Anthony G. Brown, candidate for Maryland Attorney General – Baltimore Sun

Why are you working for office?

I’m operating simply because I consider Marylanders are worthy of an Attorney Standard who will be their advocate for adjust, with a history of progress on tough difficulties. Now, much too many obstacles exist for Marylanders, from wellness care and housing to the setting and education and learning, in the workplace, policing, and the felony justice program. I’m operating to dismantle these barriers, to make federal government operate all over again, and to fight for alterations to shield each and every person and empower each individual group. I will be the people’s lawyer, investigating complications, advocating for legislative transform, and placing enforcement priorities that serve the men and women. I’ll combat for justice and equity, no matter if addressing criminal offense and public protection, the weather crisis and environmental justice, or attacks on women’s reproductive freedom. I am going to combat to secure consumers, veterans, and seniors, as very well as voting rights, workers’ legal rights, and the rights of the LGBTQIA+ communities. And I’ll maintain general public officers accountable, which include regulation enforcement.

What is the most urgent situation experiencing the point out of Maryland?

The point out of Maryland is the 4th most varied point out in the country, and the troubles and troubles dealing with our people, communities, and small corporations are as many as we are numerous. As I pay attention to voters throughout Maryland, a typical problem is the increasing expense of living, and the question I get is how the Attorney Common can assistance keep the expense of dwelling down. As Legal professional Normal, I will combat to protect Marylanders’ difficult-gained dollars. I am going to use the authorities of the place of work to lower well being insurance coverage premiums, maintain firms accountable and stop price repairing, cease price tag-gouging at the gasoline pumps and on the net revenue, defend pupils and residence consumers from predatory loan companies, prosecute those people who prey on seniors’ retirement revenue and personal savings, assistance keep renters in their houses, and defend workers whose businesses consider to deprive them of their hard-earned wages.

What do you think is the ideal purpose of the AG’s office environment relating to ongoing violence in Baltimore?

The Legal professional Basic will have to handle violence in Baltimore. Initially, the AG should actively companion with the State’s Legal professional, Mayor, and the BCPD. The AG must dedicate the necessary felony investigatory and prosecutorial resources to carry out a regional crime-fighting approach, concentrating initial on our most violent crimes and offenders, as nicely as gun trafficking. The AG need to enlist the help of the US Attorney and federal regulation enforcement. 2nd, the AG ought to advocate for policy that will lessen the prevalence of guns, like banning ghost guns which I testified in assistance of, and take into account the efficacy and feasibility of a gun court docket. The AG ought to be a juvenile justice reform advocate so that little ones are steered toward productive lives and not hardened criminals. At last, the AG will have to market law enforcement accountability, including pattern or follow investigation authority exactly where there are signs of persistent misconduct. Law enforcement accountability enhances community self esteem which enhances policing.

Lawyer Typical Brian Frosh and Gov. Larry Hogan clashed publicly many occasions, with Frosh the moment recusing himself from symbolizing the governor soon after he finished enhanced unemployment benefits early. What duty does the AG’s place of work have…

The Legal professional General represents the State of Maryland in all matters where by the pursuits of the State are involved and is the authorized adviser and representative of most state agencies and officers when performing in their official capacity. The AG has a lawful obligation to defend gubernatorial government orders and the actions taken, choices made, contracts awarded, and polices promulgated by point out agencies and officials. Even so, the AG is elected by and is effective for the people. The AG has a distinctive option to advise and counsel agencies and officers on each the law and the AG’s comprehending of the will of the people today. If the AG and the company or official basically disagree and can not uncover a mutually appropriate resolution to the disagreement, then the AG should guide the state company or official in in search of outdoors representation. This should really not often take place and need to be regarded an uncommon exercise.

What are your leading a few priorities concerning the atmosphere?

My top rated priorities include shielding thoroughly clean air and water, specifically the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake is a nationwide treasure that has assisted shape Maryland’s tradition and economy for centuries. There are 110,000 miles of creeks, rivers, and streams flowing into the Chesapeake, which indicates that nearly each Marylander encounters its waterways, and we all have a stake in creating positive our waters are clean. Pursuing environmental justice for all Marylanders is a different precedence. We must focus on restoring the harms done by environmental hazards such as air air pollution, direct publicity, improper waste disposal that impression tens of countless numbers of Marylanders each individual year and most usually impact minority communities. 3rd, addressing the existential danger of local weather change. I think that weather alter is just one of the gravest international threats we confront. We want to invest in renewable power, slice greenhouse emissions, and establish 21st-century infrastructure that prioritizes green transportation now.

How equitably do law enforcement officers address persons of shade?

Most males and women of all ages who swear to defend and provide our communities in law enforcement are honorable and handle people today of shade equitably. On the other hand, the penalties of just just one incident of racially inspired police misconduct can have a devastating impact on the neighborhood and a dangerous or lethal end result for the person associated. We have to assist police with the finest training, resources, management, and general public self esteem that they want to do a really tough and generally dangerous work that couple of are willing to do. Nevertheless, like each individual profession — legal professionals, physicians, educators, soldiers — we need to hold all law enforcement officers accountable for fair procedure of all. There are much far too quite a few incidents of mistreatment towards folks of shade — from Baltimore to NYC, from Minneapolis to Louisville — that can only be described by race. Until finally we get rid of racial bias in the procedure of people today of color, we are unable to disregard the racial inequities in policing.