District 31 Anne Arundel County
In the News
Don Dwyer is right
By Eric Hartley
I was sitting at the Rockfish restaurant in Annapolis tonight, watching the NCAA men’s basketball championship, when none other than Del. Don Dwyer walked in to meet some friends. It wasn’t really a surprise to see him there — the Rockfish is a frequent hangout for Republican politicians, as it’s owned by Del. James King, R-Gambrills.
Dwyer, R-Glen Burnie, noticed me, came over and shook my hand. To his credit — considering the things I’ve written about him lately (all of which I stand by) — he was unfailingly courteous and suggested we get together for a chat. We agreed that, while we might not change each other’s minds, it would be good to have a civil talk.
Now comes the part where Dwyer was right. (I’ll bet you were wondering when I’d get to that.)
Not long after underdog Butler’s close loss to the Evil Empire of Duke and its weasel-faced coach, Dwyer walked by me again, said bye and started to walk out of the bar. I called after him that we could surely at least agree we hated Duke.
Dwyer, a Maryland native, smiled and agreed, saying I could write about that. So here you go, Delegate.
As for that whole impeachment thing, well …
http://delegatedwyer.com/wjznews Some television coverage- WJZ with Pat Warren
Dwyer defeated, but undauntedDelegate still vows to impeach attorney general over gay marriage opinionPublished 04/01/10
A House committee yesterday voted down impeachment charges brought by a county delegate against the state attorney general, ending for the moment one of the most politically volatile confrontations in this year’s General Assembly session. Joshua McKerrow — The Capital Del. Don Dwyer Jr. argues over whether the House of Delegates can impeach Attorney General Douglas Gansler for issuing a legal opinion that state agencies should recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. The House voted to send Dwyer’s motion to impeach to the Judiciary Committee, where it was killed later Wednesday afternoon.
Del. Don Dwyer. R-Glen Burnie, tries to bring impeachment charges in the House of Delegates against Attorney General Douglas Gansler for issuing a legal opinion that state agencies should recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Del. Don Dwyer’s proposal, introduced in response to an opinion from Attorney General Douglas Gansler that Maryland should recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages, failed 14-6 in the House Judiciary Committee.
Dwyer, R-Glen Burnie, vowed to keep fighting. He is circulating a petition to take impeachment out of the committee and back to the full House. “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure justice is served,” he said. “I am going to stand firm.” The vote followed a tense debate on the House floor between Dwyer, House Speaker Michael E. Busch and other delegates over whether the charges should be voted on immediately or vetted by committee first. Claps, cheers and muttering disapproval emanated from both the gallery of spectators and politicians on the floor. |
Maryland lawmakers clash over gay marriage
By: Hayley Peterson Examiner Staff March 4, 2010
Maryland lawmakers will hash out two dueling marriage bills Thursday, reigniting the debate in Annapolis over same-sex marriage on the heels of the District’s legalization of the partnerships.
Impeachment becomes point of order
Republican ire over Busch’s use of power could propel Dwyer’s impeachment effort
Published 03/10/10
A county delegate’s attempt to impeach the attorney general later this month could morph into an ugly battle over the power to control issues – and end with him being escorted out of the chamber.
House Speaker Mike Busch is out of order
Maryland’s top law enforcement officer, State Attorney General Douglas Gansler, issued an opinion on the question of whether Maryland could legally recognize same-sex marriages that are performed out-of-state in places where gay marriage is legal.
In response to Gansler’s opinion, Delegate Don Dwyer (R-District 31) said, Gansler usurped the General Assembly’s powers by offering a new opinion on same-sex marriage even though a 2004 opinion by a different Attorney General reached a different conclusion. Delegate Dwyer stated he would look into initiating impeachment proceedings against Gansler for violating the Maryland State Constitution.
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Annapolis Tea Party
BRIAN WITTE, Associated Press Writer
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) ― 
Tea party activists may not be as numerous in heavily Democratic Maryland as in Republican states, but they have held rallies with hundreds of supporters.
And organizers say their phones have been ringing a lot in recent days.
David Schwartz, the Maryland director of Americans For Prosperity, said he’s confident more people will be energized to take part in tea party events from now until Election Day after the historic vote in Congress to overhaul health care.
“I think it was a punch to the gut, again, sort of a reality check,” said Schwartz, who helps organize tea party events in Maryland in a group that was established in the state last April. “This is the real beginning of the 2010 campaign.”
So who are tea party members in Maryland and what do they want to do?
Maryland tea party activists are part of a loosely organized grass-roots movement with no centralized structure or main leaders. Members are mostly conservative, but the group boasts independents and even Democrats as members.
Delegate Don Dwyer, one of the Maryland General Assembly’s most conservative members who helped lead the group’s first event last April, said the movement is not about political parties. Rather, Dwyer said tea party events draw people who are concerned about the loss of their rights and freedoms.
“I think it would be wrong for any party to try to hijack that movement, because it really is the people’s movement, at least from my perspective,” Dwyer said.
To read the full article
