By Noah Reem
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Gov. Larry Hogan on Wednesday used his sixth State of the State address to call on lawmakers to address gun violence in Baltimore City.
“All of the bills that you will be considering over the next 61 days are important and worthy of debate and discussion,” Hogan said before an enthusiastic Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis. “But none of them are as important as addressing the out-of-control violent crimes, and murders that are destroying Baltimore City.”
Hogan touched on several topics, including proposals to provide more than $1 billion in tax relief over five years for retirees, invest in school construction and cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay. He focused on gun violence later in the speech but included powerful statistics and instances of the negative effects of firearms.
Murder statistics for Baltimore City include 1,000 people being shot on the streets with 348 killed by gunfire in just one year, Hogan noted.
“In October, a 2-year-old was riding in the car,” Hogan paused, “with his family on a Saturday morning when he was shot in the stomach.”
He added that last month a 73-year-old grandmother was “shot and killed after being caught in gang crossfire” near an apartment complex where she lived. And, he said “12 people were recently shot, and five people killed, in just one night.”
The governor quoted a Baltimore City resident who said, “I don’t know if prayers help, but we need prayers.”
“Now, I’m a big believer in the power of prayer… but prayers are not enough,” Hogan said. “ We need you [legislators], to take action to get these shooters off our streets.”
Hogan sternly urged the legislature to approve the Violent Firearms Offenders Act of 2020, explaining that the bill would increase the penalties for those who use guns to commit violent crimes and toughen penalties for those who possess stolen firearms.
Pass the measure, “If you do not consider any other legislation, and if you accomplish nothing else in the next 61 days,” Hogan pleaded.
Hogan also proposed passage of the Retirement Tax Reduction Act of 2020, which he said would provide more than $1 billion in tax relief over five years.
Stressing that Maryland’s elderly population is migrating out of the state because of high retirement taxes, Hogan said his plan would relieve retirees making $50,000 or less of paying state income taxes. He said all retirees earning less than $100,000 will see a tax reduction of no less than 50% and up to 100%.
Hogan also pointed to the state’s record funding of $4 billion dedicated to K-12 education over the past six years.
“More than 75% of our entire capital budget goes to education,” Hogan said. “No governor in the history of the state has invested more in education.”
Hogan ended his discussion of education reform by saying, “I stand here today, ready and willing to continue working alongside you to ensure that every child in our state has access to an education, regardless of what neighborhood they live in.”
The governor compared the cohesiveness of Maryland’s leaders and residents to the divisions demonstrated during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address just hours earlier. In fact, he began his speech by acknowledging Del. Adrienne A. Jones of Baltimore County as both the first African American and female House Speaker.
“It is my distinct privilege to become the first Maryland governor to begin the State of the State address by saying, Madam Speaker,” Hogan said to Jones.
The governor concluded his remarks with the plea, “Let us keep putting the people’s priorities before partisan interest.”
While reaction to Hogan’s message was generally favorable, some expressed concern.
“I hope he tells us how he intends to help with public safety,” said Howard County Del. Vanessa Atterbeary. “We have crime all over our state.”
Prince George’s County Del. Jay Walker added, “Baltimore city needs to be taken care of.”
Senate President Pro Tem Melony Griffith of Prince George’s County, said in the official Democratic response, “We’ll spend this session working together to address the issues Marylanders face, regardless of race, gender, ZIP code or income level.”
1 Comment
Great piece of writing Noah. As you know, gun laws target law abiding citizens only. Criminals, drug thugs, etc., obtain their fire arms through illegal means. I am glad to hear Gov Hogan finally allude to this fact. I hate the term “gun violence” because there is no such thing. There is however: “ people violence, drug culture violence and thug violence.” Keep up the good work.