Introductions are hard. I never know exactly what to share about myself upfront, so I’ll do my best to stick with the essentials. My name is Simon Brown, and I am the new communications associate at Americans United. I may be new to AU, but I’ve reported extensively on church electioneering for Tax Notes (it was my first story for that publication), so it’s fitting that my first blog post here is on this issue.

A few miles from where I live is a highway called New Hampshire Avenue. As you drive north on this road, you pass Christian churches of just about every denomination, Jewish synagogues, a Muslim mosque, a Hindu temple and a Buddhist center. This stretch of road has been dubbed “the highway to Heaven.”

Last night, when the Maryland Senate passed a marriage equality bill by 25-21, a win was scored for equal protection -- and for church-state separation.

The measure, if approved by the House and signed by Gov. Martin O’Malley, will allow same-sex couples to marry in the state.  It’s legislation that isn’t sitting well with the Catholic hierarchy, especially considering the large number of Catholics who hold public office in the state.

I’ve written before about a situation in Montgomery County, Md., where state officials seem determined to turn construction of a new medical facility over to group affiliated with the Catholic Church.

Yesterday, we reported here at “The Wall of Separation” about a dangerous legislative effort afoot in Maryland to directly subsidize religious schools. Monday was the last day the General Assembly would be in session, and one of the bills remaining would have allocated $10 million in direct tax support to religious schools in danger of shutting down.