As Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) moved to end the debate on the floor, Sen. Antonio L. Hayes (D-Baltimore City) stood to speak.
Impassioned, and in spite of calls from the president to stop, Hayes said that “year after year” he has sat in the chamber as Republicans railed against crime in the city and Prince George’s counties but offered no solutions other than prosecution.
“Mr. President, with all due respect, I hear you, but I’m tired … and if we want to have this debate every day for the rest of this session, I welcome that opportunity,” Hayes cried out.
The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (LBCM) also supports the legislation.