When sitting down to create a “to do” list, I usually place my top priority as number one on that list. Not everybody follows this pattern, but it is more common than not. Last fall I remember Speaker Pelosi claiming that the most important legislation that the House of Representatives would consider in the legislative session receives House Bill 1. But in the Maryland General Assembly it is unclear if they follow that rule of thumb. For the 2022 legislative session, the Maryland House of Delegates has established that a bill to legalize cannabis for adults should be given the title of House Bill 1. This legislation, if passed, would send the constitutional question of legalizing cannabis to a voter referendum in November of 2022, and if it is approved would legalize cannabis for adults as of July 1, 2023. The bill further places all regulations related to the use, distribution, and taxation of cannabis in the hands of the General Assembly.
This message is not supporting or opposing the legislation. I will leave that up to each of you to decide. I do, however, find it very myopic that the cannabis bill should be considered a top priority when we have so many needs in this state. We are hearing every day that there are crime problems in Maryland, particularly in Baltimore City, and one might think that crime prevention would be especially important. A delegate from Prince Georges County is proposing to create a family and medical leave insurance program. Why is not that insurance program considered more important than cannabis? Maryland has a $6 billion surplus. You would think that the House of Delegates would have all sorts of ideas about how to spend that surplus. Governor Hogan wants to gradually phase out taxation on retirement income for seniors, but that does not interest the majority of delegates. The pandemic has put a strain on the State’s health care system, and we face an acute shortage of nurses in the state, but that is not the top priority either. House Bill No. 1 is all about legalizing cannabis, the least compelling issue I can think of at this time. The other issues mentioned above are all more important, yet none received the coveted top spot. I wonder why?
It was heartening to see County Executive Olszewski reverse course and again support the rebuilding of Towson and Dulaney High Schools. Elected officials and the public alike took many shots at the County Executive for backing away from his earlier pledges of support for rebuilding the two schools. Did that prove to be the tipping point? Only Johnny O. knows for sure. But he should have seen the criticism coming. Electioneering 101 dictates that it is problematic when you reverse campaign pledges.
When he did reverse his campaign pledges, he brought up the MYPAS Study on school construction as a compelling document that changed his mind. Frankly, the MYPAS study was not a very persuasive document. For example, the consultant who created it argued that schools like Mays Chapel Elementary School and Carver School for the Arts and Technology would not be funded for renovations if significant sums were spent rebuilding Towson and Dulaney. Now with Mays Chapel’s building being less than ten years old and Carver’s building being less than thirty years old, I did not see an outstanding need to renovate either facility. I feel the MYPAS Study was grasping at excuses to side against Towson and Dulaney.
It is good to see that future students and parents have new buildings to look forward to. Bravo to all who spoke out in favor of this long overdue funding need.
Eric Rockel
Vice President, GTCC