“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Mt. 10:16.
On Saturday, April 6, primary sponsor and COS champion Delegate Mark Fisher pulled a fast one on the opposition of Article V. For almost a decade, the resolution has been allowed to die in committee without even so much as a vote.
Despite the consistent, respectful, and multitudinous advocation of Marylanders from both sides of the aisle, far too many in the General Assembly have failed, intentionally or not, to recognize the threat from the federal government, and the defense from it offered in Convention of States.
So once again, it seemed the legislative session would conclude without a vote for COS.
Yet Mark Fisher, the shrewd and indefatigable delegate from southern Maryland, wasn’t done fighting! He saw an opportunity in SJ001, a proposed resolution urging the White House to use Article V to pass a Civil Rights amendment.
Such a resolution was on the exact same subject as Convention of States, and could easily be amended to include it. While there was little hope that the General Assembly would actually approve the amendment, they would still have to hear the arguments and actually take a vote on COS for the first time. Delegate Fisher saw his chance…and he took it.
Ultimately, the Convention of States Amendment did not pass as an amendment to SJ001 - but we achieved what some thought was impossible: OUR BILL GOT A FLOOR VOTE!
Several brave and principled delegates spoke in support of the COS Amendment: Delegates Lauren Arikan (D7B), Brian Chisholm (D31) and Cathy Szeliga (D)7A.
The 2024 Legislative is coming to a close and our team exceeded expectations!
