Del. Jennings: Maryland’s Taxes Are Among The Highest In The Nation

Dear Editor, 

It is truly remarkable what a difference two (2) years can make.  If we could journey back to ‘2006’, Marylanders were in a state of disgust over the imminent increases in energy costs.  Demanding change in Annapolis, the State elected a new Administration that promised to thwart energy hikes and cut taxes on both personal income and property for middle-income Marylanders. Surprisingly enough, Marylanders elected this new Administration despite a 60% approval rating of former Governor Ehrlich’s performance during his term.  

Now, two (2) years later and under the Leadership of Governor O’Malley, Maryland received a “change”.  Unfortunately, Governor O’Malley has delivered a “change” - unexpected and undesirable to Marylander’s expectations.  In only his first term, Governor O’Malley raised all three (3) of its major tax rates.    Continue reading Del. Jennings: Maryland’s Taxes Are Among The Highest In The Nation

What Ever Happened to Local Courtesy? Who is the Roadblock to an Elected School Board in Harford County?

The fate of the elected School Board bill goes down to the wire in Annapolis. For the latest updates, check out the comments to this article…

When a majority of delegates from a local jurisdiction sponsor legislation affecting their jurisdiction alone, the custom of the Maryland General Assembly is to approve it as a “local courtesy.” The bill proposing an elected Board of Education in Harford County should be a good example the Annapolis political tradition.

When the bill establishing a fully elected board was amended to create a partially elected, or blended school board, http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/billfile/SB0306.htm, it got the support of all three Harford County senators, unanimous approval in the full state senate and unanimous approval by a vote of the Harford County delegation - although Delegate Mary-Dulany James, a staunch opponent of elections, was not present for the delegation vote (remember this for later).

With no recorded votes in opposition to the partially elected Board of Education legislation and overwhelming public support for it, the bill should be well on its way to passage, courtesy of local courtesy. Why, then, are two members of the House of Delegates from outside of Harford County trying so hard to kill it? Continue reading What Ever Happened to Local Courtesy? Who is the Roadblock to an Elected School Board in Harford County?

Harford County’s Hotel Tax Tanked by State Senate; Identity of the Bill’s Assassin Remains Unknown

This news was passed along this morning by Delegate Dan Riley:

“Hotel tax, for Harford County, killed in the Senate.

It is with great disappointment I’ve learned the hotel tax for Aberdeen was killed in the Senate.

The bill was doing well until someone offered an amendment. The amendment was accepted and became part of the bill thus killing Aberdeen’s chances of getting the hotel tax this year. I do not know what Senator was behind the amendment, I can only guess…maybe a friend of Hess?

I will bring the bill back next year, and the next year, and the next year…until it passes or the opposition, in the Senate, to the bill is retired by the voters.” Continue reading Harford County’s Hotel Tax Tanked by State Senate; Identity of the Bill’s Assassin Remains Unknown

Del. McDonough: “Putting People First” Takes a Different Type of Elected Official

Although most people believe that politicians are all the same, my experience has been that this assumption is far from the truth.  I believe that many elected officials have different approaches to the way they represent the people.  During my three terms in public office, I have always had one guiding principle that was based on the belief that the people elected me to do a job.  They are the bosses and their interests are the only priority that I have.  My legislative agenda reflects that commitment.

My crime victim legislation agenda included Jessica’s Law Part II - Truth in Sentencing.  This bill was created to eliminate good time credits and early release for certain types of criminals. Two other public safety measures — the Witness Protection Act and a victim protection act — would also eliminate good time early release credits for any offender who intimidates or attempts to harm a witness in any way.  These proposals would mandate capital punishment for a perpetrator who murders a witness.  All three of these bills place public safety and crime victims first. Continue reading Del. McDonough: “Putting People First” Takes a Different Type of Elected Official

State Senate Amends Legislation And Paves The Way For A Partially-Elected Board of Education In Harford County

UPDATE: The Harford County delegation voted UNANIMOUSLY to support the amendments creating a blended school board. Del. Dan Riley, who had abstained from voting on the all-elected board, voted in favor of the amendements. Del. Mary-Dulany James was absent from the vote.

An amended version of Senate Bill 306 passed by the state senate today (Tuesday) would establish a nine-member Board of Education in Harford County with three members appointed by the governor and the remaining six members elected in-district.

The amended elected school board bill, SB 306, received a favorable report from the Senate’s Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on Friday and received local courtesy today in the state senate, passing on second read.

There were no questions in the senate, and no further amendments in Tuesday’s action. A third reading of the bill is scheduled for Thursday.

With the first hurdle of senate approval out of the way, Sen. Barry Glassman cautioned today, “Still have my work cut out on House side.”

Continue reading State Senate Amends Legislation And Paves The Way For A Partially-Elected Board of Education In Harford County

Del. Stifler: Support Repeal of the Computer Services Tax Tomorrow in Annapolis

Greetings from Annapolis,

I would like to extend an invitation to everyone concerned with and affected by the computer services tax to attend the Public Hearing tomorrow, Wednesday 12th, supporting HB 187, 196, 253, and 326. The Public Hearing will take place at 1:00 pm in the Ways and Means Committee room. If you are able to attend please respond to donna.stifler@house.state.md.us by providing your name, affiliation, and phone number so that my aide can sign you up tomorrow morning. Please arrive at the committee room 131 before 1:00 pm. Only people who have signed up to testify may testify so it is important to email your information well in advanced. If you would like to submit written testimony please email it no later than tomorrow morning. Written testimony should be addressed to the Honorable Sheila E. Hixson.

Also there will be a large rally at noon tomorrow on Lawyer’s Mall, supporting a repeal of the computer tax. If you or your colleagues are able, please come down to Annapolis and have your voices heard!

Thank you,

Delegate Stifler

Ursa Minor Threat: How Legislative Bear Wrangling in Maryland could put Bruins Inside the Beltway

Legislation under consideration in Annapolis would force the introduction of wild black bears into each of Maryland’s 23 counties. But don’t grab your shotgun before taking the trash out just yet - the lawmakers involved admit the bill is little more than a political bluff, designed to beat back the advances of liberal legislators who would do away with Maryland’s annual black bear hunt.

At issue is the fate of Maryland’s apparently burgeoning population of black bears: Will they continue to be managed/harvested through a controversial state hunting lottery, be allowed to breed and expand their territory without the intervening hand of man or will they be plucked from their scant remaining habitat and redistributed to each and every county in the state?

These are the options on the table and, beginning Wednesday afternoon during an Environmental Matters Committee hearing in Annapolis, the Maryland General Assembly will ponder House Bill 762 - legislation giving the state 7 years to establish a population of black bears in each of Maryland’s 23 counties. Continue reading Ursa Minor Threat: How Legislative Bear Wrangling in Maryland could put Bruins Inside the Beltway

Of Civil Unions and Civil Rights: Gay Fathers Testify in Annapolis

A cold wind whips through Annapolis on a Monday night, but the crowd is untouched. Several hundred people gather next to the Governor’s Mansion for a demonstration. Every ten feet or so someone holds up a sign with a district number. Police orbit the crowd waiting for trouble, but mostly giving directions.

It looks like any rally you’d see during legislative session in Maryland, until you notice the two young men in business attire clutching each other close to get warm. And the signs that read, “I Love My Two Gay Dads.”

It’s the movement for same sex marriage and tonight they are going to see their representatives in Annapolis. What only a few years ago seemed a wild dream has become a movement. And it’s a movement that appears to be getting stronger by the day.

Continue reading Of Civil Unions and Civil Rights: Gay Fathers Testify in Annapolis

The Assembly Line - Checking the Political Pulse in Annapolis

For political junkies, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

The 188 state representatives - 47 senators and 141 delegates - comprising the Maryland General Assembly convened Wednesday for the start of the state’s 425th legislative session - a 90-day affair that is set to adjourn on April 7.

To ring in the new legislative year, The Dagger brings you The Assembly Line - a unique feature that collects locally-sponsored legislation and presents it in a way that lets readers easily access and digest the information. Thanks to the work of our resident wizard Steve, The Assembly Line conveniently scrolls across the The Dagger’s front page and offers a place for supporters, critics and other interested readers to comment and discuss the bills and resolutions with one another.

The Assembly Line is updated several times a day with the newest legislation and the latest information on the status of the bills and resolutions. This is a chance to keep tabs on the local delegates and senators you sent to Annapolis and make sure they are working for you. Have fun while letting them have it!

Now back to Annapolis. Continue reading The Assembly Line - Checking the Political Pulse in Annapolis

An Early Christmas for Howard Wayne Norman, Jr. - Harford’s Newest Delegate

Howard Wayne Norman, Jr., a Bel Air attorney and longtime GOP booster, was selected unanimously Saturday afternoon by the Harford County Republican Central Committee - a group in which he is a member - to fill the soon-to-be-vacant District 35A seat in the Maryland House of Delegates.

Norman’s nomination will be forwarded to Gov. Martin O’Malley upon the swearing in of current District 35A representative Del. Barry Glassman to the state senate seat of Bob Hooper. Hooper is expected to resign from his seat on Dec. 31 because of health issues. With Hooper’s resignation, Glassman has been nominated to ascend to his senate seat and now Norman has been picked to fill Glassman’s seat in the northern Harford County District 35A.

The Republican Central Committee convened a special session at 9 a.m. Saturday morning in the Harford County Council chambers in Bel Air during which 9 candidates for the District 35A seat were interviewed. Continue reading An Early Christmas for Howard Wayne Norman, Jr. - Harford’s Newest Delegate

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