Mike Griffith (politician)

Mike Griffith
Griffith in 2020
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 35B district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2020 Serving with Teresa E. Reilly
Appointed by	Larry Hogan
Preceded by	Andrew Cassilly
Personal details
Born	Michael J. Griffith Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1995–2002

Mike Griffith is an American politician who has served as a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 35B, since January 7, 2020.^[1][2] Griffith was appointed by Maryland governor Larry Hogan after Andrew Cassilly resigned the seat to become a senior advisor to Hogan.^[3]

Early life and career

Griffith was born in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from Joppatowne High School in Joppa, Maryland. In 1995, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a military police officer, supervisor, and liaison until 2002. Upon his return to the United States, Griffith served on various community boards, including the Maryland Building Industry Association, the Harford County Economic Development Advisory Board, and the Arc Northern Chesapeake Region.^[4] Griffith entered into politics in 2018 by becoming a member of the Harford County Republican Central Committee. Griffith was elected the chair of the committee in 2019.^[1]

In the legislature

Griffith in the Ways and Means Committee, 2024

Griffith was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 7, 2020.^[1]

Committee assignments

• Ways and Means Committee, 2021–present
• Judiciary Committee, 2020–2021 (civil law & procedure subcommittee, 2020; juvenile law subcommittee, 2020; family & juvenile law subcommittee, 2021; public safety subcommittee, 2021; early childhood subcommittee, 2022–present; election law subcommittee, 2022–present)

Other memberships

• Member, Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2020–present (house executive board, 2022–present)

Political positions

Education

Griffith is an advocate for in-person learning, having supported students and parents in Harford County that pushed for schools to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.^[5][6] In August 2020, Griffith signed a letter calling on the Harford County Board of Education to give parents the choice as to whether they want their child to return to school or to learn remotely, and giving teachers the same option.^[7]

During the 2021 legislative session, Griffith introduced two bills aimed at increasing aid to students with special needs. The first bill, the Education Equality for All Act, would require school systems to give parents the information and funding necessary to update their child’s individual education program;^[8] the bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on May 18, 2021.^[9] The second bill, the Vulnerable Student Protection Act, would require schools to provide special education, behavioral health, counseling, and nutritional services on an in-person basis to at-risk students;^[8] the bill received a hearing in committee, but did not receive a vote.^[10] In February 2021, Griffith voted against an amendment that would create a fully elected seven member school board in Harford County, Maryland.^[11]

Policing

During a vote on a bill that would order police departments to provide body-worn cameras for on-duty officers, Griffith introduced an amendment that would require the state of Maryland to pay for the mandated body cameras.^[12] He later expressed concern that the bill would slow down officers' decision-making during dangerous situations and cost their lives.^[13]

Taxes

In 2020, Griffith attended a rally against a proposed measure that would extend Maryland's sales tax to several professional services, including lawyers, hairdressers, home and auto repair companies, and real estate agents.^[14]

During a vote on an education reform bill in the 2021 legislative session, Griffith introduced an amendment that would limit tax increases for education funding.^[15]

Voting rights

Griffith introduced legislation in the 2021 legislative session that would allow active-duty military members to electronically register to vote and request an absentee ballot and make public colleges and universities produce plans to encourage students to vote.^[16] The bill passed and became law on May 30, 2021.^[17]

References

1. "Michael Griffith, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
2. "Members - Delegate Mike Griffith". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
3. "Maryland governor appoints 2 to Maryland General Assembly". AP NEWS. Associated Press. December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
4. Broadwater, Luke (December 30, 2019). "Gov. Hogan appoints Del. Sydnor to become state senator representing parts of Baltimore city, county". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
5. Whitlow, James (September 3, 2020). "Harford's parents, legislators voice concerns and opposition to virtual learning plan". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
6. Anderson, David (March 9, 2021). "'Let us play': Harford students, parents, protest for fall sports season". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
7. Carter Jr., S. Wayne (August 27, 2020). "Harford's Republican state lawmakers call on schools to reopen with hybrid model instead of all virtual learning". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
8. Whitlow, James (January 28, 2021). "Maryland House GOP bill seeks to use state funds to send students to private school if public schools don't reopen by fall". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
9. "Legislation - HB0716". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
10. "Legislation - HB0998". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
11. Carter Jr., S. Wayne (February 9, 2021). "Harford lawmakers may amend House bill to create fully elected school board". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
12. Gaskill, Hannah; Leckrone, Bennett (April 2, 2021). "House and Senate Move Closer to Sending Cohesive Police Reform Package to Governor". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
13. Gaines, Danielle E.; Gaskill, Hannah (April 10, 2021). "The General Assembly Overrode Hogan's Vetoes of Police Reform Bills. We Break Down the Votes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
14. Gaskill, Hannah (March 2, 2020). "Business Groups Deliver Primal Scream Against Dems' Sales Tax Proposal". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
15. Gaines, Danielle E. (March 7, 2020). "House Passes Education Reform Bill Three Years in the Making". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
16. Whitlow, James (January 8, 2021). "Maryland legislators, including one from Harford, file rights bills aimed at increasing student, military votes". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
17. "Legislation - HB0156". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 22, 2022.