Maryland Student Legislature – Annual Session
Maryland State House
This past weekend was the annual session of the Maryland Student Legislature (MSL). MSL is a nonprofit organization that brings “students from universities and colleges across Maryland together to write, research and debate issues of local, state, and national importance.” More importantly, MSL teaches college students about the legislative and political process.
Annual session takes place in the House and Senate chambers of the actual Maryland Legislature in Annapolis. It was a great weekend of debating, politicking, censuring and voting! Here are some of the highlights:
Doug Gansler
Doug Gansler, Maryland's Attorney General
Doug Gansler, Maryland’s Attorney General, gave this year’s keynote address. He recently made the news over his somewhat controversial decision that the State of Maryland will recognize same-sex marriages preformed in states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia. In fact, Republican lawmakers were so upset by the decision that they brought impeachment proceedings against him.
Gansler spoke about his decision as well as his duties as Attorney General. He also spoke about his role within the National Association of Attorneys General, the evolution role of the Attorney General and his passion, coaching a Baltimore kids Lacrosse team. Perhaps most interesting was Ganslers comments about the number of Attorneys General moving up to Governor. This year 12 Attorneys General are looking to move up.
Gansler, who is currently seeking re-election, said that he has higher political ambitions but would not say what position. Perhaps we could see a Gansler for Governor campaign in 2014?
I also had a chance to chat with Gansler afterwards, one Attorney General to another, and I have to admit, I have met many politician in my day but Gansler seems to have that x-factor. I sincerely hope he does seek higher office, perhaps even higher than Governor.
Legislation
We had an exciting annual session. With more than 100 bills on the docket, we managed to get through just about everything. We passed same sex-marriage (PDF), tried to change the national anthem (PDF) and require state high schools to start after 8:45 (PDF).
The bill requiring high schools to start after 8:45 was quite a process. The bill originally called for an 8:30 start time and passed the House. However, upon entering the Senate, the bill was amended to call for a 9:00 start time. This triggered a conference committee who recommended a compromise 8:45 start time. After some heated debate, the House finally accepted the conference committee’s report.
Finally, my MaryCare bill sadly died. After passing unanimously in the Senate, the House failed to pass the bill by just two votes. Needless to say, MaryCare will make a reappearance in a few years.
Elections
Annual session also brings about the election of our Council of State. I am happy to report that St. Mary’s College won three of the five seats on the council, including myself as Attorney General.
2010-2011 Council of State:
- Governor: Andrew Horn, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Lt. Governor: Andrea Thompson, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Attorney General: David Chase, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Secretary of State: Kevin Baier, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Speaker of the Assembly: Rachele Fortier, McDaniel College
- Comptroller: Stefanie Quintero, McDaniel College
Needless to say, I am stoked to impose the will of SMCM on the rest of the body and to abuse my judicial power for my own political gain! 
