Thoughts on Sine Die

Post #47

Last night at midnight, the General Assembly concluded its 90-day session in Annapolis.  Having shared this experience eight times during my tenure in the House of Delegates, I know what mixed emotions it can evoke.  There is elation at completing a budget and a legislative gathering that can be contentious, challenging, and educational.  There is simple exhaustion from the pace of the final days and the sheer volume of issues that are considered during long floor sessions interrupted for urgent standing committee or conference committee meetings.  In an election year, there is the sentimentality of knowing that some of your colleagues would not be back in the year to come, either by their choice (retirement) or the voters’ choice (defeat).

This session seemed to be particularly challenging.  The $2 billion budget gap meant that nearly any policy proposal with a fiscal note could not be seriously considered.  Exceptions were made, though, for capital bond projects.  In an election year, legislators still wanted to fund worthy initiatives in their districts.  Among those receiving funding were the Garrett Park Nursery School, the fitness room expansion at the Rockville Senior Center, and the effective, Gaithersburg-based nonprofit group Identity.

Members of the Judiciary Committee made a lot of news for their refusal to make protective orders easier to obtain for those in fear of their domestic abusers.  There was also an unfortunate unwillingness to require ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers, despite the fact that the Senate passed the bill unanimously.  (Transportation safety did get a boost, however, with passage of new laws restricting cell phone use.)  On the last day and despite a seeming great deal of reluctance from some corners, these legislators did acquiesce on modifying the child support guidelines for the first time in 20 years.

Child sex offenders were a top priority, but legislators had different ideas how to address the problem after the horrifying murder of an 11-year old girl on the Eastern Shore.  Fortunately, there was a strong enough commitment to strengthen the laws, and consensus was reached late last night. 

The outcome for the environment was mixed, as it was for many other issue areas. 

Next year, with legislators newly (re-)elected, long-term budget solutions must be the top priority.  I hope to be one of those brainstorming various equitable and sustainable fiscal options that will ensure that Maryland remains the state we are proud to call home.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What surprised or interested you most about the just-completed legislative session?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#47) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

A Visit to the “Other Side”

Post #46

Yesterday in Rockville's lovely Town Square, former GOP Governor Bob Ehrlich launched his campaign to reclaim the seat he lost in 2006, when voters rejected him in favor of Democrat Martin O'Malley.  I stopped by to see what was happening, which surprised some people since I am a lifelong, partisan Democrat.

Since I'm running in a contested Democratic primary, some of my supporters wondered if I should be seen at a rally staged by 'the other side.'

On the contrary! I was greeted warmly by friends and former colleagues from Annapolis, many of whom I will be working with again should I be fortunate enough to win my campaign for the State Senate.  And while it was great to see my Republican buddies, the event reminded me of how proud I am to be a Democrat -- someone who will stand up on issues like education, the environment, and a woman's right to choose. 

But I’m also proud to be an independent-minded Democrat who will reach out to as many people as possible -- including Republicans and Independents -- if it would help me serve the people of my district.

I told one Ehrlich advisor that I've worked hard for approximately 200 Democratic candidates at the federal, state, and local level during my 30-year political career.  But after the voters have spoken in November, partisanship should give way to governing, and citizens' needs should dictate alliances and decisions.

My bottom line?  No party and no individual has a monopoly on good ideas.  My focus would be on producing the results that the residents of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Garrett Park deserve.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How partisan are you?  How partisan do you believe candidates should be, either when seeking office or after being elected?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#46) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Shelter from the Economic Storm

Post #45

Last month, Montgomery Housing Partnership celebrated its 20^th anniversary with a gala event.  More than 500 people attended a dinner honoring the great work this non-profit has done in providing much-need affordable housing in our area.  I am proud to have provided them with consulting assistance in their laudable work.  Since its founding, MHP, the largest nonprofit housing organization in our County, has developed 1,165 units of affordable homes to date. 

But while we celebrate this accomplishment, a headline a Baltimore Sun article reminded us of the growing and unmet need for affordable housing.  In Baltimore County, homelessness has increased 25% in the past year.   More than one-third of those surveyed (the total of which is likely to be an under-count) acknowledged being homeless for the first time in their lives.  (Similar studies have been conducted in Montgomery County, but the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless indicated that they have not been completed as of this writing.)

Increased unemployment and rising foreclosures means that more families are out on the street.  Demand for food assistance from Manna Food Center has increased a shocking 56% since the start of the recession.  Before she left to explore other options, Manna’s widely respected Executive Director Amy Ginsburg used to talk about how families that previously donated to Manna were showing up as recipients.

Those of us who have a warm and safe home and can afford to provide our families with nutritious food should count our blessings… and support, in any way we can, organizations such as MHP, MCCH, and Manna, who help those in need.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  Have you ever helped organize a canned food drive?  Does your religious institution or community group participate in the collection of coats, socks and other basic needs for the homeless?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#45) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

Literacy Challenges

Post #44

I was knocking on doors recently and got a bit turned around. A father and son were sitting outside, playing.  I approached them and asked for directions to the house I sought. 

Realizing that the father did not understand my question, I asked again, this time in Spanish.  He came toward me, wanting to be helpful.  I pointed to the address on my sheet.  Did he know which house this was?  He studied the paper for quite a while but said nothing.

It occurred to me that he might not be able to read English, so I emphasized the house number.  Again, I got no feedback.

I left to find my own way but was troubled by this encounter.  How, I wondered, will this father provide for his son’s future?  How involved can he be in his education?  Have they tried to take advantage of government-sponsored programs, which face their own challenges with reduced funding and growing demands?

Thankfully, there are organizations such as the Literacy Council of Montgomery County that help fill the gap.  Established in 1963, Literacy Council volunteers provide tutoring to approximately 1,500 adults (with 65 native languages) each year.   It has been demonstrated that a parent’s literacy is a significant predictor of a child's future literacy ability.  This has an impact on factors ranging from health care to job prospects and family income.  LCMC’s office is on the third floor of our beautiful Rockville library, conveniently located near Metro in Town Square.

To learn more, donate, or volunteer, I hope you will visit http://literacycouncilmcmd.org/. There are an additional 1,600 prospective learners who are on waiting lists who could benefit from your help!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!   How do you communicate with someone for whom is English is not their native language?  What should government’s role be?  Nonprofits?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#44) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.

"Just the Facts, Ma’am!"

Post #43

My recent blog on courtesy (see #42) included a reference to Jack Webb’s character in Dragnet, who was known for his line, “Just the facts, ma’am.”  Too often, facts are woefully absent in our policy debates today.  I fear that voters will not become informed on the issues when conversations are based on rumors or allegations.

Let me offer two examples that bear out my concern:

1)      A recent Harris poll showed shocking ignorance among respondents answering questions about President Obama, of which:

• 23% believe he is anti-American;
• 20% believe he is “doing many of the things that Hitler did”;
• 25% think he was not born in the U.S. and so is not eligible to be president;
• 13% believe that he wants the terrorists to win; and
• 32% believe he is a Muslim (in fact, he’s a Christian).

Are these results based on gullible acceptance of “facts” presented by right-wing media commentators? Could the respondents actually hold such beliefs, or are they blinded by fear, hatred, or racism?

2)      Closer to home, I gave a “pop quiz” to my students at Montgomery College on the just-passed health care reform plan.  Every one of them knew that it had passed, that most Democrats supported it while Republicans opposed did not, and that President Obama had worked hard for its passage.  (That’s especially impressive, considering they were on their Spring Break during debate and the final vote!)  But sadly, they were murky on the details.  Two thought that health care would now be free for all Americans, while another suspected it would be more difficult for her to find insurance because the bar for coverage would be raised! 

Both these examples make me wonder about information sources.  Are they hearing only from those who have no desire to offer a balanced presentation of the facts?  I have confidence that Americans, when fully educated about an issue, can come to their own conclusions.  While I may not agree with their opinions, I could respect them if I thought they had access to the same facts and data that I did.   Only in that way can we truly engage in a spirited and constructive debate regarding the best choices for our state or country.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  What are your preferred information sources?  Do you seek outlets that profess to be “fair and balanced” or those that actually present both sides?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#43) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.