NEW DELEGATES: Who'll Fill Maryland's 2 Vacant House Seats? // The Replacements for Jim Proctor & Will Campos in 27A & 47B

By Matt Verghese

BACKGROUND: Maryland currently has two vacancies in the House of Delegates, due to the recent passing of Delegate Jim Proctor and the resignation of Delegate Will Campos for personal reasons. Both members of the General Assembly served as Democrats, and under Maryland law, the vacancies will be filled by a vote of the elected Democratic Central Committees representing the counties where the members previously served. The recommendations of these county Central Committees are then sent to the Governor for formal appointment.

Notably, Delegate Will Campos' District 47B is contained wholly within Prince George's County. As a result, the elected members of the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee get to make the recommendation for Campos' replacement. In contrast, Delegate Jim Proctor's District 27A is contained within both Prince George's County and Charles County. Correspondingly, both counties' Democratic Central Committees take independent votes on a replacement for Delegate Proctor. Though the appointment process is not yet complete in either legislative district, we have a very good sense of who will replace Delegates Jim Proctor and Will Campos:

• Likely Replacement in District 27A: Susie Proctor
• Likely Replacement in District 47B: Carlo Sanchez

DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEES CHOOSE SANCHEZ & PROCTOR - The Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee (PGCDCC) met on October 6th to nominate people to fill the Delegate vacancies in D27A and D47B.  Without any of the drama or backroom chaos that often accompanies these procedures (on both sides of the aisle), the PGCDCC unanimously recommended Susie Proctor and Carlo Sanchez to fill the vacancies for District 27A and 47B, respectively. These names are submitted to Governor Larry Hogan, who has fifteen days to make the appointment.

For Mr. Sanchez, the process effectively concluded last night since District 47B is completely within Prince George's County, but Proctor's District 27A also includes portions of Charles County - so that Central Committee must weigh in as well for the second vacant seat. Article III, Section 13 (b) (3) states (excerpt below, emphasis mine):

If the vacancy occurs in a district which has boundaries comprising a portion or all of two or more counties, the Central Committee of each county involved shall have one vote for submitting the name of a resident of the district; and if there is a tie vote between or among the Central Committees, the list of names there proposed shall be submitted to the Governor, and he shall make the appointment from the list

Earlier this evening, the Charles County Democratic Central Committee joined their Prince George's counterparts in recommending Susie Proctor for the D27A vacancy by a vote of 14-1. Proctor faced competition from Charles County Orphans Court Judge Darlene Breck, and activist and former Commissioner-candidate Jim Easter.

MD'S UNIQUE PROCESS FOR FILLING STATE LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES - Maryland is one of 25 states that fill legislative vacancies through an appointment process, while the other 25 (including Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia) have special elections. While the Governor makes the formal appointment, the Maryland Constitution stipulates that the appointee must of be of the same political party as the person they succeed and carves out a role for the local Central Committee. Article III, Section 13 (a) (1) lays it out (excerpt below, emphasis mine):

In case of death, disqualification, resignation, refusal to act, expulsion, or removal from the county or city for which he shall have been elected, of any person who shall have been chosen as a Delegate or Senator, or in case of a tie between two or more such qualified persons, the Governor shall appoint a person to fill such vacancy from a person whose name shall be submitted to him in writing, within thirty days after the occurrence of the vacancy, by the Central Committee of the political party, if any, with which the Delegate or Senator, so vacating, had been affiliated, at the time of the last election or appointment of the vacating Senator or Delegate, in the County or District from which he or she was appointed or elected, provided that the appointee shall be of the same political party, if any, as was that of the Delegate or Senator, whose office is to be filled, at the time of the last election or appointment of the vacating Delegate or Senator, and it shall be the duty of the Governor to make said appointment within fifteen days after the submission thereof to him.

Carlo Sanchez

WHO IS CARLO SANCHEZ? - Carlo Sanchez's name was mentioned immediately following Del. Campos' resignation. He's a lifelong resident of House of Delegates District 47B, and is currently President of the Carole Highlands Civic Association. While the Prince George's Central Committee is his first elected position (he is the body's Secretary), Carlo has been active in local campaigns including managing Wanda Shelton Martin's unsuccessful bid for Delegate in the 47th in 2010. Carlo currently works as Public Safety Training Officer at Montgomery College.

Mr. Sanchez received the backing of Senator Ramirez and the 47th Delegation, and surprisingly no one else threw their hat in the ring. Other names that were floated include Dinora Hernandez who sits on the Price George's County Board of Education, and former Jolene Ivey-aide Wanika Fisher. Carlo's appointment would keep the number of Latino state legislators at 6. Maryland is home to more than 500,000 Hispanic residents. District 47B is the state's first Hispanic-majority district.

Susie Proctor

WHO IS SUSIE PROCTOR? - Susie Proctor is widely assumed to be the choice to complete her husband's term in the House of Delegates. The support of Senate President Mike Miller, who represents District 27, likely sealed the deal . Susie is a former educator, having worked for Prince George's County Public Schools for 30 years. She has not run for elected office before, but is the Vice Chairman of the Prince George's Community College Board of Trustees and Chair of the County Tax Assessment Appeal Board.

Widow/widower succession is not a new concept nationally or locally. Maryland examples includes former Congresswoman Beverly Byron, former Delegate Mary Conroy and former Montgomery County Councilmember Don Praisner.

JUICE: Sparks in Governor's Race, Candidate Updates in D15, D16, D19, D23B & MoCo 3, MoCo Exec Debate WED & More!

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

JUICE #1: PRINCE GEORGE'S LAWMAKERS ISSUE LETTER CONDEMNING DOUG GANSLER'S REMARKS ABOUT THEIR COUNTY - Yesterday a wide range of Prince George's County elected officials signed onto a letter condemning remarks from Attorney General Doug Gansler about their county. Gansler's remarks were covered in a Washington Post article about his new campaign office in Prince George's (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: In an attempted show of strength on his rival’s home turf, Maryland gubernatorial hopeful Douglas F. Gansler opened a campaign office Saturday in Prince George’s County and argued that his ticket is more committed to the jurisdiction’s vast economic development and educational needs than Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown....

Gansler, a former Montgomery County state’s attorney, also unveiled a list Saturday of 34 current and former municipal officials from Prince George’s who are backing his campaign — including eight officeholders whose names had previously appeared on lists of endorsements released by Brown.

By Sunday morning, The Washington Post was able to independently verify that two of the eight had switched allegiances from Brown to Gansler. One of the eight, however, said he is still backing Brown, and another name was removed from Gansler’s list after his campaign said that it had appeared by mistake....

“He’s not from Prince George’s County. . . . He’s from Long Island,” Gansler said at one point, referring to Brown’s birthplace of Huntington, N.Y....

Gansler also said that Prince George’s has not seen the kind of economic development the county deserves. “When people get up in front of you and say, ‘We have one Maryland,’ we do on a map,” Gansler said. “But we have two Marylands: There are those who have it and those who don’t....”

Prince George's officials ranging from U.S. House members Donna Edwards and Steny Hoyer to State Senate President Mike Miller released the following letter in response to Gansler's remarks:

Letter from Prince George's Lawmakers to Doug Gansler

JUICE #2: MIZEUR CALLS ON GANSLER & BROWN TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION  //  PLUS: BROWN RESPONDS W/ LETTER - Delegate Heather Mizeur took an early stand on marijuana reform by being the only gubernatorial candidate to come out for legalization, while also co-sponsoring legislation to decriminalize pot. This week she followed up on her stance by calling on Doug Gansler and Anthony Brown to testify in support of the decriminalization bill. Both Brown and Gansler recently confirmed support for removing jail time as a penalty for pot possession, and Mizeur asked both candidates to do more in the following press release (excerpt below):

PRESS RELEASE

Mizeur Calls On Brown, Gansler to Testify For Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

SILVER SPRING, Maryland—This morning, Delegate Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery), candidate for governor, invited Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown and Attorney General Doug Gansler through her legislative office to join her in testifying on behalf of the Maryland Marijuana Decriminalization Act (HB0879).

The bill, if passed, would replace criminal penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana with a civil fine of $100. For individuals under 21, criminal penalties would be replaced with drug education classes and would also include parental notification requirements for those under 18. Mizeur introduced the bipartisan bill last week with Delegate Michael Smigiel (R-Cecil County) as the lead Republican co-sponsor.

The bill has 40 co-sponsors, including Gansler’s running mate, Delegate Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George’s), House Majority Leader Kumar Barve (D-Montgomery) and two committee chairs: Delegate Sheila Hixson (D-Montgomery) and Delegate Maggie McIntosh (D-Baltimore).

After hesitating to endorse decriminalization earlier in the campaign, both the Brown and Gansler campaigns have since come out publicly in favor of the reform. Brown expressed his strong support for decriminalization at a Baltimore Sun “Newsmaker Forum” last month. Ivey has made her ticket’s support public over Twitter and at last week’s BEST Democratic Club lieutenant governor candidate roundtable....

Anthony Brown' campaign responded with the following letter to Mizeur:

ANTHONY BROWN: Dear Delegate Mizeur: Over the past several years, in our state and throughout our country, there has been a serious discussion about marijuana and its impact on our society. Here in Maryland, a number of dedicated public servants, like Senator Zirkin and Delegate Anderson have proposed legislation decriminalizing marijuana. Last year, legislation was sponsored, and passed, by Delegate Clippinger and Senator Raskin which reduces the sentences for those caught with small amounts of marijuana.

As they are currently constructed and enforced, our state’s marijuana laws are costly, ineffective, and racially biased. In 2010, African Americans in Maryland were almost 3 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than their white counterparts, and black Marylanders represent almost 58 percent of all marijuana possession arrests, but only 30 percent of the population. This is despite the fact that both groups have nearly identical marijuana usage rates. An arrest for possession has an incredibly negative impact on that person’s life, often creating problems finding employment or even a place to live.

Equally distressing is how ineffective and costly our marijuana laws are: just four years ago, our state spent over $55.3 million in enforcement of this law on police costs alone. These are resources that could have been better spent fighting violent crime throughout our state, or on substance abuse treatment that could help end the cycle of use and dependency. I support the decriminalization of marijuana because I believe in strong communities where safety – and not just the appearance of being tough on crime – comes first....

JUICE #3: MOCO EXEC CANDIDATES DEBATE ON TOMORROW (WED) // TEACHERS  HOSTING EDUCATION FORUM W/ LEGGETT, DUNCAN & ANDREWS - Tomorrow MCEA (the union representing MoCo teachers) is holding a schools debate with Democratic MoCo Exec candidates Ike Leggett, Doug Duncan and Republican candidate Jim Shalleck (details below):

MCEA Montgomery County Executive Forum
Wednesday February 12, 2014 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD
RSVP: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CountyExecForum

MCEA Event: Montgomery County Executive Candidates Debate

JUICE #4: THE MARYLAND POLITICS WATCH BLOG IS BACK - Maryland Juice considers our blog a later iteration of the news model developed by the Maryland Politics Watch blog (aka MPW). Indeed, MPW ceased operations sometime after the 2010 election cycle, but now the site's owner David Lublin has relaunched Maryland Politics Watch:

DAVID LUBLIN (VIA MARYLAND POLITICS WATCH): After a long hiatus, I've decided to start blogging again. I'm hoping to move to a new platform and URL so watch this spot to follow Maryland Politics Watch. For now, I'm not going to publish comments because I just don't have the time or desire to moderate them. Enjoy!

JUICE #5: CANDIDATES ANNOUNCE // THEA WILSON VS. DEL. VALLARIO IN D23B, BENNETT RUSHKOFF VS. DAVID FRASER-HIDALGO IN D15, CHARLOTTE CRUTCHFIELD VS. MARICE MORALES IN D19, TOM MOORE FOR MOCO COUNCIL - Maryland Juice has received a number of alerts from candidates announcing for various positions. Below you can see a quick round-up of the events.

DISTRICT 23B: This Sunday, Thea Wilson is announcing a campaign for District 23B Delegate. Notably, D23B is a new legislative district that has been re-drawn in a way that may make incumbent Delegate Joe Vallario vulnerable in his re-election bid:

DISTRICT 15: Delegate Brian Feldman recently vacated his District 15 seat to be appointed to Rob Garagiola's State Senate seat. In turn, David Fraser-Hidalgo was appointed to Feldman's vacant D15 seat. But now progressive attorney Bennett Rushkoff has announced a campaign for District 15 Delegate, and some interesting officials attended his campaign kickoff this weekend. In the photo and press release excerpt below, Rushkoff announced that his event was attended by D15 Delegates Kathleen Dumais and Aruna Miller (current colleagues of David Fraser-Hidalgo):

PRESS RELEASE

Over 100 People Pack Bennett Rushkoff’s State Delegate Campaign Kickoff
District 15 Delegates Dumais and Miller Attend

North Potomac, Maryland  – Over 100 people, including District 15 Delegates Kathleen Dumais and Aruna Miller, packed into Nantucket’s Reef in North Potomac for Bennett Rushkoff’s State Delegate campaign kickoff on Saturday, February 8.

After being introduced by Ron Weich, Dean of the University of Baltimore Law School and a Yale Law School classmate of Rushkoff’s, as well as Antonio Carrillo, a public school science teacher and local community activist, Rushkoff described why he was running for office.  He spoke about his many years fighting for justice as a consumer protection attorney and how he plans to pursue justice in the General Assembly, advocating in the areas of education, health care, and the environment on behalf of all Marylanders.  Rushkoff said that his commitment to protecting the environment comes from his belief that we “borrow our planet from our children.”

Following the kickoff, Rushkoff commented on the packed house at Nantucket’s Reef: “I am inspired by all the people who came out today to hear about our campaign for justice.  It is clear that the residents of District 15 want a Delegate who will fight for our shared values.”

Rushkoff has assembled a professional campaign team, hiring the consulting firm Feldman Strategies and bringing on former Obama campaign staffer Britney Mumford....

DISTRICT 19: This week MCDCC member Charlotte Crutchfield announced a campaign for District 19 Delegate, where incumbent Sam Arora recently announced his retirement. Crutchfield will be joining Marice Morales (an aide to Sen. Roger Manno) in seeking the open seat. Check out this excerpt from Crutchfield's announcement press release below:

PRESS RELEASE

Longtime County Activist Charlotte Crutchfield Announces Candidacy

Bringing Communities Together Through Energy and Experience

February 9, 2014 (Silver Spring, MD)—Longtime Montgomery County activist Charlotte Crutchfield formally announced today that she has filed as a candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 19. She will be running in the Democratic primary on June 24, 2014.

“After many years working in the community with and for the wonderful people of District 19, I am ready to serve as an effective advocate in the General Assembly,” Crutchfield said.

Seeking to fill the vacant seat with Delegate Arora’s retirement, Ms. Crutchfield’s election will be historic, as she will be the first African American woman from Montgomery County to be elected to the State legislature.

Ms. Crutchfield's focus is Community First. Her top three campaign issues will be education, the economy, and equality. “A community is strongest when its citizens are well-educated, economically prosperous, and are treated equally. A livable minimum wage benefits workers, unions and businesses alike, and bolsters the economy. And, when every member of the community knows that their life, lifestyle and life-choices are valued regardless of sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or identity we, indeed, become a community," she said.

Charlotte Crutchfield was elected to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) in 2010, serving as Liaison for District 19, and as a member of the Rules Committee, Voter Protection Committee, Ballot Question Review Committee and Strategic Planning Committee....

MOCO COUNCIL 3: Rockville City Councilmember Tom Moore announced a February 17th kickoff for his campaign for County Council District 3. The incumbent Phil Andrews is running for County Executive, and so far Gaithersburg Mayor Sid Katz, Gaithersburg Councilmember Ryan Spiegel, and activist Guled Kassim have announced in the race. Moore's announcement is below:

Greetings, Juice!

Please join Tom Moore, his wife Amy, his kids, and many of Tom's friends and supporters next Monday as we kick off his campaign for County Council with good cheer and good food.

Come hear why Tom is running, and how he will represent Rockville and Gaithersburg on the County Council!

We have four short months until the June 24 Democratic primary, and Tom's in a red-hot race. Let's get this campaign off to a roaring start!

When: Monday, Feb. 17, from 3-5 p.m. (Presidents' Day!)
Where: American Tap Room in Rockville Town Square   
Please feel free to bring as many people as you like. Kids are more than welcome to attend.

Click here to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YrGoQUTRRfZ529Z9q6owR5ePPBhYayZ2QzA-xHgGBfc/viewform

See you there!

Max van Balgooy
Campaign Chair, Friends of Tom Moore

JUICE #6: KYLE LIERMAN WEIGHING RUN FOR D16 SENATE OR DELEGATE AS FIELD THINS // PLUS: MOCO BOE MEMBER SMONDROWSKI FOR D17 SENATE? - Bethesda Magazine's Lou Peck highlighted some possible last-minute candidate filings as we head closer to the February 25th deadline for candidates to put their names on the June Primary Election ballot. The race for two open Delegate seats in District 16 may lose some candidates and gain others, while candidates are still eyeing the open Senate seat primaries in Districts 16 and 17 (excerpt below):

BETHESDA MAGAZINE: Local real estate agent Ted Duncan, who had formed a campaign committee and was ready to run as recently as mid-January, has pulled out of the contest.... Veteran political operative Kevin Walling, who announced his candidacy last summer, appears ready to drop out and instead run for a seat on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee.... White House aide Kyle Lierman, who finished second in an 11-person race for an open seat in 2010, is said by sources to be continuing to consider another run for delegate or a run against Delegate Susan Lee for the seat being vacated by Sen. Brian Frosh.

Rebecca Smondrowski confirmed she is still mulling a run to succeed state Sen. Jennie Forehand, who is retiring after 20 years in the seat.... Smondrowski, a former General Assembly aide who was elected to the school board in 2012, acknowledged that “I’ll likely be staying where I am,” But she added of a possible Senate run: “I’m very torn. I really love what I’m doing, [but] I’m feeling like this might be once in a lifetime opportunity…My guess is that I’ll be considering it until pretty much close to the deadline....”

JUICE #7: MOCO POISED TO APPROVE PUBLIC FINANCING FOR COUNTY ELECTIONS // PLUS: CONGRESSMAN SARBANES & NANCY PELOSI INTRODUCE CLEAN ELECTIONS BILLS FOR FEDS - All members of the Montgomery County Council have signed on to legislation sponsored by Councilmember Phil Andrews to take advantage of new state law allowing municipalities to enact public financing systems for local elections. Indeed, MoCo Councilmembers seek to make the county the first in Maryland to create a "clean elections" fund and reduce the impact of special interests in elections. This effort seems likely to pass.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jon Sarbanes is sponsoring legislation to create a similar program at the federal level. Sarbanes co-signed an op-ed with U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi about their new legislation, and Governor O'Malley and former MoCo Councilmember Valerie Ervin (now with the Center for Working Families) issued a press release about the effort. You can see excerpts from both items below:

NANCY PELOSI & JOHN SARBANES (VIA WASHINGTON POST): Americans have seen it on their televisions and heard it on their radios: political ads backed by unnamed sources; the work of so-called advocacy groups backed by undisclosed donors; damaging policy agendas orchestrated by special interests; endless money muddying the waters of our debate with confusion and voter suppression.... Indeed, Citizens United shook the foundation of our democracy: the principle that, in the United States of America, it is the voices of the people, not the bank accounts of the privileged few, that determine the outcome of our elections and the policies of our government....

Those of us inside and outside the Capitol who support this kind of major change are rallying around H.R. 20, the Government by the People Act, which is to be introduced Wednesday. This sensible, straightforward legislation would:

• Encourage the participation of everyday Americans in the funding of campaigns by providing a refundable $25 My Voice Tax Credit. This would bring the voices of the broader public into the funding side of campaigns and democratize the relationship between money and speech.

• Establish a Freedom From Influence Matching Fund to boost the power of small-dollar contributions. To be eligible for these matching funds, a candidate would have to agree to a limit on large donations and demonstrate broad-based support from a network of small-dollar contributors. Amplified by the Freedom From Influence Matching Fund, the voices of everyday Americans would be as powerful as those of big donors.

• Provide candidates with an opportunity to earn additional resources in the homestretch of a campaign so that the voices of the people are not completely drowned out by super political action committees and other dark-money interests. In the wake of Citizens United, this kind of support is critical to ensuring that citizen-backed candidates have staying power.

Here's the press release from the Center for Working Families about the new Pelosi-Sarbanes public financing bill:

PRESS RELEASE

Gov. O'Malley, Valerie Ervin Laud New Sarbanes Bill to Take on Money in Politics

Today, Gov. Martin O'Malley and Center Working Families Executive Director Valerie Ervin lauded a new bill meant to take on the role of big money in politics and raise the voices of everyday people in the political process

H.R. 20, The Government by the People Act, was introduced today by Rep. John Sarbanes, and has more than 100 original co-sponsors.

"We need more action and smarter solutions to improve our nation's campaign finance system and I commend Congressmen John Sarbanes and Chris Van Hollen for their leadership on this important issue," said Governor Martin O’Malley. "Elections are the foundation of a successful democracy and these ideas will put us one step closer toward a better, more representative system that reflects the American values we share.”

"The Citizens United decision has given wealthy interests a megaphone so big it drowns out the rest of our voices," said Valerie Ervin, Executive Director of the Center for Working Families. "I am proud to stand in support of more than 100 members of Congress today who want to put the voters back in charge. Democracy shouldn't be for sale at any price."

The Government by the People Act would change the way our elections are financed through a combination of small donors, matching funds, and a “My Voice” tax credit.  Instead of relying on Wall Street executives or lobbyists, participating candidates would rely on the ones the founding fathers intended them to represent: we the people.

How the bill works:

People would be encouraged to give small contributions through two parts of the proposal: first, contributions of $1 to $150 would be amplified on a six-to-one basis by a newly-created “Freedom from Influence Fund.” Large contributions would not qualify.
The first $25 contributed by individuals would qualify for a “My Voice” refundable tax credit.
Each candidate’s money from the new fund -- which would be financed by closing corporate tax loopholes -- would be capped, and there would be strict enforcement of campaign finance laws, including disclosure of all donations.

Learn more about the Government by the People Act at: www.ofby.us

###

JUICE #8: STATE SENATOR LISA GLADDEN WITHDRAWS BILL TO TACKLE DEL. JON CARDIN'S HELICOPTER STUNT - The Daily Record recently reported that State Senator Lisa Gladden withdrew a bill designed to combat misuse of police equipment. The bill was apparently aimed at a scandal involving Delegate Jon Cardin, who is locked in a battle for Attorney General against Gladden's Senate colleague Brian Frosh (excerpt below):

DAILY RECORD: A bill that would have established reimbursement requirements and perhaps set other penalties for elected officials who misuse police equipment has been pulled by the sponsor because of election year concerns. Sen. Lisa A. Gladden, D-Baltimore, introduced the bill last week but quickly pulled it at the request of her committee chairman, Sen. Brian E. Frosh, D-Montgomery.

“It will not be considered for this year because of the election,” said Gladden, who is vice chairwoman of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. “It will be back next year because I like the bill and I think it’s a good idea....” The bill imposes a $15,000 fine for an elected official found guilty of misusing police resources and requires the official to reimburse the agency for the use of the equipment and officers.... When asked if the bill was specifically related to the Baltimore County Democrat, Gladden responded: “Of course we’re talking about Jon Cardin.”

The Associated Press reported on the context for the bill in 2009 (excerpt below):

ASSOCIATED PRESS (VIA HUFFINGTON POST): A Maryland lawmaker has apologized for using a police boat and helicopter to create a diversion so he could surprise his girlfriend with a marriage proposal.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld told reporters Tuesday that Delegate Jon Cardin also offered to pay expenses from the incident. The department is investigating. Officials don't know yet how much Cardin's proposal cost the department....

JUICE #9: TWO-TIME DUI CONVICT DEL. DON DWYER INTRODUCES BILLS REQUIRING JAIL & SUSPENSION FOR LAWMAKERS JAILED FOR DUI - If you haven't already heard, Delegate Don Dwyer was back in the news again. The Tea Party lawmaker has been in and out of the news in recent cycles, due to back-to-back drunk driving incidents. The first incident was a drunken boat crash that injured several children, while the second was a DUI conviction for dangerous driving. But now Dwyer has introduced two bills to create mandatory expulsion and jail-time for lawmakers involved in DUI's:

• BILL #1 - HB733: For the purpose of requiring that certain State officials who are convicted of certain alcohol–related driving offenses be subject to a certain mandatory minimum sentence; defining a certain term; and generally relating to a mandatory minimum sentence for a State official who is convicted of certain alcohol–related driving offenses.

• BILL #2 - HB734:  For the purpose of requiring that a member of the General Assembly who is found guilty of any crime for which the member is sentenced to serve a period of incarceration in any penal institution during the member’s term of office be suspended and, under certain circumstances, removed from office by operation of law; requiring that a member of the General Assembly who enters a certain plea relating to any crime for which the member is sentenced to serve a period of incarceration in any penal institution during the member’s term of office be removed from office by operation of law; and submitting this amendment to the qualified voters of the State for their adoption or rejection. 

JUICE #10: ANTHONY BROWN SLAMS DOUG GANSLER CORPORATE TAX CUT PROPOSAL - Attorney General Doug Gansler has voiced support for linking a corporate tax cut to a minimum wage increase in Maryland. Last week Lt. Governor Anthony Brown issued a press release calling Gansler's stance a Republican position (excerpt below):

PRESS RELEASE

Doug Gansler’s $1.6 billion corporate tax giveaway to be debated in Senate at 1 p.m. in Annapolis today

Will Gansler join with Republicans by testifying and explaining which programs he'll slash or schools he'll close to pay for this reckless corporate tax handout?

UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Throughout his campaign for governor, Doug Gansler has frequently and enthusiastically embraced the Republican proposal to slash Maryland’s corporate tax rate from 8.25% to 6%. Just like Annapolis Republicans, Gansler has yet to explain how he’ll pay for this corporate giveaway, which would cost Marylanders more than $1.6 billion in revenue over the next five years. The Washington Post even called Gansler’s unfunded giveaway part of a “package of panders” to Maryland voters.

Today at 1 p.m. in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Republicans will push for passage of Doug Gansler’s $1.6 million corporate tax handout – the only question is, will Doug Gansler finally stand with them and explain how he’ll pay for it?

“Doug Gansler has been in lockstep with Republicans who want a $1.6 billion corporate tax handout that would defund our schools and put the brakes on several job-creating infrastructure projects,” said Brown-Ulman campaign manager Justin Schall. “If Gansler wants to recklessly create a $1.6 billion hole in revenues, he should come clean and explain which programs he’ll slash or which schools he’ll close to balance the budget. Marylanders deserve to hear Doug Gansler and the Republicans explain why a corporate tax giveaway is a better idea than investing in our schools.”

JUICE: Miller for Pot, Sierra Club for Frosh, Ulman for NSA, LCV Endorses, Wage Hike Roll Call, Ervin Contenders & MORE!

PLUS: Battles in D17, D22 & D26, Roscoe Bartlett Update, Paid Paternal Leave and the Nutcracker

Below Maryland Juice provides an extensive round-up of news bits of interest to politicos:

JUICE #1: SENATE PRESIDENT MIKE MILLER ENDORSES MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IN MARYLAND  - The Washington Post reported this week that Senate President Mike Miller has endorsed marijuana legalization in Maryland. Indeed, after helping clear the way for marriage equality and death penalty repeal (positions he disagrees with), it seems clear that Miller tries to keep an accurate gauge of Democratic policy trajectories on hot-button issues (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: The move to legalize marijuana in Maryland has a powerful ally: Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Miller (D-Calvert), who has presided over his chamber for more than a quarter century, said in an interview Friday that he would support legislation allowing the regulated sale of marijuana, similar to what is now taking place in Colorado.

“I favor the legalization and taxation of marijuana, with restrictions,” Miller said, adding that he thinks his position will only grow in popularity in coming years. “I know where people are going to be a generation or two from now....”

While he said a legalization bill would stand a good chance in the Senate, he thinks the odds are much longer in the House and said that Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) — who rose to prominence as a tough-on-crime mayor of Baltimore — is “always slow on issues like this....”

In a separate interview later Friday, House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said he believes the state should wait to see how things play out in Colorado before seriously considering expanding the legal availability of marijuana in Maryland....

JUICE #2: SENATOR BRIAN FROSH RECEIVES ENDORSEMENTS FROM SIERRA CLUB & FORMER GOV. HARRY HUGHES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL - This month, State Senator Brian Frosh of Montgomery County received endorsements from the Sierra Club and former Governor Harry Hughes in his quest to replace Doug Gansler as Attorney General. The Sierra Club provided the following endorsement statement:

SIERRA CLUB: Today the Sierra Club's Maryland Chapter bestowed upon Senator Brian Frosh its endorsement for Attorney General of Maryland. “Brian Frosh has been an environmental champion in the state legislature for as long as he has served and we are proud to endorse him,” said Betsy Johnson, Political Chair of the Maryland Chapter. Frosh, Senator from Montgomery County’s District 16, has authored such laws as the Maryland Recycling Act, the ban on drilling for oil or gas in the Chesapeake Bay, and the Maryland Brownfields Redevelopment Act, as well as numerous energy conservation laws, Clean Cars legislation and more. He is well respected on both sides of the aisle because he knows how to build bipartisan support without damaging relationships or subverting his own passion for environmental protection. “These are the qualities that will help make him an outstanding Attorney General,” Johnson said. “We look forward to a fruitful relationship with our next Attorney General, Brian Frosh.”

Meanwhile, The Star Democrat reported on Frosh's endorsement by Gov. Harry Hughes (excerpt below):

STAR DEMOCRAT: Former Maryland governor and Caroline County resident Harry R. Hughes last week announced his support ofstate Sen. Brian Frosh’s run for attorney general. “He’s a good public servant. He has been one for several years and he has the right sense of values,” Hughes said. Hughes, a Democrat, was Maryland’s governor from 1979 to 1987....

Senate President Mike Miller had some very candid commentary about the Attorney General race in remarks he provided The Washington Post this week (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert), who is supporting Frosh for attorney general, said he expects few of Cardin’s bills to become law.

“Jon has never had any real success getting bills passed before,” Miller said. “I don’t know why it would be different this session. … He comes from a nice family, but the blood has obviously gotten weaker along the way.”

Andrew Carton, Cardin’s campaign manager, said “such comments are to be expected when you are willing to challenge the Annapolis political establishment. While parents, community leaders and law-enforcement officers from across the state have embraced Jon’s legislative agenda of new and innovative ideas … there will always be some longtime Annapolis politicians who just don’t deal very well with change....”

JUICE #3: HOWARD COUNTY RECEIVES MONEY TO ENABLE THE NSA'S MASS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM - The Washington Post reported this week that Howard County Executive Ken Ulman has brokered a deal to facilitate the NSA's potentially unconstitutional mass surveillance program, in exchange for $2 million a year for the HoCo government (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: Howard County, Md., has agreed to supply treated wastewater to cool a computer center being built at Fort Meade by the National Security Agency.... The NSA is footing the cost of building a pump station, estimated at $40 million, and will pay the county as much as $2 million a year for treated water....

“There are so many benefits to this project,” Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said. But NSA critics see an opportunity to disrupt the agency’s controversial surveillance activities. A coalition of rights groups has targeted similar deals elsewhere — notably in Utah, where the NSA recently completed a $1.5 billion data center — lobbying state lawmakers to make it illegal for local governments to supply water and other utilities to the agency.

“Maryland is one of the most crucial states in this national campaign,” said Shahid Buttar, executive director of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee in Washington. “Because Congress has been so abysmally dysfunctional and inactive in the oversight arena for the last 10 years, the municipal checks and balances are really all that we the people have had an opportunity to exercise....”

A federal judge recently declared the telephone program “almost Orwellian” and probably unconstitutional. A second federal judge later ruled that it was legal and a valuable part of the nation’s anti-terrorism efforts. Separately, a task force urged President Obama to end the operation, to reform a secret surveillance court and to impose limits on the surveillance of close allies....

“This is a great democracy,” [Ken Ulman] said. “People have the right to let their thoughts be heard, to protest. . . . But at the end of the day, we have major defense installations throughout this country that are woven into our economies, our communities, and they need the infrastructure to perform their mission....”

Indeed, it appears that war, arms dealing and mass surveillance of innocent Americans are now considered jobs programs by Maryland Democrats. You can add the enabling of NSA surveillance to other advocacy for the military industrial complex by area Democrats in recent months. These have included MoCo taxpayer giveaways to Lockheed Martin, low interest taxpayer loans to Bechtel, efforts to pass Internet surveillance legislation like CISPA, billions of taxpayer dollars spent to subsidize the boondoggle F35 fighter jet program, taxpayer bailouts of Lockheed Martin employee pensions, and perhaps most telling, a successful lobbying effort by high-profile Maryland Democrats to kill a purely symbolic anti-war resolution in Montgomery County. Yes folks, perpetuating war, dealing arms around the world, and engaging in mass surveillance of citizens are now jobs issues for Maryland Democrats. Luckily, the NSA's unconstitutional shenanigans may well end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, given recent Federal District Court rulings that are divided on the issue. UPDATE: In contrast to HoCo, California lawmakers have introduced a bill to cut NSA's utilities, ban research at state schools and impose sanctions on contractors. Believe it or not, enabling the NSA's sketchy mass surveillance of innocent Americans does not have to be seen as a given.


JUICE #4: LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS RELEASES INCUMBENT ENDORSEMENTS FOR MD LAWMAKERS - Maryland's League of Conservation Voters released its first round of incumbent endorsements for environmental lawmakers. See an excerpt from their press release below:

PRESS RELEASE

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Announces Early Endorsements for
Maryland Senators and Delegates

Candidates Have Proven Conservation Records and Demonstrated Leadership

(Annapolis, MD) Today the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) released its first round of endorsed candidates for Senate and the House of Delegates in the 2014 state primary elections. The organization said the 8 Senate and 28 House candidates have all demonstrated pro-conservation records, leadership on environmental issues, and an open-door policy when it comes to working with the environmental community.

“These candidates have consistently prioritized the environment - and their legislative track records reflect that,” said Karla Raettig, Executive Director of Maryland LCV....

Maryland LCV’s endorsement process is based on proven leadership on the environment for incumbents and a thorough evaluation of new candidate’s background and commitment to the environment....

###

Maryland League of Conservation Voters
2014 Endorsements – January 7, 2014

District	Name, Office
10	Adrienne Jones, House
11	Dan Morhaim, House
11	Dana Stein, House
13	Shane Pendergrass, House
13	Frank Turner, House
14	Karen Montgomery, Senate
14	Anne Kaiser, House
14	Craig Zucker, House
15	Kathleen Dumais, House
16	Ariana Kelly, House
17	Jim Gilchrist, House
18	Richard Madaleno, Senate
19	Roger Manno, Senate
19	Bonnie Cullison, House
20	Jamie Raskin, Senate
20	Tom Hucker, House
21	Jim Rosapepe, Senate
21	Ben Barnes, House
21	Barbara Frush, House
21	Joseline Peña-Melnyk, House
22	Paul Pinsky, Senate
22	Anne Healey, House
22	Tawanna Gaines, House
24	Carolyn Howard, House
28	Peter Murphy, House
30	Speaker Michael Busch, House
39	Shane Robinson, House
39	Kirill Reznik, House
40	Barbara Robinson, House
42A	Stephen Lafferty, House
43	Maggie McIntosh, House
43	Mary Washington, House
44A	Keiffer Mitchell, House
46	William Ferguson, Senate
46	Luke Clippinger, House
47	Victor Ramirez, Senate

JUICE #5: ADVOCATES RELEASE LIST OF MOCO ENDORSERS OF AN INDEXED $10.10 MINIMUM WAGE - The minimum wage hike advocates at Raise Maryland and Jews for Justice released a list of state lawmakers from Montgomery County who have endorsed their proposal for an indexed minimum wage rate of $10.10 an hour. All but three MoCo lawmakers have signed onto the proposal, though it is not necessarily clear whether the three missing names are opposing the $10.10 minimum wage or have simply not yet responded to the inquiry. The three MoCo officials who haven't yet endorsed the Raise Maryland proposal are Delegates Kumar Barve, Kathleen Dumais and Sam Arora. You can see further information in an excerpt from the Raise Maryland press release below:

PRESS RELEASE

Montgomery County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly announces support for raising the state’s minimum wage during upcoming legislative session

County delegation chairs releases list of elected supporters of higher pay for Maryland workers

KENSINGTON, MD – Calling passing a higher minimum wage a highest priority for the upcoming Maryland General Assembly, the Montgomery County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly detailed its support for raising the state’s minimum wage during a press conference today in Kensington, Md.

All eight of the county’s senators and a majority of the delegates have signed onto a letter of support circulated by Raise Maryland in support of a higher wage (see list below). Signatories call for legislation to raise the state’s lowest wage that includes three key provisions:

• Raise Maryland’s minimum wage in three steps to $10.10 by 2016;
• Index the minimum wage to the cost of living thereafter so that it doesn’t lose value over time; and
• Increase the minimum wage for tipped workers from the current 50 percent to 70 percent of the prevailing minimum wage....

###

Chamber	District	Elected Official	Signed on to letter
House	18	Ana Sol Gutierrez	Yes
House	39	Kirill Reznik	Yes
House	16	C. William 'Bill' Frick	Yes
House	18	Jeffrey D. 'Jeff' Waldstreicher	Yes
House	39	A. Shane Robinson	Yes
House	14	Anne R. Kaiser	Yes
House	14	Eric G. Luedtke	Yes
House	15	Aruna Miller	Yes
House	19	Bonnie L. Cullison	Yes
House	14	Craig J. Zucker	Yes
House	17	Luiz R. S. Simmons	Yes
House	20	Sheila Ellis Hixson	Yes
House	20	Tom Hucker	Yes
House	16	Ariana B. Kelly	Yes
House	16	Susan C. Lee	Yes
House	18	Alfred Clinton 'Al' Carr Jr.	Yes
House	15	David Fraser-Hidalgo	Yes
House	19	Benjamin F. Kramer	Yes
Senate	15	Brian J. Feldman	Yes
Senate	16	Brian E. Frosh	Yes
Senate	17	Jennie M. Forehand	Yes
Senate	18	Richard S. Madaleno Jr.	Yes
Senate	20	Jamie Raskin	Yes
Senate	19	Roger Manno	Yes
Senate	39	Nancy J. King	Yes
Senate	14	Karen S. Montgomery	Yes
House	20	Heather R. Mizeur	Yes
House	17	James W. 'Jim' Gilchrist	2013 co-sponsor
House	39	Charles E. Barkley	2013 co-sponsor
House	17	Kumar P. Barve
House	15	Kathleen M. Dumais
House	19	Sam Arora

Meanwhile, Politico released an article this week calling a $10.10 minimum wage the centerpiece of the Democrats' election platform this year and detailing the roots of the movement in Baltimore (excerpt below):

POLITICO: ...the Obama administration plans to make raising the federal minimum wage, from its current $7.25 an hour to $10.10, a centerpiece of Democrats’ 2014 midterm election efforts.... Barack Obama’s sudden embrace of a minimum wage boost is very likely a shrewd political move. To start, it has the potential to make life difficult for Republican politicians, who will have to decide whether to oppose a minimum wage hike, angering the 64 percent of independents and 57 percent of Republicans who according to a recent poll support it, or get behind it themselves and anger their backers in the business community who overwhelmingly oppose it....

The living wage movement began in the early 1990s, when pastors in Baltimore started to notice something curious happening. An increasing number of the people showing up for food or lodging at the city’s church-affiliated soup kitchens and homeless shelters had full-time jobs; they just weren’t making enough money from them to provide for themselves or their families. Working with local unions, the pastors—most of whom were affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation, a national community organizing group that does much of its work through churches—successfully pressured Baltimore’s city council in 1994 to require any company receiving public money for service contracts to pay its workers at least $6.10 an hour rather than the federal minimum wage of $4.25.

The $6.10 figure was called “a living wage”—a term that dates back to the labor unrest of the late 19th century but more recently came to be defined as hourly earnings that would keep a family of three or four above the poverty line—and the Baltimore campaign soon begat similar successful living wage movements in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York....

JUICE #6: NINE TEN CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO VALERIE ERVIN'S MOCO COUNCIL SEAT // PLUS: OTHER CONTESTED MOCO COUNCIL SEATS  - Tomorrow is the deadline for Democrats residing in MoCo Council District 5 to apply for an interim appointment to Valerie Ervin's vacant seat. The Washington Post's Bill Turque reports that so far there are nine applicants (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: ...The filing deadline is Wednesday, and at least nine candidates have applied so far. They are Alan Bowser, a former deputy assistant secretary of commerce; Cherri Branson, chief oversight counsel for the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Homeland Security; Jeanette Dixon, former principal of Paint Branch High School; Ronald Galvin Jr., executive director of Impact Silver Spring, a community action group; Arthur Jackson Jr., a retired D.C. police captain; Andrew Kleine, former acting chief financial officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service; Timothy Male, a Takoma Park City Council member; Harold McDougall, a Howard University law professor; and Daniel Wilhelm, an East County activist and engineer for Mitre.

NOTE: Just before publishing this piece, Maryland Juice received word from Montgomery County officials that a tenth candidate has applied for the D5 vacancy: Silver Spring Democratic activist Mark Woodard.

In any case, Turque's piece also contains interesting commentary from candidates in the contested County Council races in Districts 2 and 3 (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: It was business, not politics, that Gaithersburg Mayor Sid Katz said drew him into the June 2014 Democratic primary for the District 3 Montgomery County Council seat.... Katz’s candidacy is unwelcome news for Gaithersburg City Council member Ryan Spiegel, 35, who had hoped to go into the primary without the sudden entry of a well-known competitor.

“It’s a free country, but I would have hoped and preferred to get some advance notice, given that he was well aware of my plans for a while,” said Spiegel, a Bethesda lawyer in his second term. He said he wants to see Montgomery get more of its money back from Annapolis and that he is better suited to the task than Katz, who has held the largely ceremonial, nonvoting mayor’s post....

In northern Montgomery’s District 2, first-time candidate Neda Bolourian will challenge the incumbent council president, Craig Rice (D-Upcounty). Bolourian, 32, a Bethesda lawyer, is critical of the substantial pay raise, effective after the election, that council members approved last year. She said she is “dismayed” by Rice’s lack of leadership on environmental issues, especially the debate over the future of the Ten Mile Creek watershed near Clarksburg.... “I’m running because I think it is time to shake things up,” Bo­lourian said.

JUICE #7: STATE SENATOR JENNIE FOREHAND ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT // CHERYL KAGAN & DEL. LUIZ SIMMONS BEGIN BATTLING - The Baltimore Sun's Mike Dresser reported this week that District 17 State Senator Jennie Forehand has announced her retirement after this term (excerpt below):

BALTIMORE SUN: State Sen. Jennie M. Forehand, a veteran liberal Democrat from Montgomery County, has announced she will retire from the General Assembly after her current term -- avoiding a certain primary fight.... This year she would have faced competition from both Kagan and Del. Luiz R. S. Simmons in the June 24 primary.

Former Delegate Cheryl Kagan released the following statement in response to the news (excerpt below):

CHERYL KAGAN: Dear Juice, I wanted to make sure you heard the news.  Senator Jennie Forehand called me last night to say that she will not be seeking reelection. After 36 years of dedicated service to our state, and especially to residents of mid-Montgomery County, I salute Jennie for her remarkable career in public office and congratulate her on her many accomplishments.  Jennie is a true trailblazer, and we owe her our gratitude.  

On so many important issues, Jennie has been a legislative pioneer ahead of her time. Whether it has been standing up for women's reproductive rights, protecting victims of domestic violence, supporting the ICC to alleviate our transportation problems, or working to outlaw genetic discrimination, she has been a consistent advocate for the interests of women, families, and Montgomery County residents....

Interestingly, Kagan also posted the following message on her Facebook page highlighting commentary from rival candidate Del. Luiz Simmons on Forehand's retirement:

CHERYL KAGAN: I am posting my opponent's statement about Senator Forehand's career with no edits or comments for your information.

Senator Jennie Forehand announced today that she will be retiring at the end of her term. Claire and I applaud her years of service and wish her and Bill health and happiness in the future.

If Jennie Forehand has left any permanent legacy it has been her commitment to honest and positive campaigns, free from mudslinging.

- Luiz

JUICE #8: DISTRICT 22 SLATE FORMS WITH SEN. PAUL PINSKY, AND DELEGATES TAWANNA GAINES, ANNE HEALEY AND ALONZO WASHINGTON - Maryland Juice received the following press release from Delegate Anne Healey announcing that she has formed a slate with incumbent lawmakers Sen. Paul Pinsky and Del. Tawanna Gaines, alongside newly appointed Delegate Alonzo Washington. Notably, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker's son (Rushern Baker IV) is also seeking a D22 Delegate seat. You can read an excerpt from Delegate Healey's press release below:

PRESS RELEASE

Delegates Tawanna Gaines and Anne Healey File for Re-Election in Maryland House of Delegates

ANNAPOLIS -- Delegate Tawanna Gaines and Delegate Anne Healey filed together to run for re-election to their seats in the Maryland House of Delegates on Thursday at the Maryland State Board of Elections. They represent District 22 in Prince George’s County....

District 22 includes the municipalities of Berwyn Heights, Edmonston, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, New Carrollton, Riverdale Park and University Park, as well as unincorporated areas in Lanham-Seabrook, Glenn Dale, Whitfield Chapel, Dodge Park and Palmer Park.

The two women are running on a slate with the two other incumbents from District 22,  Sen. Paul Pinsky and Delegate Alonzo Washington.

###

JUICE #9: D26 DELEGATE VERONICA TURNER FILES CANDIDACY TO CHALLENGE STATE SENATOR ANTHONY MUSE - District 26 State Senator Anthony Muse of Prince George's County is now facing two challengers in the June 2014 Democratic Primary, Delegate Veronica Turner and Brian Woolfolk:

JUICE #10: STATE SENATOR VICTOR RAMIREZ'S CHIEF OF STAFF DENI TAVERAS ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR PG COUNCIL AGAINST DELEGATE DOYLE NIEMANN - State Senator Victor Ramirez's Chief of Staff Deni Taveras has announced a campaign for the Prince George's County Council seat being vacated by Will Campos. Taveras will face off against Delegate Doyle Niemann for the District 2 Council seat, and you can read an excerpt from her announcement below:

DENI TAVERAS: Hi Juice -- Happy New Year!  I want you to be among the first to know some exciting news: I'm running for Prince George's County Council....

I believe that government is here to provide the basic services people need: properly paved roads, rapid responses to constituents' requests, and quality schools where children can learn.

Yet when I talk with people in the community they tell me about dozens of concerns still unmet and codes not enforced. They wonder how we will take care of our seniors and whether safety will improve. Most of all, they worry about the quality of our public schools, especially the overcrowding.  

The fact is that Northern Prince George's County has not gotten its fair share of the County or State's resources. But I believe that with hard work we can overcome that. We can fix more roads, respond faster to constituent concerns, help our seniors stay in their homes, bring in the purple line, and build more schools....

I don’t know whether I’ve told you, but I have spent two years as State Senator Victor Ramirez’s Chief of Staff, helping to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, reducing domestic violence, protecting asbestos workers, removing corrupt officials from office, and passing the DREAM Act. However, nothing that I have ever done—either in Annapolis or anywhere else—has been more personally rewarding for me than volunteering and serving as my Condominium Association’s president....

JUICE #11: DELEGATE CURT ANDERSON AMAZED AT HOW MANY MEXICANS WORKING IN BALTIMORE SCHOOLS - Delegate Curt Anderson, a Baltimore Democrat is under fire for comments he made at a recent League of Women Voters event. The Daily Record reported on the controversy (excerpt below):

DAILY RECORD: Del. Curt Anderson is coming under fire by a conservative blogger for comments made about the race of workers at a city school he recently toured.

Anderson, a Baltimore City Democrat who chairs the city delegation in the House of Delegates, can be heard discussing the issue of school construction in the city at a League of Women Voters legislative breakfast....

During that discussion, Anderson tells the audience about touring a school that is scheduled to open on January 6. “I was amazed at how many Mexicans they have working on that school,” Anderson said. “Should be more African-American and minority contractors but still....”

[Dennis McIver, the politico who recorded the comments] said he was surprised by what he called “an off the cuff statement” by Anderson. He said the comments received little reaction from the audience. “There was no reaction at all,” McIver said. “It was crazy....”

JUICE #12: FORMER REP. ROSCOE BARTLETT LIVING IN A CABIN, PREPPING FOR DOOMSDAY - Politico Magazine published a fascinating (and very long) profile of former CD6 Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, discussing that Bartlett now "lives in a remote cabin in the woods, prepping for doomsday" (excerpt from the intro below):

POLITICO: When Roscoe Bartlett was in Congress, he latched onto a particularly apocalyptic issue, one almost no one else ever seemed to talk about: America’s dangerously vulnerable power grid. In speech after late-night speech on the House floor, Bartlett hectored the nearly empty chamber: If the United States doesn’t do something to protect the grid, and soon, a terrorist or an act of nature will put an end to life as we know it. Bartlett loved to conjure doomsday visions....

The octogenarian Republican from western Maryland—more than once labeled “the oddest congressman”—found himself gerrymandered out of office a year ago and promptly decided to take action on the warnings others wouldn’t heed, retreating to a remote property in the mountains of West Virginia where he lives with no phone service, no connection to outside power and no municipal plumbing. Having failed to safeguard the power grid for the rest of the country, Bartlett has taken himself completely off the grid. He has finally done what he pleaded in vain for others to do: “to become,” as he put it in a 2009 documentary, “independent of the system.”

I visited Bartlett this past fall, following a set of maze-like directions—take a series of different forks in the road and look for the one paved driveway that turns off a narrow, rocky dirt road—as I climbed to nearly 4,000 feet, one of the highest U.S. elevations east of the Rocky Mountains....

When I arrived, Bartlett greeted me in faded denim overalls and an unruly white beard and asked if anything had happened since he was last in Maryland, about a week earlier. I told him that the National Security Agency had just been caught tapping into the connections between data centers run by Google and Yahoo. He looked nonplussed....

JUICE #13: D20 SENATOR JAMIE RASKIN AND DELEGATE SHEILA HIXSON IN THE NUTCRACKER - A Maryland Juice reader sent us the following photos of D20 lawmakers Jamie Raskin in Sheila Hixson in Nutcracker garb. Here's the explanation accompanying the photos: "Senator Raskin and Delegate Hixson made appearances in the Maryland Youth Ballet's annual Nutcracker ballet, performing as guests in the First Act, party scene.  Delegate Hixson showed off her ballroom dancing while Senator Raskin helped greet guests."

JUICE #14: SPOTLIGHT ON THE MOVEMENT FOR PAID PATERNAL LEAVE & GENDER EQUITY IN THE WORKFORCE - Maryland Juice caught a fascinating article in The Atlantic discussing the effects of paid paternal leave policies in helping balance gender inequities at home and in the workplace. The article also notes that doomsday predictions of negative impacts on employers are unfounded (excerpt below):

ATLANTIC: ...As usual, California is at the vanguard of this shift.... in 2002 California became the first U.S. state to guarantee six weeks of paid leave for mothers and fathers alike, financed by a small payroll-tax contribution from eligible workers. Since then, Rhode Island and New Jersey have followed suit with four and six paid weeks, respectively, while other states are taking steps toward similar policies....

But here’s what men may not realize: While paid paternity leave may feel like an unexpected gift, the biggest beneficiaries aren’t men, or even babies. In the long run, the true beneficiaries of paternity leave are women, and the companies and nations that benefit when women advance. In October, the World Economic Forum released its latest global gender-gap report, showing that countries with the strongest economies are those that have found ways to further women’s careers, close the gender pay gap, and keep women—who in most nations are now better educated than men—tethered to the workforce after they become mothers....

While most mothers in the United States now work, many women still see their careers suffer after they became parents, in part because they end up shouldering the bulk of the domestic load—a phenomenon the sociologist Arlie Hochschild has dubbed the “second shift.” A 2007 study found that 60 percent of professional women who stopped working reported that they were largely motivated by their husbands’ unavailability to share housework and child-care duties....

In their pursuit of an egalitarian workplace (and higher fertility rates), countries like Sweden and Germany have at times offered women more than a year of maternity leave—sometimes quite a bit more—a strategy that can fortify the glass ceiling rather than shatter it. Anticipating that women will disappear for long periods of time, managers become reluctant to hire them into senior positions, and female workers are shunted (or shunt themselves) into lower-paying sectors. Among labor economists, overly long maternity leaves are now recognized as creating a barrier to pay equity....

Since California instituted its program, the percentage of “bonding leaves” claimed by men has risen from 18.7 in 2005 and 2006 to 31.3 in 2012 and 2013. A study by the economist Eileen Appelbaum and the sociologist Ruth Milkman showed that initial concerns that the California law would be a “job killer” were unfounded, and that workplaces have figured out effective and creative ways to cover for leave-taking parents. The biggest hurdle seems to be getting the word out, particularly among lower-income families that could benefit enormously from the program. (Part of the beauty of the California policy is that it extends leave to men in non-white-collar jobs.)