 Friends & Neighbors:
I have updates on a few Maryland policy topics, including vaccines, policing, Purple Line, marijuana & more. Details below.
Thanks for being engaged & stay safe!
 Delegate David Moon
david@davidmoon.us
P.S. I'm also hosting my first Zoom re-election fundraiser this Tuesday 12/15 7-8pm, and it's open to online donors of any amount: https://davidmoon.us/puzzle/
--> Yes it's another Zoom, but: 1) I made puzzles, 2) Rep. Jamie Raskin will join to discuss 2021, and 3) NY Times best-selling graphic novelist Robin Ha will do a live-reading for us (she made the puzzle art below!) *
 Maryland Policy Updates
Maryland State Lawmakers Detail Police-Reform Ideas (WTOP):
"A group of Maryland lawmakers have handed in a comprehensive report on reshaping law enforcement across the state.... Some of the recommendations include requiring all police departments to use body cameras by the year 2025. They also outline new use-of-force laws — such as a ban on chokeholds — and introduce stiffer punishments for officers."
"'Imposing new criminal penalties on police officers so that if there’s an egregious situation where they used force, it could, in fact, lead to jail sentences of several years,' said Silver Spring-area Del. David Moon." "Moon, a Democrat, is one of several members of the working group that was assembled by the state House speaker in the wake of last summer’s racial-justice protests. Democrats have been pushing Gov. Larry Hogan to sign new police reform measures into law, but he has yet to signal if he’ll approve any forthcoming legislation."
Governor Hogan Announces Vaccine Distribution Plan (PHASE 1A):
"Maryland health officials announced that the state’s initial vaccine allocations will go to critical health care workers, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, as well as first responders. The state has signed up all of the state’s 227 nursing homes and 1,668 assisted living facilities for the federal distribution partnership through CVS and Walgreens...."
"The State of Maryland will receive 155,000 initial first doses of two-dose COVID-19 vaccines. Distribution could begin the week of December 14 for the Pfizer vaccine, and the week of December 21 for the Moderna vaccine."
Maryland, Purple Line Firms Reach $250 Million Deal... (WASHINGTON POST):
"The Maryland Department of Transportation will pay an additional $250 million to salvage a 36-year partnership with the companies managing construction of the delayed Purple Line..."
"The deal revives one of Gov. Larry Hogan’s signature transportation projects and a public-private partnership that imploded in September following three years of cost disputes. The Purple Line is one of the first U.S. transit projects to rely on private financing...."
New Jersey’s Vote For Weed Could Kickstart Legalization... (POLITICO):
"New Jersey’s embrace of legal weed is likely to trigger a movement to allow adults to buy marijuana up and down the East Coast. New Jersey is on track to become one of 15 states with an adult-use marijuana market after voters on Tuesday approved legalizing marijuana, setting itself up as a destination for more than 20 million people in neighboring states who live within an hour of its borders...."
"'New Jersey is going to be as close to us as I've seen in terms of an actual [marijuana] market emerge,' said Democratic Maryland Del. David Moon, who has pushed legalization bills in the past. 'Now that we also have a pandemic budget scenario, I just think we're not going to have an option,' Moon said, citing billions of dollars needed for education."
"Moon also is concerned about Virginia 'beginning to nip at our heels,' he said. Virginia Democrats included legalization language in some of their criminal justice reform bills following the civil unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd over the summer...."
New MD Laws Oct 1 Cover Hate Crimes, Discrimination... (MARYLAND REPORTER):
"An update to Maryland’s hate crimes law, named for slain Army 2nd Lt. Richard Collins III, is one of several anti-discrimination measures going into effect Oct. 1. Other notable bills address crime, the environment and healthcare...."
"In another inclusive legislative move, Delegate David Moon, D-Montgomery, sponsored a repeal of Maryland’s sodomy law. The ACLU reports several states dating back to Illinois in 1961 have already repealed these laws, which were historically used in a discriminatory manner against the LGBTQ community...."
YOU'RE INVITED - As this tumultuous year winds down, I'm hoping we can end on a more positive political note. You're cordially invited to my virtual fundraising reception December 15th 7-8pm.
What Now? Predictions for 2021 - Join me & special guest Rep. Jamie Raskin for a conversation about the puzzling political problems in 2021.* RSVP - All online donors now through 12/15/20 will be emailed a ticket to the Zoom event. Please use this donation link: https://davidmoon.us/puzzle/
Now The Fun Part: Apolitical Political Puzzle - For a limited time, online donors of $100 or more will receive a special puzzle I produced during the pandemic. I'll also randomly select two small-donors to receive free puzzles. **
The puzzle art was created by my friend Robin Ha (NY Times best-selling graphic novelist) & highlights my favorite MoCo pandemic hiking spots. The first 40 puzzles will also come in boxes individually signed & numbered by the artist. Donate $100 or more at this link for a puzzle & zoom ticket: [ DONATE HERE ].
Live-Reading Tuesday 12/15 - Robin Ha is also going to join us at my zoom reception to perform a live-reading from her graphic novel memoir, Almost American Girl. In her latest work, Robin talks about her personal coming-of-age as an immigrant in America.  NOTE: Any resemblance between "puzzle-people" & Maryland politicians is purely coincidental. If you would like to make a donation but don't need a puzzle, visit davidmoon.us/donate.
* Congressman Jamie Raskin is appearing as a Special Guest and is not soliciting contributions for this event. All contributions are solicited by Delegate David Moon.
** Puzzle offer expires midnight 12/31/20. Please allow one to two weeks local shipping via USPS. Must provide US shipping address.
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By Authority: Friends of David Moon. Chair: Marlana Valdez. Treasurer: Usman Ahmed.
DISCLAIMER: I do not accept corporate contributions. In addition, by making a donation above, you are certifying that each of the following statements is true: (1) I am not a foreign national who lacks permanent residence in the United States; and (2) This contribution is made from my own funds, and not those of another. Note that a person can contribute no more than $6,000 to each Maryland state campaign account during the four year cycle, including in-kind contributions. The current cycle began on January 1, 2019 and will end December 31, 2022. Contributions to political campaigns are not tax deductible.
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