It is truly remarkable what a difference four (4) years can make. If we could journey back to ‘2006’, Marylanders demanded a change in Annapolis. Despite a 60% approval rating of former Governor Ehrlich’s performance during his term, Marylanders elected a new Administration with a message that promised to create new jobs and cut taxes for middle-income Marylanders.
Now, four (4) 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, in an unprecedented decision, raised the corporate income tax, personal income tax, and the sales tax.
According to Governor O’Malley, the purpose for these tax increases, were to resolve a decade long structural state deficit. It was the message ...Continue Reading
Delegate J.B. Jennings (R-7th Legislative District) proudly and fully supports the two (2) House Floor Amendments for House Joint Resolution 5 (HJR 5).
On Thursday, February 11, 2010, Delegate William Frank (R-42nd Legislative District) attempted to introduce two (2) amendments to HJR 5; however, both were defeated in a procedural move. The first amendment would have abolished the General Assembly’s defined benefit pension plan and replaced it with a 401K style contribution plan. The second amendment, offered as an alternative to the first amendment, would have reduced the pension plan for elected officials to place them on par with other state workers.
This morning, Delegate Frank requested the House of Delegates to move to recommit HJR 5 to the House Appropriations Committee to consider his amendments. Delegate Jennings voted in favor on Delegate Frank’s motion to recommit. Despite unanimous ...Continue Reading
The Maryland Shall Issue Group (MSI) released their ‘2009-2010’ rating system on how Maryland’s 188 Legislators voted on bills that included: the implementation of Speed Cameras, the Freedom of Association and Assembly Protection Act of 2009, The Fair Share Act, Surrender of Firearms under a Protective Order, and the State’s Eminent Domain Authority to Purchase Pimlico and Laurel Race Track.
According to the MSI, Delegate J.B. Jennings (R-7th Legislative District), received a perfect rating (100%) during the ‘2009’ General Session. His rating ranks him with only thirty-six (36) other State Delegates in the Maryland General Assembly to have a cumulative percentage of 80% or greater.
SB 277-Vehicle Laws-Speed Monitoring Systems-Speed Cameras. This bill allowed the placement of speed cameras in school and construction zones. The owner of the car, whether they were driving or not is fined for ...Continue Reading
The following letters were received from the office of Del. J.B. Jennings:
An Open Letter to the Residents of Legislative District 7
The Legislative Session officially began its first, full week in Annapolis. It has been an honor to serve as one of your delegates from the District 7 since I was elected in 2002. I have tried to represent the residents of my district with honor and integrity. I truly believe that the General Assembly’s purpose is to provide citizens of the state with a voice in hoe their government is run. Maryland Delegates and Senators in both parties really do embody the term “citizen-legislators”.
There are important issues being discussed by lawmakers representing the State of Maryland. Some of these important issues will be addressed in the House Judiciary Standing Committee, for which I am now a member. Despite being on ...Continue Reading
While American families begin preparing to celebrate their family traditions and homecomings for the Thanksgiving Holiday, Delegate J.B. Jennings (R-7th Legislative District), members of the Towson Elks Lodge No. 469, and several volunteers gave their thanks by spending their evening serving Thanksgiving dinners to United States Veterans.
On Thursday, November 19th, Delegate Jennings and others volunteered their time to provide a holiday dinner for the Veterans from the Greens Street and Loch Raven VA Medical Centers at the Elks Lodge No. 469, located in Towson, Maryland.
Every year, the Towson Elks Lodge hosts a Thanksgiving Dinner for Veterans spanning from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, as gesture of appreciation and honor for their sacrifices and service to our Country. The Veterans received an All-American home cooked holiday spread and a played a few rounds of ...Continue Reading
The following letter was received from the office of Del. J.B. Jennings:
Dear Editor:
It is that time of the year. American families are preparing to celebrate their family traditions and homecomings on Thanksgiving as well as begin their early holiday shopping. Yet, amid the enjoyment of these festive times and memorable moments with our family and friends, we must never allow ourselves to forget.
For each holiday we celebrate, for every anniversary we remember, for every birthday we share, for each new day we are given, we must never forget those men and women who have provided us the right to celebrate. They have sacrificed their time, their freedoms, and their lives, to ensure our fundamental foundations of rights, principles, and freedoms – our American way of life.
As our lives become more complex and “time” turns into a valued commodity, we tend ...Continue Reading
Del. J.B. Jennings, a Republican representing the Eastern Baltimore and Western Harford County District 7, announced recently his intentions to run for state senate.
Jennings said this week he has been “very fortunate in my achievements in the House of Delegates for the past seven years and I wish to continue that success in the State Senate.”
“Filling Senator Andy Harris’ shoes is no easy task and the next Senator will have to provide sound leadership, reliability, and exhibit the same conservatism that defines our future Congressman,” he added.
Here is a press release from his office:
An Evening with Delegate J.B. Jennings
Despite being held during the M.A.Co. Conference in Ocean City, Maryland, it was an unforgettable evening shared by all at the Maryland Polo Club located in Monkton, Maryland on August 14, 2009.
Delegate J.B. Jennings of the Seventh (7th) Legislative District, hosted his Eighth (8th) Annual “Polo Match” ...Continue Reading
In a letter dated April 20, Dels. Susan McComas, Rick Impallaria and Pat McDonough have formally requested that Dels. J.B. Jennings and Wayne Norman step down from their largely ceremonial positions as chair and vice-chair of the Harford County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis.
In the letter, which is jointly signed by McComas and Impallaria – the former delegation chair and vice-chair – as well as McDonough, the trio accuses the Jennings/Norman failed leadership team of creating a hostile environment, leading the delegation into a legislative missteps, and being “easily manipulated by outside forces.”
Harford County Elected School Board Receives a Favorable Vote by the House Ways and Means Committee Yesterday, Successfully Passes the House Floor on Second Reader Today
On Thursday, March 26, 2009, the House Ways and Means Committee voted and passed House Bill 639 entitled Harford County – Board of Education – Selection of Members.
The Senate’s version of the bill, Senate Bill 629, received a favorable report with an amendment by the Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on Friday, March 13, 2009, before it passed the Senate Floor with 46-0 vote on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.
The House Ways and Means Committee voted and approved, by a majority vote, House Bill 639 as amended to the Senate’s approved version.
Harford County Delegation Chairman, Delegate J.B. Jennings (R-District 7), who filed the bill, stated, “This is an historic moment in many respects, particularly for ...Continue Reading
The Harford County Delegation voted 7 to 1 last Friday to keep legislation proposed by County Executive David Craig on track which would create an Infrastructure and Facilities Capital Project Authority to fund local projects. Harford County’s state senators had voted unanimously to withdraw the senate version of the bill earlier in the week.
Chairman of the Harford County Delegation J.B. Jennings had indicated that he thought the delegation would follow the lead of the Harford County senators and vote to withdraw the bill, but in a phone interview, Delegate Susan McComas (Dist. 35B) said she made the argument at the Friday delegation meeting to allow the bill to move forward. McComas said that the bill already had a hearing scheduled and unlike the delegation, the County Executive was elected by the entire county and so the delegation ought to “let him make his case.”
