A quick look at legislative news and the Montgomery County special election on April 12
by Mike Tabor
Back in the day when I first started farming--1972 or so--I decided to raise sweet corn. Somehow, only a few days before it was ready, the raccoon community got the word out and I was besieged by the critters. I asked my neighbors what to do and they suggested I use leg traps - which I did. After baiting and setting the traps, I checked the next morning and found, sure enough, one was caught. He, or she, was in the process of chewing it's leg off - and when it saw me approach, put its 2 prehensile hands together and appealed for mercy!! I tried to release it but it snapped at me and I had to shoot it. But, I resolved not to ever grow sweet corn again.
This year, a group of upcounty residents decided to band together to get state legislation passed so that the County could ban the cruel practice. (I had thought the damn traps were already illegal!) In addition to animal cruelty issues, the traps also catch, maim or kill pets.
by Mike Tabor
Back in the day when I first started farming--1972 or so--I decided to raise sweet corn. Somehow, only a few days before it was ready, the raccoon community got the word out and I was besieged by the critters. I asked my neighbors what to do and they suggested I use leg traps - which I did. After baiting and setting the traps, I checked the next morning and found, sure enough, one was caught. He, or she, was in the process of chewing it's leg off - and when it saw me approach, put its 2 prehensile hands together and appealed for mercy!! I tried to release it but it snapped at me and I had to shoot it. But, I resolved not to ever grow sweet corn again.
This year, a group of upcounty residents decided to band together to get state legislation passed so that the County could ban the cruel practice. (I had thought the damn traps were already illegal!) In addition to animal cruelty issues, the traps also catch, maim or kill pets.
Marketing consultant and Dickerson resident Ellie Trueman, helped pull
together the TLC Initiative (Trapping Legalizes Cruelty) and thy got
the backing of the non-profit Countryside Alliance along with horse and
hay farmers in the upcounty ag reserve area. They got Delegate Brian
Feldman, Chair of Mo. Co. State delegation to introduce HB 831. And
the backing of most of the upcounty senators and delegates.
And then, the NRA and Farm Bureau got involved. Support began to wither: noticeably, Senator Rob Garigiola (D15) and Senator Jennie Forehand (D17) backed off. While the final vote is not in, passage is now questionable. If you would like to support the legislation, or, want to know the outcome, contact Ellie at bantrapping@aol.com.
On a more upbeat note, both the MD House and Senate have approved a bill to prevent state police and law enforcement agents from spying on peaceful protest groups. And both Houses have also passed legislation to reduce greenhouse gases. Plus, undocumented immigrants will be allowed to keep their drivers' licenses (but not allow new applicants). And, local disclosure and campaign finance legislation HB 825 was voted through the MD House 135-0. Unless Senate President Mike Miller stops it, it should pass the Senate.
All of these bills were part of the Progressive Working Group's (PWG) legislative agenda. The PWG is a broad coalition of peace, environmental, community and gender focused groups willing to work together to pass progressive legislation.
Regarding the District 4 Council race for the seat vacated by the death of Councilperson Don Praisner. Few of us in Takoma Park/Silver Spring will have an opportunity to vote in the April 12th primary. However, the outcome will affect the entire county.
The Council is divided on most issues. On the side thought to be the more progressive on most issues - Councilfolks Marc Elrich, Duchy Tractenberg, Roger Berliner and Phil Andrews usually vote together. On the more conservative and pro-business side, on many issues, Michael Knapp, Nancy Floreen, Valerie Ervin and George Leventhal usually vote together. (To be fair, Ervin and Leventhal are involved in socially progressive legislation).
The problem is, those last four councilmembers have declared their support for candidate Nancy Navarro which, to me, trumps all discussion on issues. If she is elected, the assumption is that she will align with the conservative/pro-business/socially progressive interests. And Marc Elrich, Phil Andrews and Roger Berliner lean toward favoring Kramer but will not publicly endorse him. Duchy Tractenberg, and County Executive Ike Leggett have announced their endorsement of Delegate Ben Kramer (D19) along with Don Praisner's daughter.
The decisive vote probably comes from the residents of Leisure World. Currently the money's on Kramer to get that gated community's favor. (If you'd like a more comprehensive view of the response of the 6 Democratic candidates and the Green Party candidate , go to www.maryland-politics.blogspot.com and reference "Audubon Hosts a Horde of Candidates" by Sharon Dooley.
And then, the NRA and Farm Bureau got involved. Support began to wither: noticeably, Senator Rob Garigiola (D15) and Senator Jennie Forehand (D17) backed off. While the final vote is not in, passage is now questionable. If you would like to support the legislation, or, want to know the outcome, contact Ellie at bantrapping@aol.com.
On a more upbeat note, both the MD House and Senate have approved a bill to prevent state police and law enforcement agents from spying on peaceful protest groups. And both Houses have also passed legislation to reduce greenhouse gases. Plus, undocumented immigrants will be allowed to keep their drivers' licenses (but not allow new applicants). And, local disclosure and campaign finance legislation HB 825 was voted through the MD House 135-0. Unless Senate President Mike Miller stops it, it should pass the Senate.
All of these bills were part of the Progressive Working Group's (PWG) legislative agenda. The PWG is a broad coalition of peace, environmental, community and gender focused groups willing to work together to pass progressive legislation.
* * *
Regarding the District 4 Council race for the seat vacated by the death of Councilperson Don Praisner. Few of us in Takoma Park/Silver Spring will have an opportunity to vote in the April 12th primary. However, the outcome will affect the entire county.
The Council is divided on most issues. On the side thought to be the more progressive on most issues - Councilfolks Marc Elrich, Duchy Tractenberg, Roger Berliner and Phil Andrews usually vote together. On the more conservative and pro-business side, on many issues, Michael Knapp, Nancy Floreen, Valerie Ervin and George Leventhal usually vote together. (To be fair, Ervin and Leventhal are involved in socially progressive legislation).
The problem is, those last four councilmembers have declared their support for candidate Nancy Navarro which, to me, trumps all discussion on issues. If she is elected, the assumption is that she will align with the conservative/pro-business/socially progressive interests. And Marc Elrich, Phil Andrews and Roger Berliner lean toward favoring Kramer but will not publicly endorse him. Duchy Tractenberg, and County Executive Ike Leggett have announced their endorsement of Delegate Ben Kramer (D19) along with Don Praisner's daughter.
The decisive vote probably comes from the residents of Leisure World. Currently the money's on Kramer to get that gated community's favor. (If you'd like a more comprehensive view of the response of the 6 Democratic candidates and the Green Party candidate , go to www.maryland-politics.blogspot.com and reference "Audubon Hosts a Horde of Candidates" by Sharon Dooley.
Leave a comment