* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmembers Scott, Henry, and Costello
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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Request for State Action - Override the Veto of HB 980/SB 340
FOR the purpose of calling on the Maryland General Assembly to complete the work of restoring voting rights to all members of our communities that it began by passing HB 980/SB 340 in the last session by overriding the Governor's veto of this important legislation.
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Recitals
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, approximately 40,000 Maryland citizens live and work in our communities but cannot vote because of a criminal conviction in their past. In April 2015, the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bill, which received some bipartisan support, to restore voting rights to these citizens. On May 22, 2015, Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed the legislation.
?At a time when leaders of both political parties are uniting to reform our criminal justice system, this veto is a failure of leadership by Governor Hogan,? said Tomas Lopez, counsel in the Brennan Center?s Democracy Program. ?After the unrest in Baltimore, Marylanders are demanding to be heard. Restoring voting rights to 40,000 citizens would expand our democracy and increase public safety. Other lawmakers in Maryland understand this and have offered leadership. Governor Hogan has offered excuses. The General Assembly should respond by overriding his veto and giving these citizens ...
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