The Statehouse was jammed today with Marylanders eager to be photographed with Governor O’Malley as he signed into law scores of sweeping proposals. From a make-shift stage in the State House lobby, a clerk called out the numbers of more than two hundred bills as supporters lined up to pose behind the governor as he signed each measure into law.
Topics ranged from medical use of marijuana, to drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants and included Maryland’s version health care reform. O’Malley called this year's General Assembly session, which concluded last month, “the most productive legislative session in modern memory.”
For many, the highlight of the day was repeal of Maryland’s death penalty. Among those included in six separate group shots was Kurt Bloodsworth, a one-time death row inmate who was exonerated by DNA evidence.
“Twenty-eight years almost three decades of my life spent to try to destroy something that almost destroyed me," he said. "One thing is for certain: by the stroke of one pen no innocent person will ever be executed in the state of Maryland. It’s a great day.”
More bills, including O'Malley's gun control package, are expected to be signed in future weeks.