20070516 News Clips

State News

May 16^th, 2007

O'Malley issues first veto; two more expected

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.bills16rmay16,0,1418838.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Gov. Martin O'Malley issued his first veto yesterday and is expected to veto at least two more bills this week, including a measure that would repeal a ban on parole for drug dealers convicted a second time.

“Yes, I am leaning toward a veto on that," O'Malley said of the parole bill in an interview this week. "Maybe just a couple others. But very, very few vetoes."

During the governor's fourth and final bill signing tomorrow, which follows the General Assembly session that ended April 9, O'Malley likely will sign a statewide smoking ban in bars and restaurants and an expanded version of Jessica's Law, a measure that targets child sex offenders and rapists. The governor will sign about 200 bills, aides said.

Republican Sen. Nancy Jacobs, the proposal's lead sponsor, said the governor told her that he would back the measure, which received wide bipartisan support in the House and Senate.

"He said during the session that he was going to sign it," Jacobs said. "I have no reason to believe that he wouldn't. So far with me, he's been a man of his word." But supporters of the drug offender parole proposal are frustrated by the governor's looming veto.

Sen. Larry E. Haines, a Republican who represents Baltimore and Carroll counties, said he is disappointed that his handgun proposal is not expected to get the governor's backing. Haines said the measure is cost-effective and promotes public safety by returning guns to the manufacturer.

"The best plan is for the manufacturer to handle the guns and the disposal of them," Haines said. "This bill will save a lot of money."

Slots Foe Says He's Willing to Negotiate

But Busch Opposes A Gas Tax Increase

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051502059.html

House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said yesterday that he would not rule out a modest slot-machine gambling plan as part of a broader solution to Maryland's financial problems, but he suggested it could be a difficult sell at the same time lawmakers are proposing tax increases.

He also expressed concerns about the possibility of increasing the gas tax to pay for transportation projects, an idea Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) said this week he is considering supporting.

O’Malley meets with The Greater Cumberland Committee

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7376&Itemid=35

The Greater Cumberland Committee had the unique opportunity to meet with Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley Tuesday afternoon to outline its vision for the region. The meeting was held at the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort.

The Greater Cumberland Committee is a business-funded non-profit organization with business presidents and CEO's on its board representing Allegany and Garrett Counties, MD; Bedford County, PA and Mineral County, WV.

Committee Executive Director Colleen Peterson discussed the committee's efforts in supporting collaboration between higher education and economic development. Governor O’Malley said that he feels having a former Allegany County resident, David Edgerley, serving as the state’s Secretary of Business and Economic Development, bodes well for the region. He said Edgerley understands the importance of jobs to the western region.

O’Malley on WCBC

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7377&Itemid=35

The first stop for Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley during his daylong visit to Allegany County Tuesday was WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show.”

Not surprisingly, the looming $1.5 billion structural deficit facing the state next year, was one of the topics addressed. O’Malley, a democrat who defeated Robert Ehrlich in November, said that the former governors approach to the state fiscal picture has contributed greatly to the pending shortfall. He says Ehrlich took the quick fix approach to the budget, as opposed to laying out a long-term fiscal strategy.

Well, as the queen said when I had dinner with her ... by Laura Vozzella

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella16may16,0,5881135.column?coll=bal-local-columnists

Anyone who's a Democrat is on the list

Names being bandied about for state Democratic Party chairman, The Sun's Jennifer Skalka reports:

Lise Van Susteren, the forensic psychiatrist, former Senate candidate and current sister of Fox News personality Greta Van Susteren;

her brother-in-law, John P. Coale, the big trial lawyer and Democratic donor who came through with a $500,000 loan to then-Mayor O'Malley in the final days of the governor's race;

Josh Rales, the Montgomery County real estate tycoon who also ran for Senate;

Lainy LeBow-Sachs, longtime aide to William Donald Schaefer;

Lauren Dugas Glover, the party's first vice chairwoman and a civic leader from Prince George's County;

Dan Clements, past president of the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association;

Kennedy cousin and one-time congressional candidate Mark Shriver;

former Del. Rushern Baker;

and no Democratic wish list is complete without Kweisi Mfume, the former NAACP chief.

Eminent domain questioned in city, county

http://www.examiner.com/a-730610~Eminent_domain_questioned_in_city__county.html

The use of eminent domain to seize private property has become a tool of economic development in some parts of Baltimore.

“The city thinks they can just go around seizing people’s land for their own purposes,” said John Murphy, who is one of the top eminent domain lawyers in the state. “Promising private owners’ properties to developers even before going to court to legitimately seize it. Just look at how they promised the Weinberg Foundation privately held property in the city’s Westside. It’s unimaginable.”

Howard Co. smoking ban to override state law

http://www.examiner.com/a-730629~Howard_Co__smoking_ban_to_override_state_law.html

The tougher law applies, so in most cases Howards smoking ban trumps the upcoming state law.

“Once the state law goes into effect, our law will be even stronger,” said Glenn Schneider, legislative chairman for Smoke Free Howard County, a Columbia-based volunteer group.

Howard’s ban, which goes into effect June 1 in bars and restaurants, does not allow for hardship waivers that businesses that may suffer economic hardship from the ban can apply for.

Gala celebrates a very good year for Democrats

Party has one big no-show: honoree Douglas M. Duncan

http://www.gazette.net/stories/051607/montnew233330_32324.shtml

County Democrats celebrated a fruitful 2006 and looked forward to the 2008 presidential campaign at the Democratic Central Committee’s annual Spring Ball on Saturday night in North Bethesda. The gala brought out some of the party’s biggest names in Maryland and included one notable no-show.

The $100-a-plate party drew 560 people to the county’s conference center, including Gov. Martin OMalley, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (Dist. 8) of Kensington, Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler, as well as members of the countys General Assembly delegation and the County Council.

National News

Andrew Harris may challenge incumbent Wayne Gilchrest

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7379&Itemid=35

Maryland has only two Republican Congressmen and apparently one of them will face a primary challenge in 2008. State senator Andrew Harris told WBAL Radio that he may challenge incumbent Wayne Gilchrest. Gilchrest has represented the Eastern Shore since 1991 but Harris says the Republican Party must return to its Reaganesque roots of the 1980s.

Tough Stand on Lobbying in House

http://public.cq.com/docs/cqt/news110-000002512601.html

Despite strong objections from many in their caucus, House Democratic leaders introduced lobbying legislation that would toughen restrictions on when former members can lobby Congress and would force disclosure of bundled political contributions.

The bundling measure, sponsored by Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is meant to ultimately become an amendment to the main legislation on the House floor.

“Everyone wants transparency, it’s how you get there that has to be worked out,” said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md.

Bush picks 'war czar' to bridge gaps

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070516-122708-7695r.htm

President Bush has chosen Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, the Pentagon's director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a newly created post several other top military men rejected.

"Gen. Lute is a tremendously accomplished military leader who understands war and government and knows how to get things done," Mr. Bush said. "In his new position, Gen. Lute will be the full-time manager for the implementation and execution of our strategies for Iraq and Afghanistan."

GOP's 2008 top tier goes on attack

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20070516-123328-5008r.htm

Mitt Romney proposed doubling the size of Guantanamo Bay's detention center, John McCain defended his teamwork with Democrats in the Senate, and Rudolph W. Giuliani angrily demanded a retraction from a fellow presidential candidate who said the September 11 bombings were a result of U.S. actions in Iraq.

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