Obie Patterson

Patterson opposed Governor Larry Hogan's proposal to construct a pro football stadium on a large parcel of federal land in Oxon Hill,[11] saying "I don't know how anyone can think about bringing the Redskins there without some drastic increase in better transportation".[12]

During the 2021 legislative session, Patterson voted for the Climate Solutions Now Act, saying that he "reluctantly" supported the legislation.[13] In the same year, he introduced various environmental bills, including:

• Senate Bill 70, which would require the state to establish uniform standards for mold assessment and remediation[14]
• Senate Bill 121, which would require the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities to develop policy recommendations on clan energy projects and investments to benefit low-income communities[15]
• Senate Bill 151, which would amend the Maryland State Constitution to establish a right to a healthy environment[16]

During the 2006 legislative session, Patterson voted to override Governor Bob Ehrlich's veto of the Fair Share Health Care Fund Act, which would require Walmart to pay more for employee health care.[17]

During the 2019 legislative session, Patterson refused to cast a vote on the End-of-Line Option Act, which would have provided palliative care to terminally ill adults, causing the bill to die in a tied 23–23 vote.[18][19] On his decision not to vote, Patterson said he had no regrets about decision, adding, "I did not cast a vote simply because I could not bring myself to move right or left on the bill and therefore I didn't vote on all. I don't know if it is [a violation of Senate rules] but I had to vote my conscience and that's what I did".[20] In 2020, when the bill was reintroduced, Patterson said that he would cast a vote if the bill came up for a vote again, but did not say how he planned to vote.[21][22]

During the 2021 legislative session, Patterson introduced legislation that would allow police officers to arrest a person based on witness testimony and video evidence.[23] Patterson voted in favor of the General Assembly's police reform package.[24]

During the 2001 legislative session, Patterson voted in favor of legislation to implement a two-year moratorium on Maryland's use of capital punishment. The bill passed the Maryland House of Delegates by a vote of 82–54.[25] He also voted in favor of legislation to add gays and lesbians to the state's anti-discrimination law, which passed in a 88–50 vote.[26]

During the 2021 legislative session, Patterson introduced legislation that would rename Indian Head Highway after former President Barack Obama.[27][28] The bill died in the Maryland Senate after its first reading a month later.[29] He also introduced a bill that would replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day.[30]