Our View - baltimoresun.com

Where are the STEM jobs?

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:45:00 EDT

As college graduates head into the real world, even many who majored in science, math, engineering and technology are having a hard time

Republicans and Democrats appear to agree on at least one thing: that the United States is facing a STEM (science, technology engineering and math) crisis. In his most recent State of the Union address, President Barack Obama declared that he wants to "reward schools" that focus on STEM classes, for they are "the skills today's employers are looking for to fill jobs right now and in the future." And as far to the other end of the political spectrum as you can get, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas deemed May 6-12 to be the first ever "Celebration of STEM Education Week in Texas."

Setting limits on drones

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:38:00 EDT

Our view: President Obama's call to put U.S. counter-terrorism policy on a more virtuous path is an overdue step in the correct direction

It's about time.

Carroll County's gun law nullification fantasy

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:24:00 EDT

Our view: Playing to the crowd, commissioners put politics ahead of public safety

Nullification fever is spreading across the rural counties along the Mason-Dixon Line, with Cecil, Harford and Carroll counties passing resolutions in the last month declaring their view that Maryland's new gun control law is unconstitutional. Cecil's council kicked off the trend with a resolution stating its intent that no county resources be used to enforce the law. Harford took a more moderate tack, with its councilmen merely urging more study of the constitutionality of the law.

Progress on immigration

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:35:00 EDT

Our view: Providing a path to citizenship and reforms to a broken system would strengthen the country, and Congress needs to recognize that's more important than politics

Just when Washington looked like it was completely preoccupied with the scandals, real and imaginary, swirling around the White House, a group of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate managed the unexpected (and, these days, extraordinary): They agreed on something. The vote Tuesday night in the Senate Judiciary Committee to forward to the floor a massive overhaul of the nation's immigration system was, to be sure, a small step and doesn't guarantee success in the full Senate, much less the House of Representatives. But it is, at least, a hopeful sign that gridlock in this divided government is not inevitable.

Scouts and equality

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:35:00 EDT

Our view: To fulfill its ideals, the Boy Scouts of America must finally allow openly gay youngsters to join

One of the first things that an incoming Boy Scout must learn is the Scout Law. It's become so famous that many people outside the organization likely recognize it. "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent."

City envy in the county schools

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:52:45 EDT

Our view: It will take more than a consultant's report to address Balto. Co.'s school needs

Baltimore City's schools are Maryland's oldest, and Baltimore County's are the second-oldest. The problems posed by the aging facilities in the two jurisdictions are different — the city has an overabundance of underused buildings, while the county has for years been dealing with overcrowding in one region or another — but the first step toward a solution, county schools officials hope, may be the same: developing a comprehensive modernization plan. The city school system hired a consultant to help it evaluate its buildings and decide which should be closed, which renovated and which rebuilt, and that helped pave the way for state approval of a novel, $1 billion funding stream. The county has now hired a consultant of its own, but parents who are hoping for a similarly sweeping effort in the county shouldn't get too excited just yet.

Water bill whirlpool

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:32:00 EDT

Our view: Baltimore DPW's plan to raise water bills by 15 percent (and 11 percent annually for two years after that) is about as welcome as a sea monster

There is an old adage, often heard in the local marinas, that a boat is nothing more than a hole in the water into which you pour money. Turns out the same could be said about Baltimore's water and sewer system — it is a money-soaking hole that puts the Queen Mary to shame.

The cost of BGE reliability

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:03:00 EDT

Our view: The public is, rightly, demanding more investment in the electrical grid, but now we need to develop a consensus about how to pay for it

Baltimore Gas & Electric certainly isn't likely to win any popularity contests. It secured a rate increase from the Public Service Commission in February — its second in the last three years — and turned around and filed a request for another one on Friday. And at the same time, the utility is asking the PSC for what may be unprecedented in Maryland: a surcharge on customers' monthly bills to pay for improvements to the electrical grid in advance.

GOP can't help overreaching on Obama scandals

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:54:00 EDT

Our view: With authentic scandals dropped in their laps, Congressional Republicans reveal an over-the-top eagerness to pin the rap on Obama

Well, that didn't take long.

Tom Perez and the 'nuclear option'

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:00:00 EDT

Our view: If a qualified cabinet nominee can't get a vote, more filibuster reform will be necessary

Republicans accuse Thomas E. Perez, President Barack Obama's nominee for labor secretary, of twisting the legal process in three cases in St. Paul, Minn., to suit his political purposes. But it is they who are twisting the Senate's role to "advise and consent" on presidential nominees for their own political ends, and in so doing they have smeared the reputation of a talented public servant and damaged the institution in which they serve. Mr. Perez made it out of committee on a party-line vote Thursday, but Republicans are still suggesting they may try to block his nomination on the Senate floor. If they are unwilling to allow an up-or-down vote on Mr. Perez's confirmation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid should do what he should have done four months ago and enact real and substantial filibuster reform, whether Republicans like it or not.