Government

“We need to keep guns out of the hands of those who would do violence in our communities. It is lawful and Constitutional for states to enact legislation that protects their residents from bad actors in the gun industry,” said Attorney General Brown. “These entities should be held accountable under the law for any misconduct that threatens public safety.”

Several members of the firearms industry sued New York, arguing that the statute is preempted by federal law and is unconstitutional. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit. The coalition of Attorneys General is now asking the appellate court to affirm the lower court’s ruling, which found that the law is not preempted by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, a federal law that limits civil remedies against gun industry members for harms caused solely by the misconduct of individuals who use firearms. The court also found that the law did not run afoul of either the Dormant Commerce Clause or the Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Wes Moore was sworn in today as the 63rd governor of Maryland at a ceremony in Annapolis that included an introduction by legendary talk show host Oprah Winfrey. Moore is a native of Takoma Park, who grew up in the area until he was 6 years old, moving to New York after his father passed away. He returned to Maryland for college and attended Johns Hopkins University where he studied international relations and economics and graduated Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa in 2001. From 2017 to 2021 Moore served as the CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation– a charitable organization which attempts to alleviate problems caused by poverty in New York City. Moore is the first African American to be elected Governor of Maryland.

Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller was also sworn into office today. Miller is a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, where she represented District 15 in Montgomery County and is the first South Asian woman to become lieutenant governor.

Outgoing Governor Larry Hogan released a press release this morning touting a 77% approval rating on his final day in office.  Governor-Elect Wes Moore and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Aruna Miller will be  sworn in on Wednesday, January 18, at the State Capitol in Annapolis. Per the State of Maryland:

Maryland Matters: “Political notes: Hogan rides off into the sunset with approval ratings intact… Gov. Larry Hogan (R) will leave office Wednesday with the same stratospheric job approval ratings that he’s enjoyed for most of his time in office. … Hogan’s job approval ratings would be the envy of any politician, and far outstrip voters’ feelings for President Biden.”

Per the State of Maryland: Last night (1/12), Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan hosted their final annual Lunar New Year celebration at Government House. More than 200 guests joined the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and the Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs for the celebration, including dignitaries representing Washington, D.C.’s diplomatic corps and Maryland’s Asian American community leaders.

The Lunar New Year is one of the most widely celebrated and important cultural traditions observed by numerous Asian communities across the world and in Maryland. This year welcomes the Year of the Rabbit—a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity. In addition to being the last official Government House reception of the Hogan administration, this  marked the first official gathering since the permanent installation of the First Lady’s portrait in the main foyer alongside former first ladies.