Shane Robinson (politician)

Robinson was born on December 26, 1976 to American parents living in Ahwaz, Iran. As a child Robinson lived in Bolivia, the nation of his mother's birth, as well as Brazil, Maryland, Nevada, and Poland. He later graduated from Reno High School.[1][3]

He attended the University of Nevada, Reno, earning dual degrees in Spanish and biology in 2000. While in college, Robinson worked as a wildland firefighter for the United States Forest Service and later joined the Peace Corps, serving in rural Zambia from 2002 to 2005.[1][3]

From 2005 to 2006 he worked as an English Instructor in South Korea. Following his return to the United States, he worked for a number of organizations, including the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, the Iracambi Atlantic Rainforest Research and Conservation Center which is located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and where Robinson resided for six months, and afterwards for the Coulter Companies (now known as MCI USA) for whom he helped manage non-profit clients and was the director of sustainability. During this period, Robinson also began work on a graduate degree in sustainable development, which he earned in 2011. Currently, Robinson is co-owner of Anthropocene Solutions, a sustainability, nonprofit management, and government affairs firm, and is co-executive director of The Ehlers-Danlos Society. He also works on the side as a National Ski Patrol alpine patroller. He is married with two children.[1][3]

Robinson co-sponsored a bill to prohibit wage discrimination based on gender identity.[11][12] He also co-sponsored a bill to authorize same-sex marriage.[13]

Robinson is an advocate for alternative energy[14][15] he is a strong supporter of the Off Fossil Fuels Act[16] which would require Maryland to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2035.[17] He sponsored a law to ban fracking, which passed in Maryland.[18] He was awarded Green Champion by the Maryland League of Conservation Voters for his work in promoting environmental causes in 2017.[19] He voted yes on a bill to reduce green house gas emissions.[20]

Robinson is a vegan, and has said that animal rights are important to him.[21] He has advocated against the competitive hunting of Cownose Rays.[22] He also has sponsored a bill to end training on live animals at Johns Hopkins.[21] Furthermore, he advocates limiting the use of antibiotics in livestock.[23]

In 2014, Robinson was endorsed by Equality Maryland, Maryland State and Washington, DC AFL-CIO, Maryland State Education Association - NEA, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, National Organization for Women, Progressive Maryland, Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, and United Food & Commercial Workers.[24] Robinson endorsed Ben Shnider in the race for District 3 County Council.[25] He also condemned a petition to limit early endorsements.[2] Tim Willard, of the Montgomery County Green Party, and Meg Robbins, of Food & Water Watch encouraged state legislators to support Shane Robinson for his work on supporting the Off Fossil Fuels Act.[26]

Robinson voted in favor of legislation which would require the fingerprinting of gun buyers, prevent purchasing of guns by the mentally ill, a ban on assault weapons, and banning magazines that hold over 10 bullets.[27]

Robinson co-sponsored legislation to prohibit price hikes in generic drugs in Maryland, the legislation passed.[28][29]

Robinson co-sponsored legislation to raise the minimum wage in Maryland.[30] He also supported a bill which would require public school teachers paying labour union fees.[31] He voted yes on a bill to require certain employers to provide paid sick leave.[32]

Robinson voted yes on a bill to repeal the death penalty.[33]