It's a simple write up, but it gets the point across. It is well-written.

I understand her stance, but I think she would need to go into more detail about what the "larger" litter problem may be. There aren't any statistics about the saftey issues that coincide with the reusable bags. I have looked into the cross-contamination for a previous internship, so Sen. Pugh is not the first to voice this concern. Are there efforts being made to get this (contamination) idea out to the public? The plastic bag tax maybe not be the solution...but what is? What is the legislature doing to help the environment that won't be a financial burden to the families in the region?

This article gave a new, updated perspective on the topic of the proposed septic tank ban. The author did a good job of acknowledging that there will be plenty of opposition, but makes O'Malley seem that much more determined to make his environmental reforms come to light. Also, he points out that the success of this potential ban may only put a dent into the grand scheme of things. It makes the reader wonder if this proposal is worth it, or is it just still in the baby-stages and will grow into a tangible plan that will benefit the Bay and environment in the long run.

There were a lot of the same quotes used from the State of the State Address as in other articles in the same time frame. However, backing into the story from an economic viewpoint was a nice change. It makes the reader think, ask questions. At first I was unsure about mentioning the funds for public education, but as I read on I saw that the author used that as something of a transition into how Maryland lawmakers are "raiding the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund."

There was a lot of repeat information, but it has only been ten days since the State of the State address. The author did a good job of getting more background information about previous steps that have been taken in regards to septic systems in the bay area. Interesting choice of a closing quote, but it gives the reader an idea of how nonchalant the governor was when he mentioned banning septic systems in Maryland. This article shows a more skeptical side while not necessarily completely opposing the idea. The author was able to get fresh sources (in comparison to the previous weeks' reporting of this issue) which is important in keeping the story up-to-date.

This is more of a blurb on an activist's website summarizing what has already been reported. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation just cut and pasted what The Baltimore Sun wrote without adding any extra insight or even advocacy for O'Malley's proposal. Clearly this is a one-sided account.

The author did a good job getting different sides of the stories. I think he brought it closer to home by bringing in the septic worker and showing the negative effects of a positive ban. The article shows the reader both pros and cons of a bill being proposed and potentially passed to ban septic systems in order to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.

It was an interesting account of tensions among natives and immigrants. It painted a picture of the immediacy in which locals jump to bash the illegal immigrants. Even with the smoothed-over tensions among the immigrants, the local newspaper still had a negative connotation when describing the state of "multicultural harmony."

There are a lot of holes in the information given in this article. While we see some numbers, they are not accompanied with statistics that bolster credibility and importance. The author touches on some resistance, but overall only focuses on Dr. Alonso being the savior for Baltimore city schools. The story describes a school system that is being administered a new way, however there is not any tangible proof of progress.