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Peter Franchot: Honored to serve as Md. comptroller, but a ‘little burnt out’ – WTOP News

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Peter Franchot: Honored to serve as Md. comptroller, but a ‘little burnt out’ – WTOP News


Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot talked about his time in public service, shied away from partisan politics and provided some recommendation for these working for an elected workplace.

This content material was republished with permission from WTOP’s information companions at Maryland Issues. Join Maryland Issues’ free e mail subscription at this time.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has been within the limelight for almost 4 a long time.

Some voters mentioned the charismatic Democrat would’ve simply maintained his place because the state’s tax collector for one more 4 years if he had chosen to hunt reelection.

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As a substitute, Franchot, 75, determined to run for governor greater than two years in the past and have become the primary particular person to formally announce his marketing campaign. Nevertheless, he completed third on this summer season’s major election.

Belinda Queen of Prince George’s County, who voted for Franchot and was a significant supporter of his working mate, former Prince George’s County Councilmember Monique Anderson-Walker, mentioned Franchot wouldn’t have been challenged if he had sought a fifth time period as comptroller.

“You didn’t hear something unhealthy about him,” Queen mentioned. “Any extra cash out there within the state ought to go to the little folks. Eggs at the moment are $7. Any extra cash out there, the District of Columbia does it on a regular basis. The state of Maryland ought to do the identical factor. I’m hoping that occurs within the close to future.”

Franchot nonetheless has just a few weeks left in workplace earlier than Comptroller-elect Brooke Lierman (D) will get sworn in Jan. 16 — a nationwide vacation celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Franchot will go away behind 16 years as comptroller that features his service on one of many state’s most influential our bodies, the Board of Public Works. He sat alongside two governors and two state treasurers approving billions of {dollars} in class building tasks, authorities contracts and different spending measures.

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The Montgomery County resident mentioned he plans to take a two-month trip, stress-free along with his spouse of 42 years, Anne Maher, and their three grandchildren. The couple anxiously awaits the beginning of a fourth grandchild subsequent yr. They’ve two kids.

After his day off, Franchot mentioned he’ll announce a enterprise to show kids about monetary literacy.

He pushed to include the topic in public college curricula statewide throughout his time as a state delegate between January 1987 and January 2007, and continued to advertise the concept as comptroller.

For the previous a number of years, former Del. Jay Walker (D-Prince George’s) picked up the mantle and continued the push for statewide monetary literacy, even as much as this yr. Walker’s laws was authorised within the Home of Delegates, however didn’t make it past the Senate’s Training, Well being and Environmental Affairs Committee. Walker is the husband of Anderson-Walker.

“I hope that I’ll be capable to work with youngsters and assist join them extra to the true world of the trendy financial system,” Franchot mentioned throughout an interview with Maryland Issues earlier this month at his Annapolis workplace. “It’s not only a monetary literacy hurdle that I, Jay Walker and others had been speaking about. It’s whether or not one thing could be achieved systemwide that may maximize the great issues which can be on the market already.”

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Through the interview, Franchot talked about his time in public service, shying away from partisan politics and providing some recommendation for these working for an elected workplace. Listed below are just a few of his ideas in his personal phrases:

‘Impartial universe’

I feel it comes from my background, which by no means got here out of the Democratic golf equipment the place a number of elected officers stand up and finally get into elected workplace. I all the time have come out of the general public curiosity motion, the environmental motion, the anti-nuclear motion, the anti-Vietnam Warfare motion again within the late 60s and early 70s. My focus has all the time been to attempt to take care of coverage points. So after I was energetic within the public curiosity motion, I used to be typically as upset with the Democrats as I used to be with the Republicans, as a result of Democrats had been pro-nuclear, just like the Republicans. The Democrats usually had been pro-Vietnam Warfare.

I like my social gathering. I feel the ideas and values are nice, however verify and stability. That’s my center identify: verify and stability. I hope that’s one thing that legislators and different politicians need as a result of it’s very fashionable with the general public. It’s not essentially mirrored in major votes as a result of major votes are very distilled and really crystallized as to who exhibits up. However I feel the unbiased universe, each Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, is huge open to any elected official that wishes to enchantment to state curiosity being put in entrance of social gathering pursuits. That’s my legacy.

Elected workplace

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It’s a anxious job. I’m honored and privileged to have been an elected official, nevertheless it’s not simple. And significantly because the politics have developed over the previous couple of years. The job of being comptroller was an honor and a privilege. However for 16 years, I’ve made many, many appearances time and again. I’m not saying that I used to be sad with that. I used to be joyful to attach with the voters.

However frankly, after 16 years, I turned slightly burnt out so far as the required conferences of the comptroller all around the state. [Board of Public Works] meets each two weeks because the treasurer, the governor, myself. It’s a distinctive panel. No different state has one fairly prefer it. As a result of in different states, the same boards are all chosen by the legislature or the governor. And on this occasion, the treasurer is elected by the legislature. I’m elected statewide, the governor is elected statewide. We’re unbiased of one another.

Each two weeks we meet and the typical, I feel, is $440 million on state contracts. It’s motion central for what’s going on within the state fiscally. I feel my legacy from 16 years of being there each different week is that I used to be very robust on Republicans, however I used to be equally robust on Democrats. I feel the folks within the state acknowledge that sort of independence and appreciated it. And that will likely be my one of many legacies that I go away behind. Clearly, I’ll keep knowledgeable, however from an commentary standpoint reasonably than an implementation.

‘Poisonous surroundings’

To begin with, it’s a poisonous surroundings. I don’t have any complaints. I simply wish to give everyone a yellow warning sign that these campaigns have change into very partisan and superficial and deceptive. It’s not fairly the trail of the promised land that folks assume it’s. I’m not fairly certain what the answer to that’s as a result of your complete nation appears to be divided.

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However I do know that 900,000 Marylanders, who’re registered [independent] voters which can be very interested by what’s occurring in Maryland, they’re not allowed to vote within the primaries, both Republican or Democratic. The issue with each events, the Republican Get together extra so than the Democratic Get together…each events have change into taken over by their excessive margins. And not using a group of voters who’re extra average in significantly fiscal issues, but in addition, coverage issues, you’re going to finish up with a number of battle between two events.

However the truth that we hold speaking about voting rights, what in regards to the 900,000 Marylanders who’re registered as  unenrolled? Why shouldn’t they be allowed as they’re in 36 states to vote in a single major or the opposite? I don’t wish to sound like I’m bitter grapes, however closed primaries are a significant contributor in nationwide and state politics to folks being elected who’re way more partisan than the voters. I feel you then’ll see a moderating of each events and a decreasing of the temperature.

Some recommendation

I feel it’s one thing that every one the elected officers ought to simply look within the mirror and say, ‘Look, am I actually on this only for the ability? Simply because somebody’s holding the door for me, simply because I can beat the opposite social gathering?’ No, that’s not why you’re there. You’re there to do issues which can be supportive of the state, significantly the state’s financial system, which is so dependent upon small companies. COVID has triggered an incredible quantity of struggling for small companies, and people that would not have a number of monetary reserves.

I work with Gov. [Larry] Hogan (R) and we gathered over the interval of COVID over $10 billion in a single time solely cash. There’s a great reserve within the state. I really feel snug saying to the brand new leaders you’ve got some room to make errors or make commitments. What do you assume is essential, however you’ve acquired to in some unspecified time in the future understand that the financial system the state is all the time first, second and third to check out so far as taking good care of jobs for our folks.

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I’m an enormous supporter of Brooke Lierman. I feel she’s very, very proficient. I feel it’s essential that she’s doing the sort of easy transition that we’ve created for her. I feel she’ll do an amazing job. She’s not going to be mistake-free. I imply, everyone makes errors. However I feel she understands that that is an award-winning company. Customer support is past reproach. It’s respect the taxpayer, reply to the taxpayer and get outcomes for the taxpayer. We name it the three R’s. I’m certain she’ll proceed that and he or she’ll be very profitable.



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Maryland Weather: Nice stretch with rain chance Friday into Saturday

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Maryland Weather: Nice stretch with rain chance Friday into Saturday


BALTIMORE -Nice weather continues through Thursday. Sprinkles & drizzle may develop Friday with steadier rain likely Saturday. 

We are right in the middle of an outstanding weather pattern that will continue into Thursday. Temperatures reached the middle to upper 70s Wednesday afternoon with comfortable humidity levels. High clouds are mainly south of Baltimore, so we’ve enjoyed a mostly sunny sky.

We have a fantastic evening of weather on the way. If you’re headed to the Os game this evening expect mostly sunny weather for the 1st pitch at 6:35 PM against the White Sox. Temperatures will start in the upper 70s, but then ease into the lower 70s by the end of the game. 

Early fall-like temperatures return tonight with lows in the 50s for most neighborhoods. The coolest overnight lows in the low 50s will be located in neighborhoods north and west of the Baltimore Beltway. Temperatures in the metro will dip down into the upper 50s. Any patchy high thin clouds will sink south overnight.

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Humidity levels gradually climb Thursday, but we still score ourselves a very nice day. Highs will climb toward 80°. Other than a few patchy clouds, expect a mostly sunny sky. 

You will feel even more humidity in the air on Friday. With an easterly to southeasterly wind off the Ocean, areas of low clouds will be possible. As the atmosphere continues to moisten through the day Friday, patchy sprinkles and drizzle will become possible. The greatest chance for this happening would be late Friday into Friday evening. While the rain will be light and patchy in nature, you may want a poncho or light rain jacket if you’re headed to any high school Friday night football games. 

Scattered showers and patchy drizzle is likely Friday night with lows in the middle 60s.

Saturday will be our last real humid day for awhile. Expect patchy areas of light rain and showers during the morning and midday hours. There may be a lull or two in the wet weather Saturday, but a steadier round of showers, possibly a thunderstorm will cross the area Saturday evening into early Saturday night. Highs on Saturday will top out in the upper 70s. The cold front that’s responsible for Saturday’s wet weather will flush out the clouds, showers, and humidity overnight Saturday. Temperatures late Saturday night will fall into the lower to middle 50s!

Sunday has another beautiful fall-like feel. Early morning temperatures in the lower to middle 50s with highs in the middle 70s. We get to enjoy abundant sunshine and pleasant breeze out of the northwest at 10 mph.

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A winning stretch of weather continues for most of next week along with a gradual warming trend. Highs on Monday reach the upper 70s. By Tuesday and Wednesday, high temperatures climb into the lower 80s with plenty of sunshine and low humidity. We get to enjoy yet another spectacular stretch of September weather for most of next week with little to no rain! 



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Maryland Senate race poll shows Democrat Alsobrooks leading GOP's Hogan, despite 1 in 3 not knowing who she is

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Maryland Senate race poll shows Democrat Alsobrooks leading GOP's Hogan, despite 1 in 3 not knowing who she is


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The Democratic candidate for senate in Maryland is leading her GOP rival despite more than a third of eligible voters not recognizing her name.

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A poll published by Gonzales Research & Media Services this week found that Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has pulled ahead of Republican former Governor Larry Hogan by five points — 46% to 41%.

Alsobrooks’ current success in the polls comes as a surprise, given the Democratic candidate’s continued struggles with low name recognition among voters.

The Gonzales poll found that approximately 34% of registered voters do not recognize Alsobrooks by name. This includes approximately 33% of independents who do not recognize Alsobrooks, as well as 17% of eligible voters registered with the Democratic Party.

NEW POLL REVEALS REPUBLICAN SENATE CANDIDATE DEADLOCKED WITH DEM IN CRUCIAL DEEP BLUE STATE

Maryland Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks speaks at a campaign event on Gun Violence Awareness Day at Kentland Community Center in Landover, Maryland. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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Notably, 72% of total eligible voters told the pollster that they did not recognize the Democratic candidate.

MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE SAYS THERE SHOULD BE NO LIMIT ON ABORTION

The winner of the November election will succeed Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, who is retiring this year after serving nearly two decades in the Senate and nearly six decades as a state and then federal lawmaker.

With Democrats trying to protect their fragile Senate majority, Hogan’s late entry into the race in February gave them an unexpected headache in a state previously considered safe territory. 

Larry Hogan wins GOP Senate nomination in Maryland

Former two-term Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland celebrates his victory in the 2024 Maryland Republican Senate primary, in Annapolis, Maryland. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

Hogan left the governor’s office at the beginning of 2023 with very positive approval and favorable ratings.

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A vocal Republican critic of former President Trump who previously flirted with a 2024 White House run, Hogan has repeatedly said that he will not vote for the former president in November’s election. In the spring, he stood out from most other Republicans for publicly calling for the guilty verdicts in Trump’s criminal trial to be respected.

The Gonzales Research & Media Services poll was conducted from Aug. 24 to Aug. 30 and surveyed 820 self-described likely voters via phone interviews.

Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.



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Guns flood the nation’s capital. Maryland, D.C. attorneys general point at top sellers.

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Guns flood the nation’s capital. Maryland, D.C. attorneys general point at top sellers.



The lawsuit announced on Tuesday claims three stores sold one person 34 guns over six months and ignored the buyer’s red flags.

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The nation’s capital is grappling with a deadly flood of weapons. Prosecutors are pointing fingers at three federally licensed gun stores in Maryland.

Attorneys general of Maryland and Washington D.C. filed a lawsuit Tuesday against three gun shops for selling firearms to a straw purchaser – the same stores identified as the top retailers of recovered crime guns in Maryland between August 2020 and July 2021, according to a report commissioned by the state attorney general’s office.

According to the lawsuit, the three stores in Montgomery County, Maryland, roughly 25 miles northwest of Washington D.C., collectively sold 34 semiautomatic pistols to one person in six months. Only two remained with the purchaser, while the rest are presumed to be trafficked, prosecutors said.

Some have been recovered from people accused of assault, a stabbing, and drug distribution, the lawsuit added, while most remain unaccounted for.

“Federally licensed gun dealers know the law and they know what to look for to spot possibleillegal trafficking. As this lawsuit demonstrates, gun dealers cannot just choose to ignore these warning signs and guardrails,” said Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. “Let this be a warning to other dealers who put public safety at risk to make a profit: We are watching, and we will hold you accountable for illegal conduct that fuels gun violence across our region.”

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The lawsuit comes as public health experts and gun safety advocates warn about an alarming level of gun violence across the nation — guns are the leading killer of children in the U.S. and kill nearly 50,000 people a year. Lawsuits in other states have also targeted sellers and traffickers as culprits in gun crimes, including New Jersey, Michigan, and Philadelphia.

Lawsuit: Man bought 34 guns in 6 months

Three federally licensed gun stores – Engage Armament, United Gun Shop and Atlantic Guns – collectively sold Demetrius Minor, an “obvious straw purchaser,” 34 guns between April 6 and October 5, 2021, according to the lawsuit filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

According to Engage Armament’s records cited in the lawsuit, Minor spent more than $31,000 at the one store for at least 25 guns. In July 2021 alone, he came to the store at least four times and bought five guns, prosecutors said.

Minor gave many of the weapons to a relative, Donald Willis, a Washington D.C. resident with a record of violent felonies, the lawsuit said, and Willis then spread the guns to other “dangerous individuals.” Minor has been convicted for his role in the straw sales. But Tuesday’s lawsuit said the stores “who chose profits over safety” have faced no consequences for their “critical role in fueling gun violence” in the D.C. metro region.

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At least nine of the weapons, which the lawsuit contends were “illegally sold,” were found at crime scenes in Washington D.C. and surrounding Maryland suburbs. “Many more are likely in the hands of other individuals legally barred from possessing firearms and will be used in future crimes,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit cites a federally required form to buy a gun — the ATF firearms transaction record — which is used to determine whether a gun sale is legal. The form notes that straw purchases are illegal, meaning the firearm must go to the person who legally bought it. It also states that the seller is responsible for ensuring the sale is legal, and simply conducting a background check does not fulfill obligations.

The lawsuit notes that just as straw purchases are illegal, it is also against the law for a firearm dealer to help advance illegal sales, and federal law requires licensed dealers to report when an unlicensed buyer purchases two or more handguns within five days.

Atlantic Guns denied the straw sales allegations in a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday.

“Atlantic Guns, Inc. has never and will never knowingly sell to someone who we have reason to believe is committing a straw purchase,” the store said, declining to comment further before review of the lawsuit.

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Engage Armament and United Gun Shop didn’t immediately return USA TODAY’s requests for comment.

Cities and states across U.S. go after sellers to battle gun violence

The lawsuit Tuesday is the latest to sweep the nation as cities and victims of shootings target firearm stores and traffickers to battle gun violence.

Last July, Philadelphia announced a lawsuit against three vendors that the city said were the source of more than 1,300 crime guns between 2015 and 2019. The weapons were used in shootings, a home invasion, drug crimes, vehicle theft, and more, according to the city.

Three Missouri men were charged earlier this year for illegally selling guns to the people who fired shots into the Super Bowl victory parade that killed a mother and injured over 20 people earlier this year.

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In Michigan, the parents of a 14-year-old Oxford High School student who was severely injured in a 2021 mass killing, named a gun store as one of the defendants in a lawsuit, alleging Acme Shooting Goods negligently and illegally sold the firearm used in the school assault that killed four people and wounded seven others. Acme sold the gun to the shooter’s father while ignoring signs it was a straw purchase, the lawsuit alleged.

In July 2023, a northern Indiana gun shop that police called a key supplier of Chicago’s criminal firearms market announced it was closing its doors after Chicago sued Westforth Sports in 2021 over what it said was a pattern of illegal gun sales.

A USA TODAY investigation earlier this year found the majority of guns used in crimes are sold by a small fraction of the nation’s gun shops. Two of the Maryland gun shops named in Tuesday’s lawsuit – United and Atlantic – were on a list by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of stores that sold at least 25 guns traced to a crime over a year that were purchased within the past three years.

Contributing: Nick Penzenstadler and Grace Hauck, USA TODAY



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