“The Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill then. They oppose this modest change now.”
I was speaking on the House floor, in response to another delegate’s point that the Chamber opposed the SLAPP bill I was defending.
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation are brought to intimidate opponents, usually an individual or a neighborhood association, not to win in court.
I sponsored the SLAPP bill when we passed it six years ago. I drafted the amendments to it this week.
Four years ago, I introduced legislation that would authorize a court to act before fraud or voter suppression stains the electoral process. The court can intervene if there are reasonable grounds to believe someone is about to violate the law.
For the first time, this legislation will be debated on the Senate floor. By a 6-5 margin, a Senate committee gave it a favorable report last night.
Today, I spoke to one of the Democrats on that panel. I was amazed to learn that he had voted against my bill because he feared that it would be used to harass groups doing voter registration.
I told him the bill is modeled on a provision in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. He assured me he’d switch his vote.
Showing posts with label voter's rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label voter's rights. Show all posts
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 30, 2009
Magic Number
Who knows eight?
Eight lights of Hanukkah will be the answer at the Passover seder next week.
On this Crossover Monday, eight bills of mine are alive and must be worked in the Senate to become law.
When the Voter’s Rights Protection Act was on 2nd reader today, no questions were asked and no amendments were offered. My peace treaty with the Republicans is holding. However, no action so far on the Senate crossfile.
On the state police spying legislation, the differences between the House and Senate versions should be easily resolved. Ditto on my bills dealing with newly discovered evidence of innocence and the weight given to an adult’s disability at a custody hearing.
The green jobs bill didn’t make it to the floor today. Assuming it passes the House later this week, I’ll need to get it out of the Senate Rules Committee. The Jim McKay Maryland Resolution is still in the House Rules Committee, but the odds are very good that it will be on track for passage in time.
Legislation providing incentives for state employees who propose ideas that save money and clarifying who must be consulted if human remains are disinterred should not be controversial.
But I’ll take nothing for granted.
Eight lights of Hanukkah will be the answer at the Passover seder next week.
On this Crossover Monday, eight bills of mine are alive and must be worked in the Senate to become law.
When the Voter’s Rights Protection Act was on 2nd reader today, no questions were asked and no amendments were offered. My peace treaty with the Republicans is holding. However, no action so far on the Senate crossfile.
On the state police spying legislation, the differences between the House and Senate versions should be easily resolved. Ditto on my bills dealing with newly discovered evidence of innocence and the weight given to an adult’s disability at a custody hearing.
The green jobs bill didn’t make it to the floor today. Assuming it passes the House later this week, I’ll need to get it out of the Senate Rules Committee. The Jim McKay Maryland Resolution is still in the House Rules Committee, but the odds are very good that it will be on track for passage in time.
Legislation providing incentives for state employees who propose ideas that save money and clarifying who must be consulted if human remains are disinterred should not be controversial.
But I’ll take nothing for granted.
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