Kids’ Lives are at Stake in the Board of Education Race.

Posted on May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 by Jenny

"One of the charges thrown against the book was that it promoted pedophilia — based on a single panel depicting an erotic ancient Greek vase. Others simply called it pornography, a common accusation against work with themes of queer sexuality. Queer youth are often forced to look outside their own homes, and outside the education system, to find information on who they are. Removing or restricting queer books in libraries and schools is like cutting a lifeline for queer youth, who might not yet...

The Uterus Monologues

Posted on May 7, 2022May 7, 2022 by Jenny

The title of this piece is inspired by the Eve Ensler play The Vagina Monologues. Oh shit, the condom just broke. What even happened last night? The last thing I remember is going to the bathroom, and the guy sitting at the bar had bought me a drink when I got back. Thank God the kids are both at sleepovers tonight. Finally, we get a night alone. I never should have given in to my boyfriend pressuring me to have sex. Now everyone in school is calling me a slut. Wait a second. Did...

Time For Spring Cleaning on Housing

Posted on March 20, 2022March 20, 2022 by Jenny

Hey y'all. It's spring in Maryland... the grass is turning green, trees are starting to bud, and Mother Nature is throwing out random temperatures like she's picking Powerball numbers. It's also spring in an election year, so local candidates are out and about canvassing, doing interviews, and making social media posts. Which means that the usual myths and bellyaching about housing, adequate public facilities, and school capacity are making the rounds in Howard County's metaverse. So tod...

Following Up on “Flip Flops”

Posted on January 21, 2022January 21, 2022 by Jenny

Whew. A lot has transpired since my last piece on the Citizens’ Election Fund kerfuffle. I won’t be covering all of it in this piece, because it would fill a book at this point, and y’all know how to use Google. But I did want to follow up on some of the details other folks may have missed. This week, the County Council held a public hearing on CB-6, the bill intended to revise the CEF statute and eliminate the verbiage stating that elections will be determined to be contested (or not) on th...

Flip-Flops and Funding

Posted on January 13, 2022January 12, 2022 by Jenny

This week, I've been tracking some consternation in the community regarding the Citizens' Election Fund, Howard County's public campaign financing program. In 2016, Howard County voters voted for a charter amendment via a ballot question to establish the fund, and the County Council introduced legislation instituting the program. Then-County Executive Allan Kittleman consistently and steadfastly opposed the CEF program, saying "our taxes should not go to boost the campaign coffers of any politi...