State Sen. Lisa Gladden has represented Baltimore City’s 41st district in the Senate since 2003 and before that in the House of Delegates since 1999. The Senate’s majority whip, Gladden is a public defender and vice chairwoman of the Senate’s judicial proceedings committee. The Democrat frequently weighs in on issues related to crime, drug abuse and legal matters.

You expressed some reservations about a proposal to require hands-free cell phone devices for drivers. Are you going to support the bill?

The bill not only does not fix the problem of driving while distracted, it also opens a whole new set of problems including racial profiling. The bill gets rid of the finger problem, but [people] are engaged in conversation and not paying attention to the road. I want to flesh the bill out a little more. I wouldn’t rule it out.

The Assembly’s financial analyst said budget gaps will likely persist despite tax hikes and spending cuts approved during the special session. What will it take to solve Maryland’s financial woes?

This story continues below
Advertisement

Gov. Martin O’Malley does a very good job reeling in spending with his StateStat and his accountability initiatives. He’s very efficient, so I won’t worry where the money goes. The fact that we don’t get support from the federal government because of [its] budget issues and focused spending on the war, that means money could have been used for local government. The whole country is dealing with that.

Why are you sponsoring a bill that requires divestiture from Iran?

I don’t think the state’s money ought to be involved in investments in countries that jeopardize our safety.