PG-Politics

PG Legislators' Voting Rights Hypocrisy

2013-04-29T10:05:00.004-04:00

The 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly passed a law entitled "Improved Access to Voting" intended to make it easier for citizens to register and vote.

Every Prince Georges County member voted for final passage, except Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith, who was absent.

The General Assembly also passed a law entitled "Prince George's County - School System - Academic Revitalization and Management Effectiveness Initiative."

Every Prince Georges County member voted for final passage, except Sen. C. Anthony Muse and Del, Aisha Braveboy, who voted No, and Del. Tawanna Gaines and Del. Jay Walker, who were excused or absent.

The primary purpose of the latter bill was to overrule the will of the voters of the county and limit the authority of officials for whom they had voted.

So, while almost all of our Senators and Delegates voted to made it easier to vote, they also showed their distrust of, and contempt for, the voters by acting to set aside the results of the voter's choices.

Apparently they want more people to go through the motions of voting, but won't honor the voters' choices.

Disgusting hypocrisy in my opinion.

Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part zero, list of news reports

2013-04-09T06:40:00.000-04:00

Note: The timestamps (about x hours ago) are inaccurate, but they link to pages with the original Tweet and posting time. This is not comprehensive. Final daily issue, may be supplement later if law is challenged.

8 Apr 2013
RT @CollegePrkPatch: Gov. O'Malley: Rushern Baker's increased control over Prince George's schools is "a good thing" http://t.co/Zq9TBUtNA5 about 12 hours ago
RT @GreenbeltPatch: Watch what O'Malley said about Baker taking over #PGCounty schools: http://t.co/kf9i7Dfejz about 12 hours ago
RT @UMarlboroPatch: O'Malley supports Baker's move to add new board members and leadership to #PGCounty public schools: http://t.co/Lz1h ... about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Fwd w/note: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From S: Deasy is now the superintendent in L.A. ... http://t.co/JWlUciF5DN about 15 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: Pr. George's County Exec Rushern Baker tells me the superintendent will now be called CEO. @nbcwashington about 19 hours ago
7 Apr 2013
[Mail List] Fwd: [PG-Politics] Fw: HB 1107 Passes the House but with 81 Votes (t: ... From: Suchitra Balachand... http://t.co/zgF21c9S5z about 21 hours ago
[Mail List] Fw: HB 1107 Passes the House but with 81 Votes (that is significant): ... From: Peggy Higgins Sub... http://t.co/5yXDbdmaiy about 21 hours ago
Sun: Assembly approves shake-up of Prince George's schools http://t.co/lJmqs1YtyM http://t.co/Kns1CIPtgN less than a minute ago
Post: Only one delegate from Prince George’s — Aisha N. Braveboy (D-25) — voted against Baker's school takeover bill. http://t.co/zBismXGdiM 2 minutes ago
Post: Md. House sends overhaul of Prince George’s school system to governor http://t.co/zBismXGdiM 5 minutes ago
6 Apr 2013
RT @OvettaWashPost: Md. House sends overhaul of Prince George’s school system to governor http://t.co/TeviTXYN7F about 7 hours ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: Md. House sends overhaul of Prince George’s school system to governor http://t.co/MkWI2wmDjg about 9 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Maryland General ...: I thought there was to be a hearing on Monday .. http://t.co/56CkHpvgwn about 9 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Maryland General Assembly Passes Education Ref: The writing was on the wall.... http://t.co/zzIrvyDKfM about 9 hours ago
[Mail List] Fwd: MD General Assembly Passes Education Reform Legislation: Another Baker press release threatening ... http://t.co/ITH1YVnfo5 about 9 hours ago
[Mail List] Post: Former PG County executive Wayne K. Curry is new chairman of county Economic Development Corp ... http://t.co/QEM44VSQwC about 9 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: alleged delegation vote on Senate Bill -- HB 1107: Most are being told how they should vote http://t.co/DDtoQP7prP about 11 hours ago
RT @darcyspencer: Delegates Approve Baker\'s School Control Plan http://t.co/D8tKhzyn6C via @nbcwashington about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: alleged delegation vote on Senate Bill -- HB 1107: The betrayal was completed this afternoon ... http://t.co/snDyIBflv7 about 12 hours ago
RT @GeorgeWNEW: Office of @CountyExecBaker confirms overhaul will take effect June 1. @PGCPSSuper title will be replaced with CEO of @pg ... about 14 hours ago
RT @nbcwashington: House of Delegates Approves Baker's School Control Plan: http://t.co/yUeunZdsgw about 14 hours ago
RT @GeorgeWNEW: Assuming @GovernorOMalley signs @pgcps overhaul, @CountyExecBaker will be able to appoint new school board chair, plus @ ... about 14 hours ago
RT @GeorgeWNEW: . @pgcps school board chair confirms all 3 superintendent candidates dropped out amid 'unfortunate chaos' including lega ... about 14 hours ago
RT @ABC7News: The Md. House has given final approval to a bill giving the PG Co. executive more control over the school system. http:// ... about 14 hours ago
RT @GeorgeWNEW: #PG Schools @pgcps overhaul clears #MD General Assembly. @CountyExecBaker camp says still be some time before he can app ... about 14 hours ago
RT @DCAbloob: County Executive Baker will be free to select the new #PGCPS superintendent. The previous candidates withdrew yesterday. # ... about 15 hours ago
RT @DCAbloob: Maryland House approves modified Prince George's County schools legislation, 81-45. Bill now goes to governor. #pgcounty # ... about 15 hours ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: Revamp of Prince George's school system governance passes the Maryland House of Delegates 81-45. Now goes to governor. about 15 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Fwd w/note: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From ...: Of course the media claque cheering Baker's... http://t.co/9icz235wsE about 15 hours ago
RT @ABC7News: The two remaining finalists vying to lead the Prince George's school system have withdrawn. http://t.co/D8dDawVE8s about 16 hours ago
Baker-WaPo plan to end school superintendent turnover is already working http://t.co/sYGq7UzMUa Superintendent can't quit if nobody wants job 9 minutes ago
5 Apr 2013
RT @pgcps: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search Process http://t.co/Ks4FOhQ68R about 4 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: Maybe the County Executive wa... http://t.co/EP3lofmX08 about 4 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: If there are no candidates th... http://t.co/dorPpkwN9p about 4 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: Let's be fair. It was the B... http://t.co/NeGKpSNwEN about 4 hours ago
@Locs1957 it will get worse before it gets better about 8 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Remaining Two Final: Once again, we shoot ourselves in the foot. Thanks, Mr. Baker, for making sur... http://t.co/1yrFpbdQuk about 8 hours ago
RT @DCAbloob: PGCPS: Remaining two finalists withdraw from superintendent search process - http://t.co/NOXTc8GcHv #pgcounty #pgcps about 10 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search Process http://t.co/PKdFYTZrWz via @sharethis about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: I can't imagine any honest, competent, s http://t.co/907jL2C79x about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: This is disgusting; branding,... http://t.co/rjS3P7RUDL about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search Proc: fyi- What a surprise!Subject... http://t.co/rmsevwWgtT about 10 hours ago
RT @News8NewsTalk: As Md. lawmakers near final action on bill giving Exec. the power to choose PG Schools CEO, final candidates withdraw ... about 10 hours ago
RT @BowiePatch: #BreakingNews | Final Two Superintendent Candidates Withdraw | http://t.co/K3emrMh7sN about 11 hours ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: "...in the coming months, we accept and understand why these highly qualified candidates have withdrawn." PGCPS Board ... about 11 hours ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: PGCPS "..due to the disruption that occurred with this process and the uncertainty of the leadership of the school system ... about 11 hours ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: Eric Becoats, the other finalist in the search for PGCPS Super dropped out on April 2. #PGCPS #Super search about 11 hours ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: "We regret that your voice was not heard" PGCPS BOE to the community at large on #Super search and news all 3 candidat ... about 11 hours ago
RT @radleybalko: Maryland legislature passes a scary new "cyber-bullying" bill. http://t.co/6PChzeIePN about 11 hours ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: PGCPS two finalists in the PG Super search drop out. Statement from BOE: "due to the disruption that occurred with thi ... about 11 hours ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: ..the two remaining candidates for PGCPS Super dropped out. Dr Alvin Crawley and Mr. Harrison Peters told the BOE today. about 11 hours ago
RT @josephlkitchen: The compromise bill to reform governance of PGCPS and why I support it. http://t.co/gAAfH379zu via @josephlkitchen about 14 hours ago
[Mail List] Baltimore/broader education cabal to make good obedient workers?: Hi All, I found a "P-20 Leadersh... http://t.co/aqOZAthOBF about 14 hours ago
RT @afronews: P.G. School Takeover Foes Confront State Lawmakers http://t.co/hvnkJ2aQ37 about 17 hours ago
[Mail List] general note to the delegation: This is what I sent to the delegation at pg2@.... I suggest that a... http://t.co/CUNGG6lJwT about 19 hours ago
RT @nbcwashington: LATEST: The Md. Senate gives initial approval to plan that gives Rushern Baker far more control of county schools: ht ... about 22 hours ago
4 Apr 2013
RT @OvettaWashPost: The writing’s on the wall: Cursive disappearing from public schools http://t.co/ffui976HwW about 6 hours ago
RT @CountyExecBaker: Just happened: More good news. Pr. George's Co. House Delegation moved the education reform bill to Ways and Means ... about 6 hours ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: Prince George's schools bill passes the Maryland Senate on a 39-7 vote. about 9 hours ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: The Post's chart on bills pending in the Maryland General Assembly has been updated http://t.co/a3tXyHNLHH about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Fwd: Protect Democracy In Prince George's County: ... From: Pat Fletcher Date: Thu, Apr 4, 2013 a... http://t.co/AxkcUK9iaA about 10 hours ago
RT @AFPMD: Maryland ranks at the bottom of the most free States in the Nation! I wonder if we will be the least free state... http://t. ... about 14 hours ago
RT @josephlkitchen: The compromise bill to reform governance of PGCPS and why I support it. http://t.co/gAAfH379zu about 14 hours ago
RT @MELaurelLeader: Bill to wrest power from Prince George's school board wins support http://t.co/OcokQGZAL7 about 17 hours ago
RT @postlocal: Pr. George’s delegation backs schools shift, but a full takeover bid falls short http://t.co/eVOPTEXEx1 about 19 hours ago
Gazette (Letter): ‘In complete shock’ over Baker’s decision. "incompetence at all levels of government in our county" http://t.co/E0tte4E7dS less than a minute ago
Post: Md. lawmakers close to altering school funding formula to help Prince George's http://t.co/9fjHDRav8M 3 minutes ago
Examiner: Prince George's state senators pass watered down school reform bill http://t.co/VIblYlOe79 4 minutes ago
Post: Compromise on Prince George's County schools overhaul set for vote in Md ... http://t.co/UTzGd0bCTL 6 minutes ago
Post: Pr. George's senators approve county school plan http://t.co/CmG95rEa9F 7 minutes ago
[Mail List] Pr. George’s delegation backs schools shift, but full takeover bid: Pr. George’s delegation backs ... http://t.co/p0I4T5fTTG 7 minutes ago
3 Apr 2013
RT @PGCountyScoop: Prince George's County Senators approve schools plan http://t.co/3QPoyzkndS 8 minutes ago
RT @OvettaWashPost: Pr. George’s delegation backs schools shift, but full takeover bid falls short http://t.co/6sfiYJ2obg about 6 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: My Senator is doing nothing that my community is ... http://t.co/aPRUZA5Yrt about 8 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Thanks Debbie. Below is the full text of the Was... http://t.co/nn3aL5zkTA about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [PrinceGeorges_Discussion] Md. Lawmakers Close to Altering Schoo: With Sincere Regards, Lind... http://t.co/wkDmfvPQEO about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: According to the examiner it was the Senate Deleg... http://t.co/nES2zqs3b1 about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: They can also be tracked via WaPo's new "track bi... http://t.co/rFmlgYrf14 about 10 hours ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: Every Md. delegate from Montgomery, Prince George's and Baltimore voted for Gov. O'Malley's gun-control bill, except o ... about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Md. Lawmakers Close to Altering School Funding Formula to Help PG: Md. lawmakers close to altering... http://t.co/ltMGzsqVUk about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Prince George's County Senators Approve School Plans: MARYLAND Prince George's County Senators app... http://t.co/TEGnKcbPYF about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Sherry, If you go to the General Assembly's web ... http://t.co/puc7DLhKgS about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: POST: Transformed Baker School 'Takeover' Bill to get Senate Vot: I am properly corrected by J... http://t.co/Gl8c87zUI2 about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Understood Debbie. Some may feel disrespected wh... http://t.co/TYLsHE0c2J about 11 hours ago
RT @RochelleReports: #PrinceGeorges County Senators approved #PGCPS school board measure in 7-to-1 vote. Proposal now goes to a senate c ... about 11 hours ago
RT @RochelleReports: @ABC7News reporting that #PrinceGeorges Senators have approved a measure to allow the County Exec. Baker to select ... about 13 hours ago
RT @ABC7News: PG County Senators have approved a measure that would allow the county executive to select the new superintendent. http:// ... about 13 hours ago
RT @WNEWNews: Prince George's County Senators have approved County Exec. Baker's plan to take over control of the county's schools. http ... about 13 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: Prince George's County Senators approve schools plan | http://t.co/fA5oWJpQtM: http://t.co/UhjD2LH9BB via @abc7news about 13 hours ago
RT @myfoxdc: Prince George's County Senators have approved a measure that would allow County Executive Rushern Baker to select... http:/ ... about 13 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Prince George's County Schools Takeover Hearing; ... http://t.co/agIiawC1kG about 13 hours ago
RT @CountyExecBaker: Pr. George's Senate Delegation moves education bill forward. With this move we are one step closer to more accounta ... about 15 hours ago
RT @CountyExecBaker: Happening Now: Pr. George's Senate Delegation meeting about education bill. http://t.co/ptzDVPI0h2 about 15 hours ago
RT @pgpoliticsx: [Mail List] further on SB 1071: I'm still a bit miffed that we have to wait to get information on this critica... http: ... about 15 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: MD Senate Scheduled to Vote on [PGCPS] Compromise Bill: One still hopes at the end of the day,... http://t.co/XPVJMTR4WK about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: I have no doubt that parents, especially those wh... http://t.co/3mxhZ1ukOs about 16 hours ago
RT @darcyspencer: Candidate Pulls Out of Pr. George\'s Superintendent Race http://t.co/z1kGRn7tVq via @nbcwashington about 18 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: See "PG legislators' positions on Rushern Baker's... http://t.co/Y8ZJxkedY3 about 18 hours ago
[Mail List] Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Hi, Just to get up to speed, is there any State or Co... http://t.co/Q0HlaOb1as about 20 hours ago
@Locs1957 @RochelleReports @pgcps @PGPARENTS At this point, why would any sane, quality, employable super. candidate even want to apply? about 20 hours ago
Post: Maryland Senate to consider Prince George’s school plan http://t.co/WU2bTSxvwE about 21 hours ago
Post (Editorial): Maryland Senate is undercutting reform for Prince George’s schools http://t.co/8u56euddNp about a minute ago
[Mail List] Re MD Senate Scheduled to Vote on PGCPS Compromise Bill: This was such a bad way to move toward greatness http://t.co/AWtBniIpIh 11 minutes ago
RT @pgpoliticsx: [Mail List] Re: POST: Transformed Baker School 'Takeover' Bill to get Senate Vot: We do all know that Carolyn ... http: ... 14 minutes ago
2 Apr 2013
RT @RochelleReports: Dr. Eric Becoats, 1 of 3 finalists applying for #PGCPS superintendent, withdraws from the search process. @pgcps @P ... 14 minutes ago
[Mail List] POST: Transformed Baker School 'Takeover' Bill to get Senate Vote We: POST: Transformed Baker Scho... http://t.co/Z9p4ikZFcr about 6 hours ago
RT @pgcps: One Candidate Withdraws from Superintendent Search Process http://t.co/ZrKpxvDQ32 about 7 hours ago
[Mail List] MD Senate Scheduled to Vote on [PGCPS] Compromise Bill: Comment: Working together seems better me... http://t.co/ID8ko1hV9m about 7 hours ago
RT @OvettaWashPost: Maryland Senate scheduled to vote on Pr. George’s schools compromise bill http://t.co/88R6METAYw about 7 hours ago
RT @HyattsvllePatch: Patch Asks: Residents Talk About School Superintendent Candidates http://t.co/3AMtfqyJCR about 13 hours ago
RT @gazette_net: To stave off a potential takeover of the school system by Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III... http ... about 15 hours ago
@CNSMDNow Davis is dep dir of an office under Baker. Is there some good reason why CNS does not mention that employment relationship? about 15 hours ago
@CNSMDNow IMHO, CNS stories quoting D. Davis as supporting Baker's school bill should include the fact that Davis is employed by Baker about 15 hours ago
RT @CNSMDNow: Who should control the Board of Education in Prince George's county? Lawmakers want more time to decide. http://t.co/VyfTo ... about 15 hours ago
RT @News_PGCounty: Prince George's school board offers to reopen superintendent search: http://t.co/uPqJKjJbwB about 16 hours ago
RT @CountyExecBaker: Our school governance proposal mentioned in this article from @TheAtlantic Interesting read: http://t.co/1yFohfwDnR about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] An independent press - on conflicts of interest in State Legislature: Hi Diane and All, Another th... http://t.co/EFIWskkkPA about 19 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [pgpubliced] Updated: Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat: Immigrant driver's licenses ... http://t.co/Cb1yqS7WmT about 20 hours ago
RT @PGCountyScoop: Md. lawmakers hold public hearing on Rushern Baker's plan to tak - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG h ... about 22 hours ago
RT @WNEWNews: Prince George's County lawmakers considering allowing the county executive to overhaul the county’s school system. http:// ... about 22 hours ago
1 Apr 2013
RT @WTOPinMD: PG County lawmakers consider schools takeover plan http://t.co/I143M4d3Rc #WTOP about a minute ago
[Mail List] Monday's Testimony on S.B. 1071: Dear friends-- Unfortunately, professional obligations prevented ... http://t.co/2wmIZztCWT 2 minutes ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: A status report on major bills making their way through the Maryland General Assembly http://t.co/a3tXyHNLHH about 7 hours ago
@mirandawashpost Nowhere has Baker said what he would do differently to guarantee a better result--nor have has press pushed him on that ? about 11 hours ago
RT @mirandawashpost: Rushern Baker says Prince George's school system is making progress but "a child can't wait a single day for a qual ... about 11 hours ago
RT @mirandawashpost: w@ovettawashpost Prince George's school board chair Jeana Jacobs is willing to reopen superintendent search to stav ... about 11 hours ago
RT @News8NewsTalk: 'When you look at the data, we are on the move. I know it can be hard to see that,' PG BoE member Peggy Higgins tells ... about 11 hours ago
RT @News8NewsTalk: The hearing is nearly an hour old and we have yet to hear from residents. Mostly it's lawmakers venting about the Pri ... about 11 hours ago
RT @News8NewsTalk: School Board Chair Jacobs: Baker proposal is undemocratic and would undermine solid gains we're making. No, we're not ... about 11 hours ago
Delegates with potential conflicts of interest re Rushern Baker's school coup d'etat (Part eight) http://t.co/ERsoqU1um0 9 minutes ago
Proposal for Integrated Police Governance of Prince George’s County Police http://t.co/AK3p1Xg8Eh #PGPD #PrinceGeorges #parody #GoryPG about an hour ago
31 Mar 2013
RT @moses100000: Letter to Maryland General Assembly. http://t.co/fr4LF6Ucw3 about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Prince George's legislators' positions ... I'll try to compile list of legis. conflicts of interest http://t.co/eqX8dr1h8P about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [pgpubliced] Prince George's legislators' positions on Rushern B: I think the question would b... http://t.co/6cVMGmU4Gg about 12 hours ago
Post (Jay Mathews): While fixing Prince George’s schools, don’t mess with successes http://t.co/TlWcQFbKfR about 14 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: It would be a sweet story fo... http://t.co/moP4wVv6Ck about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Prince George's legislators' positions on Rushern B: My question is why isn't the press checking ... http://t.co/UvSDwfkQsT about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Prince George's legislators' positions on Rushern B: Go back and research the relationships ... http://t.co/8gVBVEfUyZ about 18 hours ago
PG legislators' positions on Rushern Baker's school coup d'etat (Part seven) http://t.co/FCQ4AUED6C about 22 hours ago
30 Mar 2013
RT @mirandawashpost: Baker says school takeover plan seeks to make Prince George’s more competitive http://t.co/cHNOAl0EjU via @washingt ... about 7 hours ago
[Mail List] Fwd: [pgpubliced] Friday's Testimony on Baker Takeover: ... From: Date: Sat, Mar 30, 2013 at 4:53... http://t.co/s8IUFeFhxQ about 8 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [pgpubliced] Fwd: County Executive Baker Testifies Regarding Pla: ... Current legislators who ... http: ... about 16 hours ago
Post (Letter from Bob Ross): The wrong plan for Prince George's schools http://t.co/Sd8Wy5XKvf less than a minute ago
29 Mar 2013
RT @mirandawashpost: Baker's school takeover plan takes hit a hearing but compromise afoot http://t.co/qkAtFZOVfI 38 minutes ago
[Mail List] Re: [pgpubliced] Fwd: County Executive Baker Testifies Regarding Pla: I guess nothing we say matters... http://t.co/xMhpjPQ6if about 9 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Fwd: County Executive Baker Testifies Regarding Plan on School G: I was living in Montgomery C... http://t.co/dLolMv4kxL about 9 hours ago
[Mail List] Fwd: County Executive Baker Testifies Regarding Plan on School Gover: Sitting in front while Baker... http://t.co/8Urkd86J8l about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Integrated School Governance Advisory Commission?: ... It makes perfect sense, though: produc... http://t.co/UvF8bBvMOq about 12 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: Leaders are able to overstep boundaries when the Majority is Apathetic: http://t.co/tAMmTq5FrI about 12 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Prince George's County Council Chair: The County Executive's school takeover bill lacks checks and balances and disenfranchis ... about 12 hours ago
RT @CountyExecBaker: Happening Now: Testifying before #MDSenate Education, Heath, Environment Committee. #NoMoreStatusQuo. http://t.co/ ... about 12 hours ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: PG County Exec Baker to go before a Senate Committee on his "integrated school governance" plan. It gives him authorit ... about 12 hours ago
RT @mirandawashpost: MD Senate ed panel at 1 http://t.co/81FERBWHJj take up Baker school takeover plan, ever evolving with lawmakers wei ... about 16 hours ago
RT @CountyExecBaker: Sorry for the delay as we fixed the low audio volume from #TeleTownHall. Thx to those who particpated. Listen here ... about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Integrated School Governance Advisory Commission? Baker established some kind of education study ... http://t.co/odin9rKe3x about 21 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Integrated School Governance Advisory Commission?: There is that, of course. But given the pu... http://t.co/UcAsHnlCrs about 22 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Integrated School Governance Advisory Commission?: I have not had the time to really dig into ... http://t.co/VLLw4WwqL7 about 22 hours ago
Gazette: Critics bash Senate version of Prince George’s schools takeover effort http://t.co/Zq8EN9DXJI about a minute ago
[Mail List] Re: FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: Sorry about the file attachm... http://t.co/BlOwbjWyaV 4 minutes ago
28 Mar 2013
[Mail List] Re: Baker's takeover plan: I've been swamped by other things but watching this unfold. My two cent... http://t.co/8WrXGrSRwe about 8 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Term limits have not worked anywh... http://t.co/1kZ9FR5weR about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Baker's takeover plan: We have a right not to be jerked around like this, what has happened to... http://t.co/H8latQHFXE about 11 hours ago
Sun: Say no to Prince George's schools takeover http://t.co/MjOcDjfvqX about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: Understood Linda, but the BoE ... http://t.co/d2MPnNktaF about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: Yes, however, for the develope... http://t.co/Gmh5fvdC6B about 12 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: 7pm tonight PGCo Young Dems meet with reps from Bakers office about his school plan. 4301 Garden City Dr Hyattsville MD ... about 12 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: PGCo Council wants control of school budget http://t.co/ijTpnq4VGr. Even Baker allies aren't seeing checks/balances about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Baker's takeover plan: I feel we were blindsided in the way this plan was proposed. I think our sc... http://t.co/Pyj1QxnILC about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: Core = students who took a col... http://t.co/3UserpUJRj about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: I'm pretty sure the developers... http://t.co/1MA4MTTHYB about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: Hi Denise and All, THIS is precise... http://t.co/Fr60ZgE6O1 about 12 hours ago
RT @CNSmd: Prince George’s Delegates Split on Proposed County Education Bill: http://t.co/p23qQPoZTq about 12 hours ago
RT @CNSmd: Prince George’s Delegates Split on Proposed County Education Bill: http://t.co/CJWaA6GDdb about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: The need for PGC student gra... http://t.co/fYq2UyBfTO about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: The trend is the same for PG... http://t.co/A1czDfnZlJ about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: Duly noted and Applauded: ... http://t.co/k7K49mvBYi about 12 hours ago
[Mail List] FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: I say "maybe," but here, from a ... http://t.co/POygYN6rZW about 19 hours ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: The WaPo edit board urges the Md legislature to give Prince George's exec Rushern Baker more authority over schools ht ... about 22 hours ago
Post: Baker talks to Prince George's residents about schools takeover plan http://t.co/IvR7hJNMgG 2 minutes ago
RT @DCAbloob: Washington Post editorial: Md. lawmakers should vote now to fix Prince George’s schools - http://t.co/MY7QFgOy9G #pgcounty ... 4 minutes ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Except for the shorter terms, thi... http: ... 4 minutes ago
27 Mar 2013
RT @RethinkCP: Baker discusses School Takeover Plan during Telephone Town Hall Meeting: http://t.co/OBfKx9zfFh via @gazette_net about 7 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [PrinceGeorges_Discussion] Re: [PG-Politics] Fwd: Center Marylan: So many of our representativ... http://t.co/HGWCCtr6HJ about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): From What Aimee posted though, it... http://t.co/UiDUPeFlGC about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Fwd: Center Maryland: Josh Kurtz: Fools Rushern In: Early on the Post quoted Sen Joanne Benson ... http://t.co/iF9HrCBdg4 about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Back in early 2002, one of my rea... http://t.co/Kyu9nOcfrK about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Fwd: Center Maryland: Josh Kurtz: Fools Rushern In: Gripping, thoughtful essay on Rushern Baker's ... http://t.co/rVXZpDHGdJ about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: Fwd: Urgent action: Democracy is under attack in Prince George's: We are in a fight, what are ... http://t.co/wIz8HfKQ40 about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Fwd: Urgent action: Democracy is under attack in Prince George's Cou: Wow. Now the Prince George'... http://t.co/DYWQBzhDU4 about 11 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Highlights of the March 21, 2013 BOE Meeting: http://t.co/QvZIXbccuT about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): But without receiving input from ... http://t.co/eCkD4IFEg5 about 11 hours ago
RT @gazette_net: During a telephone town hall on Tuesday, Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III shared further... http:/ ... about 11 hours ago
RT @RochelleReports: Baltimore Sun Op-Ed says handing over authority for #PrinceGeorges schools to county executive "would set a regrett ... about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): When you change, it should be for... http://t.co/DSdDHsrq6G about 15 hours ago
RT @DCAbloob: Baltimore Sun editorial: Say no to Prince George's schools takeover - http://t.co/VFr9XqAXzp #pgcounty #pgcps about 16 hours ago
RT @postlocal: Baker talks to Prince George’s residents about schools takeover plan http://t.co/uXGWIRYK0i about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Ray, as a parent, in this involve... http://t.co/hD37XcnYxi about 16 hours ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: The Baltimore Sun edit board says Baker's takeover of Prince George's schools would set a "regrettable precedent" http ... about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] Center Maryland: Josh Kurtz: Fools Rushern In: From Center Maryland http://articles.centermaryland... http://t.co/R556e1G40J about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Hi Stan and All, Glad to hear fro... http://t.co/rapmTMiDXY about 18 hours ago
RT @ConnollyPG: Council members said there were "no checks and balances" in @CountyExecBaker's schools proposal yesterday. http://t.co/i ... about 18 hours ago
RT @mdreporter: Md. gets lower grade for spending transparency #mdpolitics http://t.co/v6msoYdQCz about 18 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): I'm just wondering how much that ... http://t.co/v4ctgax0Mt about 18 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Article from the Center Maryland: http://t.co/zrOyUynvik "Josh Kurtz: 'Fools Rushern In'" about 18 hours ago
RT @mirandawashpost: Prince George’s council faults Baker’s schools plan, seeks more power over budget - The Washington Post http://t.co ... about 21 hours ago
RT @PGD9Politico: @DrMikeRobinson can we ask @CountyExecBaker to post audio recording of call online so those who could not hear can lis ... about 22 hours ago
Post: Prince George's council faults Baker's schools plan, seeks more power over bedget http://t.co/afxHEXja1m Quotes 4 members (3,5,6,8) about 23 hours ago
RT @PGD9Politico: @pgpolitics my connection was actually pretty good but it was clear others could not hear when they were patched in to ... less than a minute ago
[Mail List] WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): FWIW...I got a total of around 10 robo ... http://t.co/8nRBBmqYKr less than a minute ago
26 Mar 2013
Examiner: Prince George's council: 'No checks and balances' in Rushern Baker's school takeover http://t.co/cv2rfiSQTm about 8 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Hell no ... From: "LindaS" To: ... http://t.co/xRebSO9DPr about 8 hours ago
Baker seems to be talking about the new medical center rather than schools. Giving up. about 11 hours ago
Trying to listen to Baker's telephone town hall, but connection so poor (static and low volume) as to be hopelss about 11 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Response to Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker’s Telephone Town Hall on School Takeover Legislation http://t.co/T ... about 11 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): The end of the legislative sessio... http://t.co/qSbEugJo1J about 11 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: "The way this is drafted, it seems to be quite unbalanced and unfair." Dist 5 Andrea Harrison, Council Chair on Bill ... about 16 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: "Some of the things in this bill are comical actually." Dist. 7 - Karen Toles on Bill 1071 @nbcwashington about 16 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: "I feel very sad that we have moved to this point and we have not been involved" - Obie Patterson Dist. 8 on bill 107 ... about 16 hours ago
RT @mirandawashpost: Prince George's council says it needs fiscal oversight as it has for other county agencies if superintendent moves ... about 16 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [Greenbelters] WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduce: SB1071 attached. --A _______... http://t.co/jJg1hr6LGm about 16 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: Dist #1 Councilmember Mary Lehman said, "I think the County Exec is overstepping his bounds" during the briefing. @nb ... about 16 hours ago
RT @CountyExecBaker: Tell us your thoughts on PGCPS reform & let your voice be heard. We'll also be listening at our #TeleTownHall t ... about 16 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: @pgcps School Board Chair Verjeana Jacobs is listening in on the the #PGCo Council's meeting @nbcwashington http://t. ... about 16 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: #PGCo. County Council members appear frustrated while trying to review the language of Bill 1071 on school governance ... about 16 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: The #PGCo Council is reviewing the County Executive's MD Senate Bill 1071 proposing a change in school governance. @n ... about 16 hours ago
RT @mirandawashpost: PrGeo council discussing#pgcps takeover; Chair Andrea Harrison says bill disses county w/section "lack of public fa ... about 16 hours ago
Baker "face-saving" bill info: http://t.co/OBPEWD0grA PG "School System - Academic Revitalization and Management Effectiveness Initiative" less than a minute ago
[Mail List] WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Post sez new, vastly watered-down bill http://t. ... about a minute ago
[Mail List] WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Post sez new, vastly watered-down bil... http: ... 9 minutes ago
RT @WTOPinMD: Plan to change who controls PGCPS moves forward in Annapolis http://t.co/Hhz9q7iMgB #WTOP 9 minutes ago
25 Mar 2013
Post (Letter from Gerron Levi): To improve Prince George’s schools, focus on the classroom, not the boardroom http://t.co/z3ESf9EIeO about 6 hours ago
RT @RethinkCP: WaPost: Baker's Frustration with County School Board finally Boils Over: http://t.co/GtZFNmFK0p about 6 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [PrinceGeorges_Discussion] More on Sen. Peters bill: I guess we have no say....just tax us to ... http://t.co/cF41CvwUhc about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] More on Sen. Peters bill: RT @TraceeWilkins : Senator Peters says he introduced the bill as Chair ... http://t.co/Qj4kFJWrYP about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Sen. Peters introduces senate bill for Baker's school takeover: RT @TraceeWilkins : Today @Senator... http://t.co/11CscoKbBn about 10 hours ago
[Mail List] Fwd: FW: Democracy under attack in PG County: ... From: Date: Mon, Mar 25, 2013 at 5:28 PM Subjec... http://t.co/zVIXP33vrq about 10 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: Senator Peters introduced C. Exec Baker's Bill: http://t.co/yEguyVPQGb about 10 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: Senator Peters says he introduced the bill as Chair of the Pr. George's Delegation at the request of the County Execu ... about 11 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: MD Senate Bill 1071 is called Prince George's School System - Academic Revitalization & Management Effectiveness ... about 11 hours ago
RT @TraceeWilkins: Today @SenatorPeters introduced Baker's plan for #PGCo school reform. It's a new bill #1071. @nbcwashington about 11 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: Don't miss out on TUESDAY'S town hall on School Board takeover. Deadline info in post: http://t.co/yEguyVPQGb about 11 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: Michelle Rhee sides with Baker's school takeover bid=harbinger of bad idea http://t.co/yEguyVPQGb about 11 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: School Board Tug-of-War http://t.co/gLgzlJiqAB about 11 hours ago
RT @DCAbloob: just received a robocall inviting me to particpate in the Prince George's county executive's telephone town hall {Me too] about 13 hours ago
[Mail List] FW: [AA-PTA] Statement of Verjeana M. Jacobs, ESQ, Chair, Prince Geo: fyiSubject: Statement of Ver... http://t.co/CpStmFtAVf about 13 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Prince George's County Residents and Leaders Respond to County Executive's School Takeover Proposal Watch video: http://t.co/ ... about 13 hours ago
RT @News8NewsTalk: PG School Board Chair V. Jacobs: "The County Executive is a good and decent man.. but what if his successor is a John Leopold ... about 13 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Read BOE Chair Jacobs' statement to Prince George's House Delegation regarding HB 1107: http://t.co/Jw07Fj5ZpQ about 13 hours ago
RT @DCAbloob: re: ACE-AFSCME Local 2250 awareness night RT @pgcps: Tonight's Meeting In Annapolis Is Cancelled http://t.co/LPDH3eI6Rj about 15 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Tonight's Meeting In Annapolis Is Cancelled http://t.co/knmKGiBoBK about 15 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [PrinceGeorges_Discussion] Baker to Host Telephone Town Hall Reg: This is such non-sense; I th... http://t.co/EilYisU6fJ about 21 hours ago
[PG-Politics] Re: [PrinceGeorges_Discussion] Baker to Host Telephone Town Hall Regarding Propos... Read more at http://t.co/hGvzgnBbSd about 21 hours ago
[Mail List] Baker to Host Telephone Town Hall Regarding Proposed School Takeover: (& Baker requires land-line phone) http://t.co/3AMLNNKCQr about 22 hours ago
24 Mar 2013
RT @pgpoliticsx: [Mail List] further response to Rushern Baker's planned take over of our schools: Hubert Humphrey was credited... http: ... about an hour ago
RT @mirandawashpost: Baker, Jacobs square off over schools plan w@ovettawashpost #pgcps about 3 hours ago
Post: Baker, Jacobs square off over Prince George's County schools takeover plan http://t.co/viKUcbFnn3 about 10 hours ago
23 Mar 2013
RT @moses100000: PGCPS Employees Help oppose House Bill HB1080 http://t.co/CChFVgTvab via @moses100000 about 18 hours ago
[Mail List] Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part six: To whom will the superintendent report? http://t.co/p0IUlL9js7 about 18 hours ago
Gazette: Prince George's House delegation looks for more details on Baker's plan http://t.co/TlHXooUNNC about 21 hours ago
Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part six: To whom will the superintendent report http://t.co/DRW4JypAwE [Some deputy asst. CAO?] about 21 hours ago
[Mail List] Re: [PrinceGeorges_Discussion] Re: testimony submitted to the delega: You are right when you say: ... http://t.co/38GjgYm33T 1 day ago
[Mail List] Sen. Pinsky described as "key architect of [Baker] takeover plan," n: From the Post article about ... http://t.co/jU3UhDjvpP 1 day ago
RT @paulschwartzman: Another political meltdown in Prince George's County http://t.co/9Y3kHsB8x8 1 day ago
[Mail List] Re: Speak Out Against the County Executive's Proposal to Take Over Our Schools: I hope everyone n. ... http://t.co/oh3Mgbz1ut 1 day ago
RT @dcrussell: @RochelleReports Don't know about others, but role of Baker & advisers in creating environment & overseeing Horns ... 1 day ago
RT @dcrussell: @RochelleReports despite dubious credentials, supported and paid 6-figures on the way to jail by Baker's close adviser, B ... 1 day ago
@RochelleReports Nobody seems to want to metnion that one of those sup. was a felon appointed by the Baker-created appointed board, and 1 day ago
RT @pgcps: Everyone should follow @DelegateAisha . Very passionate about the education of students. 1 day ago
RT @RochelleReports: #PrinceGeorges BOE Chair says reality is #PGCPS has had 7 superintendents in 10yrs but made progress in spite of th ... 1 day ago
RT @RochelleReports: #PrinceGeorges Delegation Chair Jolene Ivey tells hearing attendees public input will be sought on school board bil ... 1 day ago
RT @BowiePatch: RT @pgcps: @PGCPSBOEChair: This is a flawed bill that does not include the voice of parents, residents and taxpayers. 1 day ago
[Mail List] Fwd: D9 Community Update: School Reform Proposal & Survey: ... From: Mel Franklin Date: Sat, Mar ... http://t.co/d5BaDHOhK3 1 day ago
RT @pgcps: @pgcps Board of Education is in Annapolis discussing education proposal. 1 day ago
RT @melcouncil9: D9 Community Update: School Reform Proposal & Survey #constantcontact http://t.co/U25Uyw4gce 1 day ago
[Mail List] Who is manipulating the message?: I think this is extremely important and an astute observation Re... http://t.co/mr2MFe48ib 1 day ago
[Mail List] Grassroots build coalitions without benefit of "official" PR options: I have to side with Diane on... http://t.co/gGnLxzos6U 1 day ago
22 Mar 2013
[Mail List] Re: Fwd: Speak Out Against the County Executive's Proposal to Take O: Seems questionable to me. B... http: ... 1 day ago
[Mail List] Re: Fwd: Speak Out Against the County Executive's Proposal to Take O: I think some of us are picki... http: ... 1 day ago
[Mail List] Fwd: Speak Out Against the County Executive's Proposal to Take Over: This forwarded official e-mai... http: ... 1 day ago
RT @NosyNewser: RT @PGPDNews: #PGPD arrests second suspect in murder of Sharod James. http://t.co/pG9RIZY5pm 1 day ago
[Mail List] FW: SPECIAL NOTICE: HOUSE DELEGATION MEETING ON EDUC & PGCPS: From: connect@... To: connect@... Su... http://t.co/jRIf1Ep5Hq 1 day ago
Post: Pr. George’s teachers union, parents group oppose Baker school takeover plan http://t.co/aCwg70YiYP 2 days ago
RT @News_PGCounty: Prince George's school board votes to oppose county exec takeover: http://t.co/4KLjLrgGbn 2 days ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: On the transportation funding bill in the Maryland House: 76 Democrats voted yes; 41 Republicans and 22 Democrats vote ... 2 days ago
RT @PGPDNews: #PGPD arrests suspect wanted for open warrant. He may help lead us to info on wanted stabbing suspect. #poltwt http://t.co ... 2 days ago
RT @RochelleReports: @CountyExecBaker & Board of Ed. Chair to address county delegation at special meeting on proposed #PGCPS takeov ... 2 days ago
RT @CountyExecBaker: Our delegation is taking written comment regarding school power grab plan until 3/27. More info: http://t.co/RVNAuMvCXv 2 days ago
Gazette: Prince George's groups set to rally Saturday on school takeover proposal http://t.co/KmEyDgW18v 2 days ago
RT @News_PGCounty: #PrinceGeorges groups set to rally Saturday on school takeover proposal: http://t.co/OwOIgxNT8M 2 days ago
[Mail List] Fwd ALERT>:PG Delegation Welcomes School Board Comments by Email: Thanks to Mr. Rick Tyler for sha... http://t.co/vUfywqmvjz 2 days ago
Post: Prince George’s teachers’ union opposes Baker’s school takeover plan http://t.co/uNdGTRHkj0 Union statement "We are outraged ... " 2 days ago
RT @moses100000: Mr. Baker & Amendments to MD HB 1107 http://t.co/Wn14Sfp61e 2 days ago
21 Mar 2013
RT @pgcps: Please RT: @PGCPS teachers: We are outraged at what [the proposed bill] has the potential to do. @CountyExecBaker 2 days ago
RT @pgcps: Please RT: MD lobbyist Len Lucchi: Lots of contradictions in @CountyExecBaker school takeover proposal. 2 days ago
RT @pgcps: Please RT: PGCPS teachers: It only leaves us with one answer as to why, and that is for the money. @CountyExecBaker #bakersch ... 2 days ago
RT @pgcps: MD lobbyist Len Lucchi: Lots of contradictions in @CountyExecBaker school takeover proposal. 2 days ago
RT @pgcps: PGC resident: We don’t need anybody to study taking away our voting rights. It’s not an appropriate thing to study: taking aw ... 2 days ago
RT @pgcps: @PGCPS teachers: It only leaves us with one answer as to why, and that is for the money. @CountyExecBaker 2 days ago
RT @pgcps: @PGCPS teachers: We are outraged at what [the proposed bill] has the potential to do. @CountyExecBaker 2 days ago
RT @pgcps: @PGCPS teachers’ union opposes @CountyExecBaker school takeover plan: There's absolutely no reason for such drastic action at ... 2 days ago
RT @RochelleReports: Tempers flare in #Annapolis as #PGCPS BOE members confront #MD lawmakers about school system takeover plan. Story o ... 2 days ago
RT @RethinkCP: Opinion: Let's give Baker's School takeover Plan a Chance: http://t.co/KMxbfOmHtb via @washingtonpost 2 days ago
RT @RethinkCP: Baker's Political Future could Hinge on Outcome of School Overhaul: http://t.co/GbzKksuDYy via @gazette_net 2 days ago
RT @pgcps: During the last 3 years, we have had to cut over $350 million from our budget, yet our students continue to make steady progress. 3 days ago
RT @pgcps: @pgcps high school students meeting graduation requirements for HSA has increased from 40% in 2008 to 68% in 2011. @CountyExe ... 3 days ago
RT @pgcps: @PGCPS 5th grade MSA science scores have risen 58% since 2011. @CountyExecBaker 3 days ago
RT @pgcps: The percentage of @PGCPS students who earned a score of 3 or higher grew 9.7% over the last year. 3 days ago
RT @pgcps: @PGCPS student scores on the ACT test have increased 80% since 2008. 3 days ago
RT @byaaroncdavis: Md. House passes bill to prevent county boards of education from claiming copyrights of student work (see PG County): ... 3 days ago
RT @AJGazette: Political observers say PG County Exec Rushern Baker's school takeover attempt could affect his reelection chances: http: ... 3 days ago
RT @PGD9Politico: @News_PGCounty Baker knows his political future is fine, voters will have long forgotten at election time. That's the ... 3 days ago
RT @PGD9Politico: Remember Community Teachers Institute, Exec Director was @CountyExecBaker and he touted that for his educational leade ... 3 days ago
RT @WashTimesLocal: Md. bill would end student suspensions for, among other things, chewing pastries into the shape of guns — http://t.c ... 3 days ago
RT @GG_on_the_air: Board calls Baker's proposed school takeover unnecessary gamble http://t.co/UEmlTBZ2Vo 3 days ago
RT @News_PGCounty: #PrinceGeorges residents divided over county executive's schools takeover plan: http://t.co/7qpqVgP8WC 3 days ago
RT @pgcps: Board of Education Announces Time Change for Executive Session http://t.co/0KwcdMsIhm 3 days ago
RT @News_PGCounty: Baker's political future could hinge on education plan's outcome: http://t.co/LMQL6ftHb7 3 days ago
Gazette (Editorial): Do something, please, for Prince George’s schools http://t.co/FTcPjPpLoH 3 days ago
RT @gazette_net: Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker’s proposal to take control of the county’s school system might... htt ... 3 days ago
Gazette: Prince George’s residents divided over county executive’s schools takeover plan http://t.co/00DoThtvB2 3 days ago
20 Mar 2013
Post (Robert McCartney): Pr. George’s school board’s shortcomings justify Rushern Baker’s ruthless tactics http://t.co/yPuZeRjaK0 less than a minute ago
RT @DCAbloob: release: Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III proposes integrated school governance of PGCPS system http: ... about 3 hours ago
Baker's school coup d'etat press release and links-Revised (he couldn't get it right the first time) http://t.co/p3H92YOhVk 21 minutes ago
Baker's school coup d'etat press release and links (and stupid boilerplate prohibiting dissemination of said release) http://t.co/0ynP8rKUIj 25 minutes ago
RT @pgcps: Board calls Baker's proposed school takeover unnecessary gamble http://t.co/HJcmAfBGeN about an hour ago
[Mail List] Fwd: [PG-Politics] New comment on Comments on Rushern Baker's planne: ... From: RF Date: Wed, Mar... http://t.co/jfbtaNlmVO about 2 hours ago
RT @BowiePatch: SPEAK OUT: Should Baker Have More Control Over PGCPS? Weigh in on Patch. http://t.co/V1MNhkZWCr 15 minutes ago
[Mail List] Statement from the Prince George's County Board of Education Regarding the County Executive's Plan to ... http://t.co/0xhlUmV93l 28 minutes ago
Rushern Baker's planned school coup, Part five, Examiner editorial covers what Post left out http://t.co/8GrGyYplov http://t.co/xesm5YlMwl about an hour ago
RT @News_PGCounty: Despite takeover talks, Prince George's schools post finalists still interested: http://t.co/a5UVnEw2oM about an hour ago
Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part 4, Post editorial mostly irrelevant. wrong http://t.co/2o65UZcwoK http://t.co/Vx9WIuTg6X 31 minutes ago
RT @PGCBlogging: See post for complete PGCo board of Ed. Story. Baker tried this 10 years ago: FAILED. http://t.co/kESARvRlFY 56 minutes ago
Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part zero, list of news reports http://t.co/68ZbiMjaHQ http://t.co/qxQNNNpbDQ about an hour ago
19 Mar 2013
RT @TraceeWilkins: Some parents say they're disappointed in the final 3 #PGCPS superintendent finalists others say they have picked a fa ... about 9 hours ago
RT @pgcps: @pgcps school board is tearing into @CountyExecBaker for his proposed school takeover plan. http://t.co/BaixdC1WGE about 10 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Statement from the Prince George's County Board of Education
RT @mirandawashpost: With@ovettawashpost as PrinceGeorge's schools superintendent interviews; questions about performance, aging buildin ... about 11 hours ago
RT @pgcps: Candidates for Superintendent Community Forum. Watch LIVE on 96 comcast and 38 on Verizon. http://t.co/U4MshhRkNv about 12 hours ago
RT @RochelleReports: #PGCPS Parents: Meet the 3 finalists for #PrinceGeorges Schools Superintendent tonight 5:30-9pm, Sasscer Bldg, Uppe ... about 14 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: Read the Baker take over amendment. School Board would be impotent. http://t.co/kESARvRlFY about 14 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: Jacobs is visibly shaken by takeover bid. Carletta Fellows is on board, maybe that's why she was censured. http://t.co/ ... about 14 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: complete coverage of PGCo School Board takeover. Baker, Fellows, & a salty Jacobs + link to actual amendment. http: ... about 14 hours ago
RT @PGCBlogging: PGCo Board of Education Losing Control http://t.co/3RFRFW78KM about 14 hours ago
RT @PGD9Politico: @PGCBlogging @CountyExecBaker @AlyseLady @PGPARENTS Keep me on the loop on those amendments too. Thanks for all your g ... about 16 hours ago
RT @News8NewsTalk: PG Council chair releases brief statement on Executive Baker's schools takeover proposal. No support, no criticism. about 16 hours ago
RT @OvettaWashPost: Prince George’s County superintendent finalists arrive with uncertain future http://t.co/AbjixXwfsu via @washingtonpost about 16 hours ago
RT @PGD9Politico: Guest Blog Post: My Two Questions for @CountyExecBaker http://t.co/WZxMvb3mD0 cc: @pgpolitics @PGPARENTS @DrMikeRobinson about 17 hours ago
RT @PGD9Politico: .@CountyExecBaker My thoughts on the takeover of the school system. Appreciate your feedback. "Irreparably Broken." ht ... about 17 hours ago
RT @RochelleReports: Keith Washington, frmr #PrinceGeorges officer, will be in court Wed. for post-conviction hearing on 2008 involuntar ... about 17 hours ago
@kytja only eliminated one of the major sources of local news in the MD suburbs, they also killed the Journal's online local news archives about 17 hours ago
@kytja I'm surprised that the Examiner had local news for this long. When the Examiner bought out the daily Journal newspapers they not -> about 17 hours ago
RT @kytja: OK. So The DC Examiner is closing it's local section. That means I'm in the market for a job. Any leads welcome! Kytja AT hot ... about 17 hours ago
RT @PGD9Politico: Please read PG-Politics for comprehensive and excellent analysis on the school board takeover by @CountyExecBaker http ... about 17 hours ago
RT @PGD9Politico: New Blog Post: "Irreparably Broken." http://t.co/E9tdKb7pQB (Yes, I'm out of blogger retirement, for the moment). about 17 hours ago
RT @darcyspencer: From PGSAO-Former #PGPD cop Keith Washington looking for new trial, reduced sentence. Got 45 years for involuntary man ... about 17 hours ago
RT @PGD9Politico: No shocker here. RT ‏@WTOPinMD Prince George's school board doesn't back Baker's takeover http://t.co/nFKxVH5a1L #WTOP
RT @ggwash: Rushern Baker wants to take over Prince George's schools: http://t.co/bndCWzMSzf on http://t.co/QpEaG18Rno
[Mail List] Re: Fw: PGCPS MEETING re: Sch Board, WED MAR 20, AT 7:30 PM - Baker': Thanks for posting this, Jac... http://t.co/os3uEHzpIv
18 Mar 2013
RT @PGCountyScoop: Prince George’s Board of Education opposes Baker’s plan for schools takeover undefined 1 day ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: They met, they saw, they didn't like. PGBOE on the PG CountyExecutive's plan for school operations. @WTOP 1 day ago
RT @OvettaWashPost: Prince George’s Board of Education opposes Baker’s schools takeover plan http://t.co/yVPrLIuG1L 1 day ago
Post editorial: Rushern Baker makes his move on Prince George’s schools http://t.co/6GW5T9Ryt8 [Starts with a completely irrelevant "cause"] 1 day ago
[Mail List] Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part two, takeover bill http://t.co/BOr8ort7Yl Bill text: http://t.co/RZ20HJhezC 1 day ago
[Mail List] Support HB 1454/PG 422-13 [1 Attachment]: Thanks to Mr. Rick Tyler for sharing. ... From: "ARTEERI... http://t.co/K7Jdr8fdye 1 day ago
RT @PGCBlogging: What do you think of Rushern Baker's takeover proposal for the board of education? Oooow! 1 day ago
[Mail List] Fw: PGCPS MEETING re: Sch Board, WED MAR 20, AT 7:30 PM - Baker' Ame: PLEASE RSVP TO ATTEND THIS I... http://t.co/fYEfoc5rg2 1 day ago
RT @pgcps: Reminder: @PGCPS will host a meet and greet with the three superintendent candidates tomorrow at 5:30 pm. http://t.co/l99VsgSFjN 1 day ago
[Mail List] Fwd: URGENT MEETING RE SCHOOLS TAKEOVER: ... From: Date: Mon, Mar 18, 2013 at 2:32 AM Subject: UR... http://t.co/Va7yIGIkHE 1 day ago
RT @KateRyanWTOP: PGCPS Board of Education to hold Exec session (that's closed folks) today at 2pm. "Meet the Superintendents" still on ... 1 day ago
RT @BowiePatch: Report: County Executive Seeks More Control of Public Schools http://t.co/82N9KWynbx 1 day ago
RT @PGD9Politico: New blog post to come, stay tuned. 1 day ago
RT @PGD9Politico: And they won't have an elected board to hold accountable anymore, but the board was dysfunctional anyhow, so that's no ... 1 day ago
RT @PGD9Politico: .@CountyExecBaker takes over schools w/out input. Valentino-Smith's bill passed thru committee so public won't have mu ... 1 day ago
RT @PGD9Politico: On Jan 30 @CountyExecBaker said he was sorry I felt decisions were made behind closed doors. Where's the public input ... 1 day ago
RT @PGD9Politico: FYI: attending the superintendent forum tomorrow is a waste of time. None of them will be hired. 1 day ago
RT @PGD9Politico: Time to come out of blogger retirement. The public is being cut out of input on public schools. 1 day ago
[Mail List] Comments on Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part one, what the Post didn't report http://t.co/EqhJqlpGpp 1 day ago
RT @WashBizOnline: Pr George's Exec seeks more control over schools http://t.co/WM8MlI2SIS via @washbizonline 1 day ago
RT @DCAbloob: Wash. Post: Prince George’s County reacts to Rushern Baker’s plan to take over the school system | http://t.co/BBg730nUHM ... 1 day ago
17 Mar 2013
Post: Prince George’s County reacts to Rushern Baker’s plan to take over the school system http://t.co/YtfFIjsBvM [Power grab; coup d'etat] 2 days ago
RT @WNEWNews: Prince George's Co. Exec. Rushern Baker is seeking legislation to give his office more control over county schools. http:/ ... 2 days ago
RT @nbcwashington: Baker Wants Control Over Pr. George's School System: http://t.co/qZUmN5lDxT 2 days ago
RT @ABC7News: County Executive Rushern Baker wants more control over the Prince George's County school system. http://t.co/OFJUlMxKOA 2 days ago
RT @OvettaWashPost: Pr. George’s executive moves to take over school system http://t.co/W82KMRM6tk 2 days ago
[Mail List] Pr. George’s Co. executive plans school takeover: Source/credit: WashPost, 3/17/2013 Pr. George’s ... http://t.co/dkkVXzP2og 2 days ago
Baker, 12/6/10 "I know when I say this, people think, 'Is he trying to take over the school board?'...Absolutely not" http://t.co/4Gvc5VDQJV 2 days ago
RT @mirandawashpost: Prince George's school takeover proposed by Baker@ovettawashpost http://t.co/Jlr8IRFBAN 2 days ago
16 Mar 2013
RT @pgcpsparents: Prince George’s county executive moves to take over struggling schools To learn more on his views about education http ... 3 days ago
RT @WPJohnWagner: Prince George’s county executive moves to take over struggling school system, as reported by @OvettaWashPost http://t. ... 3 days ago

Baker-WaPo plan to end school superintendent turnover is already working.

2013-04-06T05:49:00.001-04:00

Rushern Baker and his aides at the Washington Post are already succeeding in the plan to end turnover of school superintendents in Prince George's County.

They have chased away all of the current candidates for the job and have created an environment in which nobody worth hiring would want the job..

With no candidates to be hired, there won't be a superintendent who can quit. Baker and the Post staff certainly deserve credit for coming up with a novel way of reducing turnover.

Delegates with potential conflicts of interest re Rushern Baker's school coup d'etat (Part eight)

2013-04-01T06:42:00.001-04:00

The non-legislative employment of some of the Prince George's County delegates who will act upon Rushern Baker's school takeover plan raises the question of potential conflicts of interest and whether those delegates should recuse themselves from acting on related bills.

These potential conflicts have been ignored in mainstream media reports on legislative support of or opposition to Baker's plan.

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47) is the delegate who has been most often quoted as a strong supported of the Baker plan. According to her official biography on the Maryland General Assembly website, Ivey has been "Director, Media Relations, Community Teachers Institute" since 2004. Baker was Executive Director of the Community Teacher's Institute for a number of years before taking office as County Executive in 2010. Shortly before Baker's election there were press reports that the institute was the subject of a state investigation.

In September 2012 "The Real Prince George's" blog reported that Ivey "has a strong relationship with County Executive Rushern Baker." An extensive search has not turned up any news or reports of her employment by Baker. Has Ivey's support for the Baker plan been influenced by that employment relationship?

Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-25) has been quoted in the press as a supporter of the Baker plan and prepared an amendment to bill HB 1107 that would, if adopted, give Baker the authority he seeks. According to his official biography, Davis has been "Deputy Director, Prince George's County Office of Community Relations" since 2011. That means he was appointed to that position by Baker or one of Baker's subordinates.

On the Maryland General Assembly website page for Prince George's County, Davis and his position are listed under the county's Chief of Staff, along with other officials responsible for communications and outreach. Has Davis' support for the Baker plan been based on or influenced by his employment as a communicator for the Baker administration?

Del. James W. Hubbard (D-23A) apparently has not been quoted in the press. He did support Baker's 2002 intervention in school governance. According to his official biography, Hubbard has been "Executive Assistant to Deputy Director, Dept. of Corrections, Prince George's County" since 2003. SO, while he is a county employee under Baker, he has held that position since long before Baker took office, his position is far removed from Baker's immediate supervision, and he is not directly involved in either education or communicating Baker's policies to the public.

Del. Carolyn J. B. Howard (D-24) apparently has not been quoted in the press. She did not support Baker's 2002 intervention in school governance. According to her official biography, Howard has been "Director, Department of Federal Programs, Prince George's County Public Schools" since 2000. She works in the school system, ultimately under the supervision of the superintendent and school board, so her employment could be affected by the outcome of pending legislation to effect Baker's plan.

It would be useful to know if any of these delegates have sought or obtained ethics or legal advice on the potential conflicts of interest, but does not seem likely that they, or the media, will tell us.

Proposal for Integrated Police Governance of Prince George’s County Police

2013-04-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

Prince George's has one of the worst records in the state when it comes to homicide.

School children are being murdered on the streets far away from schools and outside school hours. County Executive Baker criticizes the elected board of education for the failure of his police to protect these children.

While the homicide rate is down some, progress in reducing them has been very slow. Prince George's County has the second worst homicide record in the state and the second worst record in the D.C. area.

Despite Baker's self-serving claim that "You look at public safety, it’s going in the right direction," the murder rate remains several times that of nearby suburban jurisdictions.

The Prince George's County police department has a long record of using excessive force and outright brutality, both on and off the job. Several former police officers are currently in prison for robbery, corruption, and even murder.

The county has had numerous chiefs of police over the past several years.

We have to do something about the homicides, we can't wait any longer.

So, let's look at the Baker school improvement plan and see if we can apply it to crime and the police.

Proposal for Integrated Police Governance of Prince George’s County Police

Innovative plan changes police governance structure to better align
government resources and improve police operations

A proposal to alter the governance structure of the Prince George's County police. The Integrated Police Governance Proposal for Prince George’s County Police would keep the current County Executive and County Council, expand the expertise on the council through certain appointments, focus the council on crime-fighting policy, strengthen the role of the chief of police and give the Governor the authority to appoint the chief of police. Under the proposal, the Maryland General Assembly would confirm the chief of police as well as have authorization to appoint a voting member to the County Council. Ultimately, this proposal gives the chief of police more control over police operations and greater, more efficient access to other State and County government resources.

“I firmly believe the people of Prince George’s County deserve the best police protection possible." This proposal is an effort to make our streets safer by using all the resources the County government has to offer so that our residents and their families have the tools they need to be successful. I am confident, that by providing the chief of police with more autonomy, giving the police department more resources, and expanding the law enforcement expertise of the county council, our police will be able to serve the residents and families of Prince George’s County in a more holistic manner.”

Under this proposal, the needs of the police department will be better aligned with Maryland State Government services and resources. Integrated Police Governance will accelerate improvements across the police department and, through the chief of police, give the state government more oversight of operations of the County’s police. It will restore the public’s confidence in the police department and help stem the exodus of families out of the County because of the county's declining reputation and image. It will also assure accountability for the success of the police department.

It is critical to note that, under the Integrated Police Governance proposal, the elected County Executive and County Council will remain as an elected body serving the same districts. Additionally, under this proposal, three voting appointed members would be added to the County Council, representing the fields of law enforcement, business victims, and individual victims, along with three non-voting appointed representatives from the law enforcement faculties of three of the County’s institutions of higher learning - Bowie State University, Prince George’s Community College (PGCC), and the University of Maryland, College Park.

The additional members will represent interests that are currently not reflected on the council: a background in law enforcement and two types of crime victims. This expansion would focus decision-making on the safety of our residents of our children as well as increase victim engagement. By including members representing the higher education community, the council could direct academic resources so that County police become better prepared to fight crime and protect the public.

If passed by the General Assembly, an Integrated Police Governance Transition Team would be immediately formed to analyze, review, and propose an implementation plan. They could evaluate the current chief of police and determine whether to begin a search search process to find a new chief. It is critically important for candidates for chief of police to know who they will be reporting to and what police governance will look like.

###

This E-mail and any of its attachments does not contain any Prince George’s County Government or Prince George's County 7th Judicial Circuit Court proprietary information or Protected Health Information. Unlike emails from County Executive Baker and other county offices, it does not claim to contain privileged and confidential information. It is intended for broad dissemination, distribution, copying, or other actions, without threats of civil and/or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this E-mail in error, feel free to delete it or to be entertained and pass it on.

PG legislators' positions on Rushern Baker's school coup d'etat (Part seven)

2013-03-31T07:57:00.001-04:00

Notes: Dates shown are for the online version of news reports and may differ from the dates a story appeared in print. * indicates legislators who voted for Baker's 2002 school interference law. That change did not improve educational results, but did result in the Baker-created appointed school board appoint, defending, and paying off a superintendent later convicted of committing felonies on the job. Potential employment-related conflicts of interest highlighted in Red.

Supporters

Del. Benjamin Barnes (D-21). 301-858-3046, ben.barnes@house.state.md.us

Gazette, 23 Mar 2013

Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-24). 301-858-3148, joanne.benson@senate.state.md.us

Post, 16 Mar 2013

Sen. Ulysses Currie * (D-25). 301-858-3127, ulysses.currie@senate.state.md.us

Post, 17 Mar 2013

Del. Dereck E. Davis * (D-25). 301-858-3519, dereck.davis@house.state.md.us

Deputy Director of Community Relations under Rushern Baker

CNS, 28 Mar 2013, Post, 30 Mar 2013

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). 301-858-3478, jolene.ivey@house.state.md.us

Director of Media Relations for Baker's Community Teacher's Institute

Post, 17 Mar 2013, Post, 20 Mar 2013, Post, 20 Mar 2013, Gazette, 21 Mar 2013

Sen. Thomas V. 'Mike' Miller, Jr. * (D-27). 301-858-3700, thomas.v.mike.miller@senate.state.md.us

Post, 29 Mar 2013

Sen. Paul Pinsky * (D-22). 301-858-3155, paul.pinsky@senate.state.md.us

Post, 20 Mar 2013, Post, 22 Mar 2013 ("key architect of the takeover plan")

Sen. Victor Ramirez (D-47), 301-858-3745, victor.ramirez@senate.state.md.us

Gazette, 21 Mar 2013

Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A). 301-858-3101, geraldine.valentino.smith@house.state.md.us

Gazette, 23 Mar 2013, Post, 23 Mar 2013

Others (opponents and questioners)

Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-25). 301-858-3707. aisha.braveboy@house.state.md.us

Gazette, 23 Mar 2013, Post, 23 Mar 2013, CNS, 28 Mar 2013

Del. Anne Healey * (D-22). 301-858-3961, anne.healey@house.state.md.us

Post, 23 Mar 2013

Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-23). 301-858-3631, douglas.peters@senate.state.md.us

Post, 16 Mar 2013, Post, 22 Mar 2013

Del. Veronica Turner (D-26). 301-858-3212, veronica.turner@house.state.md.us

Gazette, 23 Mar 2013, CNS, 28 Mar 2013

Del. Jay Walker (D-26). 301-858-3581, jay.walker@house.state.md.us

Gazette, 23 Mar 2013

Details

Del. Benjamin Barnes (D-21). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013

Delegation Vice Chair Del. Benjamin S. Barnes (D-Dist.21) of College Park pointed out that the school board has gone though seven superintendents in 14 years and questioned whether the board was doing enough to address turnover.

Sen. Joanne Benson (D-24). Post, 16 Mar 2013

State Sen. Joanne Benson (D-Prince George’s), a former school administrator and the delegation’s liaison for education, described Baker’s plan as “a good fit,” one that will increase accountability.

“I think that a change is needed,” she said. “We also need a facelift for the reputation of our school system. . . . I don’t have a problem with [the superintendent] becoming a cabinet-level position.”

Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-25). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013

Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-Dist.25) of Mitchellville questioned why these issues had to be settled with legislation instead of through some other agreement or study.

"I dislike making a change just to make a change," she said.

Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-25). Post, 23 Mar 2013

Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-Prince George’s) argued that Baker is “making a change just for the sake of making a change,” and she suggested that an outside expert be brought in to assess the system.

“Why don’t we give this issue the level of importance it deserves and give it a study like we give other important issues,” she said.

Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-25). CNS, 28 Mar 2013

Delegate Aisha Braveboy, D-Prince George’s, said there have been other executive takeovers of school systems across the country, but she is not convinced they have been as effective as they initially sought out to be.

“I think it’s difficult for us to say that this change (in structure) would yield better results given that the proposal hasn’t proven to be successful in other areas,” Braveboy said.

Both Turner and Braveboy agreed they wanted changes made to help improve Maryland’s second largest school system.

Sen. Ulysses Currie * (D-25). Post, 17 Mar 2013

State Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George’s) said he plans to support Baker’s proposed state legislation, which likely will be added as amendments to a bill that Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-Prince George’s) proposed months ago to form a task force to review the operations of the school board.

“I think he is going in the right direction,” Currie said, describing the school system as the “weak link” in the county’s ability to move forward. Baker has long said the schools — which rank toward the bottom of Maryland’s school systems in terms of achievement — are a hurdle to economic growth.

Del. Dereck E. Davis * (D-25). CNS, 28 Mar 2013

Others in the Prince George’s delegation, including Delegate Dereck Davis, believe the changes in power make sense conceptually.

“If the executive is willing to take this on and wants to be held accountable for it, I’m supportive of the idea,” said Davis, adding that the county has been consistently ranked at the bottom of the state in terms of student achievement during the nearly 19 years he has been in office.

Davis said he has talked to many of his colleagues on the House side, and that a majority of them are in favor of taking some type of action in the near future.

“It may not be precisely what the county executive introduces, but overall they are not satisfied with what’s currently going on.” Davis said. “They’re definitely supportive of seeing something happen that would alter the course that we have been on.”

Del. Dereck E. Davis * (D-25). Post, 30 Mar 2013

Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-Prince George’s), who has served in the General Assembly for nearly 20 years, said he is constantly bombarded by constituent complaints about the school system’s slow progress.

“There have been modest gains . . . but we had nowhere to go but up,” Davis said. “Can I guarantee that this will improve schools? I can’t make that guarantee. But we need to plot a different course. . . . If [Baker is] willing to take it on, I’m willing to back it.”

After a bitter battle took place in 2002 to get rid of the elected board of education and replace it with an appointed board — a move that was reversed in 2006 — Baker’s new schools plan has run into fresh resistance in the General Assembly, where several lawmakers are concerned that the county executive would have more power than any other in the state.

Del. Anne Healey * (D-22). Post, 23 Mar 2013

“I am not happy that this is here at this time with so little preparation,” said Del. Anne Healey (D-Prince George’s) .

“We are going to deal with it, go through it line by line, piece by piece and figure out if anything in here will advance our school system,” she said.

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). Post, 17 Mar 2013

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George’s), the chairman of the county’s House delegation, applauded Baker for addressing what she called the “final and most important piece in our county’s renaissance.”

Ivey said she has attended numerous public forums in the county where residents have criticized Baker for the school system’s shortcomings.

“People think the county executive is running the schools, but all he can do is send money,” Ivey said. “If he is going to be judged on our schools, he needs to do more.”

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). Post, 20 Mar 2013

“I truly think we’re asking too much of our school board,” said Del. Jolene Ivey (D), chairman of the Prince George’s delegation in the House, who supports Baker’s proposal.

“We’re paying these people $18,000 a year. Most of them have to have an additional job,” Ivey said. “You’re asking people to have 1½ jobs, manage a $1.7 billion budget, and focus on parental engagement and academic policy. Now come on — how much can you expect people to do?”

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). Post, 20 Mar 2013

State Del. Jolene Ivey, head of the Prince George’s delegation and a supporter of Baker’s plan, said when Baker and other elected officials meet with residents around the county education consistently tops the list what residents want to discuss. “That’s what we hear,” she said. “What they want to talk about usually are schools. The reality is that [Baker] is doing all he can do with the current set up. The question is what can we do differently.”

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). Gazette, 21 Mar 2013

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly, chairwoman of the county’s House delegation, believes the change could be positive for Baker. Prince George’s students’ test scores have ranked near or at the bottom on the state standardized tests for years, and although the school board oversees the education system, voters tend to hold Baker and county leaders responsible for the state of local schools, Ivey said. Ivey added that she did not think Baker’s proposal comes with any future political agenda.

“Sure, anything good he’s able to accomplish benefits him in the future politically, but he’s got three kids who graduated from Prince George’s schools and he’s committed to making them better,” Ivey said. “There’s always that risk of it not working out, but if you take the safe route, what have you accomplished? That’s how he’s been in his whole political career. He’s been willing to do something unpopular to get something accomplished.”

Sen. Thomas V. 'Mike' Miller, Jr. * (D-27). Post, 29 Mar 2013

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Calvert), whose district includes a chunk of southern Prince George’s, sat near committee members as they heard two hours of testimony.

Miller said when the hearing broke up that he thinks that the system has improved but that progress is too slow and the county cannot afford to wait much longer.

“We turn over huge sums of money to the school board,” he said. “We need to see results.”

Miller, who will have extensive influence over the course of the debate, predicted there would be a compromise. “The county executive will want more than we are going to give him,” he said. “The other side doesn’t want to see any change. We are going to find a way to fashion a compromise.”

Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-23). Post, 16 Mar 2013

State Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D), chairman of the county’s Senate delegation, said he wonders whether restructuring would yield academic improvements.

Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-23). Post, 22 Mar 2013

Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Prince George’s) said he told Baker that the General Assembly would not approve his proposal. “It needs to be retooled to have a chance,” Peters said. Throughout the week, Baker’s aides, working with Senate staffers, redrafted the legislation, which is slated to be introduced Monday, according to lawmakers.

Sen. Paul Pinsky * (D-22). Post, 20 Mar 2013

Sen. Paul Pinsky (D-Prince George’s) said the issue was reaching a climax now partly because of concerns that the board isn’t up to the task of making the best choice for superintendent. The board recently narrowed the search to three finalists, but Baker’s bombshell could mean the hunt is reopened.

“There’s some question of confidence in the Board of Education to make a good choice,” Pinsky said. Noting that only a couple of members work professionally in education, he said, “Few have ongoing experience sitting around the table with other superintendents, either in the county or the state.”

Sen. Paul Pinsky * (D-22). Post, 22 Mar 2013

Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George’s), an ally of Baker’s who was a key architect of the takeover plan, acknowledged that “some people will be concerned about a power grab.”

“But I don’t hear a lot of people coming to the defense of the Board of Education,” he said. “Most people want good schools, and they don’t care how we get there.”

Sen. Victor Ramirez (D-47). Gazette, 21 Mar 2013

State Sen. Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly said he doubted any one single issue would derail Baker’s re-election bid as long as voters see he is trying to improve the county.

“When you’re trying to do the right thing, I don’t think it can be seen as political suicide,” Ramirez said. “He’s trying to be a leader, and education is our No. 1 priority. ... He wants our system to be one of the best in the nation. I don’t believe it’s a power kick. He’s trying to move the county forward.”

Del. Veronica Turner (D-26). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013

But other delegates were concerned with how Baker's proposal would deal with the cooperative bargaining among the school system and teachers unions. "I'm worried how this will affect labor contracts," said Del. Veronica L. Turner (D-Dist.26) of Temple Hills.

Del. Veronica Turner (D-26). CNS, 28 Mar 2013

“The bill came too fast too late (in the session)” said Delegate Veronica Turner, D-Prince George’s. “There was no time really for us to conduct a study to understand what the county executive is trying to do.”
...
Both Turner and Braveboy agreed they wanted changes made to help improve Maryland’s second largest school system. When asked whether she believed the policy was the county executive’s attempt to seek more power, Turner said Baker’s “motives were legit.”

“He knows that there are problems and he was trying to fix them,” Turner said. “But his approach of trying to fix them may not have been the right approach.”

Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013

Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-Dist.23) of Bowie argued that the current model is faltering despite those numbers, saying decreasing enrollment is affecting state funding for Prince George's schools. "At the end of the day, the school board is advocating we follow a model that other jurisdictions are following when we are the largest in the state," she said. "It's a shared responsibility. This proposal is saying 'Can we share with you?'"

Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A). Post, 23 Mar 2013

Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-Prince George’s) said she has tried to win school board support in the past two years for legislation that would offer the public more information about contracts and spending practices, but has been repeatedly rebuffed by the school board.

“This year I came in and said ‘Can we please put together a task force and look at best practices,’ ” she said. “It was vehemently opposed by the school board.”

Del. Jay Walker (D-26). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013

"My main question is 'Where's the plan?' What's the county's plan? What's the board's plan?" said Del. Jay Walker (D-Dist.26) of Fort Washington during the special hearing on the proposal in Annapolis.

Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part six: To whom will the superintendent report

2013-03-23T19:05:00.000-04:00

So far, press accounts of County Executive Baker's school takeover plan claim that the idea is to have the superintendent appointed by and reporting to the county executive.

But is that what will really happen?

Or will the superintendent end up, like many other county officials, reporting to some deputy assistant chief administrative officer with three levels of bean-counting and second-guessing bureaucrats between the school system and the county executive?

And even if Baker promises now to directly oversee the superintendent, what guarantee is there that the next county executive won't shove the schools down deep into the bowels of the county bureaucracy?

PG Taxers: How Prince George's County delegates voted on O'Malley's huge gas tax increase

2013-03-22T18:11:00.002-04:00

YES: 20; NO: 3

District 21

Del. Benjamin S. Barnes (D-21) YES

(301) 858-3046, ben.barnes@house.state.md.us

Del. Barbara A. Frush (D-21) NO

(301) 858-3114, barbara.frush@house.state.md.us

Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-21) YES

(301) 858-3502, joseline.pena.melnyk@house.state.md.us

District 22

Del. Tawanna P. Gaines (D-22) YES

(301) 858-3058, tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us

Del. Anne Healey (D-22) YES

(301) 858-3961, anne.healey@house.state.md.us

Del. Alonzo Washington (D-22) YES

(301) 858-3652. alonzo.washington@house.state.md.us

District 23

Del. James W. Hubbard (D-23A) YES

(301) 858-3103, james.hubbard@house.state.md.us

Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A) NO

(301) 858-3101, geraldine.valentino.smith@house.state.md.us

Del. Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. (D-23B) YES

(301) 858-3310, marvin.holmes@house.state.md.us

District 24

Del. Carolyn J. B. Howard (D-24) YES

(301) 858-3919, carolyn.howard@house.state.md.us

Del. Darren Swain (D-24) YES

301-858-3692, darren.swain@house.state.md.us

Del. Michael L. Vaughn (D-24) YES

(301) 858-3691, michael.vaughn@house.state.md.us

District 25

Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-25) NO

(301) 858-3707, aisha.braveboy@house.state.md.us

Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-25) YES

(301) 858-3519, dereck.davis@house.state.md.us

Del. Melony Ghee Griffith (D-25) YES

(301) 858-3557, melony.griffith@house.state.md.us

District 26

Del. Veronica L. Turner (D-26) YES

(301) 858-3212, veronica.turner@house.state.md.us

Del. Kriselda Valderrama (D-26) YES

(301) 858-3210, kris.valderrama@house.state.md.us

Del. Jay Walker (D-26) YES

(301) 858-3581, jay.walker@house.state.md.us

District 27

Del. James E. Proctor, Jr. (D-27A) YES

(301) 858-3083, james.proctor@house.state.md.us

Del. Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (D-27A) YES

(301) 858-3488, joseph.vallario@house.state.md.us

District 47

Del. Doyle L. Niemann (D-47) YES

(301) 858-3326. doyle.niemann@house.state.md.us

Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47) YES

(301) 858-3478, jolene.ivey@house.state.md.us

Del. Michael G. Summers (D-47) YES

(301) 858-3340, michael.summers@house.state.md.us

Comments on Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part five, Examiner editorial covers what Post left out

2013-03-20T10:40:00.003-04:00

See the Washington Examiner editorial: Examiner Local Editorial: Competition, not takeover, is key to turnaround at Prince George's County schools (originally posted online 19 Mar 2013)

Two key points where the Examiner editorial writers address issue the Post has generally ignored in both editorials and news reports:

Baker's past record

a decade ago, when he was a state delegate, Baker successfully lobbied to replace another elected school board with political appointees, who then hired Andre Hornsby as superintendent. In 2008, Hornsby was convicted of giving kickbacks on school contracts to his live-in girlfriend. So Baker's judgment, if not his motive, is already suspect.

Executive takeover vs. school choice

Baker points to school takeovers in other cities such as the District, where in 2007 legislation gave former Mayor Adrian Fenty control over the city's failing public schools. But six years later, it's clear that the mayoral takeover had less effect on improving public education than the introduction of competition in the form of school choice.

Vouchers and charter schools not only raised parental expectations, they forced DC Public Schools to compete -- especially east of the Anacostia River, where a majority of children come from low-income families.

Prince George's has seven charter schools, but it needs many more. Maryland's 2003 charter law does not limit the number of charter schools a county can have. ... The flaw in the law is that it gives local school boards veto power over their own competition.

If Baker wants a change in state law to force changes in public education, the charter law is the place to begin.

Comments on Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part four, Post editorial supporting Baker is mostly irrelevant and wrong

2013-03-20T09:32:00.000-04:00

See the Washington Post editorial: The Post’s View; Rushern Baker makes his move on Prince George’s schools (originally posted online 18 Mar 2013).

The Post begins it editorial (as opposed to news) support of Rushern Baker's school takeover plan with the irrelevant observation:

WHEN SIX young people were killed within a brief period recently in Prince George’s County, County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) convened a meeting of major stakeholders. What more, he wanted to know, could be done to protect the county’s youth? But school officials he invited didn’t even show up to the meeting. For Mr. Baker, it was a last straw: one more indication that the structure for managing — and hopefully improving — county schools isn’t working as it should. Failing results are too widespread, and no one is held accountable.

The unfortunate truths are that none of the six young people were at or near a school, or in events that had anything to do with any school, or under circumstances that any school or school board action or policy could have prevented.

The reference to school officials is a very misleading cheap shot. The Post's reader deserve better, but as everyone know, the Post has gone downhill rapidly and has recently killed the ombudsman position about which it once bragged would bring fairness and accountability to the paper.

Since none of the six killings were school related, and there have been mo murders in the schools, we could better argue that having the police force under Baker's control is failing to protect our young people and we might do better putting it under the school board.

The next paragraph asserts that

Mr. Baker wants to fix that by making himself accountable. It’s a brave, sensible and overdue move.

But if you read on, it becomes clear that what Baker and the Post really want to divide authority over the schools, with Baker getting control of the budget and patronage while leaving a weakened school board with no authority, but as a target that can continue to be the whipping boy for all that is wrong with the county and Baker's administration of it.

The Post closes the editorial with the questionable claim

Mr. Baker understands that the schools need strong leadership and sustained support to achieve the turnaround that is critical to the county’s future as well as its children’s. Lawmakers should give him the chance, and voters will then know whom to hold responsible.

But the fact is that they won't know whether to blame Baker or the new board, and Baker has already set himself up to avoid being accountable for anything by breaking his oft-repeated promise to create a strong Inspector General who would bring accountability to the county government.

The Baker and Post arguments that Baker's coup d'etat would bring more, rather than less, are at best wishful thinking, but more likely just Orwellian Newspeak aimed at misleading the public.

The Post admits that there have been "small gains in student achievement." They claim, but without one shred of evidence or convincing argument, that giving Baker control of the schools will improve student achievement. Nor does the Post mention how Baker's past involvement school governance led to less accountability and the employment, by a Baker-created politically appointed board, of a felon as superintendent.

The Post goes on to state that "Student enrollment is declining" without saying anything about the cause or why that fact should prompt Baker's takeover. It is another biased statement that has nothing to do with the real issue at hand except to inflame the public against the status quo.

It would make about as much sense to say that because Post readership is declining the Post should be taken away from the Graham family and shareholders and handed over to some czar who could bring more accountability.

While it is true, as the Post says, that "there is a lack of public confidence" in the school system, it is also true that there is a growing, but unreported by the Post, lack of confidence in Baker, his administration, and his veracity.

It is unfortunate that the Post, on both the editorial and news sides, seems to be a cheerleader for Baker rather than providing thorough independent analyses and critiques of his plans, promises, and actions.

Previous postings:

Comments on Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part three, excuses for interfering

2013-03-18T21:40:00.000-04:00

This is based on the two Washington Post reports cited in Part one.

Prince George's county executive moves to take over struggling school system (originally posted online 16 Mar 2013)
Prince George's County reacts to Rushern Baker's plan to take over the school system (originally posted online 17 Mar 2013)

Summarizing the first few paragraphs of the first Post report, the main arguments for Baker's planned takeover seem to be turmoil in the system, rapid turnover of superintendents, the education level of members of the board, and the low performance level of the school system "as it languishes near the bottom of statewide rankings."

Let's look at these points.

Turmoil. It is quite true that there has been turmoil in the system, and for many years. What the Post and Rushern Baker's apologists don't discuss is that Baker himself is responsible for much of that turmoil. Then Delegate Baker was largely responsible for over a decade of turmoil in board selection and membership. Baker was the driving force before the first anti-democratic abolition of the old elected board and its replacement with a board selected through political patronage.

Now Baker is stirring the pot again, actually creating the turmoil with his current proposal that follows years of hints that he eventually planned to interfere with the schools. When it comes to turmoil, Baker does not have clean hands.

Turnover. The way the Post and other MSM reports are written, the reader is led to believe that superintendent turnover is all the fault of the current elected board of education. Not true! Two of the superintendents to which the Post refers were dismissed by the appointed board created by Baker's legislation. One of those superintendents, Andre Hornsby, was convicted of felonies committed on the job. Hornsby was hired and supported, and later dismissed with a six-figure going away present, by the Baker-created political patronage board, chaired by one of Baker's education advisers. The Hornsby case represents turnover that never would have happened without Baker's earlier interference in school governance.

So, we have Baker trying to take over the schools in part because of turmoil and turnover he helped create, but we are supposed to believe that he will now bring stability to the system???

Education level of board members. There has been a lot of criticism of the educational level of current board members. It is unclear what is the basis of that criticism. None of the critics or reporters have cited any academic studies indicating any kind of correlation between school performance and the education level of board of education members. This criticism, therefor, seems to be based on gut feelings and personal bias rather than any scientific analysis.

Many people also complain about the lack of parent involvement in the schools. I would note that one of the board members with the least formal education is the one with the most parental involvement--decades of activism in PTA activities and attendance at board meetings. Most of the "better educated" members of the board don't have children in the system and have no personal stake in educational outcomes.

I would think that what is really important is that the board hire highly qualified and educated personnel to work with the students and actually administer the schools. And that is what the board has done. But despite the high level of education of superintendents and most administrators and teachers, results are still poor. Is there some reason to believe that the educational levels of individual board members are more important, and more predictive of educational success than the educational levels of actual school personnel.

Languishes near the bottom of statewide rankings. While it is true that the system ranks low, it has been improving. Will Baker guarantee to increase the rate improvement, or will he slow it down? What, if anything, is there about Baker's plan that would suggest he would do less harm than he has in the past?

And while we're on the subject of rankings, let's look at Baker and libraries. The public libraries are part of the county's overall educational system and are included in the county education budget. Libraries are a vital supplement to the county schools. We once had a model library system, one of the highest and best funded in the state. The past four Democratic county executives have chipped away at the library budget. The library system is now one of the poorest funded in the state with a budget that is half what it once was relative to the overall education budget. Baker's budget proposal slashes the library budget again, pushing it even closer to bottom place in the rankings.

So, is being at the bottom of the rankings a significant reason for Baker's concern. If so, why doesn't have any concern for the library component of the education budget? Or, is Baker's concern for rankings really just an excuse to use as a justification for his power grab? He certainly doesn't seem to be much concerned about the low ranking of the low budget library system, perhaps because the library has far less opportunity for consolidation of power and patronage?

Previous postings:

Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part two, takeover bill language

2013-03-18T18:57:00.002-04:00

The strategy for getting legislative approval of Rushern Baker's school takeover seems to be to have the General Assembly act on amendments to already introduced bill HB 1107, a bill with the very misleading title, "Task Force on the Membership and Operation of the Prince George's County Board of Education."

Previously, the sponsors of this bill, in correspondence and meetings with citizens groups, denied that the bill was intended to be a vehicle for takeover or weakening of the current elected board of education. It now appears that they lied to us (big surprise).

As part of this craven betrayal of the will of the voters of Prince George's County, Delegate Dereck Davis (D-25) is proposing a 42 page amendment to HB 1107 that will replace the language in the bill originally proposed by Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A).

Bill text.

Comments on Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part one, what the Post didn't report

2013-03-18T08:21:00.000-04:00

The Washington Post has two reports by Ovetta Wiggins on a plan by Rushern Baker to take over control of Prince George's County Schools.

Prince George's county executive moves to take over struggling school system
(originally posted online 16 Mar 2013)

Prince George's County reacts to Rushern Baker's plan to take over the school system
(originally posted online 17 Mar 2013)

Both reports appear to accept without question or analysis Baker's theses that (1) the county has a struggling school system, (2) it is the fault of the board of education, and (3) a takeover by Baker will fix the problems.

Although most people would agree with the first point, even without any real analysis, the other two points are certainly open to challenge and it is unfortunate that the media seems to be reporting the Baker party line rather than providing any independent review or analysis.

One relevant fact not reported by the Post is that Baker is now proposing to do something he earlier said he would NOT do. The late TBD news service (part of the WJLA empire) reported on 6 Dec 2010 that Baker said ""I know when I say this, people think, 'Is he trying to take over the school board?'...Absolutely not" (http://t.co/EgKMX1pnpf). Was he lying, or has he changed his mind? Does the Post not know, or not care, or trying to protect Baker from embarrassment?

Also ignored by the Post is what happened after the last time Baker interfered with an elected school board. A decade ago Baker was one of the driving forces behind replacing the then elected school board with a politically appointed board. That board appointed a superintendent (Andre Hornsby) with a very questionable background who was later convicted of felonies while on the job in Prince George's County. Not only did the Baker-sponsored appointed board fail to oversee the system and superintendent, they stood behind their felon until the bitter end and then gave him a six-figure going away present.

And the chairman of the appointed board, the person primarily responsible for hiring and protecting Hornsby, was Beatrice Tignor, one of Baker's allies and chief education advisors. At about the same time the Hornsby case was developing, the appointed board was apparently oblivious to even more criminal activity at the top of the school system--associate superintendent Pamela Hoffler-Riddick was convicted of laundering drug money and served time in federal prison.

Apparently, these problems resulting from Baker's previous interference with the schools don't fit the image of Baker or his plan that the Post prefers to present to its readers.

As I read the two Post reports I kept wondering what the bill numbers are and who is sponsoring them. The Post reports don't say, nor do they explain what I discovered from other sources. Apparently the plan is to have the House of Delegates approve HB 1107 in its current form, then amend the bill in the Senate to accommodate Baker's request. There has been significant community opposition to HB 1107 in any form. Some of its supporters have claimed that it is not intended to lead to any kind of takeover of the schools. Why did the two Post reports ignore the history of this bill and the apparent strategy for using it as the vehicle for Baker's power grab?

While I am glad that the Post has begun to tell us what Baker is trying to do, I am disappointed that they have not told us the whole story. More coming in the next installment.

Washington Plaza, again.

2013-03-15T10:27:00.003-04:00

Despite his budget calling for staff reductions, furloughs, slashing the library budget, etc., Rushern Baker apparently plans to spend big bucks to buy Washington Plaza from a company run by a friend and associate. Yes, the same Washington Plaza that the school board tried to lease--and got slapped for the potential waste of money and poor sense of priorities.

I can't help wondering what the independent Inspector General that Baker promised would say about this. We'll nenver know because Baker broke that promise, along with most of his other ethics-related promises.

Proposed Pr. George's police headquarters has checkered history
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/proposed-pr-geo-police-headquarters-has-checkered-history/2013/03/15/eb345f72-8d6f-11e2-9f54-f3fdd70acad2_story.html

By Miranda S. Spivack and Matt Zapotosky,

The complex of buildings that Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) hopes to buy for a new police department headquarters has a checkered history.

Known as Washington Plaza, it is the same group of buildings just off Pennsylvania Avenue that the school system tried to buy several years ago from Dean Morehouse's Washington Plaza LLC. That $36 million lease-purchase deal was brokered by NAI Michael Companies, as was the new deal for the police headquarters.

* * *
The NAI Michael Companies president now is former Prince George's County Executive Wayne K. Curry (D), a close associate of Baker, but a colleague, Jeff Ludwig, brokered this deal for the police, Curry said.
* * *

[Full story]

PG Taxers: PG senators and delegates pushing for yet another new tax and unfunded mandate to raise costs for businesses

2013-03-06T11:00:00.002-05:00

SB 641 & HB 1085

Misleadingly titled: Statewide Container Recycling Incentive Program

Synopsis: Requiring a beverage distributor operating within the State to register with the Department of the Environment on or before April 1, 2014; requiring a redeemable beverage container sold in the State to bear specified information indicating a refund value of 5 cents beginning October 1, 2014; requiring the payment of specified deposits by specified distributors, retailers, and consumers under specified circumstances; etc.

Prince George's County sponsors:

Senator Paul G. Pinsky (D-22) (Pinsky is also sponsoring other tax increase bills)
Delegate Barbara Frush (D-21) (Frush is also sponsoring or supporting other tax increase bills, including but not limited to bag and tobacco taxes)

Are death penalty opponents willing to sacrifice more innocent victims in order to protect killers?

2013-03-05T05:09:00.000-05:00

Commentary (originally posted March 1, 2009):

Death penalty opponents often claim that the death penalty does not deter crime. Let's look at the case of Benjamin Lester Perry. If Mr. Perry had been executed for his first murder, DeWayne Dunmore, 37, would probably still be alive.

Benjamin Lester Perry shot and killed Darryl Martin Spencer on December 6, 1987, in the parking lot of the former International House of Pancakes on Branch Avenue in Hillcrest Heights. He was arrested on December 14, 1987 (Post, page D5, December 15, 1987).

Perry was convicted of murder on April 25, 1988 (Post, page D6, April 28, 1988). The original conviction was overturned, Perry was tried again, and convicted again in 1990. It appears that Judge Graydon McKee sentenced him to a total of 40 years in prison with 15 suspended, sentence to commence Mar 16, 1988 (MD CaseSearch, not reported in the local press).

If Perry had been executed for that murder, or if he had been required to serve the entire sentence, DeWayne Dunmore would probably still be alive.

On Jun 16, 2000, Judge McKee reconsidered and reduced Perry's sentence, making it run 20 years of March 16, 1988. If he had served that reduced sentence, he would would have been in jail on January 25, 2008, instead of out on the street killing DeWayne Dunmore (MD CaseSearch, not reported in the local press).

Sometime before August 15, 2007, Perry was released from prison (he was ticketed for littering that date, MD CaseSearch).

DeWayne Dunmore was shot and killed on January 25, 2008 (Police, 25 Jan 2008). He identified Benjamin Perry as his killer (see trial report below). Perry was arrested fleeing the scene (Police, 25 Jan 2008, Post, 26 Jan 2006).

Perry was convicted of the murder of Dumnore on September 5, 2008. The Post reported on September 6, 2008:

On a bitterly cold night in January, DeWayne Dunmore lay facedown in the desolate parking lot of a Forestville office park, bleeding from four bullet wounds.

Dunmore, 37, called 911 on his cellphone. "I've been shot," he reports in the taped phone call. After he responds to a dispatcher's request for a street address, Dunmore says, "Yeah, I'm dying." His voice becomes weak. "I'm dying, I'm dying."

"Do you know who did it?" the dispatcher asked.

His voice clear, Dunmore responded, " Benjamin Perry ."

On October 23, 2008, Circuit Judge Crystal D. Mittelstaedt sentenced Perry to 55 years in state prison, ordering that only 15 of those years be mandatory, meaning that Perry must serve at least that time before he would be eligible for a parole hearing (Post, page B2, October 23, 2008). So, in theory, Benjamin Lester Perry can be out and able to kill again in just 15 years.

Most of the press coverage of the drive to repeal the death penalty addresses the killers. Nobody covered anything beyond the bare facts surrounding Benjamin Perry's murder of DeWayne Dunmore. The Post had the barest mention of Perry's previous murder conviction, but with no details. Nobody reported on the reduction of his sentence. Nobody reported that he was out loose before the end of his sentence. Nobody warned the public that there was a killer on the loose. There is no indication that any of our elected officials who oppose the death penalty were concerned that a was killer loose.

We know that most of our elected officials are on the side of the killers when it comes to the death penalty. Who was on the side of DeWayne Dunmore? Or the wife, three children, parents, brothers and sisters he left behind? Apparently nobody, certainly not our elected officials, and not Judge McKee.

How many more DeWayne Dunmores will die in order to save killers?

DEWAYNE ROBERT DUNMORE, SR. Suddenly on Friday, January 25, 2008. The beloved husband of Germaine; Also survived by three sons, Dewayne Jr., Wayne and Shayne; parents Franklin and Della Dunmore; sister Casie; brothers Franklin Jr. and Raymond; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation Friday, February 1, from 9 a.m. until hour of service 11 a.m. at A.P. Shaw United Methodist Church, 2525 12th Pl, S.E. Interment Harmony Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements by POPE FUNERAL HOMES.

Washington Post, The (DC)
Date: January 30, 2008

Note: Agree to terms at the Maryland Judiciary Case Search site before following the individual Casesearch links.

(Posted 1 Mar 2009)

Is Sen. Joanne Benson (D-24) losing it?

2013-03-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

From the Appalachian Independent

Outbursts in Annapolis

Written by Elisabeth Hoffman
Friday, 01 March 2013 15:09
--from the blog ClimateHoward

At least half a dozen Western Maryland residents rose in the dark, left home as an ice storm approached, traveled 200 miles to Annapolis and waited, along with environmental and health activists, for nearly six hours yesterday to testify in favor of a moratorium on fracking in the state.

For their trouble, they were screamed at repeatedly by state Sen. Joanne Benson, a member of the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee.

“We are going through an exercise in futility,” she shrieked. And then she yelled again: “We are going through an exercise in futility here. It’s a dead issue.” And, “Nothing is going to happen.” And “The decision has already been made.” (Oddly, Benson is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 514 that would ban fracking in Maryland.)

[See the rest at Applachian Independent or Climate Howard]

Comment: Not only was Benson screaming and shrieking in a public forum, certainly behavior unbecoming a state senator, but she was screaming and shrieking at people who apparently support a bill she sponsors. Huh?

Murders in Hillcrest Heights, Reply to PG=Chicago? Judging by a pair of 15 y.o.'s (and their killers), we are close. Too close.

2013-03-02T10:25:00.000-05:00

My comments on "PG=Chicago? Judging by a pair of 15 y.o.'s (and their killers), we are close. Too close." by Andy Carruthers (below)

The recent murders of Charles Walker and Eugene Walker (unrelated) both took place in the Hillcrest Heights community, about a half mile apart.

As Mr. Carruthers indicates, most or all of the accused/confessed killers of Charles Walker have criminal records. Most of the times these killers have been arrested the states attorney's office has dropped the charges.

Duane Lamar Williams, accused killer of Eugene Walker, who police allege was high on PCP, also has a criminal record. He was arrested on drug charges as recently as Nov 2012. Disposition: NOLLE PROSEQUI. Attorney: Pro-crime, pro-criminal powerful Delegate Joseph Vallario. If the states attorney's office had proceeded with the prosecution, and/or Williams had been locked up or sent to treatment, Eugene Walker would probably still be alive.

Both of these killings took place in council district 7. Charles Walker was killed in legislative district 24. Two of his accused killers live in the same districts, within a couple blocks of the murder site. Judging from the information on the PGPD blog, the Eugene Walker incident began in legislative district 26 and ended across the street in legislative district 24.

The Hillcrest Heights community has a very active citizens association. Local elected officials often attend or send a representative to their meetings.

The citizens association met last night (February 21). Captain Garrett, assistant commander of police district 4 make a lengthy presentation about these two killings and about the body found February 4 in the park adjacent to the meeting site. He answered numerous questions trying to address the concerns and fears of the community.

District 7 councilwoman Karen Toles sent a representative to the meeting. I am told by someone who was present that none of the eight elected officials from legislative districts 24 and 26 were present and that none of them appeared to be represented by staff. Nor was anyone from the states attorney's office present.

Perhaps since homicides in the Hillcrest Heights area are so routine (see attached map) and since we have a one-party system that all but guarantees reelection, these elected officials are no longer particularly concerned about the gore in their districts. Most of them seem more interested in passing laws to protect killers by repealing the death penalty and by passing even more ineffective gun laws. We have plenty of gun laws that are not being enforced. Some of the folks below supported a gun criminal for the delegate seat that went to Darren Swain. But rather than get the gun criminals off the streets, our elected officials seem more interested in punishing the innocent and preventing victims from defending themselves.

The AWOL elected officials who claim to represent the murder areas are:

On Thu, Feb 21, 2013 at 9:52 PM, Andy Carruthers wrote:

15 y.o.'s MURDERED: Chicago's Hadiya Pendleton = Prince Georges County's Charles Walker, Jr?!

Like Hadiya Pendleton, the 15 y.o. murder victim in Chicago invoked by President Obama, Prince Georgians this week saw the tragic shooting death of 15 y.o. Charles Walker, Jr, reportedly when being robbed of a pair of Timberland boots. While we still await the details, the obvious similarity, of course, is the use of an illegal firearm to kill a seemingly innocent young person of color.

It's the offenders, folks.

The less obvious but more emblematic factor in common may be the history of the killers. In Chicago, 18 y.o. Michael Ward had been convicted three times for violent crimes and was on probation, NOT parole, for a handgun charge at the time of Hadiya's killing. Worse, he had been arrested three times while on probation before the killing, but never incarcerated. (Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-hadiya-pendleton-probation-20130212,0,1383301.story )

Because one offender has many victims in Prince Georges, as in Chicago.
Here in Maryland, Charles Walker was reportedly gunned down by a group including 21 year-old Kevin J. Smith, whose prior arrests include multiple counts of attempted murder with a handgun, according to online court records—charges which had been dropped entirely. I hope the paid scribes can dig up an explanation. Sadly, this was by no means an extraordinary example of dysfunctional criminal justice in Maryland, but it may well stand out, for the moment, as the most outrageous in Prince George's County.

Impunity cannot be tolerated as normal.
Whether the problem was uncooperative victims, witnesses lacking credibility or courage, issues in the police investigation, other shooters, a hostile judge and/or other prosecutorial burdens, I simply don't know. But when we fail so flagrantly to put known violent offenders out of harm's way---and fail to protect the community by incarcerating them---we have no credibility as a community interested in justice. Not when so many volatile young men in this county (and Baltimore) over the years can claim a nefarious history of escaping accountability for prior offenses. Minor offenses. Serious offenses. Impunity seems common.

Criminal justice is not just a bourgeois ideal.
In contrast to some, I'm not so cynical as to believe criminal justice is just a bourgeois ideal; but I want to know what is it about this county, especially, which causes violence to flourish disproportionately, decline more slowly than elsewhere, and allows predators to stay so often free? Why do we expect, much less tolerate, dysfunction and misconduct? I don't know the detailed facts of Charles Walker's killing nor the reason one of his alleged murderers was previously accused without result of attempting kill others with an illegal gun. But the consequence of patterns like these are plain to see: people lose faith in government's ability to deliver justice and some measure of local security.

Sometimes, though, it seems more appropriate to lose faith in the community's collective willingness to do the right thing---to normalize peace and activate justice---and to commit the resources, moral and financial, that criminal justice requires. By almost any standardized measure Baltimore spends much more money, controlling for population and crime rates, prosecuting criminals than our county, perhaps because Prince Georges elites like to pretend our crime rates are unexceptional or because conviction has fallen out of favor (in more ways than one). Our crime rates are very exceptional. Yes, most area crime is down sharply over prior years; 2012 murders down some 35% from 2011, if memory serves; and anomalous surges or spectacles don't merit a panic. But why do we still have so much violence---and so much more than other places, other comparable communities?

Why does Maryland have the fourth highest per capita murder rate in the U.S.?
Why, indeed, does Maryland have the fourth highest murder rate in this country (tied with South Carolina according to FBI/UCR 2011) when we have the highest median household income among states (Census 2010) and, it is claimed, the country's overall best public schools?!! What's more, why is such violence overwhelmingly concentrated in Baltimore and Prince George's? Urbanization and age cannot explain it all. Why do these catastrophic moral failures tend to step off so often here? Why are most of our killers in Maryland so very similar to most of our killed---their demographic background and, more importantly, criminal history? http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-ci-homicide-analysis-20120102,0,5874176.story And why are we so frequently unsuccessful at keeping them contained and safe after they offend, brazenly, over and over again?

Answers vs Results? Acknowledge the latter even if the former are unclear.
I don't know all the answers, but Prince George's County can bank on seeing more middle class exodus and reputational damage if the community and, therefore, its institutions fail so often to deliver justice or security. People may leave quietly, but continue to leave they will. Unless we all step up and re-commit to keeping our neighborhoods safe from predators, instilling durable values in our children, and demanding accountability from those who would victimize us----and from those whose mandate is to protect us all from them. You may have noticed, arguments about 'profiling' becomes pretty much moot in a county that is only about 15% white, strained by crime, and policed mainly by men and women of color. Teach, reiterate and exemplify values, civility and compliance with law---and help law enforcement to contain those who would harm us and each other. In some areas, that would be a fine start, from the looks of things.

Stop teaching hopelessness. For real.
That's right, I said it. In trying to steel our youth against discrimination, prepare for the worst, we teach them to expect it. Is there any greater single explanation for the routine hopelessness which so pervades our young people? If you wanted to quash hope, the first thing you would do is train people to believe they have no agency and little prospect of success---teach that the deck is stacked. Instead of learned helplessness and the festering resentments which predictably result, why not teach self-control, determination and optimism? Like it or not, hope is a zero sum game inside a single mind. If we teach young people and adults alike to expect bias, powerlessness and injustice, why are we surprised when so many young men and boys feel emboldened by violence, validated by the taken trappings of crime, and empowered (briefly) by weapons? We teach them to expect injustice and---surprise!---they not only find it, many deliver it.

Perhaps, as adults and parents, we should work harder to conceal our own fears and doubts about America, about ourselves even. Instead, show hope and model responsibilty and agency more than we might now---as I try daily and sometimes succeed. Because the collective price of teaching defeatism is increased crime, much misery and diminished prospects, whatever the economy. Hope is priceless, but parents can steal it quicker than anyone else. Even by accident. And popular culture is quick to re-victimize us all in this regard.

Some of us need to quit posturing and straight-up start snitching.
Some Prince Georgians bristle or balk when the subject of crime arises, fearing racism and deflecting criticism with cliches like "crime happens everywhere." Nonsense. Crime concentrates disproportionately here, and pretending otherwise won't make us any safer on the whole. Remember: crime control is the mission police most want to accomplish, believe it or not. Unless you're an active criminal (and usually even then) your safety is their goal. Help them.
I tend to think the current County Executive is committed to facing these issues head on, but the County Council and our delegation to Annapolis, not so much, I suspect. We need to stop worrying about our County's reputation and start worrying much more about the fundamentals of public safety, levels of fear, and quality of life (and, no, not about recruiting glamorous stores into our malls). Enough with the thin-skinned denials and the superficial priorities. Time to demand more from ourselves, each other and our children. Strong values and subsequent security, in and around our schools, streets, homes and families will go far further toward ushering in prosperity, commerce and tranquility than any other factor. Let it be so. Make it be so. Time to testify. Faith is required, even if trust is in short supply.

Andy Carruthers

Mandatory Bike Helmets

2013-02-08T14:21:00.001-05:00

This bill (HB 339) is co-sponsored by Prince George's County's authoritarian nannies, Barbara Frush, Anne Healey, and Marvin Holmes, a trio who seem to think their main mission in life is issuing mandatory orders to the rest of us about how we should live our lives.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/md-proposal-mandating-bike-helmets-gets-a-cold-shoulder-from-cyclists/2013/02/07/f8df9b62-6c9c-11e2-bd36-c0fe61a205f6_story.html

Maryland bill mandating bike helmets gets a cold shoulder from cyclists By Ashley Halsey III,

Their national association says you should wear one, a federal watchdog says you're more likely to be killed without one and 21 states insist that kids use them, so it figures that most cycling advocates would salute a proposal to mandate that everyone use bike helmets in Maryland.

They don't.

This was not a happy decision for cycling groups deeply entrenched in the karma of safety first, because they all agree that strapping your head into a plastic foam cocoon is the single best protection against going kerplunk.

But they worry that a House of Delegates measure requiring helmet use for all Maryland bicyclists would keep some people from riding at all. They also argue that there is safety in numbers, too — the more drivers see cyclists on the road, the more apt they are to be alert for them.

"It is really an awkward position and one that is difficult to explain because we are fully supportive of the use of helmets and encourage everyone who rides a bike to use one," said Shane Farthing, executive director of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. "We're just not convinced that a mandatory helmet law is going to improve safety. In fact, we fear that it will undermine overall ridership by limiting the safety-in-numbers effect, [that it will] actually have the opposite impact."

The cycling boom in the first decade of this century brought a 57 percent increase in the number of people commuting by bike and continued enormous growth in the number of adult recreational cyclists. It has been estimated that 67 million Americans ride bikes and close to 30 percent of households own more than one.As cycling gained popularity in the 1990s, more riders began to die in accidents. But the numbers reversed and reached a 17-year low of 616 killed in 2010. Of that number, 70 percent were not wearing helmets, federal data show.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says helmet use reduces head injuries by 80 percent, and the League of American Bicyclists says people should "never ride without one." The District and Maryland — but not Virginia — mandate that riders under age 16 wear one.

"We feel that everyone should wear a helmet," said Carol Silldorff, executive director of the nonprofit group Bike Maryland. "We don't feel that it should be necessarily the law that you have to wear a helmet."
Her group decided it would neither support nor oppose the bill to require helmet use. They are pushing other bike safety laws sponsored by the same legislators and scheduled for a hearing before the same committee on the same day.

"We want to have as positive as possible a relationship with these folks," Silldorff said.
The bill's lead sponsor, Del. Maggie L. McIntosh (D-Baltimore), said there once were warnings that requiring motorcycle helmets would deter people from riding, but "you still see plenty of motorcycles on the road."

An avid cyclist herself, McIntosh said she has been surprised at the opposition to the bill by bike groups.
"I've had a whole lot of people walk up to me and say they're shocked at the reaction of their bike clubs, and I think a lot of delegates are shocked, too," she said. "If the only reason you're riding a bicycle is to feel the wind in your hair, you should take up another sport."

The Capital Bikeshare program that has been wildly popular in the District and Arlington County is about to expand into Montgomery County this year, and there are whispers that Prince George's County and Baltimore may be the next to embrace it.

The program allows cyclists to pick up bikes from so-called docking stations all over town, use them for short hops and return them to any docking station within the system. Bikeshare does not provide helmets, so riders who prefer to wear one must carry their own.

Chris Eatough, who bikes from his home in Silver Spring to his job as manager of Arlington's bike program, said a helmet law would be a "huge obstacle to the bike movement in Maryland."
"If there was a helmet law, when Montgomery County adds [bikeshare docking] stations, they probably could take some measures to provide helmets," Eatough said. "Helmet kiosks are in development, or selling cheap helmets at convenience stores is another option."

Perhaps, says Farthing, but he worries that officials might become skittish about bikeshare expansion for fear that they would be legally liable if riders violated a helmet law.

"Is there some risk-averse administrator who won't go forward with bike sharing until they have addressed the need to provide helmets?" he said.

Alexander Meller, an avid bike rider and racer, carries an extra helmet in his car trunk for anyone who shows up at a training ride without one. But he is opposed to the bill that would require them, in part because he fears it would divert the focus from distracted driving, which he says is a much greater risk to bicyclists.

"It's also going to require a large underclass currently relying on budget [bikes] ridden on the sidewalk, into targets for ticketing and police harassment, unless they also buy helmets," Meller said.

Our Prince George's County oathbreakers in Annapolis

2013-02-01T10:41:00.001-05:00

The U. S. Constitution provides that:

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Source: Bill of Rights, Second Amendment (ratified 1791, and still the Law of the Land)

The U. S. Constitution overrides any conflicting laws, edicts, rules or regulations:

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Source: Article VI, U.S. Constitution

And the Maryland Constitution also provides for the supremacy of the U. S. Constitution:

The Constitution of the United States, and the Laws made, or which shall be made, in pursuance thereof, and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, are, and shall be the Supreme Law of the State; and the Judges of this State, and all the People of this State, are, and shall be bound thereby; anything in the Constitution or Law of this State to the contrary notwithstanding.

Source: Maryland Constitution, Article 2

The provisions of the Constitution of the United States, and of this State, apply, as well in time of war, as in time of peace; and any departure therefrom, or violation thereof, under the plea of necessity, or any other plea, is subversive of good Government, and tends to anarchy and despotism.

Source: Maryland Constitution, Article 44

The Maryland Constitution requires public officials to take an oath promising to support the U. S. Constitution:

Every person elected, or appointed, to any office of profit or trust, under this Constitution, or under the Laws, made pursuant thereto, shall, before he enters upon the duties of such office, take and subscribe the following oath, or affirmation:

I, _______________, do swear, (or affirm, as the case may be), that I will support the Constitution of the United States; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support the Constitution and Laws thereof; and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice, execute the office of ________________, according to the Constitution and Laws of this State, (and, if a Governor, Senator, Member of the House of Delegates, or Judge,) that I will not directly or indirectly, receive the profits or any part of the profits of any other office during the term of my acting as ___________ (originally Article I, sec. 6, renumbered by Chapter 681, Acts of 1977, ratified Nov. 7, 1978).

Source: Maryland Constitution, Article 1, Elective Franchise, Sec. 9

Every person, hereafter elected, or appointed, to office, in this State, who shall refuse, or neglect, to take the oath, or affirmation of office, provided for in the ninth section of this Article, shall be considered as having refused to accept the said office; and a new election, or appointment, shall be made, as in case of refusal to accept, or resignation of an office; and any person violating said oath, shall, on conviction thereof, in a Court of Law, in addition to the penalties now, or hereafter, to be imposed by Law, be thereafter incapable of holding any office of profit or trust in this State (originally Article I, sec. 7. Thus renumbered and amended by Chapter 681, Acts of 1977, ratified Nov. 7, 1978).

Source: Maryland Constitution, Article 1, Elective Franchise, Sec. 11

Despite the plain language of the U. S. Constitution:

... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

and their oaths to "support the Constitution of the United States," the following Prince George's County legislators have broken their solemn promises and are sponsoring bills that do infringe the right to bear arms. These legislators may split hairs, huff and puff, rationalize and spin but the simple fact is that they are doing what they promised not to do. If they were the kind of honorable people they claim to be, they would work in the open to amend or repeal the Bill of Rights. Instead, they dishonor their oaths and responsibilities by working hard to evade the "supreme law of the land."

District 21

Sen. Jim Rosapepe (SB 281, SB 539)
Del. Barbara Frush (HB 107)
Del. Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk (HB 107, HB 294)

District 22

Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (SB 281, SB 539)
Del. Anne Healey (HB 107)

District 23

Sen. Douglas J. J. Peters (SB 281, SB 539)
Del. James W. Hubbard (HB 294)
Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (HB 294 )

District 24

Sen. Joanne C. Benson (SB 281)
Del. Carolyn J. B. Howard (HB 107, HB 545)

District 25

Sen. Ulysses Currie (SB 281, SB 539)
Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (HB 107)

District 26

District 27

Del. James E. Proctor, Jr. (HB 107)

District 47

Sen. Victor R. Ramirez (SB 281, SB 539)
Del. Michael G. Summers (HB 294)

Death Penalty: Open Letter to Prince George's Senators

2013-01-22T07:49:00.000-05:00

Dear Senator:

I oppose repeal of the death penalty and I am very disappointed that you are co-sponsoring SB 276.

D. C. Russell

PG-Politics Blog & Mailing List

Sent 22 Jan 2013, 7:49 am

Replies:

from:    Currie, Ulysses Senator
to:    "Diane C. Russell"
date:    Tue, Jan 22, 2013 at 9:19 AM
subject:    RE: [Caution: Message contains Suspicious URL content] Death Penalty

What is your home address?

P.G. bill would require turf fields at all high schools

2012-12-29T14:22:00.000-05:00

As you may recall, the 2012 session of the General ASSembly played around with trivia for ninety days, never finished its work on time, and went on to waste more of our money in two special sessions.

Now our General ASSembly members are starting out with more nonsense, like this artificial turf bill and some nutty plan to have a state sandwich.

And anti-democrat Del. Valentino-Smith is planning another attack on our right to elect a school board. She apparently believes that the voters are too dumb to be trusted to elect school board members, but smart enough to be allowed to elect her. Unfortunately, her position, along with her bill and her attitude, seem to indicate the the voters are too stupid to be trusted to elect any of these people. The fact that the voters elected Valentino-Smith tends to prove their incompetence.

What we need as a study of how General ASSembly members are selected, and of the corruption and criminal behavior infesting Annapolis before looking at the school board yet again.

Do not forget that one of our Prince George's County delegates is gone, having been convicted of crimes, probably to be replaced by a gunslinging drug thug, and that Valentino-Smith and her colleagues in the House of Delegates have kept a law-breaker in the majority leader position despite his crime.

And I wonder how much the sponsors of the artificial turf bill have taken in "campaign contributions" from the makers of artificial turf and their lobbyists.

On Fri, Dec 28, 2012 at 2:59 PM, Marcy Canavan <marcy.canavan@gmail.com> wrote:

Maybe the legislature should straighten out the other statewide issues, some of which are important, before trying to usurp the ELECTED Board of Education's decision making.

I am not always happy with decisions the local BOE makes, but the state should not be stepping in to REQUIRE the BOE to spend money on artifical turf which might better be spent on other things, like teachers, classrooms, books, etc.

And when the state and county do their jobs in such areas as providing internet service to all Marylanders, THEN they can start meddling over high school athletics.

C'mon, boys and girls, surely you have more pressing concerns to deal with in the legislature. If not, give me a call and I can suggest some.

--
From Marcy Canavan

Westphalia and how the Post and "local" press fail to connect the dots

2012-11-19T06:44:00.001-05:00

Mr. Turner has just posted two messages, one about Westphalia, and one about the failures of the local press.

The Westphalia project, Patrick Ricker, and related corruption issues are in the news again. Verjeana Jacobs was recently reelected to the school board. The Post's coverage of the election, and endorsement of Mrs. Jacobs, included minor references to the failed Washington Plaza school office fiasco promoted by Mrs. Jacobs as board chair. But neither the Post nor any of the other print media has reported explicitly on the apparent connections.

Washington Plaza is adjacent to, and partly surrounded by, the Westphalia project area.

Mrs. Jacobs' husband, David, was a registered lobbyist for Patrick Ricker's company, as well as for the county government and the firefighters union. Mr. Jacobs and his associations with various suspect develpors were apparently part of the the FBI county corruption investigations. For example, a 15 Sep 2008 Post report listed a number of persons whose houses were raided by the FBI, including:

Daniel Colton, now awaiting sentencing
Karl L. Granzow, Jr., recently sentenced
David Jacobs
Patrick Ricker
and others

There are numerous blog posts, some by county bloggers and others by long-time broadcast reporter Dave Statter, that have pieces of the puzzle. Unfortunately, none of the print media seems to want to fit all the pieces together.

The Post makes a big thing of the supposed firewall between the news and editorial groups, but I can't help wondering whether their endorsement of Mrs. Jacobs was influenced by incomplete knowledge due to the lack of Post news coverage of potential conflicts of interest, or if the lack of coverage was intended to avoid conflict with the endorsement.

Here are a few links:

LOBBYING REGISTRATION - State Ethics Commission

https://lobby.ethics.state.md.us/print/registration_print.cfm?regID=15807 - Cached
I hereby certify that the information contained herein is correct and that David Jacobs (name of lobbyist) is authorized to act on behalf of Ricker Brothers Realty ...

Granzow | STATter911.com

statter911.com/?feb_network_search_context=blog&s... - Cached
Oct 3, 2012 Former PGFD Lt. Col. Karl Granzow Jr. gets 18 months in prison ... The sentencing for Pat Ricker is scheduled for Friday. ..... The Washington Post reports a lobbyist for the county council, David Jacobs, has also ... From the late 1990s until 2001, David Jacobs ran the Prince George's County Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP). At the same time, Karl Granzow was assigned by the fire department to work with Jacobs.... [Includes links to several other Statter reports]

FBI Raids Ranking Fire Officers Home And Office

www.firefightingnews.com/article-us.cfm?articleID=54573 - Cached
Sep 15, 2008 ... According to sources, the home of developer Patrick Ricker was also searched. ... Saturday's raids include lobbyist Michael Arrington, Office of Finance Director J. ... From the late 1990s until 2001, David Jacobs ran the Prince ...

The Wide Reach of Corruption in Prince George's County Ties Into PGCPS

pgd9politico.wordpress.com/.../the-wide-reach-of-corruption-in-prince-georges-county-ties-into-pgcps/ - Cached
Dec 14, 2011 ... A quick look at the campaign contributions by Ricker Brothers… ... was a registered lobbyist for Ricker Brothers around the same time (November ... In a further twist, David Jacobs stepped down from that position to become a ...

Twitter / pgpolitics: Note David Jacobs husb of BOE ...

twitter.com/pgpolitics/status/253450052297711616 - Cached
Oct 3, 2012 ... Note David Jacobs husb of BOE chair was lobbyist for Ricker & mentioned in 2008 search subpoenas http://is.gd/PUYK55 http://is.gd/JcMaJq ...

Arrogant BOE Chair finally cornered with corruption. « pgcps mess ...

pgcpsmess.wordpress.com/.../arrogant-boe-chair-finally-cornered-with-corruption/ -
Apr 6, 2012 ... According to the Post, the Ricker Brothers developed the Westphalia Project and Washington Plaza. David Jacobs was their lobbyist at the time ...

GNR 091808 print.indd - Greenbelt News Review

www.greenbeltnewsreview.com/issues/GNR20080918.pdf - Cached
Sep 18, 2008 ... several lobbyists and developers, including ... David Jacobs, who has worked as a lobbyist for the ... information on Patrick Ricker, a prominent ...

Prince George's council to decide on new ethics office

2012-10-16T07:00:00.003-04:00

During his campaign, Rushern Baker promised "comprehensive ethics reform" including prompt action, within his first thirty days in office, to establish an Inspector General position along with several specific actions aimed at reducing corruption and conflicts of interest.

Now, roughly 675 days after he took office--more than 22 times his promised 30 days--the council is taking up a weak, watered down ethics proposal that does NOT include his promised Inspector General nor many of his other promised reforms.

Ir is probably too much to hope for, but now is time for the council, especially the three members--Lehman, Davis, and Franklin--who joined in Baker's "Pledge for Prince George's County" to pass the reforms Mr. Baker promised even though Mr. Baker has broken his promises.

On Mon, Oct 15, 2012 at 9:57 PM, Arthur Turner arthurturner@verizon.net wrote:

Peace & Blessings,

It would be great to have a true ethics office. Will there be a "whistle blower" protection measure to protect county employees from being punished, castigated, or railroaded for reporting what they know? How high up will the ethics probes go? What measures will be put into place that insures the integrity of investigations and the process? In truth, some investigations should have already begun if we are sincere about weeding out fraud, graft, and illegal activity. I am waiting to hear about certain investigations or see if they are being squashed.

To great fanfare, the county's Baker-convened Accountability, Compliance and Integrity Advisory Board was assembled, convened, and was tasked with making recommendations. Yet, one of the recommendations that was trumpeted and praised was the establishment of the office of Inspector General. Now, Brad Frome is engaging in verbal gymnastics in his weak attempt to explain why an Inspector General is not needed. Hmmm! That does not sound wholly true to me.
For now, I will wait on the sidelines and watch to see if certain investigations, indictments, and arrests take place. If they do not, we will know that the process and the processors are flawed. There are things that quite a few people know about and have chosen to keep their powder dry on--for now. People do not want to embarrass the county and again make scandal the cause for the media doing a story about the county.

Peace & Blessings,
Arthur Turner

==========================================================

http://washingtonexaminer.com/prince-georges-council-to-decide-on-new-ethics-office/article/2510822

Local: Maryland

Prince George's council to decide on new ethics office

October 15, 2012
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Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker (Examiner file photo)

Matt Connolly

Examiner Staff Writer

The Washington Examiner

Matt on FB

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Prince George's County could have a new ethics office next year if County Executive Rushern Baker's plan passes council scrutiny Tuesday.

The Office of Ethics and Accountability, first proposed in July, would handle tips of illegal activity or unethical conduct by county employees, conduct any investigations and oversee ethics training for other agencies. It would start out with a $376,000 budget and include an executive director appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the County Council along with two investigators.

Baker campaigned largely on ethics reform in 2010, saying he would create an inspector general's office to investigate waste, fraud and abuse in county government. Baker's predecessor, Jack Johnson, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison in 2011 for taking more than $1 million in bribes. His wife, County Councilwoman Leslie Johnson, pleaded guilty to conspiring to tamper with witnesses and evidence after she was caught by FBI agents stuffing $79,600 in her bra and underwear and flushing a $100,000 check down a toilet.

Adding an inspector general was recommended in a 2011 report from the county's Baker-convened Accountability, Compliance and Integrity Advisory Board, which was headed by former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke.

According to Brad Frome, Baker's deputy chief of staff, an inspector general isn't necessary because some of those duties are already undertaken by other departments, including the Office of Audits and Investigations and CountyStat. The new ethics office, he said, can do the rest.

"If you look at inspector generals, they traditionally cover waste, fraud and abuse," Frome said. "We're focused on the fraud and abuse part."

The county has a Board of Ethics appointed by the county executive and approved by the council. Under the legislation, the new office's director would head the board, which investigated one complaint in 2011 and never met in 2010.

The new office would remain separate from the Office of Audits and Investigations.

"Audits and Investigations is more the financial side - 'Do these numbers add up?' " Frome said. "This would be more conduct-based."

If approved by the County Council, the office would likely open in the spring, Frome said.

mconnolly@washingtonexaminer.com

Rushern Baker's press conference on Question 7

2012-10-11T14:08:00.000-04:00

So Rushern Baker and various elected co-conspirators are going to have a press conference on Question 7. I wonder what fairy tales and outright lies they will tell the press this time.

Our political leaders sold the lottery to Maryland voters with a barrage of claims that the money would support education. In fact, half or more of the money has been spent on stadiums--corporate welfare for multi-millionaire sports moguls--and for a multitude of other purposes.

Our political leaders pushed through plans for National Harbor with claims that there would be jobs and contracts set aside for county residents and small businesses. Only a very small percentage of the promised jobs or contracts actually went to county residents and business--less than 20% of what was promised.

And the county did virtually nothing to either ensure that the promises were kept or that county residents and businesses were made whole for the broken promises. Despite the many promises, there was no accountability or enforcement.

Six years ago, Rushern Baker made a solemn pledge to never allow legalized gambling in Prince George's County. The very fact that he is holding the press conference demonstrates that he has broken that promise.

Two years ago, Rushern Baker promised, as part of his plan for his first 30 days in office, to establish on Office of Inspector General to ensure accountability and enforcement in the county government. He has also broken that promise.

Given this sorry record of broken promises and outright lies by our elected officials, including Rushern Baker, why should we believe anything they tell us or promise this time around?

Baker and his fellow travelers apparently believe that the people of Prince George's County are as gullible as Charlie Brown who, year after year, believed Lucy's false promises that she would not pull the football away. Poor Charlie fell for her lies and ended up flat on his back every time.

Unfortunately, the politicians are probably right and the people of Prince George's County are likely to allow themselves to be suckered into believing more fairly tales and lies from the politicians.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <PressRoom@co.pg.md.us>
Date: Thu, Oct 11, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Subject: Prince George's County Executive, County Council Members, Senators, Delegates and Municipal Leaders to Hold Press Conference on Question 7
To:

Media Advisory

For Immediate Release:

October 10, 2012

For Information Contact:

Barry Hudson

Manager of Communications

(240) 619-9400

Prince George's County Executive, County Council Members, Senators, Delegates and Municipal Leaders to Hold Press Conference on Question 7

Upper Marlboro, MD – Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker. III, will be joined by over 20 elected officials from Prince George's County including County Council Members, County Members of the Maryland House of Delegates and State Senate, along with municipal leaders from around the County to discuss Question 7, the expansion of gaming in Maryland ballot referendum, tomorrow, Thursday, October 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the Prince George's County Administration Building (CAB) in the County Executive's Office.

WHAT:          Press conference on Question 7

WHO:            Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III

Members of the Prince George's County Council

            Members of the House of Delegates from Prince George's County

                                Members of the State Senate from Prince George's County

                        Prince George's County Municipal Leaders



WHEN: Thursday, October 11, 6:00 p.m.



WHERE:        Prince George's County Administration Building

                        County Executive Office, 5^th Floor

14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive

Upper Marlboro, MD

###
        This E-mail and any of its attachments may contain Prince George's County Government or Prince George's County 7th Judicial Circuit Court proprietary information or Protected Health Information, which is privileged and confidential. This E-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this E-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or action taken in relation to the contents of and attachments to this E-mail is strictly prohibited by federal law and may expose you to civil and/or criminal penalties. If you have received this E-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copy of this E-mail and any printout.