20070406 News Clips

News Clips

Posted April 6^th, 2007

H/t: GOPCharlie

State News

For GOP, dissension gives way to unity, success

Not having Ehrlich in the equation made it easier to be effective, delegate says

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polinew205145_32324.shtml

2007 was supposed to be a renaissance year for Maryland Republicans. But after resounding losses in last falls election, it became a time to rebuild the party and fashion a new playbook.

New leadership teams took over the caucuses in the House and Senate, and about a half-dozen freshman lawmakers brought some fresh energy to Annapolis.

With Democrats reclaiming the governorship and capturing more seats in the legislature, Republican lawmakers sought to be more selective on policy battles and less confrontational.

We had to sit back and take stock of what happened in the election, said Senate Minority Leader David R. Brinkley (R-Dist. 4) of New Market. We recognized we had to be thoughtful and deliberate and strategic. We didnt want to be the caucus that cried wolf.

Its refreshing to me that were able to put our differences aside and pass a good piece of legislation that benefits public safety and not worry about who gets the credit and not worry about the partisan angling, said Shank (R-Dist. 2B) of Hagerstown.

I think this year was a mending year after the election, said Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Dist. 36) of Stevensville. The body spent a lot more time this year talking about issues and not about politics.

And ODonnell (R-Dist. 29C) of Lusby has recognized that Democrats have entertained more debate from the minority party. In years past, that debate was often stifled, he said, and I think in both chambers this year weve seen a willingness to allow that voice to be heard.

Immigrant tuition bill may face filibuster

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/04_05-34/GOV

The lines are being drawn in the sand.

Annapolis Democratic Sen. John Astle believes a bill that would extend in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants has been unfairly "vilified."

For Republican Sen. Janet Greenip of Crofton the state should not extend benefits to people who are breaking the law.

Sen. Andrew Harris, R-Baltimore, a member of the committee, pledged to lead a filibuster if the bill reaches the Senate floor.

"On the campaign trail, (illegal immigration) is the single hottest issue," he said. "(The legislation) gives one more incentive for illegal immigrants to come to Maryland."

Using the money of "law-abiding taxpayers" to finance the education of anyone in the country illegally is bad policy, said Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R-Pasadena.

He said it is not an issue of compassion, but one of how Maryland residents are already overburdened with taxes and should not have to foot the bill for this additional cost.

"There's a huge disconnect between many legislators and the general public," Mr. Simonaire said. "At some point we have to tell the legislature enough is enough."

O'Malley blames deficit on Assembly

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20070406-124126-1891r.htm

Gov. Martin O'Malley says he did not propose tax increases or slot-machine legislation during his first General Assembly session because lawmakers were unwilling to make hard decisions to reduce a $1.5 billion budget shortfall.

"How do I say this in a diplomatic way?" said Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat. "There's not the will in this body, either in the Senate or the House, to do the tough things that we need to do. The majority of both bodies want to give this administration a chance to reduce the magnitude of the mountain ahead of us before they have to cast tough votes."

Tax or cut? That will be the question by Barry Rascovar

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/poliras201440_32321.shtml

Spring break for Marylands 188 state legislators doesnt start until Tuesday, but most of their work is already done. Dont expect a wild, frenetic finish to this years General Assembly session as Monday night adjournment approaches.

This was hardly a landmark session. On the contrary, it turned out to be a disappointment. The states new, ambitious governor, Martin OMalley, decided quite wisely to take a go slow approach. He spent much of the session cautiously learning how Annapolis ticks and defusing efforts to steer the state sharply to the left in a hurry.

Meanwhile, Marylands long-serving Senate president, Mike Miller, spent much of his time blocking bills that might worsen the states looming $1.5 billion deficit. This effectively took the wind out of liberals spending sails.

O'Malley: Lawmakers Lack "Will" On Deficit

http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=56078

"There is not the will in this body, either in the Senate or the House to do the tough things we need to do." The governor is critical of both the House and Senate Leadership for failing to deal with spending cuts, to lower the state's $1.5-billion structural deficit.

Tampering with the Constitution by Blair Lee

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polilee201438_32320.shtml

What is it with the General Assembly and elections?

Last year, the nitwit-controlled legislature created a primary Election Day meltdown by enacting a slew of radical elections laws (early voting and voting by provisional ballot anywhere you wish without ID) for which neither the technology nor the training existed. Then, when angry voters faced malfunctioning machines or waited outside closed polling places, the lawmakers blamed the hapless, overwhelmed local elections officials.

This years legislature, not content with merely granting full voting rights to ex-felons, wants to dismantle the Electoral College, the constitutionally prescribed method for electing the U.S. president.

Living-wage bill advances in House

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20070405-114827-2018r.htm

The nation's first statewide living wage for government contracts plowed ahead yesterday in the Maryland legislature.

The bill would require state contractors to pay at least $11.30 an hour in urban areas and $8.50 an hour in rural areas. Maryland's minimum hourly wage is $6.15.

"To me, that's very discriminatory and doesn't make much sense," said Delegate Richard K. Impallaria, Baltimore County Republican.

Delegate Christopher B. Shank, Washington County Republican, said, "Work is work. ... We should have one wage rate."

Pay bill shows labor's power

State could provide tipping point in U.S. for 'living wage' laws

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.wages06apr06,0,239424.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

With a "living wage" law likely to win approval before the General Assembly adjourns Monday, Maryland is poised for the second time in two years to lead the nation on laws designed to help low-wage workers.

In a sign of labor's powerful place in Maryland politics, the legislature became the first in the nation last year to enact a law -- later overturned by the courts -- forcing Wal-Mart to pay more for worker health care. Maryland lawmakers also raised the state's minimum wage to $6.15 an hour last year, a step several states had already taken.

Living wage bill moves forward

Opponents say they expect passage, try triage on key issues

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polinew205143_32322.shtml

Its alive.

The living wage bill, which days ago appeared destined to die in the House Economic Matters Committee, found new life this week after legislative leaders and the OMalley administration hammered out a compromise that sets a two-tiered wage system across the state.

The bill applies to state contracts worth more than $100,000.

Contractors on projects where 50 percent or more of the total value of the work is performed in Montgomery, Prince Georges, Howard, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties and Baltimore city would be required to pay workers $11.30 per hour.

Approval Expected For 'Living Wage' Bill

Md. House Considers Measure to Raise Pay Of Contract Employees

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/05/AR2007040502275.html

Maryland would become the first state in the nation to mandate that state contractors pay employees a "living wage" under a bill moving briskly toward passage in the House of Delegates yesterday.

The legislation would require that at least $11.30 an hour be paid for work on state contracts in Montgomery, Prince George's, Howard, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties and in Baltimore. In other, more rural, counties, where jobs are less plentiful, the floor would be set at $8.50 an hour, still significantly higher than the state's minimum wage of $6.15.

"I see discrimination in the bill," said Richard K. Impallaria (R-Baltimore County), who pushed the amendment.

He argued that the bill could make it more difficult for contractors to hire workers in areas where the living wage is nearly $3 less than in other counties.

Comments On Rape Law Elicit Outrage

Doctrine from the 1600s Cited by Md. Delegate

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/05/AR2007040502278.html

A senior Maryland lawmaker this week invoked a 17th-century English jurist who instructed juries to be suspicious of women's claims of rape, infuriating women's advocates and some lawmakers who say the comments were insensitive.

Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D-Prince George's), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, recalled the words of Sir Matthew Hale at a hearing Tuesday on a bill to deny custody, visitation and other parental rights to rapists whose victims conceive and have a child.

Reporters Notebook

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polinew205216_32331.shtml

Capital Notebook

Senate revives bill for paper ballots

Bill ties truancy, driving permit

Sex medication program gets OK

O'Malley backs P.G. hospital

Session extension authorized

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.notebook06apr06,0,7093202.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Annapolis briefs

Munson explains his vote for smoking ban

Reimbursement bill killed in committee

Houses need to find compromise for bill to study prison violence

http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=162558&format=html

Calls for replenishing oysters

Focus should be on restoring numbers, green groups say

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bay_environment/bal-md.oysters06apr06,0,7854388.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Two leading environmental groups say Maryland's main oyster recovery program should create more protected sanctuaries if the shellfish are ever to make a comeback in the Chesapeake Bay.

The advocates say the nonprofit Oyster Recovery Partnership, which has received $10 million in federal funds since 2002, has placed too much emphasis on helping watermen and not enough on growing the bay's struggling oyster population.

Among those criticizing the partnership's use of federal money to pay for the dinner was state Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus, an Eastern Shore Republican. "You shouldn't be fattening up scientists or participants at the expense of the actual oysters," Stoltzfus said.

But Stoltzfus said he supports the partnership's efforts to help watermen economically. Leading Democrats in Annapolis declined to comment on the partnership's spending.

Senate passes bill to expunge arrests

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polinew205215_32330.shtml

The Senate has unanimously passed and sent to the governor legislation that will automatically expunge police records of people who are arrested but never charged with a crime.

People need to be able to get good jobs and be able to get into good schools, said Sen. Lisa A. Gladden (D-Dist. 41) of Baltimore, quoting a letter she had received from a constituent. The letter, she said, was written with a pencil and notebook paper and postmarked from the Baltimore City Detention Center.

During the Senate debate, Sen. Alexander X. Mooney spoke at some length about his reservations about the bill. Someone had to stand up for police who are only trying to do their jobs enforcing the law, he said.

I guess I kind of resent the implications of this bill, that the police are abusing their authority wholesale all the time, said Mooney (R-Dist. 3) of Urbana.

Assembly approves ground rent bills

O'Malley expected to sign measures modernizing system

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.groundrent06apr06,0,6299862.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

The General Assembly gave final approval yesterday to four bills intended to modernize an antiquated ground rent system in Maryland, as the legislation cleared the last procedural hurdle before moving to Gov. Martin O'Malley's desk.

Final approval came when the House of Delegates approved Senate versions of the bills without changes.

Bill to close traffic ticket gap passes

Assembly OKs plan to apply state law on federal property

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.ticket06apr06,0,2157246.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Assembly approves bill to close traffic ticket gap

Responding to reports that traffic cases on federal land were being routinely dismissed, the Maryland General Assembly has approved legislation to ensure that state traffic laws can be applied to roads on military bases and other U.S. government property.

The House of Delegates unanimously approved legislation yesterday that would change the state's definition of highway to include federal land. In February, the Senate voted, 46-0, to pass the bill.

Committee to vote on MBA bill

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.mba06apr06,0,2428478.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Lawmakers in the House of Delegates have substantially scaled back a Senate bill aimed at dismantling Towson University's MBA program, but the amended version still puts the new business program in jeopardy.

The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to vote today on amendments crafted yesterday by its education subcommittee.

Winners, losers, and the first session of a new term

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polinew205133_32320.shtml

Its time for The Gazettes annual assessment of the sessions winners, losers and those on the edge, recapping the 2007 General Assembly session.

Winner: Martin OMalley

OMalley (D) did take the occasional hit. He testified in favor of a repeal of the states death penalty law; the measure died in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. He failed to get a geographic component to education aid on the books (see GCEI, below).

He faltered at first over a state living wage law. His State of the State speech revealed his support, but the measure languished in the House Economic Matters Committee only to emerge in the final days of the session.

Bills move in final days

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=58675

As the 2007 legislative session heads into its final days, senators and delegates are muscling their bills through both chambers.

Several pieces of legislation sponsored by Frederick County lawmakers have been approved by legislators and await a signature from Gov. Martin O'Malley.

On Thursday, the House of Delegates agreed to the Senate version of a bill to regulate developer influence in Frederick County.

Report: Residents lack faith in county government

Leopold's transition team makes hundreds of suggestions

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/04_05-42/GOV

Residents lack confidence in county government, according to a report released by the administration this morning.

Among the hundreds of observations and suggestions in the 110-page document designed to guide County Executive John R. Leopold's policies is a harsh critique of the previous administration.

The report said uninformed employees led to "errant decision making" and lawsuits, that the county lacks a "sophisticated system" to track impacts from dumping in the Chesapeake Bay and that "customer service ratings for the (county are) at an all-time low."

Cordle fundraiser

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/04_05-50/GOV

Annapolis Alderman David Cordle has announced a cruise fundraiser for the Friends of David Cordle fund.

Mr. Cordle, R-Ward 5, declined to elaborate on what he'll run for next, but said the event helps fund future political campaigns in Annapolis.

Meanwhile, anyone wanting to contribute to or party with Mr. Cordle has a chance April 12 aboard the Catherine Marie yacht, which will depart from City Dock at 6:30 p.m. Featuring band Mama Jama, the $125-per-person cruise also includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soda. Contact Mr. Cordle at 410-267-9600 for more information.

Razzing the cash bros

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polinew205218_32332.shtml

The House has had some fun at the expense of John Bohanan (left) and Murray Levy (right), whose mugs appeared on our front page a few weeks back.

House staffers photocopied a bunch of the pics and asked for caption suggestions, many of which are too obscene to reprint. In our story, the budget boys were referred to as Laurel and Hardy, Batman and Robin, and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

A star is born?

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polinew205231_32334.shtml

One star from this years Legislative Follies may be letting the fame get to his head or paws.

We got a press release Wednesday from J.B. Jennings dog, Angus (pictured), who threatened to boycott next years Follies if his royalties dont double.

I was clearly the hit of the show. The press coverage, the roars of laughter from the crowd, that was all directed at me, the mutt was quoted as saying while purportedly lounging on a La-Z-Boy, munching on Beggin Strips and being fanned by Todd Schuler.

The rapper and the pol

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040607/polinew205225_32333.shtml

Politics is full of odd juxtapositions. Imagine Roy Dyson (left) sharing a podium with rapper Kanye West (right).

Now West aint saying he a gold-digger. The six-time Grammy winner was in Lexington Park last week to celebrate World Water Day and to open the G.O.O.D. Water Store and Internet Cafi run by his father, Ray West.

National News

Dispute leaves Old Glory's fate up in air

Draper man says he has right to fly it; property firm says no

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660209400,00.html

Kevin Capito sees the American flag whenever he enters or exits the front door of his home. With four years of service in the Air Force under his belt and several friends serving overseas in the U.S. military, he likes it that way.

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Maryland, sponsored the legislation after learning that some HOAs and condo associations prevent Americans from flying the flag. The law prohibits restrictions on proper displays or uses of the flag, which includes mounting it on a 45-degree angle from a window sill, balcony or front of a building.

Coastal Bays seeks creative means to make up for budget cuts

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/OPI02/704040327/-1/OPI

The Maryland Coastal Bays Program has lost 23 percent of its core funding for next year and is poised to lose half of its federal grant funding the following year under the president's new proposed budget.

The cuts will mean loss of staff, education programs, conservation work and community grants the program awards every year for locals to conduct projects in the coastal bays watershed.

Also in question is how next year's slashed budget will play out in Congress. So far some 51 congressmen and women and 21 senators have signed a letter of support asking to restore the funding. While Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, Senator Barbara Mikulski, formerly Senator Paul Sarbanes, and now Ben Cardin have signed the letter and have been ardent supporters of the National Estuary Program, an anemic budget in 2008, will make the choices even tougher for all members of Congress.

Cardin stresses need for change

Senator touts green energy to stop global warming, reduce oil dependence

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/NEWS01/704060305/1002

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, D-Md., called on hundreds of students and members of the community to begin an "Apollo-like" change to stop global warming and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign energy Thursday.

The freshman senator spoke at Salisbury University about the federal government's need to become a leader in green technology, requiring a more fuel efficient vehicle fleet and constructing "green" facilities. Cardin said Maryland is the third highest risk state for global warming because the Eastern Shore and region around the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean and coastal waters are eroding.

Ruppersberger wants to boost child care tax credit

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/04_05-50/GOV

U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger is pushing for a federal bill to increase the child care tax credit.

Mr. Ruppersberger, D-Baltimore County, held a news conference yesterday to announce his bill, which he said would ease tax bills for Maryland families.