Harford County’s Hotel Tax Tanked by State Senate; Identity of the Bill’s Assassin Remains Unknown
March 27, 2008
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
District 7 Dominoes: Baltimore/Harford Delegates Line Up for a Probable Political Promotion
February 21, 2008
One is too young and inexperienced. Another is too cantankerous and controversial. And the third says he doesn’t even want the job. But odds are, when Republican Andy Harris is elected to Congress this November, one of the three District 7 delegates will move up to fill his seat representing Baltimore and Harford counties in the state senate.
Harris’ surprising upset of nine-term incumbent Wayne Gilchrest in the Republican Primary Election a few weeks ago placed the state senator as the favorite to take over the First District Congressional seat - leaving a prized piece of political real estate vacant and ready for occupancy.
Tradition and law make it exceedingly likely the next Baltimore/Harford state senator will come from the trio of offbeat politicians currently comprising the District 7 delegation. Rick Impallaria, J.B. Jennings and Pat McDonough have stuck together since they were elected to the newly configured district in 2002, but Harris’ impending departure from the senate could change all that. Continue reading District 7 Dominoes: Baltimore/Harford Delegates Line Up for a Probable Political Promotion
Taking on Gangland: Using money and politics to get tough on Edgewood
February 8, 2008
Tired of watching the unstemmed blood flowing from Edgewood? So too are a contingent of elected officials who let loose this week with a flood of proposed legislation, millions of dollars in federal funding and renewed resolve to wash Edgewood and Harford County clean of its gang infestation.
But can this latest attempt to flush out Edgewood’s growing number of Bloods and Crips, of which the state now says there are more than 300 members in Harford County, succeed where so many others have failed (see: Harford County Sheriff’s Office Southern Precinct, Guardian Angels patrol, Community Watch program, State Police Activity League Center, etc)?
A series of eight separate bills introduced within the last week by state Sen. Nancy Jacobs aim to hit gangs where it hurts - seizing their property, charging their young members as adults rather than juveniles and stretching out the sentences of gang members convicted of crimes - while a new Gang Elimination Task Force, created with nearly $3 million in federal funding, was also announced this week. Continue reading Taking on Gangland: Using money and politics to get tough on Edgewood
The Assembly Line - Checking the Political Pulse in Annapolis
January 11, 2008
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
