2018 Legislative Report Card

DISTRICT 11
BARRIER TO RACIAL JUSTICE IN MARYLAND
SENATOR
BOBBY ZIRKIN
District 11
Baltimore County
GRADE
F
In 2018, Senator Bobby Zirkin confirmed himself as one of the greatest obstacles
to racial justice in Maryland. Criticized by legislators of color from his own party
as a “Democrat in Name Only”, Zirkin is a forceful advocate able to set policy
agenda and rally political support for his legislative efforts, which often work
in direct opposition to positive outcomes for the Black community.
A member of the Senate since 2007, Zirkin not only represents Baltimore
County in District 11 but is a de facto representative of Maryland’s bail bonds
industry. The second highest recipient of contributions from the bail industry in
the United States, Senator Zirkin has used his platform as Chair of the Judicial
Proceedings Committee to limit the criminal justice reform that would benefit
communities of color. From killing legislation that would protect Maryland’s
immigrants from unlawful detention, tough on crime legislation (SB 122), to
opposing police reform and bail reform, Senator Zirkin has made clear his
allegiance to those who benefit from the business of mass incarceration to the
detriment of the Black community.
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2018 LEGISLATIVE REPORT CARD