With the 2016 legislative session nearing its close, advocates expressed their disappointment that more progress was not made on good government reforms in the past 90 days.

Annapolis – The Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee today heard SJ5, a Resolution to rescind Maryland’s existing calls for a federal Constitutional Convention. The sponsor and advocates supporting the bill discussed the importance of Maryland acting – and acting now.

Today, the Maryland State Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee will hear testimony on automatic voter registration, a reform that would register eligible citizens to vote when they interact with the Motor Vehicle Administration and other state agencies. With almost half a million eligible but unregistered citizens, Maryland could dramatically boost its registration rate while reducing costs and making registration more convenient for government officials and voters alike.

With the General Assembly open for action, Common Cause Maryland sees an opportunity to answer President Obama’s State of the Union call here in Maryland. Common Cause Maryland is pushing a broad set of reforms aimed at empowering citizens, protecting the constitution, and ensuring that the government is both open and fair – so that the politics of division and inflexibility can be overcome.

Today Governor Hogan announced the appointment of a study commission to look at options for redistricting reform in Maryland.

ANNAPOLIS – With momentum building both nationally and in Maryland, the Tame the