Latest news with #Pippy
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate, House approve Second Look Act in quick succession, send it to governor
Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George's) praises Sen. Charles Sydnor III after his emotional speech before the Senate voted to approve the Second Look Act on Thursday. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Just hours after the Senate approved the Second Look Act, the House on Thursday quickly accepted Senate amendments to the bill that gives a second chance to long-serving incarcerated individuals and sent the measure to the governor for his signature. It capped months of debate of emotional, and often personal, debate on House Bill 853, which critics said would bring needless new suffering to victims of crime, but supporters said would provide a deserved second chance to those in prison who had turned their lives around. The Senate on Wednesday, by a one-vote margin, approved an amendment that would make the Second Look Act unavailable to anyone convicted of killing a first responder in the line of duty. That cleared the way for the Senate to approve the bill 31-16 and sent it back to the House, which had approved the bill two weeks ago, on an 89-49 vote. House members voted 89-47 for the amended bill Thursday night and sent it to the governor. Del. Cheryl Pasteur (D-Baltimore County), the lead sponsor of the House bill, was not a fan of many of the amendments the bill picked up along the way, but said after Thursday's vote that 'you have to start somewhere.' 'No one is born into this world or wakes up in the morning to think about doing evil or doing wrong to other people,' Pasteur said. 'I am looking forward to these people who are willing to be out in our communities, helping some of these young people who feel alone and abandoned … Now some of these people will be able to make a difference in their lives,' she said. Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery) said the bill is about protecting those who are prison, but who are innocent. 'This is about people who languish in our state prisons for decades for a crime they didn't commit,' Acevero said. 'Where is the compassion for them? Where is the justice for those folks? I heard none of that from the minority party in the entirety of the debate on this bill. This is what you call legislating for the innocent.' House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy (R-Frederick) responded, telling Acevero, 'I always enjoy when you get up.' 'You just made an assertion on the floor that every single person locked up for killing someone, killing a kid, killing police officers are all innocent, according to your speech … So, I take offense that,' Pippy said looking Acevero's direction. 'We have folks that have done very bad things and they're incarcerated for it, and we don't want those individuals getting out and revictimizing a whole bunch of other people,' Pippy said. Under the bill, some people who have served at least 20 years of a prison sentence could petition the court for a sentence reduction. That option would not be available to someone sentenced to life without the possibility of parole or to a sex offender — and, after the Senate amendment, to someone convicted of killing a first responder, like a police officer, firefighter or paramedic. The bill had already been narrowed once from the version Pasteur had drafted, limiting the second chance in the act to those convicted of a crime they committed between the ages of 18 and 25. An individual who appeals to the court for a reduced sentence and is denied would have to wait three years before filing another petition. Prisoners could file up to three petitions, but 'an individual may not file a fourth motion to reduce the duration of the sentence,' according to the bill. Sen. Jack Bailey (R-Calvert and St. Mary's), who voted against the bill Thursday, sponsored the Senate amendment Wednesday to put the act out of those convicted of killing a first responder 'in the line of duty.' That amendent passed on a slim 24-23 margin. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready (R-Frederick and Carroll) said people convicted of violent offenses who had harmed others 'on purpose' could receive a second look under the bill. 'We've done a lot to try to reform the criminal justice system in this state. This body, I think, has gone too far,' Ready said during Thurday's nearly 25-minute debate in the Senate. 'These were people convicted as adults of very serious crimes. They should not get a second look that's really a 17th or 18th look.' The bill's supporter have long said that it is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for what opponents call the worst of the worst, but something for those who have really turned their lives around. Sen. Charles Sydnor III (D-Baltimore County), defended the bill Wednesday, highlighting how courts can assess several factors to determine whether someone incarcerated has earned a reduced sentence. Some factors would include a person's age at the time of offense, demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation and that person's family background. On Thursday, Sydnor stood in the Senate and highlighted that all victims' families 'are not a monolith.' He began to choke up when he recalled the summer of 1991, when his cousin was shot in the head. A few years ago, Sydnor said a session ended to honor another cousin who suddenly died around Sydnor's birthday. 'The story goes in my family he died of a broken heart. His brother was murdered,' Sydnor said while choking up. 'If these people, whoever committed those crimes, showed that they did what they needed to do to reenter society, I'd welcome them with open arms. As I said yesterday, this is about grace. I stand on that.'
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal worker protection bill passes House, but not without a scrap
House Minority Whip Jazz Lewis (D-Prince George's), left, talks March 11 about emergency legislation he voted on in support of recently laid off federal workers in Maryland. He's a sponsor of the legislation. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) About the only thing lawmakers agreed on Tuesday was a bipartisan chorus of boos, after one House member resorted to calling Elon Musk a neo-Nazi during an increasingly contentious 30-minute debate over a bill to protect federal workers. The Protect Our Federal Workers Act ended up passing the House, but not before the debate strayed to support for farmers, the state's reliance on the federal government, President Donald Trump – and Musk. 'Right now, Republicans have empowered an unelected neo-Nazi with no security clearance or Senate confirmation to essentially determine what cuts should be made and who should be fired,' Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery) said of Musk. 'That's the reality of it.' It was not long after that that the House suspended debate to move to a vote. House Bill 1424 would reallocate state funds to assist federal workers affected by Trump-directed layoffs and expand the authority of Attorney General Anthony Brown to pursue related litigation. It was portrayed as necessary by Democrats and an overstep by Republicans, led by Majority Leader Jason Buckel (R-Allegany) and Minority Whip Jesse Pippy (R-Frederick). They expressed concern that Democrats were focusing too much on laid-off federal workers, and not enough on other workers in the state. 'If Maryland is a company town, the federal government ain't the company,' said Pippy, noting that agriculture is the top industry in the state. He said each legislative session is a '90-day assault on our agricultural community and its workers.' Pippy also accused Democrats of mounting the effort to direct funding to federal workers as a reaction to Trump's election. He called it 'frustrating' to regularly hear about the plight of private-sector workers and then be faced with a bill that tacks on 'millions of dollars all of a sudden, because Trump got elected.' 'By the way,' Pippy added, 'the guy got elected because of a lot of these policies. So, don't forget that.' Del. Jazz Lewis (D-Prince George's), the bill's sponsor, who identified himself as a card-carrying member of the United Steelworkers, rejected the idea that the bill is directly comparable to other instances of private-sector layoffs in Maryland. 'What normally happens is, if you're going to shut down a plant or something like that, you're supposed to give the state 60 days' notice of all these people who're going to be laid off so we can try to find other jobs for them,' Lewis said after the floor session. 'You know what that's not happening for? The federal government right now.' Lewis said his bill, and other actions like it, are necessary in light of actions like the Department of Education's Tuesday announcement that it would lay off nearly half of its workforce in the next 10 days. 'We are not trying to replace or respond to everything the federal government does,' Lewis said. 'But we live in a world where we have to.' Majority Leader David Moon (D-Montgomery) said the tense nature of the debate can be attributed to the uncharted nature of the Trump administration's actions. 'I think it's hard not to get emotional about it,' Moon said following the debate. 'What we're seeing is a very radical departure from any governing norm that you've seen from any of the two parties, really, in the modern political era. 'So you have to go look at global examples of, honestly, fascism on the rise to get this sort of thing,' Moon said. While the debate drifted from Maryland-specific conversation to a referendum on the Trump administration, Democrats ultimately said that the bill, and a positive vote, would serve as a message to Marylanders. 'This bill is not just protecting Marylanders,' Acevero said, 'this is about showing Marylanders that we care.' The bill passed 103-36. Three Republicans – Reps. Stuart Michael Schmidt Jr. of Anne Arundel, Kevin Hornberger of Cecil and Jim Hinebaugh Jr. of Garrett and Allegany counties – voted yes on the bill.
Chicago Tribune
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Eisenhower writers get national attention for literary efforts
Students in Blue Island who have been untangling their emotions and thoughts through creative writing recently received some attention, along with rave reviews, not just from their teachers but also the National Council of Teachers of English. The dozen or so Creative Writing Club students recently received the council's REALM First Class honor, which stands for Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines. The Cardinal, Eisenhower's literary magazine, is one of 125 school magazines in 46 states and five countries to receive the award from 422 student magazines nominated. Last year they received the 'Excellent' rating from the teacher's group. But the students, who acknowledge their stories, essays and poems require hard work, are also having a ball once a week when they discuss their writing and produce more as part of the Creative Writing Club. 'Whenever I'm writing, it's really easy for me to get into a meditative state,' said Alyssa Prince, a senior who is editor in chief of the magazine this year. 'Conforming words kind of feels like trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together.' Alyssa said she identified with author Joan Didion's comment about writing, when Didion said, 'I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means.' One of Alyssa's works, titled 'Pippy,' is about a 'deranged teenage girl kind of clawing to get the prom teen title.' Another is a narrative essay about a friend. Each student who contributed to the winning magazine seemed to bring a dedication and passion to their work. 'It's just a great opportunity for kids to be creative and the kids who make their way to this club are incredibly creative and talented,' said Adam Ebert, the club sponsor, who also teaches English, Graphic Novels and Film & Literature at Eisenhower. Ebert, who restarted the club when he was hired a few years ago, said they were looking for more members and some students might not realize how much they could get out of it. 'I think sometimes the big reason why there aren't more is because they go through their whole schedule of the school day and then they're like, 'We have to write more?' he said. There are four editors who work with Ebert putting together the magazine. Students also contribute digital art, hand-drawn art or photographs. There are also fun ways to get into the writing process. During the first semester, the club hosts workshops that focus on themed writing, a session devoted to horror stories, and a 'Poems for Pizza' session, where students write poems and prose relating to food. To help the magazine move up in the NCTE rankings, Ebert and students worked at widening the range of their writings. He said the national organization didn't explain why schools received certain scores, but they looked for hints in the instructions for the contest and grading criteria. 'I think one thing is diversifying the types of work and making sure we have a number of different genres of writing represented,' he said, 'and there are specific design choices being made.' Gregory Linear, a junior and layout editor for the magazine, said the club had pushed him to improve his writing. 'I was able to elevate it to the next level,' said Gregory. 'It really gives you insight about what you're capable of writing.' One of Gregory's poems is about love and heartbreak, and staying 'stagnant' before being ready for a new beginning. 'It's a great way to just let out your emotions, and you can put it all into sort of a rhythm,' Gregory said. But it's also uplifting as an editor to help other students. 'We really see what they're starting with and then we can make changes, revise, and it's really nice to help them reach that,' Gregory said. Getting national attention for their work also offers a boost, their teacher said. 'To get positive feedback like this, I think is really important,' said Ebert.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Major General John R. Pippy sworn in as Pennsylvania's Adjutant General
ANNVILLE, Pa. (WHTM) – Major General John R. Pippy was sworn in Friday as Pennsylvania's 55th adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Pippy also assumes command of the Pennsylvania National Guard, the third largest in the nation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Pippy has served as acting adjutant general since late September after Mark Schindler announced his retirement. He previously served as director of the joint staff at the Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap. 'Ensuring the PA National Guard is able to effectively serve our communities, our Commonwealth, and our country and that the DMVA is able to deliver for Pennsylvania service members, veterans, and their families is critically important to my Administration,' said Governor Josh Shapiro. 'Major General Pippy has the experience and readiness to lead – and I look forward to working with him and the men and women of the PA National Guard and the DMVA to continue delivering for all Pennsylvanians.' Pippy has served on two deployments to the Middle East, including in 2003, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Commander of the 332nd EN CO. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmakers confirm new Adjutant General
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Pennsylvania lawmakers this week unanimously confirmed Brig. Gen. John Pippy as adjutant general and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Pippy has served as acting adjutant general since late September after Mark Schindler announced his retirement. He previously served as director of the joint staff at the Pennsylvania National Guard Joint Force Headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap. 'Ensuring the PA National Guard is able to effectively serve our communities, our Commonwealth, and our country and that the DMVA is able to deliver for Pennsylvania service members, veterans, and their families is critically important to my Administration,' Governor Josh Shapiro said. 'Brigadier General Pippy has the experience and readiness to lead on day one — and I look forward to working with him and the men and women of the PA National Guard and the DMVA to continue delivering for all Pennsylvanians.' 'I am humbled and truly honored to serve as the 55th Adjutant General of Pennsylvania,' Pippy said. 'Serving with the members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is a privilege that I hold with the utmost respect. I look forward to continuing to work with our service members, families, veterans, and DMVA employees to ensure that we are Always Ready and Always There when our Commonwealth or Country needs us.' Pippy has served on two deployments to the Middle East, including in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Commander of the 332nd EN CO. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
