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Free State Politics episode 9 examines how Maryland’s colleges and universities are struggling to return to normal as they navigate the lingering impact of COVID-19. Students at all University System of Maryland campuses are required to be vaccinated, with a few medical and religious exemptions. And masks are still required in public buildings on campuses. But Kathleen Tracy, professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, says “We have highly vaccinated populations, so that if there are any positive tests, the chance that we’ll actually have to shut down is much smaller, because even if they do get the virus, they will not become severely ill and would not have to have a full two weeks of isolation or quarantine.”Joann Boughman, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs with the University System of Maryland, says despite many obstacles created by COVID-19 over the past year, enrollment at most campuses this fall is actually up. She says,

In Free State Politics episode 8, public education takes center stage as John Rydell speaks to the president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County. Cindy Sexton says the vast majority of students will finally return to in-person learning five days a week. But she adds there is currently not a vaccine mandate. “We hope that people get vaccinated. We know that’s one of the ways to get on the other side of this pandemic,” said Sexton. The return to mask mandates continues to divide parents and students around the country. But Sexton says there will be a mask mandate in Baltimore County Public Schools. Rydell also examines the plight of a Baltimore County businessman who obtained a patent to streamline the process of refinancing mortgages only to have the Supreme Court declare his patent null and void. Larry Porter said, “I borrowed a half-million dollars to develop the technology.” He’s since spent tens of thousands of dollars in a lengthy legal battle with the U.S. Patent and Trademark

In “Free State Politics” episode 7, John Rydell talks to a longtime political observer who examines the growing field of contenders in the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial race. Todd Eberly, associate professor of political science and coordinator of public policy studies at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, says there are tiers in his list based on current or prior experience as public officials. He says the top Democratic contenders include Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker and former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler. Baker lost to Ben Jealous in the 2018 Democratic primary, and Gansler was defeated by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown in the 2014 Democratic primary. But Eberly says several other contenders should be considered formidable candidates as well. They include former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who also served as chair of the Democratic National Committee. “Folks like John King and Wes Moore have also done a really great job of raising money w

Maryland’s convention business is still struggling to recover after literally being shut down by COVID-19 last year. But in mid-August, thousands of people are expected to descend on Ocean City for one of the largest conventions of the year. After a scaled back virtual event last year, the Maryland Association of Counties Conference (MACo) will return for four days. In “Free State Politics” Episode #6, MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson says he is looking forward to the huge in-person gathering of county and state employees. “We’re focused on making sure that this (conference) is both safe and productive,” he says. Sanderson notes that there could be several COVID protocols for attendees, such as a mask mandate for those inside the convention center and health screenings at the door. Participants also may be required to sign a waiver which would hold MACo officials harmless in case an attendee contracts the coronavirus. Sanderson says decisions on health protocols will ultimately be made by

Free State Politics episode #5 examines a controversial rule change being considered by Maryland’s Judiciary which could result in the release of thousands of inmates earlier than expected. The proposed change would impact inmates who have served at least 15 years or 60 percent of their sentence or be at least age 60 and have served at least 15 years of their sentence. Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger, who strongly opposes the rule change, says it would allow two men who spent many years on death row the chance to be released. Shellenberger says it would also inflict unnecessary pain on the families of crime victims, who were assured that offenders would spend most of their lives behind bars. But Brian Saccenti, director of the Decarceration Initiative with the Office of Maryland’s Public Defender, says the rule change is just. Saccenti says “it will give a judge the opportunity to look at how that individual has changed, what they have done since they were first sentenced. Very o

Free State Politics podcast episode 4 examines the lingering struggles facing Maryland public schools as they attempt the transition back to in-person learning this fall. John Rydell speaks with State School Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon about the challenges faced with suddenly shutting down schools and quickly pivoting to virtual and hybrid learning. Dr. Salmon had planned to retire last year but as the Covid crisis escalated, Governor Larry Hogan convinced her to stay on for another year. Salmon, who is retiring this summer, says, “We had never been forced to do this kind of instruction before. We kept thinking the science would change to get back to school, and unfortunately, that didn’t happen. We ultimately had to make sure we had the health and safety of our students and our educators come first.” Rydell also speaks with Cheryl Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association, to get her perspective on the tumultuous time for students and teachers over the past 16 months. When asked w

The bombing may have subsided, but tensions are still high in Israel, where Israeli defense forces have had deadly clashes with Hamas terrorists. We speak to a freelance writer, who once lived in Bethesda, and now resides in Tel Aviv. Larry Luxner gives us a first-hand account of the violence and what it’s like to live in a region where air raid sirens are a common sound. We also examine how Covid-19 has impacted health insurance for thousands of Marylanders. We speak with Vinny DeMarco of the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative about a new campaign to expand affordable coverage while also controlling the spiraling cost of prescription drugs. That’s on this episode of Free State Politics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freestatepolitics.substack.com

Episode 2 of Free State Politics podcast examines controversial voting laws enacted in several states, which critics fear will result in voter suppression. We talk with Baltimore City Senator Mary Washington to learn how those laws differ from voting laws just passed here in Maryland. We also have reaction to the Supreme Court’s announcement to review a controversial concealed carry law in New York, which opponents say restricts law-abiding citizens from carrying concealed weapons in public. Howard County Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary and Republican Senator Justin Ready weigh in on how the high court’s decision could potentially impact gun laws in Maryland. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freestatepolitics.substack.com

Award-winning journalist John Rydell interviews former Governor Robert Ehrlich on the state of the Republican party and the impact former President Donald Trump has had on the GOP – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Mr. Rydell also interviews Baltimore City Senator Jill Carter on police reform, the George Floyd case, and legislation that could shape the police department for years to come. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freestatepolitics.substack.com