Governor Wes Moore Unveils Ambitious Legislative Agenda for 2024 Maryland General Assembly
In a recent announcement, Governor Wes Moore introduced the Moore-Miller Administration's comprehensive legislative agenda for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly. The agenda comprises 16 bills that align with the governor's overarching priorities, focusing on making Maryland safer, more affordable, more competitive, and reinforcing its commitment to public service.
Governor Moore emphasized the agenda's significance in addressing issues vital to Marylanders and shaping the state's future. The proposed legislation covers a range of critical areas, and once enacted, is expected to propel Maryland forward, aligning with the administration's vision for the decade.
Key components of the legislative agenda include:
Making Maryland Safer
Victim Compensation Reform Act (SB 471/HB 575): Modernizing Maryland's victims compensation program to enhance efficiency and provide faster access to compensatory funds for crime victims.
Growing Apprenticeships and the Public Safety Workforce (GAPS) Act (SB 470/HB 597): Focused on training and supporting highly qualified law enforcement professionals to address challenges in hiring and retaining officers.
Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention (SB 475/HB 583): Establishing a center within the Maryland Department of Health to coordinate the state's public health approach to preventing gun violence.
Making Maryland More Affordable
ENOUGH Act (SB 482/HB 4601): A groundbreaking state-level effort to end concentrated poverty through place-based interventions, allocating $15 million in the first year.
Housing Expansion and Affordability Act (SB 484/HB 538): Addressing Maryland's housing supply and affordability crisis by incentivizing targeted housing construction and modernizing land use laws.
Housing and Community Development Financing Act (SB 483/HB 599): Strengthening state financing tools for housing construction and community development investments.
Renter’s Rights Stabilization Act (SB 481/HB 4517): Aiming to address the immediate needs of renters experiencing housing instability through various measures, including the establishment of an Office of Tenant Rights.
Mental Health – Emergency Evaluation and Involuntary Admission Procedures and Assisted Outpatient Treatment (SB 453/HB 576): An omnibus behavioral health bill introducing reforms to improve access to behavioral health services.
Making Maryland More Competitive
Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act (SB 473/HB 582): Honoring Pava LaPere's legacy by investing in Maryland's innovation economy, with a focus on the Baltimore Tech Hub.
Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act (SB 474/HB 579): Removing barriers to Maryland’s technology infrastructure growth by streamlining the regulatory process for industries relying on backup power generators.
Transparent Government Act (SB 472/HB 581): Enhancing predictability for individuals and businesses seeking to build or grow businesses in Maryland by requiring state agencies to establish and publicize projected timelines for licensing and permitting applications.
Making Maryland the State that Serves
Maryland Road Worker Protection Act (SB 479/HB 513): Implementing legislative recommendations to protect Maryland road workers and foster a culture change among motorists to adopt safer driving behaviors.
Protecting Election Officials Act (SB 480/HB 585): Addressing threats and harassment targeting election officials by creating a new misdemeanor charge.
Caring for Public Employees in Safety Professions (CAPES) Act (SB 476/HB 584): Expanding workers’ compensation presumptions for firefighters to cover additional cancers.
Families Serve Act (SB 478/HB 604): Supporting military families by expanding job opportunities for military spouses through incentivizing businesses and state governments.
Time to Serve Act (SB 477/HB 580): Ensuring state employees serving in the National Guard and Reserves receive comprehensive support, expanding military leave.
Governor Moore expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort in shaping this legislative agenda and called for continued partnership to successfully enact these bills into law. The agenda reflects a commitment to addressing pressing issues and fostering positive change across Maryland.
For more information and updates, visit Maryland.gov.
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E.C.I. Correctional Officer Guilty of Erasing Video
David Quillen, a 37-year-old correctional officer at the Eastern Correctional Institution (ECI) in Westover, Maryland, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to obstruct justice and destruction of records. This guilty plea is part of a case involving the cover-up of an excessive force incident by a fellow officer, Samuel Warren, at ECI.
The incident occurred on July 12, 2021, when Quillen learned that Officer Samuel Warren had used force against an inmate. In response, Quillen arrived at the scene with a video camera and recorded the injured inmate, who alleged that Warren had assaulted him without reason. The recorded video showed the inmate visibly injured, with blood on his face, and in distress.
After recording the incident, Quillen and other officers watched the video, during which a supervisory officer acknowledged that the footage did not favor Warren and suggested deleting it. Warren and other officers agreed to delete the video and to provide false information about its removal. Recognizing that the video contained evidence of Warren's unlawful use of force, Quillen took the initiative to delete the recording.
Following the deletion, Quillen lied about the fate of the video to supervisors at ECI and to state and federal investigators. Samuel Warren subsequently admitted to unlawfully assaulting the inmate and pleaded guilty to related federal offenses.
Quillen now faces potential maximum sentences of five years for conspiring to obstruct justice and 20 years for the destruction of records. The sentencing is scheduled for May 22, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett.
The case underscores serious misconduct within the correctional facility, with Quillen's guilty plea indicating his acknowledgment of participating in the cover-up. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron, and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke commended investigative efforts by the FBI and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services in bringing the case to light.
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What is Gender Dysphoria
Gender Dysphoria Overview:
Gender dysphoria refers to the discomfort or distress experienced by individuals whose gender identity doesn't align with their sex assigned at birth or their physical characteristics related to sex. While some transgender and gender-diverse individuals may experience this distress, not everyone feels this discomfort, with or without medical intervention.
Diagnosis Criteria (DSM-5):
Adolescents and adults experiencing gender dysphoria may feel a marked difference between their inner gender identity and assigned gender, lasting at least six months. This disparity might be evidenced by a difference between gender identity and physical characteristics, along with a strong desire for characteristics of another gender. This distress might impact social functioning and daily life.
Complications and Impact:
Gender dysphoria can significantly affect various aspects of life, including school, work, and relationships. It can lead to difficulties in social situations, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and substance misuse. Discrimination and challenges in accessing health services are common, resulting in stress and fear.
Risks and Concerns:
Adolescents and adults with untreated gender dysphoria might face an increased risk of contemplating or attempting suicide. This condition can impact daily activities and functioning, potentially leading to school dropout, unemployment, and relationship difficulties.
Seeking Mental Health Treatment:
It's crucial for individuals grappling with their sexual identity in this context to seek professional mental health treatment. Therapeutic support can assist in navigating the challenges and complexities associated with gender dysphoria, providing guidance and support tailored to individual needs.
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Single Mother Statistics
Single Mother Homes Statistics:
37.8% of single mothers are divorced, 41% never married, and only 6.5% widows. (Brookings Institute, 3/22/04)
The strongest predictor of whether a person will end up in prison is that they were raised by a single parent. (C.C. Harper and S.S. McLanahan, 1998)
In 1996, 70% of inmates in state juvenile detention centers serving long sentences were raised by single mothers. (Wade Horn, June 1997)
72% of juvenile murderers and 60% of rapists came from single mother homes. (Chuck Colson, 2004)
After controlling for single motherhood, the difference between black and white crime rates disappeared. (Progressive Policy Institute, 1990)
Growing up without a father could permanently alter the structure of the brain, leading to more aggressive and angry behavior. Children brought up only by a single mother have a higher risk of developing deviant behavior, including drug abuse. (Dr. Gabriella Gobbi and Francis Bamlico, "CEREBRAL CORTEX")
70% of teen births occur to girls in single mother homes. (David T. Lykken, 2000)
86% of American teen births are out of wedlock. (Dr. David Popenoe, 2007)
70% of drop-outs, 70% of teen suicides, 70% of runaways, 70% of juvenile delinquents, and 70% of child murderers come from single mother homes. (Various sources including Wade Horn and Richard E. Redding)
63% of all youth suicides, 70% of all teen pregnancies, 71% of all adolescent chemical/substance abusers, 80% of all prison inmates, and 90% of all homeless and runaway children come from single mother homes. (Bob Ray Sanders, 2007)
Children brought up in single mother homes are:
5 times more likely to commit suicide,
9 times more likely to drop out of high school,
10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances,
14 times more likely to commit rape,
20 times more likely to end up in prison,
32 times more likely to run away from home.
(Chuck Eddy, 2002)
85% of homeless families are single mother families. (Barry H. Waldman and Stephen P. Perlman, 2008)
90% of welfare recipients are single mothers. (Jason DeParle, 2004)
Over 30% of families led by single moms are living in poverty. (Amanda Hess, 2013)
There were 3 million single mothers in 1970 and 10 million in 2003. (U.S. Census, 2003)
More than one million British children currently live without a father, a figure rising at a rate of 20,000 per year. (Center for Social Justice, 2013)
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Cambridge Man Arrested In Connection with Tiyavauna Britt Case
A 41-year-old Cambridge man, Kenneth Stefan Bradley, was arrested and charged with kidnapping, assault, and related charges in connection to the disappearance of 31-year-old Tiyavauna Britt. The incident was reported over a week ago, and Britt, deemed "critically missing," has not yet been located.
Britt was first reported missing to the Easton Police Department on February 13, with her car found unoccupied in the Dollar Tree parking lot in Easton. Inside the unlocked car were Britt's belongings, including her phone and wallet, along with a note that appeared to be "a list of couple goals" expressing a desire for privacy.
Charging documents reveal that Britt's mother suspected her daughter was with Bradley, her ex-boyfriend, and expressed concerns for her safety due to a history of domestic violence between the two. Bradley is currently on probation for a prior assault conviction related to Britt.
The investigation into Britt's disappearance uncovered surveillance footage, witness statements, and cell tower records. Witnesses reported seeing Bradley and Britt having a verbal argument on the phone, and surveillance footage showed a dark-colored Chevrolet Suburban at Great Marsh Park, where a woman with her hands bound was seen with a male companion. Loud thuds, consistent with forceful strikes, were also heard on the footage.
Further analysis of the footage showed a male driver carrying what appeared to be a limp female body to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Bradley was identified as the male in the footage.
Bradley, arrested in Anne Arundel County, is currently held without bond. He faces charges of kidnapping, assault, and related offenses. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12 in Dorchester County District Court.
Maryland State Police have appealed to the public for information on Tiyavauna Britt's whereabouts.
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Popeye The Sailor Meets Sinbad
Image source: Wikimedia Foundation (wikimedia.org)
Download Movie [Video Format: MP4]
Movie Source: Internet Archive (archive.org)
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Popeye the Sailor meets Sinbad the Sailor
1936
Classic cartoon, popeye, 1930s
The classic tale of Sinbad the Sailor, adapted for Popeye and Olive. Featuring memorable appearances by Wimpy, Olive, and the singing two-headed monster. You can find more information regarding this film on its IMDb page. More information is available from the Wikipedia article here.
File:Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor (1936).webm
Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor is a two-reel animated cartoon short subject in the Popeye series, produced in Technicolor and released to theatres on November 27, 1936 by Paramount Pictures. It was produced by Max Fleischer for Fleischer Studios, Inc. and directed by Dave Fleischer, with musical supervision by Sammy Timberg. The voice of Popeye is performed by Jack Mercer, with Mae Questel, as Olive Oyl, with Lou Fleischer as J. Wellington Wimpy and Gus Wickie as Sindbad the Sailor.
Plot
In this short, Sindbad the Sailor (presumably Bluto playing a "role") proclaims himself, in song, to be the greatest sailor, adventurer and lover in the world and "the most remarkable, extraordinary fellow," a claim which is challenged by Popeye's arrival on his island with Olive Oyl and J. Wellington Wimpy in tow. Sindbad orders his huge Roc (mythology), Rokh, to kidnap Popeye's girlfriend, Olive Oyl, and wreck Popeye's ship, forcing him and Wimpy to swim to shore. Sinbad relishes making Olive his trophy wife, which is interrupted by Popeye's arrival. Sinbad then challenges the one-eyed sailor to a series of obstacles to prove his greatness, including fighting Rokh, a two-headed giant (mythology) named Boola (an apparent parody erence to The Three Stooges), and Sindbad himself. Popeye makes short work of the bird and the giant, but Sindbad almost gets the best of him until Popeye produces his can of spinach, which gives him the power to soundly defeat Sindbad and proclaim himself "the most remarkable, extraordinary fella."
A subtly dark running gag features the hamburger-loving Wimpy chasing after a duck on the island with a meat grinder, with the intention of grinding it up so that he can fry it into his favorite dish, but the duck not only escapes, but also snatches away Wimpy's last burger in retaliation when he gives up. Many of the scenes in this short feature make use of the Fleischer's Multiplane camera process, which used modeled sets to create 3D backgrounds for the cartoon.
Release and reception
This short was the first of the three Popeye Color Specials, which were, at over sixteen minutes each, three times as long as a regular Popeye cartoon, and were often billed in theatres alongside or above the main feature. Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor was nominated for the 1936 Academy Award for Animated Short Film, which it lost to Walt Disney's Silly Symphony The Country Cousin. Footage from this short was later used in the 1952 Famous Studios Popeye cartoon Big Bad Sindbad, in which Popeye relates the story of his encounter with Sindbad to his 3 nephews.
Today, this short and the other two Popeye Color Specials, Popeye the Sailor Meets Ali Baba's Forty Thieves, and Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (both of which were also adapted from a story featured in One Thousand and One Nights) are in the public domain, and are widely available on home video and DVD. A fully restored version with the original Paramount Pictures mountain logo opening and closing titles is available on the Popeye the Sailor: 1933-1938, Volume 1 DVD set from Warner Bros.
Producer and special effects artist Ray Harryhausen stated in his Fantasy Film Scrapbook that Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor was a major influence on his production of The 7th Voyage of Sinbad.
Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor has been deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. In 1994, the film was voted #17 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation field, making it the highest ranked Fleischer Studios cartoon in the book.
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