Maryland Counties Push Bay Passenger Ferry. Will Funding Follow?

John Nance Garner, a Texas Democrat who served as vice president for two terms under Franklin D. Roosevelt, once stated that the vice presidency “is not worth a bucket of warm spit.” It is true that the only duty that the Constitution assigns the vice president is to preside over the Senate. That in itself is important, especially if there is a tie vote and the vice president can break the tie in favor of his/her own party. It is also important to keep in mind that the VP may in fact become president, should the president become incapacitated or die in office. Most persons who have occupied the office of vice president, with the support of the president they serve with, have found other important ways to use their time and talents. When we vote, we vote for the president and the vice president as a team. Therefore, it is important to consider the qualifications of the second person on the team. Let’s look first at the positions that Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance has taken: Once stated that he was opposed to abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest. He now supports leaving it to the States. Believes that there is no climate crisis and sponsored a bill to repeal a program to curb leaks of methane. Opposed the bi-partisan infrastructure bill Supports the big lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. Opposed tougher gun laws. Has stated that environmental justice laws have resulted in jobs going to China. Called for the repeal of Obamacare. Supported Israel’s extreme response to the Hamas attack. Called the $15 minimum wage “a medicine worse than the disease.” Would have voted for Trump’s 2017 tax cut for the wealthy and corporations. Stated that he didn’t care what happened to Ukraine. Supports Voter ID and ending early and mass mail-in voting. Proposed giving parents an extra vote per child. Stated that universities are dedicated to “deceit and lies.” Said that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are racist and should be outlawed nationwide. New let’s look at the positions that Governor Tim Walz has taken: As Governor of Minnesota, worked with the legislature to establish the right to abortion and reproductive health in state law and signed a bill to provide abortion access to out-of-state patients. Signed a bill that requires that Minnesota utilities transition to carbon-free energy by 2040. Invested $1.9 billion on construction and innovation projects and signed $2.6 billion on infrastructure. Made a strong statement against banning books and helped start the first gay-straight alliance in the school where he taught. Signed one of the world’s strongest bans on toxic chemicals and increased protection for historically polluted neighborhoods. Signed universal background checks for gun sales and a red flag law. Increased the penalty for straw gun purchases to a felony. Would let all Minnesotans buy into state’s low-income health insurance program. Expanded low-income public health insurance to undocumented people in his state. Supports a two-state solution in Israel. Has taken strong pro-labor actions in his state. Banned LGBTQ conversion therapy in Minnesota and protected access to gender-affirming care for out-of-state patients. Legalized recreational marijuana in Minnesota and expunged low-level marijuana offenses from criminal records. Exempted Social Security income from state taxes for most senior citizens. Supports taxing the wealthy to fund Social Security. Raised taxes on the wealthy and corporations and opposed the 2017 Trump tax bill. Supported loan repayment help for eligible teachers and nurses and tuition assistance for lower income families. Declared the Russian invasion of Ukraine as “unlawful” and “unprovoked.” Supports continued aid to Ukraine. Approved automatic voter registration and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds. Restored voting rights for ex-convicts. It is also important to look at how the presidential candidate chooses and relates to his or her running mate. Controversy has surrounded Trump’s choice of Vance since the beginning. Was Vance the choice of Trump’s son Eric or was it based on a recommendation from Elon Musk? There have been almost constant rumors that Trump would drop Vance from the campaign. Vance himself has done little in his public statements to support his adequacy for the job. It has been clear from the beginning, on the other hand, that Kamala Harris carefully vetted several candidates before choosing Tim Walz, and their campaign has demonstrated how well they work together. It has also been clear during the campaign that their positions and values are closely in sync. A native of Wicomico County, George Shivers holds a doctorate from the University of Maryland and taught in the Foreign Language Dept. of Washington College for 38 years before retiring in 2007. He is also very interested in the history and culture of the Eastern Shore, African American history in particular.

As Maryland voters get ready to head to the polls on Nov. 5, here is information about how, when, and where to vote. When is the deadline to register to vote in Maryland? Oct. 15 is the deadline to register to vote, update registration, or change party affiliation by mail or online before the general election. Maryland residents can also register to vote in person at the polls when you vote. Can I register to vote on election day? Yes. In Maryland, you can register to vote during early voting or on election day at the polls. When does early voting begin in Maryland? Early voting begins Oct. 24 and ends Oct. 31. Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. Residents can vote in any early voting center in the county where they live. Maryland has 97 early voting centers and many counties have multiple early voting locations. You can find more information about early voting centers here . What should I bring if I am voting in person? What should I not bring? You can bring any printed material including your marked specimen ballot to assist you in voting. If you are a first-time voter, you may be asked to show a form of identification before voting. You can show an election judge one of the following forms of ID: A valid Maryland driver’s license, U.S. passport, or any other state or federal government-issued ID such as an MVA ID card or a student, employee, or military ID card. A copy of a current government document that shows your name and address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or paycheck that is dated within three months of the election. If you choose to wear clothing, buttons, or stickers with political messages, you must leave the early voting center or polling place immediately after voting. Additionally, using your cell phone, pager, camera, and computer equipment is not allowed at these locations. When can I vote? Early voting for Maryland residents begins Oct. 24 and ends Oct. 31. Hours are from 7 am to 8 pm. If you want to receive your ballot by mail or fax, your request must be received by Oct. 29. If you want your ballot via email, you have until Nov. 1 to request it. Mail-in ballots must be turned in by Nov. 5 at 8 pm either by mail, to an approved voter drop box near you , or by hand-delivering it to the board of elections. If you are not participating in early or mail-in voting, you may vote in-person on general election day, Nov. 5 from 7 am to 8 pm. Where can I vote in person? Every voter in Maryland has an assigned voting location where they can vote on election day. Click here to look up your voting location. If you are participating in early voting, you can vote in-person at one of your county's early voting centers. You can find more information about early voting centers here . What is the accessibility for voters with disabilities? There are numerous ways for voters with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to cast their vote. Check out the resources here if you or someone you know many need assistance. How do I vote by mail? Once you have registered to vote, anyone may choose to vote by using a mail-in ballot. To request a mail-in ballot, you may complete this online form . You can also complete this form and return it to your local board of elections by mail, fax, or email. The last day to request a mail-in ballot to be delivered by mail or fax is Oct. 29, while Nov. 1 at 11:59 pm is the last day to request a mail-in ballot by email. Mail-in ballots must be turned in by Nov. 5 at 8 pm either by mail, to an approved voter drop box near you, or by hand-delivering it to the board of elections. How do I register to vote online? To register to vote online, you must use Maryland’s Online Voter Registration System (OLVR). This website will walk you through how to register. Am I voting for my representative in Congress this election? Yes, all eight congressional districts in the state of Maryland will be voting for a congressional representative in this election. Look here to find out your district and congressional candidates. Who is running in the Maryland Senate race? The Democratic candidate is Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the Republican candidate is former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, and the Libertarian candidate is Mike Scott. What will my ballot look like? Each county has a different ballot. This is due to local elections and varying open seats/candidates. The Senate race is state-wide, so it will appear on every ballot, as well as Question 1 regarding abortion rights. Every ballot in Maryland will include a vote for House representatives, but candidates will be different depending on your congressional district . Three Maryland Supreme Court justices and six intermediate appellate court judges are up for retention election. Several counties will be holding school board elections and Baltimore’s ballot will include municipal government elections for mayor, comptroller, city council and circuit court judges. You can download a sample of your county's ballot here . What is Question 1? Will there be other voter referendums on the ballot? Question 1 asks voters to vote “yes” or “no” to the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment, which would establish reproductive freedom as a constitutional right in the state of Maryland. There will be no other voter referendums on your ballot. Capital News Service is a student-powered news organization run by the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism. For 26 years, they have provided deeply reported, award-winning coverage of issues of import to Marylanders.

Scammers posing as election workers are trying to mislead Maryland voters with fraudulent text messages, prompting concerns at the State Board of Elections. The scammers are telling voters they’re not registered to vote in November and then urging them to click a false link to remedy that, according to Jared DeMarinis, the board’s state administrator of elections. “They’re capitalizing on the hypertension involving this election,” DeMarinis said in an interview with Capital News Service . “The text message is urgent, and they’re playing on a fear that an individual is not registered to vote when they really are.” He said he worries that texting scams of this nature could have a sweeping impact on the election, especially if they mislead voters about whether they’re registered and eligible to vote. “The impact of this is to create a new narrative and foster disinformation about voter rolls,” DeMarinis said. Similar incidents of text scams have been reported in Illinois, Georgia, and Pennsylvania already this year. In Peoria County, for example, text scammers also meant to deceive voters into registering to vote by mail through a false link. Ensuring the integrity of elections and maintaining public trust are critical issues for Maryland election officials and the nation, especially as the 2024 election nears and texting scams become more prevalent. As the state elections administrator, DeMarinis is tasked with administering and conducting elections and creating consistent policy and application of the laws in Maryland. The Maryland board was already working to recruit election judges, track mail-in ballots and secure the local elections. Now, they must also battle continuous threats to undermine public trust in elections. According to the board, the text scam informs recipients that public records show they are not registered at their address. The matter is “URGENT,” the text says. The text then invites the recipient to click a fake link to register before the deadline. The board’s website lists the valid sources for voter registration, polling locations, mail-in ballot status, and ways to vote. The board is also reminding voters that trusted information will come from a .gov web address. DeMarinis told CNS he is determined to combat the spread of disinformation by being proactive on social media. He also encouraged people to contact him or the state board to verify information. “You don't wait until things hit critical mass,” he said, “you combat this information and correct the record immediately.” The board created a portal on its website where people can report instances of scamming and disinformation. DeMarinis said he plans to work with social media platforms to help correct false information. He said that if scam efforts rise to the level of voter disenfranchisement or suppression, the board will work with law enforcement to ensure that Marylanders are “free to vote, without any sort of undue influence.” As the general election approaches with only 48 days left and early voting starting on Sept. 23, the threat of these scammers remains high. The public must remain vigilant and, in the meantime, the board will continue its efforts to combat scams and safeguard the integrity of the election, he said. “These scams are a direct threat to the legitimacy of the electoral process, because, at best, they're just trying to steal identities,” DeMarinis said. “But at worst, they're there to kind of sow distrust in an election administration and undermine confidence in the system.” Capital News Service is a student-powered news organization run by the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism. For 26 years, they have provided deeply reported, award-winning coverage of issues of import to Marylanders.

Andrew P. Harris, representative from Maryland’s First Congressional District, was one of a small group of House Republicans who repeatedly tried to evade the long-established prohibition against taking firearms into the House or Senate chambers. On Thursday, January 21, 2021, Representative Harris walked to the entrance of the House chamber. He was carrying a gun. Though concealed by his suit jacket, the gun set off the new metal detector that had been installed after the January 6th rioters’ invasion of the Capitol. According to the HuffPost , whose reporter witnessed the incident, when Harris set off the metal detector, the Capitol Police proceeded to wand-scan him, revealing a gun concealed under his suit jacket. The officers refused to let Harris enter the House floor where a vote was in process. The reporter then saw Harris attempt to get another member to take his gun so that Harris could go in and vote. That member, Rep. John Katko, a Republican from New York, said that he didn’t have “a license” and refused to hold the weapon while Harris voted. Harris then left and returned shortly without the gun and was allowed into the House chamber. This type of flouting of D.C. law, Capitol Police regulations, and House rules was easier to get away with before the metal detectors. After the metal detectors were installed, some lawmakers, including Harris, openly resisted the new security measures. They tended to walk around the detectors, refusing to go through them. Or they walked through and refused to be searched or wand-scanned when they set off the detectors’ alarms. In a way, this resistance to following what most would consider reasonable gun regulations is consistent with Harris’s voting record on gun control. He has voted against practically every proposed law that would regulate guns in any way, including a bill that would prevent the regulation of armor-piercing bullets. This would make it easier for criminals to obtain ammunition that could penetrate the bullet-proof vests worn by police and security guards. Harris also voted against banning the carrying of guns at airports and similar locations. His complete voting record on gun control and other topics can be found here . Who may legally carry guns in the halls of Congress and the surrounding Capitol Complex? That’s a question that is currently quite controversial. And a bit tricky. The Capitol Complex contains 20 buildings and extensive grounds, covering several blocks in downtown Washington, D.C. — most of the buildings used by Congress and the Federal Courts. There are nine House and Senate office buildings, three Library of Congress buildings, the Supreme Court building, and the U.S. Botanic Garden, plus several other facilities — many connected by tunnels. The grounds include four small parks and the Capitol Visitor Center. This entire complex is subject to both federal and D.C. law. In addition, there are rules, regulations, and traditions handed down from Congress, the Capitol Police, and various other supervising organizations. None of these, however, are supposed to take precedence over either federal or D.C. law. Every year, millions of people visit the Capitol Complex. None are allowed to carry guns. D.C. gun regulations are strict. Only registered firearms are permitted and only a few types of guns are eligible for registration. For example, rifles and shotguns are not allowed. They’re considered not appropriate or needed in an urban environment. Likewise, semi-automatic defined as assault weapons are forbidden as are any guns with detachable ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 bullets. Pistols require a “license to carry” issued by the District. Licenses to carry from other states are not valid in D.C. And D.C. laws have numerous areas and situations where even registered guns are not allowed. The prohibition of firearms extends to such areas as schools, within 1,000 feet of a demonstration, and in the Capitol Complex. The no-guns policy applies to everyone in the Capitol Complex — except the Capitol Police and members of Congress who may keep guns in their office but not carry them onto the floor of either the House or Senate. This exception for legislators has some significant restrictions. Lawmakers’ guns: Must be kept in their offices except when being transported to and from the building. Cannot be carried into the House or Senate chambers and some other specified areas in the Capitol Complex. Must be unloaded. (Ammunition may be carried separately.) Must be stored safely and transported securely wrapped and covered. Harris, whether knowingly or not, was clearly in violation of the latter provision. He had complained in the hearing of the HuffPost reporter that his aides were supposed to remind him about the new metal detectors. However, he, along with several others, had repeatedly resisted the new security measures by walking around the detectors until the Capitol Police had cordoned off that access. Some may wonder what reason legislators have for keeping firearms in their offices at all, or elsewhere in the Capital Complex. Or why they should not have to obey the same laws and regulations that everyone else in D.C. and Congress are required to follow. Jane Jewell is a writer, editor, photographer, and teacher. She has worked in news, publishing, and as the director of a national writer's group. She lives in Chestertown with her husband Peter Heck, a ginger cat named Riley, and a lot of books. 

Twenty-five years ago, Black farmer James (Tim) Harmon, a resident of Jimtown near Lewes, Delaware, rented farmland in Rehoboth and Angola. Through the years he saved to buy five acres of land, build a house and a shed to house three combines, five tractors and attachments, and trucks for hauling grain. He now owns and rents 225 acres in Sussex County where he grows corn, soybeans, barley, and wheat. Having no formal agricultural education, Tim worked with and learned from his father and his uncle. His father rented farmland in Rehoboth, Oak Orchard, Millsboro, and Milton. Tim learned to repair all equipment. His son, who works full time, helps during planting and harvesting. As a Black man, he applied for only one federal loan about five years ago and did not experience any discrimination. Surrounded by upscale housing developments about one mile in all directions from his five-acre home, and in his late fifties, he is still not tempted to sell his property. And, he said, “God has blessed me. When farmland [I’ve rented] is sold, I have been able to find other farmland and been able to bounce back.” Seventy-six-year-old Seaford resident, Chris Thompson, states, “I will hold on as long as I can.” Chris rents farmland in the Angola area. Last year, the owner warned there was a potential buyer. This year, until June, he wasn’t sure he could farm there. The owner finally allowed him to plant when the sale fell through. “The ag industry is diverse, and although I have not been formally educated, most of what I have learned has been ‘hands on’ learning from my grandfather and father, from seminars, industry companies, and sharing information with other farmers.” Other than a four-year stint with the U.S. Navy and working as a salesman, Chris has always lived and farmed in Sussex County. To pay for farming expenses and to supplement his farming income, he works for approximately nine months of the year at a feed mill and delivers fertilizer to farmers, often 12 to 16 hours a day in the early spring, and hauling vegetables in the summer to lower Sussex County farm stands. Throughout his lifetime, he saved and paid cash for a combine, two trucks, and other equipment. “When I qualified for a commercial loan, the interest rate was too high.” When applying for a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency loan, he was questioned why he had no credit. He stated, “I never financed anything. I always paid cash.” Also, the FSA paperwork was extraordinary. “And I had to get a lawyer to do the title search, all expenses I couldn’t afford and still qualify. I never had a lender who required this.” Thompson is proud of himself. He owns five acres and a home that is paid for. His daughter completed a University of Delaware Masters’ degree. Justice for Black Farmers Act The Justice for Black Farmers Act, 2023, initially introduced by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), addresses the long history of USDA discrimination against Black farmers that has resulted in the decimation of the Black farmers’ population in America today. The Act will create an independent civil rights oversight board, investigate reports of discrimination within the USDA, and provide oversight of Farm Service Agency County Committees. During the pendency of civil rights complaints, a moratorium will be placed on foreclosures. One of the bill’s provisions is the Equitable Land Access Service, within USDA, to acquire farmland and provide up to 160-acre land grants to existing and aspiring Black farmers. Access to USDA operating loans and mortgages under favorable terms, successful planning, and legal assistance will be available to new Black farmers. Delaware House Bill 297 Delaware House Bill 297, known as the Agricultural Opportunities Act, could be beneficial in addressing decades-long agricultural discrimination. The primary sponsors of HB 297, State Representative Sherry Dorsey Walker and State Senator Marie Pinkney, state the bill aims to include socially disadvantaged farmers, military veteran farmers, and beginning farmers in the agricultural decision-making process in Delaware and provide outreach to disadvantaged farmers to make them aware of programs to assist them. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with Cooperative Extension programs at Delaware State University and the University of Delaware, to create an agricultural training program. It also establishes an agricultural land lease program. Land owned by the State that is suitable for agricultural use will be identified. Priority for leases will be given to socially disadvantaged farmers, military veteran farmers, and beginning farmers. Current and prospective farmers of color will learn new agricultural practices and have access to funding, land, and education necessary to be successful. Delaware’s farm statistics mirror nationwide statistics: there is a continued decline in the total number of farms, but a rise in the number of new and young producers. Black farmers are less than 8% of the nation’s farm population. “That’s because a long list of discriminatory behaviors continues to plague them,” states Bill Spiegel in Successful Farming . He cites comments from an Alabama farmer that injustices and prejudices they face as Black farmers are numerous, including spending months straightening out incorrect invoices from input providers and waiting more than a year to obtain a critical disaster payment from FHA. Other discriminatory behavior includes excessive charges for supplies and getting approval by local banks or USDA for crop loans too late for the growing season, if at all. Agriculture, the major industry in Delaware , is estimated to be worth $8 billion. Despite their unique situation that exposed them to political, economic, and social discrimination, Black farmers played, and continue to play, an important role in Delaware’s present-day development. Jessica Clark is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism. After a 30-year career as a Public Information Specialist and photojournalist for several federal agencies, she retired to Georgetown, Del. She restored former Governor John Collins’ 1790s home on Collins Pond and is a Sussex County Master Gardener.