Democracy Wire

With the 2016 legislative session finished, we are disappointed that more progress was not made on good government reforms in the past 90 days. While the legislature made some advances this session, particularly on expanding access to voting, overall we saw no meaningful progress on key reforms. At a time when the public is clamoring for open and honest government and is sick and tired of political duplicity, the lack of action on these issues sends the wrong message.

Meeting in the heart of downtown, commercial Baltimore, various community organizations gathered yesterday, August 6, to hold signs proclaiming “Recall this Veto!” and “Communities United!” We were drumming up interest about

The industries spending most heavily to influence decision-makers in Annapolis haven’t changed much in the last three years. But the amount they are spending jumped by almost $2 million this year, according to research by Common Cause Maryland.

The Montgomery County Council held public hearings this week on the proposed FY16 budget. Concerned citizens testified at each hearing, calling on the County Council to put $2 million into the budget to fund fair elections (Public Election Fund).