20070522 News Clips

News Clips

May 22, 2007

State News

New legislation to help preserve farms and aid the environment

http://www.examiner.com/a-741056~New_legislation_to_help_preserve_farms_and_aid_the_environment.html

Gov. Martin O'Malley wants to keep homes on the range.

Expressing a desire to keep farmers on their property and preserve land, O'Malley has signed four bills since he took office in January to champion the cause. Most recently, he signed legislation removing a five-year waiting period for a farm to be permanently preserved through the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation.

And with 372,650 acres of farmland in the Baltimore region, the preservation of farms and the $1.3 billion agriculture industry is a growing concern.

Lawmaker renews call for increasing tax on alcohol

Revenue raised would go toward treating substance abuse, Bronrott says

http://www.gazette.net/stories/052107/polinew171308_32338.shtml

A Montgomery County lawmakers efforts to help prevent and treat substance abuse might increase your bar tab.

Raising the state excise tax on adult beverages by 5 cents would generate approximately $90 million a year for drug and alcohol treatment programs, said Del. William A. Bronrott, who chairs the House Special Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Revenues would be directed to a dedicated fund for substance abuse initiatives.

Pimlico CEO Speaks Out On Preakness Stakes

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7422&Itemid=35

The CEO of the company that owns Pimlico says the Preakness Stakes is "at the relative end" in Maryland -- unless lawmakers approve slot machine gambling.

But Magna Entertainment CEO Michael Neuman says he's optimistic the political stars are aligned to legalize slots soon enough to keep the race in Maryland. He says he's "not going to draw a line in the sand" about moving the Preakness. He told WBAL that the aging track is "just above water" financially. In January, the prestigious Pimlico Special was canceled because of limited purse money. Governor Martin O'Malley supports limited slot machines at racetracks to help the racing industry and keep the Preakness in Maryland. Senate President Mike Miller says he hopes O'Malley calls a special session to get a slots bill passed this year

Gas prices hit record

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=60432

Some motorists seem to equate warm weather with high gasoline prices. Others appear resigned to paying more for gas, saying the cost is beyond their control.

"You can't do anything about it. You either pay the price or stay home," said Marion Whittier of Braddock Heights, filling his tank Monday at the Sunoco gas station on West Patrick Street.

'Public safety' plan halted

Opposition pressure in City Council leads to withdrawal of idea

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.safety22may22,0,6466561.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

Baltimore's City Council overwhelmingly rejected a proposal yesterday that would have allowed the mayor to lock down streets and close businesses in areas declared an emergency - taking the unusual step of pressuring the bill's sponsor to withdraw the measures before they were fully introduced.

Eleven members of the City Council spoke against the legislation - proposed by City Council Vice President Robert W. Curran - that would have allowed police to close liquor stores and bars, limit the number of people on city sidewalks and halt traffic in areas declared "public safety act zones."

National News

Former Mayor to run for 6th District Spot

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7426&Itemid=35

Former Cumberland Mayor Frank Nethken tells WCBC News that he plans to challenge incumbent Sixth District Congressman Roscoe Bartlett in next years primary.

Nethken, a republican, has run for public office a number of times in the past 30 years, including a 1992 run for the sixth district seat. Nethken says while he likes Bartlett, he believes he broke promises when he said he would only serve three terms. The Frederick County republican is now in his seventh term in Congress. Describing himself as a Reagan Republican, the former mayor says he felt a calling to run for the office after speaking with a local pastor.

Gilchrest votes make him a target

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20070521-113247-3387r.htm

House Republican Wayne T. Gilchrest's votes to stop funding the war in Iraq has challengers saying the long-term congressman may have run his course.

Two Democrats -- Eastern Shore lawyers Frank M. Kratovil Jr. and Christopher R. Robinson -- announced they will run for Mr. Gilchrest's seat, and state Sen. Andrew P. Harris, a Baltimore County Republican, is expected to announce that he is running.

"I think everyone will tell you Wayne is a nice guy," Mr. Kratovil said. "I think I'm a nice guy, too. It's easy to be a nice guy when you're not pushing or fighting for things."

Gilchrest appointed to help democracies

http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/vault/cgi-bin/gazette/view/2007G/05/19-49.HTM

U.S. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest was named last week to a committee of 20 lawmakers who help other nations nurse fledgling democracies.

Mr. Gilchrest, R-Kent, joined the House Democracy Assistance Commission, which was established two years ago to help foster democracy around the world. The commission offers legal expertise and assistance as countries such as Haiti and the Republic of Georgia as they try to establish transparent, democratic governments.

Veterans, National Guard, recruits represented at Reeders Memorial Day program

http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=166217&format=html

The past, present and future of the American military were well represented Monday morning at the Reeders Memorial Home Memorial Day holiday program.

Seventeen residents of Reeders were honored as veterans during the outdoor ceremony, where they received recognition personally from U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett.

$8B of pork: Dems take 60 percent

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/8b-of-pork-dems-take-60-percent-2007-05-21.html

The House last week approved about $8 billion in earmarks as part of the 2008 defense authorization bill, with the wealth shared by both Democrats and Republicans.

Given their majority, however, Democrats claimed close to 60 percent of the bills earmarks.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) had five projects approved as part of the defense authorization bill, totaling almost $20 million. Among Hoyers beneficiaries are the Honeywell Corp in La Plata, Md., for the so-called Blossom Point Satellite Facility; the Naval Air Warfare Center Air Craft Division at Patuxent River, Md., for a communications upgrade on the DDG-ship; the Navys Special Warfare Center at Indian Head, Md., for high-energy conventional energetics; and Virginia-based Infosystems Technology Inc., which builds the Rubix multi-level security database.

Brooke Gunning: The lost art of reading aloud

http://www.examiner.com/a-741052~Brooke_Gunning__The_lost_art_of_reading_aloud.html

If you are reading this column, then you are not one of the estimated 1.5 million (yes, you read that correctly, million) Marylanders between the ages of 16 to 59 who, according to the Maryland State Department of Education, have significant literacy needs. Some people are working hard to reduce that number. Doro Bush Koch, sister of President George W. Bush and daughter of George H.W. Bush, is one of them. She runs The Maryland Initiative of The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

President Bush Says Failure In Iraq Would Embolden Al Qaeda. "Bush said he had directed White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten to negotiate with lawmakers on what consequences should be imposed to pressure the Iraqi government to meet measurements of progress. 'There is a way forward, there's a compromise to be had. My hope is that the Democrat leader sees it,' Bush said. Lawmakers need to understand that a failed Iraq would embolden al Qaeda, Bush said, adding that he would underscore the point in a speech on Wednesday that 'al Qaeda is public enemy number one in Iraq and is public enemy number one for America.'" (Steve Holland, "Bush: September 'Important Moment' In Iraq," Reuters, 5/22/07)

President Bush Calls Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki To Mark The One-Year Anniversary Of His Inauguration. "Bush, who telephoned Maliki to mark a year since his inauguration, 'reaffirmed his confidence in the prime minister and noted the courage he has shown during a challenging and difficult year,' said spokesman Tony Fratto. At the same time, Fratto said as Bush spent a long weekend on his Texas ranch, Iraqi progress towards national reconciliation is 'not moving as quickly as anyone wants.' Bush and Maliki 'discussed the importance of political progress in Iraq and the need to move forward with key reconciliation initiatives to secure Iraq's democratic gains,' said Fratto. 'Prime Minister Maliki stressed his commitment to national reconciliation and provided an update on legislative initiatives including the hydrocarbon law and constitutional review process,' the spokesman said." ("Bush Affirms Confidence In Iraqi PM," Agence France-Presse, 5/21/07)

Multi-National Force Iraq Commander Gen. Petraeus Issues Open Letter To Iraqi People. "Meanwhile, the Pentagon on Monday released an open letter from Petraeus to the Iraqi people, in which he urged them to reject violence, turn in insurgents in their midst and work for reconciliation. 'We need your help if we are to quell the violence,' he said in the letter. 'Deny the enemy shelter, report any information you may have regarding his whereabouts, and be proud of and support your nation's security forces.' He asked them to understand that restrictions imposed on their freedom are designed to make their neighborhoods safer and promised that unpopular security barriers will come down as security improves. 'Now, more than ever, is the time for Iraqis to come together and embrace reconciliation over confrontation.' he said. 'It is time to choose peace.'" ("Bush Reaffirms Confidence In Iraqi PM," The Associated Press, 5/21/07)

Democrats Drop Insistence On Iraq Withdrawal Timeline. "Scrambling to send President Bush an emergency war spending bill he will sign, Democratic leaders have decided to drop their insistence on a timeline for withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq. The move which comes just days after senior Democrats insisted that White House officials should support nonbinding timelines is a significant concession to the president and his Republican allies on Capitol Hill, who have steadfastly rejected any dates for bringing U.S. troops home. White House Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten emphatically rejected any timelines at the meeting, signaling White House support only for a far less restrictive proposal linking economic aid to the performance of the Iraqi government. That approach, which senior Democrats are looking at incorporating into the bill being finalized this week, has already won broad support among GOP lawmakers." (Noam N. Levey, "Democrats Drop Insistence On Iraq Withdrawal Timeline," Los Angeles Times, 5/22/07)

Former Senator And 9/11 Commission Member Bob Kerrey (D-NE) Says "Unilateral Withdrawal From Iraq Would Hand Osama Bin Laden A Substantial Psychological Victory." "American lawmakers who are watching public opinion tell them to move away from Iraq as quickly as possible should remember this: Concessions will not work with either al Qaeda or other foreign fighters who will not rest until they have killed or driven into exile the last remaining Iraqi who favors democracy. The key que stion for Congress is whether or not Iraq has become the primary battleground against the same radical Islamists who declared war on the U.S. in the 1990s and who have carried out a series of terrorist operations including 9/11. The answer is emphatically, 'yes.' This does not mean that Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9/11; he was not. Nor does it mean that the war to overthrow him was justified though I believe it was. It only means that a unilateral withdrawal from Iraq would hand Osama bin Laden a substantial psychological victory." (Bob Kerrey, Op-Ed, "The Left's Iraq Muddle," The Wall Street Journal, 5/22/07)