Monday, we celebrated Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the news of the end of slavery in the United States finally reached Texas, a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth is a reminder of our nation’s legacy of systemic injustice, our capacity for progress, and the resistance to change that too often comes with growth. Our work to create a more equitable, prosperous, and fair society requires a constant recommitment to that end.
Those of us in elected office have a solemn responsibility to correct the policies that have perpetuated inequality in Maryland and throughout the country. The General Assembly has internalized that mission and passed legislation in recent years to create a space in which every individual’s innate potential and worth are celebrated. Examples include:
- Transforming our public schools, especially those with the highest concentrations of poverty, through the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future;
- Investing in accessible and reliable transportation to ensure that residents can get to work and access health care;
- Ensuring resources from recreational adult-use cannabis sales are reinvested into the communities hardest hit by the failed war on drugs;
- Passing juvenile justice reform aimed at creating a system rooted in reform to reduce recidivism;
- Enacting a historic police reform package to enhance transparency, accountability, and trust to foster safety in every community; and
- Adopting common sense gun laws to reduce violence caused by the proliferation of firearms in every facet of public life.
That work is incomplete, as demonstrated by an article The Baltimore Banner published last week that reveals how much work we still have before us. Through a deep analysis of housing data, crime statistics, lead poisoning cases, bank locations, and more, the article shows that “segregation still defines the City.” Data collected reveals the continued existence of the “Black Butterfly,” named for the shape majority-Black neighborhoods take on a map, which was historically used to deny residents loans, mortgages, and insurance, creating a cycle of poverty and violence that imprisoned communities in hopelessness and stagnation. We must continue to work tirelessly to ensure that all Marylanders are given a true and fair opportunity to succeed, regardless of the neighborhood in which they’re raised.
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DeMarinis Selected as Elections Administrator |
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The State Board of Elections unanimously selected Jared DeMarinis to be the new State Administrator of Elections, replacing long-time Administrator Linda Lamone who will retire later this fall. Mr. DeMarinis has been a steadfast leader at the State Board of Elections for nearly two decades, leading its Candidacy and Campaign Finance Division. He has also been an invaluable asset to the Maryland General Assembly, advising on election policy to keep Maryland at the forefront of safeguarding our elections and expanding access to the ballot box.
I’m deeply grateful for Ms. Lamone’s tenure and look forward to the next chapter of the State Board of Elections as Mr. DeMarinis takes the helm. It is absolutely vital that we continue to modernize our systems to provide equal access to all Maryland citizens.
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Medicaid Enrollment Updates |
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The decline in Maryland’s Medicaid enrollment will have additional impacts throughout our State budget, including in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. For the first time, Medicaid data was used as a proxy for more accurately measuring poverty in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget passed last Session. The use of that data led to a drastic increase in education funding throughout the State, though the long-term impact will be determined after this renewal period concludes.
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A New Baltimore City Police Commissioner |
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Moving forward, Baltimoreans deserve stability, collaboration, and strong leadership to combat the pervasive issue of crime in our City. I am confident that Acting Commissioner Richard Worley is committed to those tenants and will provide much-needed continuity to ensure progress continues. Born and raised in Baltimore and a 25-year veteran of the BPD, Richard is deeply committed to the City and understands the critical, urgent, and ongoing work required to build a better, safer Baltimore.
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Ribbon Cuttings in the 46th |
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Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at two ribbon cuttings in the 46th Legislative District. On Tuesday, the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) opened its Baltimore Welcome Center to provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers who are making Maryland their home. Baltimore's strength lies in its capacity to recognize the innate potential in residents who want to live, work, and thrive here. I’m grateful to LIRS for its partnership in supporting those new Marylanders as they build community in our City.
I also joined elected officials, private sector innovators, and neighborhood leaders as we cut the ribbon for ROOST Baltimore as it opened its doors in the growing Baltimore Peninsula. As I said at the event, the Baltimore Peninsula's development exemplifies vision and community impact. It demonstrates the vision of taking a blank canvas in our City and turning into an exemplary public-private partnership and the community impact that's possible when that project invests in the surrounding communities and their residents.
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The Maryland Board of Public Works recently approved a $1.3 million contract to purchase 30,000 doses of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, used in medication-based abortions. The medication will be stockpiled to ensure Marylanders have continued access to the medication after a federal court challenged the Federal Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone that dates back to 2000.
Maryland’s school systems have until October 1 to submit their Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plans. Local plans must include goals through the 2023-2024 school year based on four priorities: improving early childhood education; hiring and retaining high-quality and diverse teachers; upgrading college and career readiness standards; and providing more resources for students in need.
Governor Moore issued an executive order last week aimed at protecting those pursuing gender-affirming care from legal action. He instructed State agencies to “take whatever action is necessary” to protect people or entities involved with providing gender-affirming care from legal punishments by other states. The order also prohibits the sharing of medical records of transgender individuals for potential investigations.
Maryland’s Tom Perez is joining the White House as a senior adviser and assistant to President Joe Biden. He will take over the role of director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, which works with governors and other officials to address local issues and implement federal policy.
City Sand will take place tomorrow, June 24, between the Harborplace pavilions. Teams are composed of local builders, architects, contractors, and more. Each team will be provided with an area of sand and challenged to create a sand creation that responds to the theme of “Reimagining Harborplace.”
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If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email, bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us, or by phone, 410-841-3600.
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