One of the most vocal members of the Maryland Senate when it comes to redistricting is back, and he wants the General Assembly to return to Annapolis.
Sen. Arthur Ellis (D-Charles) is set to hold a press conference Tuesday in Lawyers Mall to call for a special session of the General Assembly to redraw the state’s congressional districts, in light of last week’s Supreme Court ruling that undid much of the federal Voting Rights Act. Ellis said in a statement Monday that the ruling allows states to redraw maps to eliminate districts that elect Black, Hispanic or other non-white candidates.
“The Court’s decision represents a pivotal shift in redistricting law by narrowing how Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act may be applied in cases involving claims of vote dilution,” Ellis’ statement said. “Specifically, the ruling introduces heightened constitutional scrutiny on the use of race in map-drawing, emphasizing that race cannot serve as the predominate factor unless it satisfies strict constitutional standards.
“The urgency of this issue is underscored by actions already underway in other states,” he went on to say. “Jurisdictions such as Louisiana, Florida, and South Carolina are actively adjusting their election timelines, including modifying primary dates.”
Ellis participated in a one-man protest of sorts during the legislative session against the Senate’s refusal to take up a bill that would have allowed for middecade redistricting. He refused for a time to formally register his presence during Senate floor sessions. But that protest slowly faded away and Ellis went back to business as usual.
Since then, little appears to have changed in Annapolis.
A spokesperson for Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) declined to comment on Ellis’ call for a special session and a spokesperson for Gov. Wes Moore (D) did not respond to a request for comment.
The House did pass a bill to redraw the districts in a way that would make the state’s only Republican-held district more competitive, but it died in the Senate. House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) reiterated House Democratic support for midcycle redistricting Monday.
“Everyone knows where the House stands on this issue,” Peña-Melnyk said in a statement. “We passed a redistricting plan in February that would have sent new maps to the voters for their approval. In late March, we advanced legislation to clarify and improve the redistricting process. With the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act, the urgency is only greater, and the House stands ready to act to protect voters and strengthen our democracy.”
A spokesperson later clarified that, saying, “If there is consensus, the Speaker supports a Special Session.”
Senate Minority Leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore) called the idea of a redistricting special session “the wrong priority at the wrong time.”
“Marylanders are struggling with affordability, and they expect action on the issues that impact their daily lives,” he said. “If a Special Session is convened, I’ll be ready to introduce legislation that actually lowers costs, not one that redraws political lines.”
Veteran AP reporter ends State House run
In April, the Associated Press announced a further pivot from the newspaper industry. In doing so, it announced it would offer buyouts to an undisclosed number of reporters based in the United States.
On Friday, Brian Witte, a veteran State House reporter, announced on social media that he accepted the buyout offer.
“So long room H-12,” Witte wrote in a social media post, referring to the AP’s longtime office on the ground floor of the State House. That office was formally dedicated by the State House Trust to Tom Stuckey, a 42-year AP veteran of Annapolis affectionately known as “the dean” of the press corps.
Witte was one of a small number of remaining State House reporters with 20 or more years of experience. But his presence in the State House was greatly diminished this year compared to previous years. It is unclear if the news operation will restaff the state capital.
Witte’s departure is the second major shift in the State House press corps this year, after the Washington Post announced a “strategic reset” that effectively ended its full-time State House coverage in Maryland.
Wykowski takes over revenue operations in Comptroller’s Office
Comptroller Brooke Lierman on Monday announced that Edward F. Wykowski III will become assistant chief deputy comptroller for Revenue Operations (RevOps) in mid-June, charged with supporting the office’s operations and advancing the “agency’s ongoing RevOps transformation.”
Wykowski has experience in tax compliance, enforcement and revenue administration in the comptroller’s office, where he has steadily advanced from assistant manager to manager, assistant director, deputy director and, since October 2023, director of the Compliance Division.
Lierman’s office said Wykowski has led efforts in compliance oversight, tax collection, auditing, regulatory enforcement, business tax collections and unclaimed property management. The Compliance Division under his leadership launched a secure portal enabling Marylanders to report suspected business tax fraud, among other initiatives.
In his new job, Wykowski will work with Chief Deputy Comptroller Erica Roach to advance the RevOps transformation, modernizing operations, strengthening cross-divisional coordination and otherwise building the infrastructure needed to support the Comptroller’s mission.
“Ed’s deep expertise in tax compliance and his intimate knowledge of this agency make him ideally suited to help lead RevOps into its next chapter,” Lierman said in a prepared statment. “His record of innovation and commitment to equitable, effective tax administration is exactly what this transformation demands.”
The Comptroller’s Office will conduct a full and open recruitment to fill the director of Compliance position.
Waesche named to Maryland Transportation Authority Board
Gov. Wes Moore has named Frank S. Waesche III, a retired professional engineer with more than 40 years of transportation engineering and construction management experience, to the Maryland Transportation Authority board.
Waesche was introduced at last week’s board meeting. He is taking the place of outgoing Board Member Mario J. Gangemi.
The eight-member board is appointed by the governor and oversees the MdTA, which manages and operates the state’s toll facilities and toll roads, which are not supported with state taxes. Members are appointed to four-year terms and can serve up to three consecutive terms.
“Frank Waesche brings decades of experience delivering complex transportation projects and a deep understanding of Maryland’s infrastructure needs,” Moore said in a statement announcing the appointment. “His leadership and technical expertise will be a strong asset to the MDTA Board and the people of Maryland.”
Waesche retired as a partner with Wallace, Montgomery & Associates LLP, where he spent most of his career. Before that, he served as director of the Office of Engineering at the Maryland Transit Administration, overseeing an annual capital program. With his experience in construction inspection and contract management, he has supported various Maryland Department of Transportation agencies over the years, including MdTA, the State Highway Administration, the transit administration, as well as local jurisdictions.
“I am honored to be appointed by Gov Moore,” Mr. Waesche said. “I look forward to contributing my experience to support the MDTA’s mission and to help deliver transportation solutions that serve Maryland’s communities now and into the future.”