MDJ states, “…ordinarily state legislators do not, and should not, take it upon themselves to delve into critiquing or censoring local high school theater, particularly in an official capacity.” [paragraph 3]
I heartily disagree. It is the duty of every legislator to investigate how state (and local, insofar as we represent counties) tax money is spent in any area, particularly when constituents have brought abuses to our attention. The parents who initiated the queries into what happened at HdG HS were stonewalled by the school and by the HCPS administration. No information was released until help was requested from the delegate. And the administration tried to stonewall him.
On page 2, paragraph 2, MDJ states, “I have received two ...Continue Reading
In the following letter, Del. Mary-Dulany James responds to the controversy surrounding the recent drama production at Havre de Grace High School, known as “Drama Therapy”. A copy of the letter was provided to The Dagger upon request.
Dear Friends:
I watched Havre de Grace High School’s “Drama Therapy” performance this past weekend after being asked by constituents to respond to public comments made by a legislator in the Harford County Delegation. I took detailed notes on each of the seven vignettes. Additionally, I have spoken to some of the parents, read all of the letters and emails I have received (from parents and students), and have interviewed various employees of the school system. To anyone else who would like to share their views, please just give me a call: (410) 841-3331, or email me: mary.dulany.james@house.state.md.us.
Let me begin by saying how impressed I was by the letters I ...Continue Reading
Annapolis, March 11, 2010; Delegate Mary-Dulany James and her colleague Delegate B. Daniel Riley have introduced a bill (HB1541) to protect a property owner in their district. This is a private property rights bill to prevent the state from the taking of land without just compensation to the owner.
Delegate James indicated that further clarification to the bill may be necessary but “the spirit of the bill is unchanging.” She went on to say “this legislation is to protect my constituent from an unfair taking of land”. The fifth amendment of the U.S. Constitution offers a protection against the taking of private property without just compensation. This bill is intended to ensure the State of Maryland does not violate the rights of property owners in Harford County.
As always, more information about this bill will be provided through Delegate James’ weekly email newsletter ...Continue Reading
This week I shared with you a portion of the cost of cuts to local aid that are in some of the bills that are circulating the General Assembly. I want you to know that I have sent letters to our Cecil County Commissioners and Harford County Executive asking them what, if any, programs, jobs and projects would have to be reduced to accommodate this loss of funds. I want their input so I can make the best decisions for the people back home. I need to know that while we balance the budget and find places to cut we are also guarding the things about which people need and care.
Now that I have conducted three surveys and gotten a substantial number of responses, I want to share the results of the votes for those that responded through my email updates. The first ...Continue Reading
I don’t care if an idea is a Republican idea or a Democrat idea, as long as it is a good idea for the people of Cecil and Harford Counties.
Although members of both parties serve on all our legislative committees and subcommittees I was pleased that both the House Appropriations Committee (on which I serve as the Chair of the Health and Human Resources subcommittee) and the Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee invited the Republican leadership to formally present their suggestions and opinions to help Maryland continue balancing its budget while preserving the services that taxpayers count on.. The hearing was open to the public and much anticipated by all of who believe in true bipartisanship and the notion that as Henry Ford said “coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is
progress. Working together is success.”
Please make sure you fill out the survey towards the bottom of this email!
While the snow was piling up around the state we kept working hard in Annapolis. I hope all of you stayed safe and continue to be careful as crews work to the clear the roads. As our Governor said yesterday, it will be several days before we see pavement in all areas and weeks before the snow piles on the side of the roads are gone. Please be mindful as you travel and continue to check on your elderly neighbors.
I know there has been some frustration with snow removal in both Harford and Cecil Counties. I am confident that State Highway has been doing everything they can to clear the major highways and state roads. Most residential areas are on county roads; if your street has not been cleared please ...Continue Reading
I hope all of you are prepared for the coming snow. If you are a resident of Harford County, the information line for storm updates will open at 5pm this evening. The number is (410)838-5800. If you are a resident of Cecil County, there is not a storm tips line; however, the number for Cecil County Emergency Services is (410)996-5350. For general tips about emergency preparedness click the following link: http://www.mema.state.md.us/MEMA/index.jsp
Last week I updated you all on some of my legislative priorities. I received a lot of feedback asking what I was doing for the veterans in our community. I’d like to share with you just a few of the bills I am sponsoring to honor and assist veterans in our State.
Increasing the Tax Break: I am a sponsor of House Bill 1, a bill that I have supported for ...Continue Reading
Today marks the end of the third week of session. It has been a busy week full of hearings, legislation, and meeting with colleagues and constituents. I am happy to announce that I have submitted some key pieces of legislation for this year. You can find the list of bills I am sponsoring by clicking here.
Real Estate Taxes: I will be sending this press release next week but I wanted all of you to see it first:
Delegate James introduces legislation to help property owners battle unfair real estate taxes.
Annapolis- February 1, 2010-. Delegate Mary-Dulany James is sponsoring the following 3 bills that could bring tax relief to property owners:
· The first is a bill that will require the property tax appeals board to take the value of the property at the time of appeal, rather than the time of ...Continue Reading
Annapolis, January 28, 2010- Three years after the passing of Delegate Mary-Dulany James’ Maryland Gang Prosecution Act, Delegate James is partnering with Delegate Gerron Levi to introduce another gang related bill.
Delegate James has submitted House Bill 227, Criminal Law – Gangs – Definition, Underlying Crimes, and Sentencing but is merging her legislation with another bill to create comprehensive legislation designed to tackle the issues of gang related crime in our state.
Having two pieces of similar legislation introduced provides the House Judiciary Committee with options as they look at and hear testimony on the topic of gangs. Delegate James has said “My first choice for enactment is the bill that is being submitted by both Delegate Levi and me. However, I am presenting my bill for consideration to provide the Judiciary Committee with an alternate option as both bills will strengthen ...Continue Reading
The entirety of Harford County’s delegation to the Maryland General Assembly has signed on to co-sponsor a bill aimed at reviewing state property tax assessment procedures, the assessment appeals process, and producing a report on those findings by 2011.
House Bill 204, which is sponsored by Del. Wayne Norman and co-sponsored by the remainder of the Harford delegation – Dels. Rick Impallaria, Mary-Dulany James, J.B. Jennings, Susan McComas, Pat McDonough, Dan Riley, and Donna Stifler, would establish “a Task Force to Review Property Tax Assessment Procedure and the Assessment Appeals Process; establishing the composition of the Task Force; requiring the Governor to designate the chair of the Task Force; providing for the staffing for the Task Force; prohibiting a member of the Task Force from receiving specified compensation; requiring that the Task Force issue a report by January 1, 2011; and providing for the termination of the Act.”
