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Robin Grammer Jr.

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Robin L. Grammer Jr. (born June 19, 1980) is an American politician who is currently a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 6 in southeast Baltimore County. He is a lifelong resident of Maryland and a member of the Republican Party.[1]

Robin Grammer
Grammer at the 2022 Hazlitt Summit hosted by Young Americans for Liberty Foundation
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 14, 2015
Preceded byJohnny Olszewski
Personal details
Born (1980-06-19) June 19, 1980 (age 44)
Essex, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Kathy Pietruszka
​
(m. 2015)​
Children2

Early and personal life

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Grammer was born in Essex, Maryland on June 19, 1980, to father Robin Grammer Sr. and mother Pamela.[2] He graduated from the Eastern Technical High School, and later attended the Community College of Baltimore County, earning an A.A. degree in computer science.[1]

Grammer married his wife, Kathy (née Pietruszka), on May 23, 2015.[2] Together, they have two children[1] and live in Essex.[2]

In the legislature

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Grammer was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 14, 2015. He served as a member of the Appropriations Committee from 2015 to 2018, afterwards serving as a member of the Judiciary Committee since 2019.[1] Grammer is also a member of the Maryland Freedom Caucus.[3]

In June 2019, Grammer came under fire from other Baltimore County elected officials over social media comments towards members of the Baltimore County Public Schools Board of Education that contained racially-charged language.[4] He later reiterated his comments, saying that he meant to say that he does not "believe in cutting deals with criminals so that they can walk away without consequence to terrorize another school system" and that his comment had no reference to lynching.[5] The Baltimore County NAACP condemned Grammer's comments as "racist and inflammatory", and asked state legislative officials to investigate his posts.[6]

Political positions

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Grammer (center left) and other District 6 legislators with Governor Larry Hogan, 2017

Crime and policing

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In May 2015, following the beating of a Richard Fletcher, a 61-year-old Dundalk resident who intervened in a fight outside his home, Grammer called for the closure of the Baltimore Community High School, where the perpetrators of the attack attended.[7] The Baltimore City Board of Education voted to close the school in January 2016.[8]

During the 2016 legislative session, Grammer supported legislation that would require police to obtain a warrant to use a stingray phone tracker, which can locate a cellphone's user within six feet.[9]

In 2019, Grammer said he opposed Anton's Law, a bill that would have reformed the Maryland Public Information Act to require transparency in investigations of complaints against law enforcement officers, expressing concerns that it would discourage whistleblowers from coming forward.[10] During the 2021 legislative session, he introduced legislation that would have banned no-knock warrants.[11] Grammer also opposed the Police Reform and Accountability Act of 2021, saying that it would put police across the state in an "impossible position."[12]

During the 2023 legislative session, Grammer introduced legislation that would require a warrant in the use of "persistent aerial surveillance" to record video or take pictures,[13] and another bill to strengthen the state's ban on ticket quotas. In February 2023, during a committee hearing on the quota ban bill, Grammer released leaked documents showing Maryland State Police supervisors discussing a points-based quota system, despite the state's longtime ban on ticket and arrest quotas.[14] Acting Maryland State Police Superintendent Roland Butler acknowledged the documents in March 2023, and said that agency leadership was unaware of the use of the quota system, which he said was "inappropriate and blatantly wrong".[15]

Development initiatives

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In February 2019, after the Maryland Transportation Authority and the Federal Highway Administration released a set of potential routes a second Bay Bridge could take, Grammer expressed concern with two routes that would connect the Delmarva Peninsula to rural areas near Dundalk, which he said would "more than likely destroy the nature of the communities".[16]

Education

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During the 2015 legislative session, Grammer introduced legislation to prohibit the Maryland State Department of Education from regulating the sale of coffee in relation to career exploration and development activities.[17] The bill was reintroduced in 2016, during which it passed unanimously and became law.[18][19]

Also in 2016, Grammer introduced legislation that would require a state audit of contracts awarded during the tenure of Baltimore County Public Schools officer Dallas Dance, who entered into a guilty plea after using his position to steer contracts toward a company that he worked for on the side,[20] which failed to pass. He also introduced a bill requiring the Baltimore County Board of Education to post results of its roll call votes online, which passed and became law.[21]

During the 2023 legislative session, Grammer introduced a bill that would shield school employees from civil liability in a personal injury or property damage dispute involving a student. The bill failed to pass out of the Maryland Senate.[22]

In April 2023, Grammer sent a letter to State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury accusing the Maryland State Department of Education of hiding scores from failing scores by altering data files available on the department's website. An investigation conducted by the state inspector general found no evidence of these claims.[23]

Environment

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During the 2020 legislative session, Grammer proposed amendments to legislation that would remove black liquor from the state's top renewable energy tier under the renewable energy portfolio standard that would delay the bill's effective date to 2023 and made black liquor a Tier 1 renewable energy source; both amendments were rejected by votes of 40-91 and 41-90.[24]

Grammer introduced legislation during the 2022 legislative session that would prevent the Maryland Department of Natural Resources from dredging in the Man O'War Shoals, a prehistoric oyster reef containing as much as 100 million bushels of buried bivalve shell.[25]

In March 2022, Grammer sent a letter to Governor Larry Hogan calling for the resignation of Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles, citing issues with the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant.[26]

Gun policy

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In November 2019, Grammer said he opposed preventing medical marijuana patients from owning guns, which he said would limit their job opportunities and sporting activities.[27]

In 2022, Grammer said he opposed a bill that would require gun shops to have increased safety measures, including 24-hour burglary alarm systems and anti-vehicle barriers, which he said would penalize small business owners.[28]

During the 2023 legislative session, Grammer said he opposed legislation that would strengthen state regulations on concealed carry permits following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which made public possession of guns a protected right under the Second Amendment.[29] He also introduced amendments to the Gun Safety Act of 2023 that would create concealed carry exemptions for railroad police and armored car company employees, which were adopted unanimously.[30]

Healthcare

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During the 2023 legislative session, Grammer introduced legislation that would required Maryland's pension system adopt a low-cost strategy. The bill died in committee.[31] In 2024, he introduced a bill that would allow state employees that retired before 2011 to continue receiving pension benefits provided by the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program instead of shifting to Medicare Part D.[32]

Housing

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During the 2016 legislative session, Grammer supported legislation that would require Baltimore County to give residents advance notice when moving public housing residents from Baltimore into suburban houses in the county.[33]

Immigration

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Grammer opposed a bill introduced in the 2017 legislative session that would have made Maryland a sanctuary state.[34] The legislature initially passed the bill in both chambers, but failed to override the governor's veto.[35] Grammer also opposed an executive order signed by Baltimore County executive Kevin Kamenetz that formalized police policy on undocumented immigrants in Baltimore County.[36]

Marijuana

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Grammer is a member of the House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Work Group and the Marijuana Legalization Work Group.[1] In 2015, he voted alongside six other Republicans for a bill that would decriminalize the possession of marijuana paraphernalia.[37] During the 2020 legislative session, Grammer supported the "Connor's Courage Act", which would allow medical marijuana to be administered at schools.[38]

National politics

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In April 2023, following the indictment of former President Donald Trump for his alleged role in the Stormy Daniels–Donald Trump scandal, Grammer questioned whether hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels merited a criminal prosecution.[39] He signed onto a letter condemning the jury's guilty verdict in the trial in May 2024, calling the ruling a "political prosecution from a kangaroo court and left-leaning prosecutor" that is turning the U.S. justice system into a "third world parody of law and order".[40]

Social issues

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During the 2019 legislative session, Grammer introduced legislation that would require judges and magistrates to be named in Maryland Judiciary Case Search results. The bill died in committee.[41]

In 2021, Grammer was one of nine state delegates to vote against a bill establishing the framework for the state's sports betting industry following the passage of 2020 Maryland Question 2, calling the bill's licensing provisions "too limited".[42]

In 2022, Grammer said he opposed a bill that would ban threats against public health officials and hospital workers, saying that he felt that there was a "low bar" for what constituted a "threat" under the bill.[43]

During the 2024 legislative session, Grammer introduced a bill that would require Maryland to submit abortion-related data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of 2024, Maryland is one of four states that do not submit such data to the CDC.[44]

Electoral history

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Maryland House of Delegates District 6 Republican primary election, 2014[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert B. Long 2,139 24.4
Republican Ric Metzgar 1,707 19.5
Republican Robin L. Grammer Jr. 1,224 14.0
Republican Roger Zajdel 994 11.3
Republican Domenico "Dan" Liberatore 860 9.8
Republican Mitchell J. Toland, Jr. 701 8.0
Republican Carl H. Magee, Jr. 577 6.6
Republican Gary Sparks 450 5.1
Republican Jerzy Samotyj 122 1.4
Maryland House of Delegates District 6 election, 2014[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert B. Long 16,796 21.2
Republican Ric Metzgar 15,176 19.1
Republican Robin L. Grammer Jr. 14,582 18.4
Democratic Nicholas C. D'Adamo, Jr. 11,599 14.6
Democratic Michael H. Weir Jr. (incumbent) 11,503 14.5
Democratic Jake Mohorovic 9,526 12.0
Write-in 97 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 6 election, 2018[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert B. Long (incumbent) 18,291 19.7
Republican Robin L. Grammer Jr. (incumbent) 18,084 19.5
Republican Ric Metzgar (incumbent) 17,803 19.2
Democratic Nicholas C. D'Adamo, Jr. 12,847 13.9
Democratic Megan Ann Mioduszewski 12,213 13.2
Democratic Diane DeCarlo 12,000 12.9
Libertarian Michael J. Lyden 1,459 1.6
Write-in 59 0.1
Maryland House of Delegates District 6 election, 2022[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ric Metzgar (incumbent) 16,696 23.6
Republican Robin L. Grammer Jr. (incumbent) 16,344 23.1
Republican Robert B. Long (incumbent) 15,987 22.6
Democratic Megan Ann Mioduszewski 11,300 16.0
Democratic Jake Mohorovic III 10,109 14.3
Write-in 304 0.4

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Robin L. Grammer, Jr., Maryland State Delegate". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Katherine M. Pietruszka weds Del. Robin Grammer Jr". The Dundalk Eagle. July 1, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  3. ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 2, 2024). "House Freedom Caucus could be gaining more firepower in Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  4. ^ Perryman, B. Rae (June 3, 2019). "'Hang them high': Grammer under fire for Facebook comment". Dundalk Eagle. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Campbell, Colin; Rector, Kevin (May 27, 2019). "'Hang them high': Baltimore County delegate draws fire for Facebook comment aimed at school officials". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  6. ^ Donovan, Doug (June 14, 2019). "Baltimore County NAACP calls for ethics probe of state delegate for 'hang them high' Facebook comment". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  7. ^ Wood, Pamela (May 19, 2015). "Dundalk lawmakers: Close Baltimore Community High School". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  8. ^ Lettis, George (January 6, 2016). "Baltimore school board votes to close four schools". WBAL-TV. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  9. ^ Dresser, Michael (March 10, 2016). "Police, civil libertarians clash over curbs on 'stingray' cellphone tracking". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Broadwater, Luke (February 26, 2019). "Anton Black's family presses for passage of 'Anton's Law' in Annapolis, requiring greater transparency". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  11. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 15, 2021). "Advocates Favor Single-Issue Policing Bills. How Do They Differ From the Speaker's Omnibus Legislation?". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  12. ^ Took, Jacob (March 17, 2021). "Police reform package passes Maryland House in party-line vote". The Dundalk Eagle. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  13. ^ Janesch, Sam (February 7, 2023). "Maryland lawmakers consider police use of facial recognition technology, decriminalization of drug paraphernalia". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  14. ^ Conarck, Ben (February 8, 2023). "Leaked docs: State police use quota-like system to reward arrests, issue new vehicles". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  15. ^ Wood, Pamela (March 1, 2023). "Acting State Police head: Ticket and arrest quotas were 'inappropriate and blatantly wrong'". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  16. ^ Meehan, Sarah (February 12, 2019). "Here's where Maryland's next bridge across the Chesapeake Bay could start and end". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  17. ^ Rodman, Nicole (February 17, 2016). "Grammer reintroduces Java Act". The Avenue News. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Belson, Dan (January 26, 2022). "Local legislators get to work as session starts". The Dundalk Eagle. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  19. ^ "Legislation - HB0349". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  20. ^ Knezevich, Alison; Wood, Pamela (March 8, 2018). "Dallas Dance's guilty plea spurs renewed calls for Baltimore County school system audit". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  21. ^ "What they're saying about jail sentence of Dallas Dance, former Baltimore County schools superintendent". The Baltimore Sun. April 20, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  22. ^ Reed, Lillian (March 21, 2023). "Here's where notable education bills stand in the Maryland General Assembly after 'crossover day'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  23. ^ Reed, Lillian (May 9, 2023). "Maryland State Department of Education did not cover up test scores from failing schools, inspector finds". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  24. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Leckrone, Bennett (March 17, 2021). "Environmental Bills — on 'Black Liquor,' Pollution Tracking and Composting — Move Forward in House". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  25. ^ DeVille, Taylor (February 14, 2022). "As plans to dredge ancient Chesapeake Bay reef languish, oystermen look elsewhere to seed their catch". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  26. ^ Opilo, Emily (April 1, 2022). "Baltimore files court challenge to state takeover of Back River wastewater plant, calling it 'unfair and politically motivated'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  27. ^ Wood, Pamela (November 26, 2019). "Legalizing recreational marijuana in Maryland not likely in 2020: 'We are still in the investigative mode'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  28. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 2, 2022). "Gun Dealers Oppose Speaker's Bill to Require Theft Deterrents". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  29. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (February 22, 2023). "Maryland delegate's legislation seeks to limit eligibility for concealed carry gun permits". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  30. ^ Ford, William J. (April 7, 2023). "Roundup: Expanded prosecutorial power approved, gun bills on the move, Blueprint board has two candidates". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  31. ^ Bologna, Giacomo (April 20, 2023). "How Maryland's pension became a billion-dollar business for Wall Street". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  32. ^ Roberts, Angela (May 1, 2024). "A 'slap in the face': Retired state workers in Maryland outraged by drug plan switch". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  33. ^ Donovan, Doug (December 15, 2015). "Baltimore County officials want notice when city public housing residents move to suburbs". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  34. ^ Rodman, Nicole. "Legislators address constituents at local town halls". The Avenue News. Retrieved 2018-07-21.
  35. ^ Hicks, Josh (March 29, 2017). "Senate president: 'Maryland is not going to become a sanctuary state'". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  36. ^ DeCarlo, Gianna (April 7, 2017). "Local legislators react to Kamenetz's executive order on immigration". The Avenue News. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  37. ^ Smith, Van (April 20, 2015). "The Maryland GOP on Pot: Free State Republicans have been warming to marijuana reform, but support for legalization so far remains a pipe dream". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  38. ^ Anderson, David (February 18, 2020). "Havre de Grace teen to testify on legislation to allow medical cannabis to be administered in schools". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  39. ^ Kurtz, Josh (April 4, 2023). "As Trump arrest dominates global headlines, some Md. Republicans try to look away". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  40. ^ Pittman, Elijah (May 31, 2024). "Maryland Democrats guarded, Republicans angry in wake of Trump conviction". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  41. ^ Brennan, Leah (August 18, 2019). "Maryland judges aren't always named in court records — some want to change that". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  42. ^ Wood, Pamela (March 11, 2021). "Maryland House OKs plan for legal sports betting; measure moves to Senate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  43. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (January 26, 2022). "Lawmakers Consider Bill to Ban Threats Against Health Officials, Hospital Workers". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  44. ^ Ford, William J.; Kurtz, Josh; Brown, Danielle J. (March 16, 2024). "Legislative notes: Some highlights from a busy day in Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  45. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  46. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  47. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  48. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
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