April 11, 2016

Maryland's Democracy Amendment Resolution died in the House of Delegates as the General Assembly adjourned for 2016. Speaker Mike Busch did not permit a vote in the House Rules Committee even though he indicated verbally that a vote would occur. In the last two days of the session, Rules Committee members were told that the White House called about our Resolution, and the implication was to keep it bottled up.

GMOM volunteers generated 6,500 petition messages and hundreds more phone calls to legislators. Rep. Van Hollen and Pastor Delman Coates of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church added their strong voices. Attacks against the idea of an amendment convention have worked with some legislators but others seemed to support us even more strongly. Although we are investigating, at this writing, we have been unable to confirm whether someone from the White House called the Speaker's office, or what they may have said. The one thing that we are sure of is that we will come back next year stronger and better prepared.

 
On February 29, 1016, Delegate Will Smith, District 20, Montgomery County, led testimony in favor of the Democracy Amendment Resolution at a Hearing of the House Rules Committee. GMOM presented 1500 petitions signed by Maryland voters supporting HJ 8.  Big thanks to Delegate Smith and more than 30 citizen advocates from GMOM and Wolf-PAC who came to Annapolis to fight big money in politics.

Sen. Paul Pinsky has introduced SJ 2. It was heard in the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on February 18, 2016.
Del. Will Smith has introduced the House Version. HJ 8. It was heard by the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee February 29, 2016, 1:00 PM.

Progress in Maryland in 2016

We did it. We Unlocked the Vote! The Maryland Senate overrode the veto of SB 340/HB 980, allowing ex-felons to vote when returned to the community. Thank you for your messages to legislators.

REDISTRICTING REFORM (to counter Gerrymandering): Governor Hogan has appointed a 11-member Redistricting Commission to:

• • Study solutions, including others states with non-partisan commissions
  • Conduct regional summits
  • Provide for citizen input via Internet
  • Promote redistricting reform
  • Develop a recommended constitutional amendment

Read the Commission's Report.                                                      See the Commission Membership     

GMOM supports the Commission's recommendations and will work during the General Assembly session for improved redistricting procedures.

On Election day of 2016, voters across the nation decided 18 ballot questions relating to certain democracy reforms. For details, click here.

• Howard County voters created a public campaign finance fund. Voters across the nation supported advisory resolutions to overturn Citizens United.
• South Dakota voters enacted public campaign finance and other important reforms.
• In all, we count 16 victories and 1 defeat.

News Flash! June 18, 2016

Rhode Island has passed H. 7670 and become the 5th state to apply to Congress for a convention of the States to draft the 28th Amendment to the Constitution - the Democracy Amendment. Watch the inspiring story of a citizen victory here.

On Thursday, June 16, 2016, the Rhode Island House voted 59-12 for approval - a party-line vote. The Senate approved the Resolution on Friday, June 17, with no dissenting votes.

n Election day of 2016, voters across the nation decided 18 ballot questions relating to certain democracy reforms. For details, click here.

• Howard County voters created a public campaign finance fund. Voters across the nation supported advisory resolutions to overturn Citizens United.
• South Dakota voters enacted public campaign finance and other important reforms.
• In all, we count 16 victories and 1 defeat.