Sunday, January 18, 2015

Watching Gov.-elect Larry Hogan pick a team

My notes from the porch

By Kevin E. Dayhoff Friday January 17, 2015

Labels: Carroll Co Republican Central Committee, Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, Commissioner Robin Frazier, People Ready-Justin, People Shoemaker-Haven

I will readily admit that sometimes I am not the brightest bulb in the pack and can be terribly tone-deaf to the dog whistles. These are the times when I take my keyboard in hand and hide under the lounge chairs on the porch – and just watch.

What I do know, to paraphrase the famous quote attributed to Pres. Lyndon Baines Johnson around 1960 – and put it in this context: “The difference between Cannibals and [Conservatives] is that Cannibals eat only their enemies.”

Thankfully my colleague Joe Steffen has written a thoughtful and cogent analysis, “In Defense of Mark Newgent” which in part begins to address some of my concerns and those of some of my friends… Mr. Joe Steffen has given us some pause for thought. Find it here: https://darknessrevisited.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/in-defense-of-mark-newgent/

And I say this not because I totally agree with him. Senator David Brinkley is a great pick for budget director. The criticism that the senator, who, if I am not mistaken was the ranking member of budget and tax, “voted for 6 of 8 of Governor O’Malley’s budgets,” is unfortunately tribal and surprisingly over simplistic. It is not like his vote was the critical vote that passed the budgets, they were not. For the many who understand the political process and the byzantine ways of a heavily democratic-controlled feudal Maryland General Assembly; holding one’s nose and voting for a budget that was going to pass anyway was a necessary evil in order to have a seat at the table across the aisle in order to get some things accomplished…

As has already been developing, the ascendancy of Gov.-elect Hogan has made for some strange-bedfellows and more than a few toxic personality mixes.

But it is paramount that we all work together…

Already several have looked upon the election of Gov.-elect Hogan to be a pathologically narcissistic opportunity to promote themselves – instead of coming together to become part of a team that collectively is greater than the sum of its parts – to make a for a better state for everyone, conservatives, liberals, independents and the growing number of folks who don’t like either party.

My employer, The Baltimore Sun, said it well in an editorial published January 12, 2015 Monday, “Hogan's fringe flank.” “… It's almost as if they don't want the governor to succeed..." http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-gop-extreme-20150112-story.html

“Mr. Hogan won election by avoiding divisive social issues and focusing on a centrist agenda of fiscal conservatism and economic growth.

“But apparently that memo hasn't trickled down to all corners of the state GOP just yet. The governor-elect has a golden opportunity to build a competitive Maryland Republican Party, so long as his fellow Republicans don't get in the way.”

I for one will be curious as to whom survives the exposure once the toxic fumes begin. Sometimes Republicans are their own worst enemies. For example - towards the end of the Ellen Sauerbrey (R) Campaign for Maryland Governor in 1994 – a portion of the Republican Party decided that Ellen Sauerbrey was moderating on some core conservative values.

That series of events was quite an awakening for me. No one will ever know for sure - but I have determined that it was the hard, uncompromising and inflexible elements of the right wing of the Republican Party that elected Governor Glendening (D) for the last eight years. Whether you are a republican or a democrat - you have to admit that this is quite a paradox.

I am reminded one of David Horowitz's books, "The Art of Political War and other Radical Pursuits." It begins by saying: "Politics is war, but in America the left is doing all the shooting. Shell-shocked conservatives blame their failures on the media or unscrupulous opponents, but they refuse to name the real culprit – themselves…”

Treading lightly here so as to not totally shatter the shatter the complacency of establishment conservatives, but Maryland Democrats have mastered the art of political war, and spent the last ten years clobbering conservatives in and out of government.

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.” FRIEDRICH WILHELM NIETZSCHE 1844-1900

Kevin Dayhoff, a slave to the masters of the page - the little soldiers in my life – words

People who do not understand your silence will never understand your words.

For some balance, find a January 15, 2015 letter to the editor in the Carroll County Times by Scott Hollenbeck here: “Frazier uniquely qualified for Senate seat” http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/opinion/ph-cc-hollenbeck-letter-01172015-20150117,0,4211336.story

And many more here…. It is a regular lollapalooza… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/

People who do not understand your silence will never understand your words.

Related: Robin Bartlett Frazier nominated to State Senate seat - by Carroll County Times staff writer Jacob deNobel http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/robin-bartlett-frazier-nominated-to.html January 10, 2015 http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/ph-cc-rcc-frazier-20150110,0,151714.story

Carroll County Republican Central Committee Selects Robin Bartlett Frazier to Fill Opening District 5 Senate Seat http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2015/01/carroll-county-republican-central.html

Del. Justin Ready, R-District 5 is the clear choice for Carroll Co. Md. Senate vacancy http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/del-justin-ready-r-district-5-is-clear.html By Kevin E. Dayhoff January 11, 2015 By Kevin E. Dayhoff January 11, 2015

Or – food for thought; if Carroll County Delegate Susan Krebs had applied with the central committee, she would be the appropriate choice because she is the ranking senior member of the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis. That said, the word is that she did not throw her name in the hat…

Labels: Carroll Co Republican Central Committee, Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, Commissioner Robin Frazier, People Ready-Justin, People Shoemaker-Haven

Del. Justin Ready, R-District 5 is the clear choice for the Carroll County Republican Central Committee to fill the vacancy in the Maryland State Senate left by outgoing Senator Joe Getty

Last Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, the Carroll County Republican Central Committee chose former Carroll County commissioner Robin Frazier as its recommendation to fill the vacancy in the Maryland State Senate left by outgoing Senator Joe Getty. http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/del-justin-ready-r-district-5-is-clear.html

Hogan wants more openness, more names in filling legislative seats - Maryland Reporter: By Len Lazarick http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/maryland-reporterby-len-lazarick-hogan.html

According to an article in Maryland Report by veteran political reporter Len Lazarick on Thursday, January 15, 2015, “In filling the three legislative vacancies he has created in building his new administration, Gov.-elect Larry Hogan said he’d like to see a more open nominating process used by the Republican central committees and more candidate names for him to fill the seats…”

[…]

It is a must-read article for anyone who has followed the controversies “In Frederick and Carroll counties, [where] the small Republican Central Committees have already named one person for each seat, creating controversy in both counties…” http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/maryland-reporterby-len-lazarick-hogan.html

Art. III Sec 13 of the Maryland Constitution http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/art-iii-sec-13-of-maryland-constitution.html

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Communion at Grace Lutheran Church Westminster Md www.gracelc.org

#KED

WAMU: D.C. Report Says Firefighters Had Trouble Communicating During Metro Incident by: Martin Austermuhle January 17, 2015

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/wamu-dc-report-says-firefighters-had.html

http://wamu.org/news/15/01/17/dc_report_says_firefighters_had_trouble_communicating_during_metro_incident

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Initial Report on the LEnfant Plaza Metro Incident January-12-2015 https://www.scribd.com/doc/252904447/Initial-Report-on-the-LEnfant-Plaza-Metro-Incident-January-12-2015 252904447-Initial-Report-on-the-LEnfant-Plaza-Metro-Incident-January-12-2015.pdf

Initial Report on the LEnfant Plaza Metro Incident January-12-2015 by Martin Austermuhle

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An initial report on the response by D.C. firefighters to the smoke-filled Yellow Line train on Monday confirms that first responders had difficulty communicating by radio as they traveled through Metro tunnels on their way to evacuating the passengers.

The report also says it was Metro's responsibility to ensure the radio worked in the tunnels.

The 37-page report, published by D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services in the wake of the incident that left one dead and dozens injured, says the first responders "encountered difficulty communicating with each other in the Metro station using traditional radio communication channels."

Instead, they had to use walkie-talkie features on their radios or cellphones to communicate and coordinate.

[…]

http://wamu.org/news/15/01/17/dc_report_says_firefighters_had_trouble_communicating_during_metro_incident

That firefighter — the only one who's statement is included in the report — also commends the department's response. "In my humble opinion, the department's performance of this evolution was nothing short of magnificent."

The D.C. report follows an initial investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board that on Friday said that it took Metro 44 minutes from the time smoke was reported to when they shut off power to the third rail which was causing the smoke.

In the report, D.C. Fire and EMS says it is providing an "unprecedented level of openness" as they gather facts, and a full report will be completed. The NTSB is also conducted a full investigation, which could take months.

Read much more here: http://wamu.org/news/15/01/17/dc_report_says_firefighters_had_trouble_communicating_during_metro_incident

Initial Report on the LEnfant Plaza Metro Incident January-12-2015 by Martin Austermuhle

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http://wamu.org/news/15/01/17/dc_report_says_firefighters_had_trouble_communicating_during_metro_incident

Preliminary timeline On Thursday morning, the office of Mayor Muriel Bowser released a preliminary timeline of the response to the Metro tragedy. You can find the document below.

Preliminary Timeline of Deadly Incident On Yellow Line

Preliminary Timeline of Deadly Incident On Yellow Line by WAMU885news

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Hogan names Brinkley as budget chief – by Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun January 15, 2015

Hogan names ex-GOP Senate leader as budget chief – by Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun January 15, 2015

http://touch.carrollcountytimes.com/#section/1993/article/p2p-82544628/

[…]

Hogan announced the appointment of former Senate Minority Leader David R. Brinkley, long recognized as a leading Republican specialist on fiscal matters, to head the Department of Budget and Management. The person who fills that role typically takes on the job of chief explainer of the details of the governor's budget.

Brinkley, 55, served eight years in the House of Delegates and 12 in the Senate before he was defeated in the GOP primary last year by a challenger who said he was too accommodating with Gov. Martin O'Malley and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, both Democrats.

Hogan said he didn't clear Brinkley's appointment with that intraparty rival, now-Sen. Michael J. Hough, but didn't expect any problems with the Republican caucus.

[…]

http://touch.carrollcountytimes.com/#section/1993/article/p2p-82544628/

Hogan names Brinkley as budget chief – by Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun January 15, 2015

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Saturday, January 17, 2015

Did we really send James Taylor to sing to the French

January 16, 2015

To show the world we mean bus in the fight against terrorism, we sent James Taylor and Sec Kerry to Paris to sing

I thought this was a joke until I read it. Twitter was not amused. http://cbsloc.al/1BbZAed

One of my favorites was “John Kerry warns radical Islamists to ‘Cut it out, or I'll bring over Kenny G and Yanni next time!’” http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/kerry-brings-james-taylor-serenade-french-youve-got-friend_823854.html …

Kevin Earl Dayhoff @kevindayhoff - to fight against terrorism we sent #JohnKerry & James Taylor to Paris to sing. I guess Jane Fonda was not available https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff

"Just close your eyes and think of me / "yes and soon I will be there."

I am so embarrassed for our country.

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When I first learned that President Obama had sent James Taylor with Secretary John Kerry to Paris to reassure the France that we mean business in the war against terrorism; I assumed that Mr. Taylor got the assignment because Jane Fonda was not available.

Now we know why the president did not send Ms. Fonda, she was at the Weinberg in Frederick. http://www.weinbergcenter.org/6914/jane-fonda/ Double face palm smack.

Yet, I must confess, I too have heard her speak – at the Kennedy Center a number of years ago. I listened quietly and did not say a word. If I want her to respect my points of view, I must respect hers.

We fought to protect free speech – for everybody. That said, to forgive is divine. To forget is not policy. She was in a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft turret when my friends were coming home in a box.

I really defend the right for folks to disagree. I appreciated those rights in the south doing civil rights work. I respect it when folks write about a disagreement. I would have appreciated it if she had written a thoughtful and cogent essay against the war. For me the optics of her with the North Vietnamese in the gun torrent that shot down and killed American military personnel was just a bit too much to take. Just saying.

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Friday, January 16, 2015

Michelle Jefferson: Committee wanted to right a wrong

January 14, 2015

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/opinion/other_voices/ph-cc-jefferson-01142015-20150114,0,4361686.story

When Carmen Amedori was appointed to the parole board in 2004, I was chairwoman of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee.

There was a great deal of pressure to conduct the selection process in secret, much like how the current Central Committee did, and by the same person. However, we did not succumb to that pressure.

[…]

I have no issues with Robin Frazier. She's a wonderful woman. Still, voters rejected her bid for commissioner twice. In the political world, that means you stay active in the process, but take your marbles and sit down.

[…]

The candidates for Senate were: Justin Ready, Richard Rothschild, Robin Frazier, Vince Pacelli, Carmen Amedori, Dave Wallace and Steve Nevin. Jeffery Peters had submitted his name, but was the employee who was fired for doing so. Maybe Del. Susan Krebs didn't want competition from her legislative aide in 2018?

- See more at: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/opinion/other_voices/ph-cc-jefferson-01142015-20150114,0,4361686.story

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And many more here…. It is a regular lollapalooza… http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/

Kevin Dayhoff, a slave to the masters of the page - the little soldiers in my life – words

People who do not understand your silence will never understand your words.

Labels: Carroll Co Republican Central Committee, Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, Commissioner Robin Frazier, People Ready-Justin, People Shoemaker-Haven

Del. Justin Ready, R-District 5 is the clear choice for the Carroll County Republican Central Committee to fill the vacancy in the Maryland State Senate left by outgoing Senator Joe Getty

Hogan wants more openness, more names in filling legislative seats - Maryland Reporter: By Len Lazarick http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/maryland-reporterby-len-lazarick-hogan.html

[…]

Art. III Sec 13 of the Maryland Constitution http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/art-iii-sec-13-of-maryland-constitution.html

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Art. III Sec 13 of the Maryland Constitution

Many have asked about the context of the recent decision of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee’s decision to nominate former-Carroll County Commissioner Robin B. Frazier R-Dist. 2 to fill the seat of

According to the Maryland State Archives, “Maryland has had four consitutions [sic.] At the time of the Revolutionary War, the first constitution was adopted by the Ninth Provincial Convention, meeting at Annapolis, in November 1776. Voters adopted the second constitution in June 1851. During the Civil War, the third constitution was adopted by the voters in October 1864. Voters adopted the fourth and last constitution under which Maryland government now functions in September 1867.

Article lll Sect. 13 may be found below as amended and ratified by the voters through November 6, 2012

CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND

ARTICLE III

LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.

SEC. 13. (a) (1) 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.

(2) If a name is not submitted by the Central Committee within thirty days after the occurrence of the vacancy, the Governor within another period of fifteen days shall appoint a person, who shall be affiliated with 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 who is otherwise properly qualified to hold the office of Delegate or Senator in the District or County.

(3) In the event there is no Central Committee in the County or District from which said vacancy is to be filled, the Governor shall within fifteen days after the occurrence of such vacancy appoint a person, from the same political party, if any, as that of the vacating Delegate or Senator, at the time of the last election or appointment of the vacating Senator or Delegate, who is otherwise properly qualified to hold the office of Delegate or Senator in such District or County.

(4) In every case when any person is so appointed by the Governor, his appointment shall be deemed to be for the unexpired term of the person whose office has become vacant.

(b) In addition, and in submitting a name to the Governor to fill a vacancy in a legislative or delegate district, as the case may be, in any of the twenty-three counties of Maryland, the Central Committee or committees shall follow these provisions:

(1) If the vacancy occurs in a district having the same boundaries as a county, the Central Committee of the county shall submit the name of a resident of the district.

(2) If the vacancy occurs in a district which has boundaries comprising a portion of one county, the Central Committee of that county shall submit the name of a resident of the district.

(3) 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 (amended by Chapter 584, Acts of 1935, ratified Nov. 3, 1936; Chapter 162, Acts of 1966, ratified Nov. 8, 1966; Chapter 681, Acts of 1977, ratified Nov. 7, 1978; Chapter 649, Acts of 1986, ratified Nov. 4, 1986).

http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/03art3.html

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Labels: Carroll Co Republican Central Committee, Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, Commissioner Robin Frazier, People Ready-Justin, People Shoemaker-Haven

Del. Justin Ready, R-District 5 is the clear choice for the Carroll County Republican Central Committee to fill the vacancy in the Maryland State Senate left by outgoing Senator Joe Getty

Hogan wants more openness, more names in filling legislative seats - Maryland Reporter: By Len Lazarick http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/maryland-reporterby-len-lazarick-hogan.html

[…]

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Thursday, January 15, 2015

Belgium terror raid turns deadly: Report | Toronto Star

Belgium terror raid turns deadly: Report | Toronto Star: "Thu Jan 15 2015
BRUSSELS — Police launched an anti-terror operation in an eastern Belgian city on Thursday, according to news reports and witnesses, who said they heard gunfire and explosions in an area of Verviers near a train station. Some news reports said that at least two people had been killed." ...

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/belgium-terror-raid-turns-deadly-report.html

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/01/15/belgium-terror-raid-turns-deadly-report.html

'via Blog this'

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Assault rue de la colline, Verviers. 15.01.15'

Published on Jan 15, 2015

Gros de l'assault terminé, trop noir...

Related - also see:

Belgium terror raid turns deadly: Report

The RTBF news website says two people were killed during Thursday’s raid in the town of Verviers...

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/01/15/belgium-terror-raid-turns-deadly-report.html

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BBC News - Pensioner bonds' website struggles as sale starts

BBC News - Pensioner bonds' website struggles as sale starts: "

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30782590

New pensioner bonds paying an annual interest rate of up to 4% are now on sale but high demand has led to some website problems.

The government-backed lump sum investments are being offered through National Savings and Investments.

Market-leading rates and years of accounts offering low returns have led to expectations of rapid sales of these bonds.

Only those aged 65 and over are eligible to invest in the bonds.

Within an hour of the announcement of the bonds going on sale, there were problems with the NS&I website. Throughout the day, potential customers have been reporting long waits trying to contact NS&I on the phone."

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30782590

'via Blog this'

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Hogan wants more openness, more names in filling legislative seats - Maryland Reporter: By Len Lazarick

Hogan wants more openness, more names in filling legislative seats

By Len Lazarick Len@MarylandReporter.com

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Labels: Carroll Co Republican Central Committee, Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, Commissioner Robin Frazier, People Ready-Justin, People Shoemaker-Haven

http://marylandreporter.com/2015/01/15/hogan-wants-more-openness-more-names-in-filling-legislative-seats/

[…]

“Three Republican sources familiar with what took place behind closed doors in Carroll County said Frazier got five votes and Del. Justin Ready (pronounced REEDY) got four votes.

“Two of those sources also indicated that Hogan has told Getty to “fix” the problem prior to his appointment.

“Getty said given his role in the Hogan transition, “my position is whatever the governor’s position would be” and he would not comment further.

“Ready was recently reelected to the House with 34,789 votes and was the top vote-getter in the Republican primary with 10,567 votes. He was presumed to be the leading candidate for Getty’s seat….”

[…]

It is a must-read article for anyone who has followed the controversies – find it here: http://marylandreporter.com/2015/01/15/hogan-wants-more-openness-more-names-in-filling-legislative-seats/

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Labels: Carroll Co Republican Central Committee, Commissioner Haven Shoemaker, Commissioner Robin Frazier, People Ready-Justin, People Shoemaker-Haven

Del. Justin Ready, R-District 5 is the clear choice for the Carroll County Republican Central Committee to fill the vacancy in the Maryland State Senate left by outgoing Senator Joe Getty

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Maryland Reporter: Maryland General Assembly Opening Day State Roundup, January 14, 2015 by Cynthia Prairie

Maryland Reporter: Maryland General Assembly Opening Day State Roundup, January 14, 2015

Published on January 14th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie

http://marylandreporter.com/2015/01/14/state-roundup-january-14-2015/

OPENING DAY: Maryland lawmakers are planning to hear from the state’s incoming Republican governor today and its outgoing Democratic governor on Thursday as the annual 90-day legislative session gets underway in Annapolis. The 435th session of the General Assembly is set to convene at noon today, writes John Wagner for the Post.

Opening day at the State House will be mostly pomp and receptions, with all 141 members of the House of Delegates and 47 members of the Senate being sworn in to new four-year terms, many of them with family members by their side, writes John Wagner in the Post.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: When the Maryland General Assembly reconvenes today, there will be a sea of new lawmakers taking the oath of office, reports Jenna Johnson for the Post. This crop of freshmen includes a former drug dealer, a liberal blogger and a saloon owner. There are three medical doctors, several military veterans and a guy who has worked for 25 years at a plant that produces construction materials. She reports one interesting fact about each.

Prognosticator Barry Rascovar, in a column at politicalmaryland.com, offers some sage advice for the newcomers to the Maryland General Assembly. “You’ve been through an orientation and culture shock is starting to set in. But don’t get too comfortable. Things are about to change in a BIG way,” he begins.

Read much more here: http://marylandreporter.com/2015/01/14/state-roundup-january-14-2015/

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