Deaths from fentanyl-laced heroin in the first half of 2016 doubled
Gov. Larry Hogan is launching new actions to fight the opioid epidemic in Maryland and is pushing lawmakers to limit the prescribing of opioid painkillers.
Officials announced a fresh $4 billion in funding for treatment programs for heroin and opioid addiction during a press conference Tuesday at the Anne Arundel Medical Center. An anti-heroin command center will also be created through an executive order. Hogan, a Republican, previously increased funding for treatment beds as part of his efforts to combat opioid-related deaths, which reached record highs in 2016. The efforts are part of the 2017 Heroin and Opioid Prevention, Treatment, and Enforcement Initiative, a program aimed at tackling drug addiction in the state, reports WJLA.
Hogan is also expected to press the legislature for a bill placing limits on the number of opioid prescriptions a doctor can write. Many medical professionals argue against this kind of crack down, but studies show a direct link between dependence on legally prescribed painkillers and heroin abuse.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, January 27, 2017
Former Clinton Superdelegate Chaka Fattah Begins 10-Year Prison Term
Former Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Pa.), who was a superdelegate for failed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, has reported to prison to begin his 10-year sentence stemming from numerous corruption charges.
Fattah reported Wednesday to the Federal Correctional Institution-McKean in western Pennsylvania near the New York border, CBS Philly reported.
In June 2016, Fattah and four associates were convicted on 29 corruption charges after misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars from federal, campaign, and charitable sources.
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Fattah reported Wednesday to the Federal Correctional Institution-McKean in western Pennsylvania near the New York border, CBS Philly reported.
In June 2016, Fattah and four associates were convicted on 29 corruption charges after misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars from federal, campaign, and charitable sources.
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Vast Majority of Voters Say Trump Right: DC Establishment Screwing Americans
New poll shows citizens desperate to Make America Great Again
Most US voters are in agreement with newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump’s contention that the Washington DC establishment benefits political insiders more than American citizens.
A recent poll from Rasmussen Reports says 72 percent of “likely US voters” agree with a remark the president made during his inaugural address, stating that, “For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.”
The president’s speech outlining he would hand over more control of the government to the people continued: “Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed.”
“The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nation’s capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.”
More/Video
Most US voters are in agreement with newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump’s contention that the Washington DC establishment benefits political insiders more than American citizens.
A recent poll from Rasmussen Reports says 72 percent of “likely US voters” agree with a remark the president made during his inaugural address, stating that, “For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.”
The president’s speech outlining he would hand over more control of the government to the people continued: “Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed.”
“The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nation’s capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.”
More/Video
Al Gore Dodges a Question About Why His '10 Year' Warning Was an Inconvenient Falsehood
Al Gore had predicted, in his highly disproven Inconvenient Truth, that we had only ten years to figure out the climate change disaster, before the sea levels engulfed the coasts and the temperatures rose so much that we would all face annihilation. That was over ten years ago. So, while at the Sundance Film Festival, Gore was confronted about this "ten year" lie, and he dodged the question. Not only did he dodge it, but he did so while getting into a gas-guzzling SUV in the middle of a snowy winter.
Video
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ISIS Unveils Weaponized Drone Program in New Video
ISIS supporters on social media were boasting that the terror group now has an air force after the Islamic State released today their first video showing weaponized drones being used against Iraqi forces.
ISIS has previously used drone photography in videos to capture aerial shots of battles, and they have also been using drone IEDs that have progressively gotten more advanced.
The 38-minute video, posted on YouTube and other content-sharing sites, had been teased for a day with a trailer released by ISIS. It largely features suicide bombers in vehicles, including one young teenager who can barely see over the wheel of the armored car. ISIS uses drone photography to follow the suicide bombers and film the attacks from the air.
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ISIS has previously used drone photography in videos to capture aerial shots of battles, and they have also been using drone IEDs that have progressively gotten more advanced.
The 38-minute video, posted on YouTube and other content-sharing sites, had been teased for a day with a trailer released by ISIS. It largely features suicide bombers in vehicles, including one young teenager who can barely see over the wheel of the armored car. ISIS uses drone photography to follow the suicide bombers and film the attacks from the air.
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Matt Walsh: Hey feminists and ‘transgenders’, you need to get your stories straight
I have long said that feminism and “transgenderism” are on a crash course. They cannot really coexist under the umbrella of the same ideology. Liberalism cannot put forward the notion that a woman’s reproductive organs afford her certain entitlements and special rights while at the same time putting forward the notion that a woman’s reproductive organs are not essential aspects of her womanhood. Liberalism especially cannot claim that men have no business formulating opinions about women’s issues due to our lack of a vagina while at the same time claiming that men can actually be women despite our lack of a vagina.
Either a woman’s anatomy means something or it doesn’t. Either men can intrude into spaces that are uniquely feminine or they cannot. Either our bodies are inherent to our identity or they are not. It’s impossible to answer “both” to any of these questions. It’s even more impossible to answer “both” to all three of them.
So, what’s it going to be? If the feminists are right about everything, then the “transgender rights” advocates are wrong about everything. And if the “transgender rights” advocates are right about everything, then feminists are wrong about most things. And, at any rate, their movement is entirely moot. If men can be women and women can be men and our bodies are incidental shells arbitrary containing our true identity, an identity that is fluid and changeable from moment to moment, then it makes no sense to me an activist for women’s issues. There can be no women’s issues because, in effect, there are no women. There are just people who happen to have a certain shell, but the shell doesn’t matter.
Which is it, liberals? Choose. You can’t have it both ways. You can be wrong about one or wrong about both (bingo), but what you cannot be — what you absolutely CANNOT be — is right about both.
To see more from Matt Walsh, visit his channel on TheBlaze.
Either a woman’s anatomy means something or it doesn’t. Either men can intrude into spaces that are uniquely feminine or they cannot. Either our bodies are inherent to our identity or they are not. It’s impossible to answer “both” to any of these questions. It’s even more impossible to answer “both” to all three of them.
So, what’s it going to be? If the feminists are right about everything, then the “transgender rights” advocates are wrong about everything. And if the “transgender rights” advocates are right about everything, then feminists are wrong about most things. And, at any rate, their movement is entirely moot. If men can be women and women can be men and our bodies are incidental shells arbitrary containing our true identity, an identity that is fluid and changeable from moment to moment, then it makes no sense to me an activist for women’s issues. There can be no women’s issues because, in effect, there are no women. There are just people who happen to have a certain shell, but the shell doesn’t matter.
Which is it, liberals? Choose. You can’t have it both ways. You can be wrong about one or wrong about both (bingo), but what you cannot be — what you absolutely CANNOT be — is right about both.
To see more from Matt Walsh, visit his channel on TheBlaze.
Days Into Trump Admin, Corrupt Employees Are Already Being Fired At The VA
Days into Donald Trump’s administration, heads are finally beginning to roll at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Two notoriously corrupt employees in Puerto Rico were fired this week, indicating that more may be on the way.
One is the hospital’s CEO, DeWayne Hamlin, who offered an employee $305,000 to quit after she played a role in exposing his drug arrest.
“Mr. DeWayne Hamlin was removed from federal service effective January 20, 2017,” the VA said. Jan. 20 was Inauguration Day.
Under former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Bob McDonald, the agency ignored years of evidence about shoddy work ethic, theft and whistleblower retaliation. The VA finally began a months-long investigative proceeding last year, after an outside agency, the Office of Special Counsel, prodded VA leadership.
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One is the hospital’s CEO, DeWayne Hamlin, who offered an employee $305,000 to quit after she played a role in exposing his drug arrest.
“Mr. DeWayne Hamlin was removed from federal service effective January 20, 2017,” the VA said. Jan. 20 was Inauguration Day.
Under former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Bob McDonald, the agency ignored years of evidence about shoddy work ethic, theft and whistleblower retaliation. The VA finally began a months-long investigative proceeding last year, after an outside agency, the Office of Special Counsel, prodded VA leadership.
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A Viewer Writes: March For Life
I understand that fear can be a powerful motivator. I imagine it was a similar kind of fear that caused some concerned women and men to found the March for Life, which is an annual event that occurs in Washington, DC on or around the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand. In the early 1970’s, these “anti-abortion” people feared that abortion on demand would lead the deaths of many innocent babies and to a lack of respect for the sanctity of human life. When we look at our inner cities and even other areas of our nation where people kill one another over clothing or gang initiations or how someone looked at his girlfriend, it is hard to deny that human life does not have the same value it once did. When the lives of the most innocent are expendable, why not the lives of those who are not so innocent?
Just as the Womens’ March drew hundreds of thousands of people to Washington’s Mall, similar numbers will come together on Friday, January 27th for the March for Life. The March for Life has been held each year since 1974. Even if we take the lowest 5 years of attendance, the average crowd would be about 67,000 people (the highest 5 years of attendance would average 440,000, but I’ll use the lowest numbers to make my point). This is the 44th annual March for Life. 67,000 people, from around the nation, have traveled to DC for this event EACH YEAR for the past 44 years. You might think, how can that possibly be? Wouldn’t I have heard about this on the news? How can the largest and longest annual gathering in our nation go unreported year after year? If you are intellectually honest, you already know the answer to that question, an agenda-driven, mainstream news media.
I have attended the March for Life many times and can tell you that the crowds are very similar to what you may have experienced if you were at the Womens’ March. For those who don’t believe me, I challenge you to head to DC’s Mall mid-day on Friday to see for yourselves. Even if you think your crowd was bigger, please remember that this is an annual event that has been going on for 44 years. I hope this is the year the mainstream media gives the March for Life the attention it deserves as the largest and longest running peaceful protest in our nation.
Unhinged liberal gets violent with conservative student: ‘Why the f*** are you filming me?’
A member of a liberal student group at West Virginia University got violent with members of a conservative group on campus — and a video of the altercation is quickly gaining attention.
The video contains two clips: The first shows members of the conservative Turning Point USA chapter being told to leave a meeting of the college’s Left Alliance on Wednesday. A Turning Point member replies, “That’s real inclusive. We just wanted to learn more about your organization, but if you’re gonna force us to leave—” A bearded member of the Left Alliance wearing a baseball cap then says, “Yeah, you guys should go.”
But the second clip shows that same bearded student from the Left Alliance lunging toward a female conservative student outside the meeting, getting in her face and loudly asking: “Why did you film our f***ing meeting?”
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New York Times Quietly Runs Stunning Correction On Editorial Attacking Electoral College
The New York Times quietly issued a major correction to an editorial attacking the electoral college in December, admitting it has in fact defended the electoral college at a time when it was politically expedient for Democrats.
The paper ran the editorial calling for an end to the electoral college in December, when Democrats were harping on the fact that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton beat President Donald Trump in the popular vote, and calling for reforms to make the system more “fair.” Obviously seeking to avoid the editorial position as politically motivated, the editorial emphasized what turned out to be a false claim that the paper has opposed the electoral college system for 80 years.
The piece links back to two other editorials criticizing the electoral college as evidence the board has opposed the system ever since Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt beat Republican Alf Landon in the 1936 presidential election. That position has remained constant regardless of the political outcome, the board wrote, noting an editorial on the system in 2012 that states it “needs to be abolished.”
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The paper ran the editorial calling for an end to the electoral college in December, when Democrats were harping on the fact that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton beat President Donald Trump in the popular vote, and calling for reforms to make the system more “fair.” Obviously seeking to avoid the editorial position as politically motivated, the editorial emphasized what turned out to be a false claim that the paper has opposed the electoral college system for 80 years.
The piece links back to two other editorials criticizing the electoral college as evidence the board has opposed the system ever since Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt beat Republican Alf Landon in the 1936 presidential election. That position has remained constant regardless of the political outcome, the board wrote, noting an editorial on the system in 2012 that states it “needs to be abolished.”
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Senator Eckardt, District 37 Weekly Wrap-Up
Senator Adelaide Eckardt, District 37
Legislative Weekly Wrap-Up
January 25, 2017
Legislative Weekly Wrap-Up
January 25, 2017
Governor Hogan - Integrity in Government Initiative
Last week, Governor Hogan held a Press Conference outside the State House announcing his efforts to restore Maryland’s faith in state government. Hogan introduced the Public Integrity Act, Legislative Transparency Act, Liquor Board Reform Act of 2017, and Redistricting Reform of 2017. The goal of this platform is to bring transparency and accountability to all of Maryland. I have highlighted the importance of each act below.
Public Integrity Act of 2017
Public Integrity Act of 2017
The Governor’s proposal works to solve corruption among state and local governments. This act establishes common sense restrictions that prohibit legislators from pushing legislation that directly helps their employer or company. This act also gives the State Ethics Commission oversight over all registered lobbyists, consultants, and elected officials.
Legislative Transparency Act of 2017 (SB 253)
Under this act, Governor Hogan has committed to reserving $1.2 million dollars in FY 2018 budget to fully fund video livestreaming of all meetings in the General Assembly. Citizens will be able to watch their lawmakers make decisions and vote in the legislature and/or committee.
Liquor Board Reform Act of 2017
The Governor’s proposal also increases transparency within local liquor boards. Liquor board applicants would be required to complete criminal background checks. Also, this reform would fully remove the role of political party central committees from the liquor board nominating process. This is a key piece of legislation as many local liquor boards are ran by the party in power.
Redistricting Reform Act of 2017 (SB 252)
Finally, at the press conference, Governor Hogan revealed legislation that would act on the recommendations of the bipartisan Redistricting Reform Commission. This commission was developed by Governor Hogan once he took office in 2013. The Governor is committed to addressing gerrymandering districts within the state and ensuring there are always free and fair elections in Maryland.
Eastern Shore Delegation
The Eastern Shore Delegation heard presentations from Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, and Eastern Shore Superintendents. We were able to discuss school funding, state testing, possibility for school bus seat belts legislation, and community service learning hour requirements. Dr. Karen Salmon provided information on the Kirwan Commission that is reviewing the current education funding formulas for the state. Funding is a concern for many of the Eastern Shore Superintendents. Hopefully the commission will provide recommendations that brings fairness to school aid statewide.
The Eastern Shore Superintendents spoke to the Delegation about required local and state testing. A majority of the Superintendents present support the current required state testing, but are not in favor of more mandated state testing. The Superintendents believe additional state testing would reduce the amount of time teachers have with the students.
A closely debated topic that may come up this General Assembly is the use of seat belts on school buses. The Superintendents understand the need to keep students staff, but want to ensure the issue of liability for the bus drivers is discussed before legislation is developed or passed. We will be following this issue closely.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office with your thoughts or concerns for this General Assembly. I look forward to hearing from you.
The Eastern Shore Superintendents spoke to the Delegation about required local and state testing. A majority of the Superintendents present support the current required state testing, but are not in favor of more mandated state testing. The Superintendents believe additional state testing would reduce the amount of time teachers have with the students.
A closely debated topic that may come up this General Assembly is the use of seat belts on school buses. The Superintendents understand the need to keep students staff, but want to ensure the issue of liability for the bus drivers is discussed before legislation is developed or passed. We will be following this issue closely.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office with your thoughts or concerns for this General Assembly. I look forward to hearing from you.
Pink Ribbon Bingo
Women Supporting Women will host the 16th Annual Pink Ribbon Bingo at the Salisbury Moose Lodge on Thursday, March 9, 2017. Doors will open at 5:00 PM, and games will begin at 6:30. Prizes will be overflowing with Pampered Chef and Thirty One goodies. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Other activities include a refreshment sale, 50/50 raffle, and two special games. No one under the age of 18 will be admitted. For more information or tickets, please call WSW at 410-548-7880.
Governor Larry Hogan Announces Public Charter School Act of 2017, Funding for Classroom Innovation
Administrative and Legislative Action to Close Achievement Gap, Ensure Equitable Education Opportunities
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced new administration initiatives to continue expanding and improving education opportunities for students in Maryland, which include the Public Charter School Act of 2017 and increased funding to encourage innovation and creativity in the classroom. The governor’s fiscal year 2018 operating budget, which was introduced earlier this month, includes a $6.4 billion investment in K-12 education, fully funding the aid formulas and providing record funding for the third straight year.
“I believe that every child in Maryland deserves access to a world-class education regardless of what neighborhood they happen to grow up in,” said Governor Hogan. “The proposals we are announcing today ensure that we will continue to increase the choices available to Maryland families and provide high-quality education for all Maryland children.”
Building on the Hogan administration’s record of innovation and support for non-traditional ideas to improve access to quality education, the governor today introduced the Public Charter School Act of 2017, legislation that would create the Maryland Public Charter School Authority, an independent public charter school authorizer. Public charter schools authorized by this new entity would have increased autonomy and would be exempted from certain aspects of local laws.
Unlike other states with highly effective and expansive public charter school programs, Maryland’s program is missing key hallmarks, most notably an independent charter school authorizer and autonomy in regards to budget and staffing. Maryland’s current public charter school law is restrictive, vague, and has consistently rendered the state unable to compete for millions of dollars in federal charter school grants.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced new administration initiatives to continue expanding and improving education opportunities for students in Maryland, which include the Public Charter School Act of 2017 and increased funding to encourage innovation and creativity in the classroom. The governor’s fiscal year 2018 operating budget, which was introduced earlier this month, includes a $6.4 billion investment in K-12 education, fully funding the aid formulas and providing record funding for the third straight year.
“I believe that every child in Maryland deserves access to a world-class education regardless of what neighborhood they happen to grow up in,” said Governor Hogan. “The proposals we are announcing today ensure that we will continue to increase the choices available to Maryland families and provide high-quality education for all Maryland children.”
Building on the Hogan administration’s record of innovation and support for non-traditional ideas to improve access to quality education, the governor today introduced the Public Charter School Act of 2017, legislation that would create the Maryland Public Charter School Authority, an independent public charter school authorizer. Public charter schools authorized by this new entity would have increased autonomy and would be exempted from certain aspects of local laws.
Unlike other states with highly effective and expansive public charter school programs, Maryland’s program is missing key hallmarks, most notably an independent charter school authorizer and autonomy in regards to budget and staffing. Maryland’s current public charter school law is restrictive, vague, and has consistently rendered the state unable to compete for millions of dollars in federal charter school grants.
The Meaning of America First
As the patriotic pageantry of Inauguration Day gave way to the demonstrations of defiance Saturday, our new America came into view. We are two nations now, two peoples.
Though bracing, President Trump’s inaugural address was rooted in cold truths, as he dispensed with the customary idealism of inaugurals that are forgotten within a fortnight of the president being sworn in.
Trump’s inaugural was Jacksonian.
He was speaking to and for the forgotten Americans whose hopes he embodies, pledging to be their champion against those who abandon them in pursuit of higher, grander, nobler causes. Declared Trump:
“For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed.”
Is this not true? American wages have stagnated as scores of thousands of factories were shut down or shipped abroad. Five of the six wealthiest counties in the U.S. today, measured by median household income, are the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Inaugurals should lift us up, wailed the media, this was “dark.”
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Though bracing, President Trump’s inaugural address was rooted in cold truths, as he dispensed with the customary idealism of inaugurals that are forgotten within a fortnight of the president being sworn in.
Trump’s inaugural was Jacksonian.
He was speaking to and for the forgotten Americans whose hopes he embodies, pledging to be their champion against those who abandon them in pursuit of higher, grander, nobler causes. Declared Trump:
“For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed.”
Is this not true? American wages have stagnated as scores of thousands of factories were shut down or shipped abroad. Five of the six wealthiest counties in the U.S. today, measured by median household income, are the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Inaugurals should lift us up, wailed the media, this was “dark.”
More
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