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Democrats in the Senate Get a Head Start on the 2021 Session
From Sept. 25, 2020. by Bryan Renbaum
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chair Will Smith (D-Montgomery) on Friday refuted Republican claims that the committee’s recent hearings on a series of bills aimed at addressing police misconduct were not ideologically inclusive and that the bills themselves would hinder law enforcement personnel.
The virtual hearings took place Tuesday through Thursday and lasted about five hours each day. The committee heard testimony from bill sponsors, expert panels, and members of the general public. A total of fifteen bills were considered. They address topics such as liability caps on police brutality suits, the use of body cameras, officer record transparency, and the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights.
“I would disagree with the characterization of the bills because as all of the sponsors and myself included said this is not an affront to law enforcement. This is about restoring trust between law enforcement and the communities that they serve. These are bills that are aimed at addressing systemic inequities and it’s really the systems that we’re looking to reform,” Smith told MarylandReporter.com in a phone interview on Friday.
Smith added: “With respect to the balanced nature-the panels were balanced in terms of proponents and opponents. We heard lengthy opposition and lengthy critiques and tremendous input from a diversity of opinions throughout the state.”
The four Republican members of the committee reiterated their displeasure with the bills and the hearing process in a joint statement on Friday.
“It is quite clear that after three days of a largely anti-police testimony and one-sided perspective, the Senate needs to hold actual bill hearings during the 90-Day Legislative Session where all sides are afforded the opportunity to be heard and participate. We are disappointed the process did not allow all for a diversity of ideas or authentic public input.”
The lawmakers added: “As predicted, it quickly became apparent this was an engineered opportunity for liberal advocacy organizations to push radical policy proposals that would demoralize the State’s law enforcement community, result in a blizzard of resignations and retirements, and halt police recruitment. We continue to stand in strong opposition to this so-called bill hearing process and the far-left anti-police agenda.”
Smith said Republicans’ claim that they were not invited to submit legislation is false.
“When I put out my letter…anyone was welcome to solicit. I said my door is open. I want to hear from everyone. And none of the Republican members walked through the door…I would say that legislating is proactive and if they wanted to put forth ideas they had more than an ample opportunity to do so.”
Smith told MarylandReporter.com earlier this week that the committee decided to hold the hearings outside of the 90-day legislative session in order to get a jump start on the legislation.
Lawmakers are scheduled to return to Annapolis on Jan. 13, 2021.
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Sample letter sent: July 31, 2020
Compassion could be a game-changer
Everyone is scared right now but for different reasons. Some are scared COVID-19 will affect their health or their loved ones. Some are scared the government is trampling on their rights and freedoms. Some are scared that schools will be virtual this fall. Some are scared of the police. Some are scared of the protesters.
We all have different political ideologies, religious beliefs, and perspectives on our current state of affairs. We all have different backgrounds, resources, and mental coping skills. This is not easy, but if we could take a moment to step back, to recognize that those on the other side of our point of view are just as scared and insecure as we are right now — that compassion could be a game-changer.
It’s OK to be scared, but it’s not OK to be angry at others for expressing an opposing view. It’s not OK to dismiss other’s ideas without at least trying to understand their point of view. It’s not OK to spread hate and incite violence. We are all wishing for a better world right now. Don’t label other people as different than you and then dismiss them completely. In order to move forward, in order to make progress — we must remember how to listen to each other. We must remember how to care about each other, even if we are different.
We all want our loved ones to be safe and healthy. We would like them to live in a world without racism or police brutality. We want our children to be safe in school and all our friends and neighbors employed. We can use our different perspectives, strengths, backgrounds, resources, and coping skills to make us all stronger, healthier, safer, and more accepting.
If not now, then when?
Rachel Muñoz
Severna Park
Rachel is our Corresponding Secretary and a candidate for Delegate in Dist. 33
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