Blog

R.I. handbook shows blatant bias

In the Internet Age, Rhode Island style voter information handbooks have become a First Amendment archaism, in the way the government-imposed Fairness Doctrine became after Americans got access to dozens of TV channels. It has become absurd to let a single politician...

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R.I.’s poor preparation for convention

In another case of the fox guarding the chicken coop, Rhode Island’s bipartisan preparatory commission has been a failed experiment in explaining to the public the advantages of constitutional convention over legislature-initiated democratic reform. Rhode Island’s...

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R.I. needs a constitutional convention

This November, Rhode Islanders will vote on whether to convene a constitutional convention. Throughout most of American history, state constitutional conventions were a regular occurrence. But not one has been approved during the last 30 years, the longest stretch in...

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How the Next Superintendent Will Really Be Selected

We have recently observed Russia’s “democratic” takeover of Crimea.  As a democratically elected Crimean parliament holds a democratic referendum to join Russia, the stage-managing has been superb.  However, AACPS has demonstrated its ability to stage manage even more...

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Our Highly Politicized Board of Education

Members of our Board of Education love to pretend that they are above politics; that such behavior is reserved for County Council, General Assembly, and other public officials.  As for themselves, they claim all they care about is what’s best for Anne Arundel County...

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Court Likely to Let Leopold Run for Public Office

In January 2013, a local court convicted former County Executive John Leopold on two counts of misconduct in office.  In addition to requiring him to serve jail time, it banned him from running for elective office for five years.  In September, Leopold appealed the...

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The public, not the courts, should decide

Snider, J.H., The public, not the courts, should decide, Baltimore Sun, December 16, 2013. In countries such as Russia and Iran, the public can vote in elections, but the elections are often viewed as less than fully democratic because the courts can eliminate...

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Capital-Gazette Takes On AACPS

In the last few weeks, the Capital-Gazette ( Capital ) has flipped from years of mindlessly repeating AACPS talking points to a critical stance, including a news story with multiple, competing sources.  How well did it do? Consider, first, where it is coming from. ...

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Poll: Media Coverage of Superintendent Maxwell

Superintendent Kevin Maxwell's last day in office is tomorrow, July 31, 2013. On August 1, 2013, he takes over the helm of the Prince George's County Public Schools. The Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) spends a large fraction of County taxes and receives a...

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Maxwell’s Political Legacy: Not Pretty

After more than seven years at the helm of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), Superintendent Kevin Maxwell will resign and become head of the Prince George’s County public schools, effective August 1, 2013.  What is his AACPS legacy? Many encomiums have...

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Shame On Maryland’s State Board Of Elections

Have you observed how a politician often answers a reporter’s question that he doesn’t want to answer?  Instead of truthfully replying that he doesn’t want to answer the question, he may pretend to answer the question while in fact answering another question that puts...

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The Leopold case: bad behavior, vague crimes

Source: Snider, J.H., The Leopold case: bad behavior, vague crimes, Baltimore Sun, January 29, 2013. This type of conduct is common among elected officials, but the applicable rules are ambiguous and rarely enforced. Circuit Judge Dennis M. Sweeney today found Anne...

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In the Dark About Early School Buses

Snider, J.H., In the Dark About Early School Buses, Education Week, January 4, 2013. Lots of apps, such as Transit Stop, iNextBus, and Embark DC, now let you track public-transit schedules. But they are restricted to public transit used by adults. Why can’t a similar...

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On gambling vote, what is meant by a 'majority'?

Legislature applies different interpretations according to its self-interest. What type of majority is necessary to approve Maryland's Nov. 6 ballot referendum to expand gambling? Maryland's Constitution says: "a majority of the qualified voters in the State" (Article...

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Maryland’s General Assembly is Not Above the Law

Maryland’s Constitution mandates a referendum every twenty years on whether to call a constitutional convention. This mandate is an extension of article 1 of the Declaration of Rights, which provides that the people of the state “have at all times, the inalienable...

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Wrap-up on Maryland's 10 Year Redistricting Cycle

Maryland's Congressional and General Assembly gerrymanders greatly differed in the press coverage they received. Does that mean the General Assembly gerrymanders were less of an outrage? Every 10 years Maryland state government goes through two redistricting cycles,...

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State ignores voters on constitutional convention

Majority voted in favor of con-con in 2010, yet it hasn't been convened. Many laws aren't enforced, including requirements that you pay payroll tax for baby sitters and clean your sidewalk after a snowstorm. But enforcing the Maryland Constitution, especially in...

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Severna Park Split Into Three Legislative Districts

The Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee has released its legislative plan. Its prior Congressional redistricting plan was a partisan gerrymander; this one is a pro-incumbent gerrymander. The U.S. Constitution mandates that every 10 years the Federal government...

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The Chair’s "Weekly" Letter to Members

[This is a compendium of Jim Snider's periodic messages to Anne Arundel Countywide CAC members.  The original was posted on Anne Arundel Countywide Citizen Advisory Committee, 2010-11] To: Countywide CAC Discussion Forum Members From: Jim Snider, Chair, Countywide CAC...

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A Historic Year for State Con-Cons

2010 marks a historic year for state constitutional conventions (con-cons). On November 2, 2010, four states (Maryland, Michigan, Montana, and Iowa) have referendums on the ballot asking voters whether they want to convene a state con-con. Never before in U.S. history...

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SBNC Update: Wrap-up for 2010

Introduction & Summary On May 11 and 12, the Anne Arundel School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) interviewed candidates for District 30 and District 31.  On May 17 the SBNC heard testimony on behalf of the candidates and then voted for two nominees for each...

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SBNC Update, Including a Bombshell

Since my last School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) update, there have been three major events: 1)      The candidate application deadline passed (April 30) 2)      Two field hearings were held (April 12 and April 19) 3)      The Attorney General issued a legal...

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SBNC Update

The Anne Arundel County School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) met to discuss administrative matters on Monday, March 1 at the Anne Arundel Community College. Attendance Ten of the eleven commissioners were present.  Commissioner Wayson has so far missed the two...

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School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) Update

The first meeting of the School Board Nominating Commission of Anne Arundel County (SBNC) for the 2010 election cycle will take place on Monday, January 25, at 7:00 pm at Anne Arundel Community College, West Campus (Arnold) in CADE 219.  This year the second term of...

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Maryland's Ballot Surprise

Voters in November will have a rare opportunity to shape the state's constitution. This November, Marylanders will have a once-in-a-generation chance to shake up the political process. Yet few know about it, and even fewer are talking about it. Maryland's Constitution...

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Is the SBNC illegal?

[Note: On October 21, 2008, this post was emailed to all elected officials representing Anne Arundel County in the Maryland legislature and in the Anne Arundel County Council] Dear Anne Arundel County Elected Official: It has come to my attention that Anne Arundel...

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SBNC Update: Leahy and Pruski Nominated

On the evenings of July 28 and July 29, the Anne Arundel School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) met to seek a replacement for the seat vacated by former school board member Tricia Johnson. On July 14, the SBNC announced it would hold hearings to seek a replacement...

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School Board Nominating Commission Update

As you probably know by now, school board member Tricia Johnson has been appointed to the County Council, thus opening up a seat on the school board for a 4 year term. The School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) has announced in a press release that it will accept...

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SBNC Update

As many of you undoubtedly know by now, the Anne Arundel County School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) on May 27 nominated three candidates for the School Board. Ten candidates initially applied for the position, two dropped out, and several others only made a...

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SBNC Update

The School Board Nominating Commission’s deadline for candidate applications to serve on the AACPS Board of Education was April 1. As you probably know by now, ten people applied for the position: Shaun M. Brady of Davidsonville Kevin L. Jackson of Edgewater Michael...

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School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) Update

The School Board Nominating Commission of Anne Arundel County will hold field hearings “to solicit the public's opinion on education issues facing their specific district, the Commission's process and procedures, and qualities necessary for a successful Board of...

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SBNC and BOE TV Updates

SBNC UPDATE On January 12, 2009 at 7:00 pm, the School Board Nominating Commission (SBNC) will hold its third meeting of the coming appointment cycle for the AACPS Board of Education. The SBNC uses these low profile hearings to discuss critical procedural issues. At...

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School board nominating process taking shape

School board nominating process taking shape No limits on number of candidates sent to governor By ELISABETH HULETTE, Staff Writer Published February 21, 2008 The new committee that will select county school board members is placing no limit on the number of...

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Post mortem on the school board reform legislation

On April 9, the school board reform bill passed through the legislature with virtually no opposition.   Capturing what I believe was the general sentiment of the Anne Arundel delegation to the General Assembly, the Capital reported that the Speaker of the Assembly,...

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Is it Time for an E-Congress?

[Presented to a meeting of a Congressional caucus concerned with continuity of government after 9/11] Good afternoon. I'd like to take my time with you this afternoon to outline some of the pros and cons of creating an e-Congress as a security measure in the face of a...

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Time for policy to end gridlock on the streets

WASHINGTON - The National Governors Association reported recently that the annual cost to society of traffic gridlock is $72 billion in wasted time and fuel as well as 4.3 billion hours stuck in traffic. And gridlock is getting worse. Politicians know that traffic...

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Author

J.H. Snider