Friday, June 13, 2014

AFRO American Newspaper Endorses Braveboy for Attorney General

Aisha Braveboy for Attorney General 
The attorney general is the chief legal officer for the state. Beneath that broad umbrella, one of the primary duties of the AG’s office is to advocate on behalf of Maryland’s consumers, who in many cases are among the state’s most vulnerable citizens (victims of housing discrimination, predatory payday loans, environmental injustice, fraud, etc). Perhaps, now more than ever, Maryland needs a powerful advocate for the state’s disenfranchised, people of color, and poor people and for this reason the AFRO endorses the candidacy of Prince George’s County delegate and attorney Aisha Braveboy. 
As the AFRO reported in April, Maryland has had the second highest foreclosure rate in the nation for the fourth quarter of 2013 and the numbers continue to rise according to the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance. 

As chair of the Consumer Protection and Commercial Law Subcommittee and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, Braveboy has demonstrated leadership on the catastrophic foreclosure crises. She has co-sponsored bills that offer relief and protection for homeowners facing foreclosure and has worked as a pro-bono attorney providing vital legal services for families grappling with the loss of a home. Braveboy has also worked on legislation holding some banks and mortgage companies accountable for not maintaining foreclosed properties they own, which drives down property values in many neighborhoods of color. 

Braveboy has been out in front on the issue of mass incarceration in the state, a practice that has disproportionately ravaged (often unjustly) communities of color and the impoverished. For several years, she volunteered as legal counsel for a Prince George’s County-based community diversion program that touts an 87 percent success rate. Diversion programs are community-based justice programs that give non-violent offenders a chance to avoid prosecution and jail, the stigma of a criminal record and save taxpayers millions of dollars. She believes that instead of allocating resources on the back end to incarcerate minor offenders, we should invest a fraction of those dollars up front to rehabilitate and divert them away from the criminal justice system. The AFRO has consistently reported on the ongoing litigation between the state and its four historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) for almost a decade. We are encouraged that Braveboy has been a forceful advocate in the General Assembly for parity and proper funding of those schools. Last month during the first attorney general debate, Braveboy was the only candidate who specifically rejected Maryland’s position on the October 2013 ruling of District Court Judge Catherine Blake, which found the state in violation of the U.S. Constitution for operating a system of higher education, still rooted in segregation. 

“Fifty years outside of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 60 years outside of Brown, and the state has violated precedent in both of those. So, it’s really an embarrassment for the state and we just need to mediate a fair remedy so we can move on,” Braveboy said. We acknowledge Braveboy lacks the experience of Sen. Brian Frosh, the formidable veteran litigator and legislator and the name recognition of Del. Jon Cardin who both seek to replace current Attorney General Douglas Gansler, who is running for governor. But, we believe Braveboy’s energy, strong work ethic, and strong commitment to this state’s disenfranchised communities—who need a zealous advocate in the Attorney General’s office—are attributes that will serve all the citizens of Maryland.  FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Maryland Business and Clergy Partnership Endorses Braveboy

June 10, 2014. Landover, Maryland. Two days before early voting begins, Maryland’s Business and Clergy Partnership will hold a press conference to publically announce their endorsement of candidates running for office statewide and in Prince George’s County at Jasper’s Restaurant in Landover, Maryland. The Business and Clergy Partnership functions as a bipartisan organization with a mission to bridge the gap between businesses, churches, and elected officials.   Delegate Aisha Braveboy (D-Prince George’s) has the full endorsement of the group. This has been a closely watched race and the Business and Clergy Partnership applauds Delegate Braveboy for staying focused on the issues; as well as, her commendable integrity and commitment to her constituents.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Baltimore Building & Construction Trades Unions Endorse Braveboy for Maryland Attorney General


The 13-affiliate labor unions of Baltimore Building & Construction Trades Council threw its support behind Delegate Aisha N. Braveboy in her race for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.  Braveboy, a two-term lawmaker from Prince George's County, is competing against Sen. Brian E. Frosh of Montgomery County and Del. Jon S. Cardin of Baltimore County in the June 24 primary.  Her endorsement by the Baltimore Building Trades Council follows the decision last month of the Washington, D.C. area construction unions to support Braveboy. "All three candidates are good candidates," said Rod Easter, President of the Baltimore Council.  But Easter said labor is familiar with Braveboy from her work on the House Economic Matters Committee, which handles most of the legislation affecting unions.  READ MORE.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Congresswoman Edwards Backs Braveboy for Attorney General

Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-Prince George’s) will pick up an endorsement Friday, May 2 of her bid to become Maryland’s next attorney general from U.S. Rep. Donna F. Edwards (D-Md.).  Braveboy is running in the June 24, 2014 Democratic primary against Del. Jon S. Cardin (D-Baltimore County) and Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery).  The endorsement by Congresswoman Edwards continues the tremendous momentum for Aisha as our campaign approaches the June primary.  In recent weeks, Delegate Braveboy's campaign has been endorsed by the 15 affiliate labor unions of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 and the Prince George's County Firefighters and Paramedics Union.  READ MORE.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

UFCW Local 400 Endorses Braveboy for Maryland Attorney General

The 35,000 working men and women of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 proudly endorse Delegate Aisha Braveboy in the 2014 Democratic primary election for Maryland Attorney General. Our endorsement recognizes Aisha’s tireless leadership to raise the minimum wage and advocacy on behalf of working families. We have endorsed Delegate Braveboy because she is a strong and effective leader with an exemplary 8-year record of fighting for Maryland workers, consumers and taxpayers.  Among other workers, UFCW Local 400 represents employees at Giant, Safeway and Shoppers grocery stores in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. region. READ MORE.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Washington, D.C. Building Trades Unions Endorse Braveboy for Maryland Attorney General


Camp Springs, MD. April 16, 2014.  The 15 affiliate unions of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council are pleased to announce our support for Delegate Aisha Braveboy in the June 24, 2014 Democratic primary election for Maryland Attorney General.  Aisha has been a loyal friend to construction industry workers throughout her eight years in the Maryland House of Delegates.  She has consistently stood with us in the legislature and now we are standing with her in the race for Attorney General.

“Aisha has been a reliable fighter for Maryland workers,” said Mark Coles, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council.  “She has been a leader on issue after issue that affects the economic livelihood of Maryland workers.  Whether strengthening prevailing wage laws, raising the minimum wage or improving workplace safety, Aisha is someone we can always count on to do the right thing for working families,” said Coles. 

“I am grateful to receive the endorsement of the Washington, D.C. Building and Construction Trades Council,” said Delegate Aisha Braveboy.  “As Attorney General, I will continue the fight to protect workers’ rights.”

The Building and Construction Trades Council will make the election of Aisha Braveboy a top priority.  We will provide financial support, communicate our support for Aisha to union members and their households and get out the vote for her in the June primary election.    

Contact: Mark Coles, Executive Secretary Treasurer
(301) 899-8134

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Legislative Recap - Part 1


Delegate Aisha Braveboy had a very productive legislative session where bills she sponsored or cosponsored passed both houses of the Maryland General Assembly and was sent to the governor for signature.  All of the legislation spearheaded by Delegate Braveboy was designed to improve the economic security of working families and to promote Justice for All Marylanders.  Below is a brief summary of some of the major legislation advocated by Delegate Braveboy that is set to become law:

Raising the Minimum Wage
After being the chief sponsor of legislation to raise the minimum wage on three prior occasions, the Maryland General Assembly has finally voted to raise the state minimum wage to $10.10 by July 2018.  The bill that ultimately passed the General Assembly contained several major provisions that were initially introduced by Delegate Braveboy.  Aisha has been a tireless advocate for raising the minimum wage for the past four years because she believes that raising the minimum wage is the single most effective way to lift thousands of Maryland families out of poverty. This law will especially benefit women and families because women comprise approximately 2/3 of minimum wage workers. 

Marijuana Decriminalization
Based on the strong leadership of Delegate Braveboy, Delegate Keiffer Mitchell and other members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC), legislation to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana passed both houses of the legislature.  This legislation is important to address racial disparities related to the current law.  Even though white and black Marylanders use marijuana at the same rate, studies have shown that black Marylanders are three times more likely to be arrested and face incarceration for marijuana possession.  The marijuana decriminalization law will promote drug rehabilitation instead of mass incarceration for individuals caught with possessing less than 10 grams of marijuana. 

Public Safety Diversity Act
The Public Safety Diversity Act of 2014 passed both houses of the legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature.  Delegate Braveboy sponsored the bill to increase diversity among the Maryland State Police.  In recent years, Maryland has lost 37% of its African-American state troopers.  Of the 1,453 officers employed by the Maryland State Police, only 198 are black and 29 are Hispanic.  This law will require the State Police, when it advertises for or recruits new employees, to include advertising that is targeted toward individuals from underrepresented communities. This bill was a top priority for the MLBC because it will facilitate increased diversity and cultural sensitivity among the ranks of the State Police.

These are a few of the many legislative victories that Delegate Braveboy delivered during the session.  We will follow up with future posts about some of her other legislative accomplishments.

Anthony Jones, Policy Director
Braveboy for Attorney General