Jimmy Tarlau

James J. Tarlau (born May 23, 1948) is an American politician from Maryland, a retired union organizer, and a member of the Democratic Party. He was elected to represent District 47A in the Maryland House of Delegates in 2014 and served one term.

Jimmy Tarlau
At the Maryland Municipal League legislative reception at the Maryland Inn, Annapolis, MD, on January 14, 2015
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 47A
In office
January 14, 2015 – January 2019
Preceded byJolene Ivey
Succeeded byJulian Ivey
ConstituencyPrince George's County
Personal details
Born (1948-05-23) May 23, 1948
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Jodi Beder
ChildrenAnanta and Becky
ResidenceMount Rainier, Maryland
EducationPrinceton University (A.B.)

Background

Tarlau was born and raised in New York City. He attended Princeton University, where he worked to "radicalize" the institution.[1] He was suspended for protesting a visit from Nixon's Interior Secretary Walter J. Hickel in March 1970.[2] He graduated with an A.B. in history the same year after completing a 158-page long senior thesis titled "Postwar Reaction and the Foreign Policy of the American Labor Movement" but the suspension prevented him from participating in graduation ceremonies with his class.[1][3] After stints driving trucks and a cab,[1] Tarlau earned a master's degree in computer science from Villanova University and another master's degree in Labor Relations from Rutgers University.[4] He raised his family in New Jersey and worked to effect political change through union organizing. In 2000 he moved to Maryland, where he served eight years on the Mount Rainier, Maryland City Council and worked as assistant to the vice president of the Communication Workers of America.[4] After winning the Democratic primary for a seat in District 47A of the Maryland House of Delegates, Tarlau retired from his union job.

Politics

The Washington Post,[5] Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, Maryland State Sen. Joanne Benson and Maryland Del. Doyle Niemann endorsed Tarlau's campaign for the House.[6] He ran on a progressive platform, including:[7]

  • Mandating the Geographic Cost of Education Index as a part of the state aid for education formula
  • Promotion of clean energy job projects
  • Passing a $15 minimum wage
  • Changing the tax code so companies headquartered in other states have to pay taxes on their Maryland revenue (combined tax reporting)

When a Comcast lobbyist made news by saying publicly that the incoming class of legislators was "more anti-business" than their outgoing colleagues,[8] Tarlau was one of 17 newly elected members of the House who signed a letter disputing the characterization.[9]

Legislative career

Tarlau was appointed to the Ways and Means Committee at the beginning of his first term in the House. His first legislative action was to introduce bill PG 417-15, which would require counties to reveal the criteria they use to calculate each municipality's tax differential.[10]

Election results
  • 2014 Democratic primary election for the House of Delegates, District 47A.[11]
Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Jimmy Tarlau 2,728   26.7%    Won
Diana Fennell 2,416   23.7%    Won
Michael G. Summers, incumbent 1,740   17.0%    Lost
Malcolm Augustine 1,688   16.6%    Lost
Joseph Solomon 1,627   16%    Lost
  • 2014 general election for the House of Delegates, District 47A.[12]
Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Diana Fennell, Dem. 11,198   52.2%    Won
Jimmy Tarlau, Dem. 8,836   41.2%    Won
Fred Price, Jr., Rep. 1,424   6.6%     Lost

References
  1. "A war still with them". 2005-03-23. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  2. "Hickel heckled". Ellensburg Daily Record. Ellensburg, Washington. 1970-03-06. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  3. Tarlau, James J. (1970). "Postwar Reaction and the Foreign Policy of the American Labor Movement". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. "(About)". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  5. "Endorsements for Maryland House and Senate primary elections in Prince George's County". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. 2014-06-01. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  6. "Supporters". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  7. "Issues". Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  8. Lazarick, Len (2014-11-06). "New governor is pro-business, new Democratic legislators 'more anti-business,' lobbyist says". MarylandReporter.com. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  9. "UPDATE: New delegates respond to charge they are 'anti-business'; Comcast lobbyist apologizes". MarylandReporter.com. 2014-11-09. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  10. "Legislation - Bill History". PrinceGeorgesHouseDelegation.com. Archived from the original on 2015-01-14. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  11. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved on 2015-01-14
  12. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved on 2015-01-14
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