and then deliver a letter to Rep. Chris Van Hollen urging him to vote against any authorization for the use of military force in Syria.

WHEN:  Wed., Sept. 4, 12 noon.

WHERE: 51 Monroe St., Suite 507, Rockville, MD 20850. 

BACKGROUND: Marylanders from across the state are mobilizing to encourage their Congressional representatives to oppose U.S. military intervention into the civil war in Syria. Rallies similar to the one in Rockville will be held in other Congressional offices in the state this week: 

• Wed., Sept. 4, noon: Ellicott City office of Rep. Elijah Cummings, 8267 Main St., Ellicott City, MD. 

• Fri., Sept. 6, noon: Annapolis office of Rep. John Sarbanes, Arundel Center, Suite 349, 44 Calvert St., Annapolis MD 21401. 

• Fri., Sept. 6, noon: Gaithersburg office of Rep. John Delaney, 9801 Washingtonian Blvd., Ste 330, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

“We agree with the statement made today by the Carter Center and former President Jimmy Carter,” said Jean Athey, coordinator of Peace Action Montgomery. The statement reads:

“The use of chemical weapons on August 21 near Damascus is a grave breach of international law that has rightfully outraged the world community.... A punitive military response without a U.N. Security Council mandate or broad support from NATO and the Arab League would be illegal under international law and unlikely to alter the course of the war. It will only harden existing positions and postpone a sorely needed political process to put an end to the catastrophic violence. Instead, all should seek to leverage the consensus among the entire international community, including Russia and Iran, condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria and bringing under U.N. oversight the country's stockpile of such weapons.”

President Carter continued, "Those responsible for the use of chemical weapons must bear personal responsibility. The chemical attack should be a catalyst for redoubling efforts to convene a peace conference, to end hostilities, and urgently to find a political solution."  http://www.cartercenter.org/news/pr/syria-083013.html

Speakers at the rally will include Mike Hersh, Progressive Democrats of America; Gene Bruskin, US Labor Against the War; and Susan Kerin, Pax Christi.

Rally Sponsor:  Peace Action Montgomery (http://peaceactionmc.org/) is a grassroots organization with over 2,600 members dedicated to promoting a new US foreign policy that is based on peaceful support for human rights and democracy, eliminating the threat of weapons of mass destruction, and cooperation with the world community.

###

INTERESTING: Does Del. Jolene Ivey Want to Join Atty General Doug Gansler's Gubernatorial Ticket? // PLUS: More Tea Leaves

The big political news of the week has been that Lt. Governor Anthony Brown has chosen Howard County Executive Ken Ulman to serve as his running mate in the 2014 gubernatorial battle. Politicos are now chattering over the developing dynamics of the race, and commentary is coming in from some interesting figures. Below Maryland Juice dissects recent commentary on the state of the gubernatorial race from Delegate Jolene Ivey (Democrat, Prince George's). But first, Maryland Juice had a chance to chat with The Daily Record's Alexander Pyles about the implications of the Brown-Ulman ticket (excerpt below):

DAILY RECORD:  David Moon, a Democratic political consultant and blogger for MarylandJuice.com, said Gansler and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown appear to be taking opposite paths in their quest to succeed Gov. Martin O’Malley.... Brown became the first hopeful to officially announce his candidacy this month, taking cues from lessons apparently learned during O’Malley’s first campaign for governor prior to the 2006 election.

Gansler’s strategy has been different, Moon said, because of a belief in his camp that a campaign could lose steam or peak too early.... That strategy could backfire, Moon said, as Brown and new running mate Ken Ulman are being talked about as frontrunners....

JUICE #1: TEA LEAVES IN DELEGATE JOLENE IVEY'S COMMENTS ABOUT MARYLAND GOVERNOR'S RACE  //  DOES SHE WANT TO JOIN TEAM GANSLER? - Maryland Juice was very, very intrigued by Delegate Jolene Ivey's recent appearance on Bruce DePuyt's morning news show on News Channel 8. The point of interest is that I had recently written about possible running mates for Attorney General Doug Gansler, and some of my sources mentioned Del. Ivey (see Juice #4). But I had no clue whether she would want to leave Annapolis to gamble on a statewide run. Judging by her comments below, I would say Delegate Jolene Ivey definitely seems interested in teaming up with Gansler:



MARYLAND JUICE ANALYSIS: In the video above, Del. Ivey appears to be positioning herself to run with Doug Gansler. She offers lukewarm praise for Ken Ulman ("he's nice"), dismisses Mizeur's candidacy ("can't see her winning"), questions Ruppersberger's vigor ("does he have the energy?") -- and to top it all off, Ivey suggests that Gansler would do best to choose someone from Prince George's County, who (....wait for it....) is a woman and/or an African American candidate. Could she be describing .... herself?  Interesting tea leaves. But given the glacial pace of Doug Gansler's campaign roll-out, we could be waiting a lot longer to see how this story unfolds! Oy vey.


JUICE #2: GAZETTE COLUMNIST RACIALIZES ANTHONY BROWN'S CAMPAIGN, MOCO SENATORS GARAGIOLA & KING RESPOND? // MORE TEA LEAVES - Rightwing, old-school Gazette columnist Blair Lee recently rattled cages (again), by putting the gubernatorial campaign of Anthony Brown through a purely racial lens (excerpt below):

BLAIR LEE VIA GAZETTE: So, as the contenders come to the starting gate, let’s handicap the Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls while mindful that next year’s primary is largely about race and place — about racial and regional rivalries and balance....

Lt. Gov. Brown kicked off his bid for the top spot last week. He has a solid gold resume (Harvard twice over, Iraq war vet, state legislature, etc.) and he’s African-American (ok, Jamaican-American) in a state where blacks can be up to 35 percent of the primary vote.... Apparently Brown’s strategy is to build a leftist coalition of blacks, guilty white liberals and remnants of the O’Malley machine echoing both O’Malley and Obama....

Who will pay for all this? The rich (which in Maryland means incomes over $100,000). And who will benefit? All those lower-income minorities whose votes Brown covets? And just in case minority voters miss the racial pitch, Brown’s campaign colors are, you guessed it, brown. Brown says his campaign is “more about results than race,” but it’s really more about race than results....

More interesting than Lee's latest screed is that the response to his piece came from State Senators Rob Garagiola & Nancy King of Montgomery County (excerpt below):

SENATORS GARAGIOLA & KING:  We were very disturbed by Blair Lee’s recent column [“2014 is about race and place,” May 17] about Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown launching his campaign for governor. It’s clear that rather than attending, reading or watching the speech of Brown’s announcement, Mr. Lee presented his own distorted world view as fact and resorted to what is essentially race baiting....

Throughout his speech, Anthony Brown made it clear that he is running for governor because he will fight for families that are still struggling to recover from the Great Recession, he will fight for better opportunities for our children, and he will fight to help businesses succeed in every corner of Maryland so people who want good jobs can find them. These are areas where families of all races and incomes live, and Brown made it quite clear that he wants to represent all of them should he be elected governor.

Does this mean the pair of State Senators who drafted this letter will soon be joining the Brown-Ulman team?

JUICE #3: BETHESDA MAGAZINE PROFILES DEL. HEATHER MIZEUR // MORE TROUBLE FOR GANSLER? - While running mate gossip has been the big news with the Brown and Gansler campaigns, Del. Heather Mizeur has been diligently traveling the state on her quest to become Governor. Bethesda Magazine's Lou Peck recently interviewed her for her thoughts on the race (excerpt below):

BETHESDA MAGAZINE:  The odometer on Heather Mizeur’s Chevy Volt has racked up 15,000 miles since she purchased it last October. “Every evening, I’m in some different corner of the state, and Saturdays and Sundays are usually filled with three to five events in any one day,” the two-term Takoma Park delegate related in an interview this week....

While saying a “formal decision” won’t come until this summer, Mizeur is holding house parties across the state to introduce herself to voters, while working actively to raise funds for a gubernatorial run...

Mizeur touted the precedent-setting aspects of her candidacy as she expressed confidence in her ability to narrow this gap. “The energy that is behind a candidacy like mine and the interest in breaking a few historic barriers – I would be Maryland’s first woman governor and the nation’s first openly gay one – opens up an energized donor network that is interested in helping to move this campaign forward,” she said....

Gansler’s life could be further complicated if Mizeur ends up as the only credible contender in the contest besides himself and Brown....

JUICE #4: HOCO DEMOCRATS RALLYING AROUND KEN ULMAN - While the rival campaigns start ramping up, the Brown-Ulman campaign is moving quickly on setting up their team. Judging by a report in today's Maryland Reporter, it appears that high profile Howard County Democrats are rallying behind the Brown-Ulman ticket (excerpt below):

MARYLAND REPORTER: After they declared “Ken Ulman Day” in Howard County Thursday, the four Democrats on the five-member County Council unofficially declared Monday “Ken Ulman and a Secret Partner Day.” This was a joking reference to the not-so-secret announcement planned on Monday by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown that Howard County Executive Ulman would join his ticket as candidate for lieutenant governor in the 2014 gubernatorial race.

Howard County Democrats returning home from the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Clarksville Thursday night even found a robo-call from Brown on their answering machines inviting them to the announcement on Columbia’s lakefront Monday morning. There would be coffee and doughnuts along with a “a big campaign announcement” of his running mate, promised Brown, who formally declared his run for governor at a rally three weeks ago....

While Ulman himself still wasn’t disclosing his plans, McPherson referred to him as “lieutenant governor” and suggested he put an award he received on his desk on the second floor of the State House. “We’ve been hearing a lot about Ken Ulman,” [HoCo Democratic Party Chair Michael McPherson] said. “We look forward to hearing great thing about Ken for years to come....”

MUCH MORE ON MARYLAND GOVERNOR'S RACE SOON!

Del. Aisha Braveboy Announces Run for Maryland Attorney General // Four Candidates In 2014 Democratic Primary Race

I'm not sure how this slipped under my radar, but a Maryland Juice source pointed out that Delegate Aisha Braveboy announced a run for Attorney General almost two weeks ago! Our source attended a fundraiser for Braveboy and confirmed that she announced a 2014 Democratic Primary run at the January 3rd event. Delegate Jolene Ivey also Tweeted about the news from her Prince George's colleague:

Aisha Braveboy represents District 25 in Maryland's House of Delegates. Below you can read some bio information that appears on her campaign website:

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: