20070703 News Clips

News Clips

July 3, 2007

STATE NEWS

State residents challenged on energy savings
O'Malley wants to cut electric use 15% by 2015
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.energy03jul03,0,3314779.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

Gov. Martin O'Malley challenged Marylanders yesterday to cut their electric consumption at least 15 percent by 2015 and pledged that state government would lead the way by making its buildings more efficient and by tracking state energy use.

O'Malley unveiled a seven-step plan for how the state government will achieve the goal, but he gave no specifics for how businesses and individuals - who use the vast majority of the state's power - could follow suit. O'Malley said yesterday that he is exploring a variety of options f or easing future increases, such as a partial re-regulation of the industry, the building of power plants and the development of renewable energy.

O'Malley, not taxpayers, should bite the deficit bullet

http://www.examiner.com/a-810905~O_Malley__not_taxpayers__should_bite_the_deficit_bullet.html?cid=all-hp-featured_editorial

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley says taxpayers must "bite the bullet" to fix the state's $1.5 billion "structural deficit." He also calls for debate on the issue to be characterized by "candor, openness and honesty." He - and the General Assembly - should start by being more honest with Maryland taxpayers about why state government has such a huge deficit.

In that spirit, let's dispose of the governor's assertion that the "pandering" 1997 income tax cut caused $1 billion of the current deficit by reducing state revenues. State revenues increased after the tax cut, but state spending went up much faster.

Md. official denies land deal conflict
DNR chief says state found no problem with consulting job

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.land03jul03,0,7051721.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

Maryland Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin said yesterday that before joining the O'Malley administration this year, he did consulting work for the company that is selling 270 acres of Eastern Shore farmland to the state and Queen Anne's County for more than its appraised value. State Sen. Andrew P. Harris, a Baltimore County Republican, said he was troubled by reports of Griffin's link to U. S. Land Alliance and that he has requested an investigation by the attorney general's office.

Comptroller Seeks Delay in Land Buy

Franchot Questions the Price Tag On State's Purchase of 271 Acres

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/02/AR2007070201771.html

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot yesterday asked Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration to delay final purchase of 271 acres of undeveloped land in Queen Anne's County, asking whether the state was vastly overpaying for the property.

"In order to ensure that Maryland's taxpayers are getting the best possible deal for their money . . . I am writing today with several questions," Franchot (D) wrote in a letter to the Department of Natural Resources, which is buying the land for $5 million for use by the county under the state's preservation program. State Sen. Andrew P. Harris (R-Baltimore County) also has asked the attorney general's office to investigate the deal. He has raised questions about work that John R. Griffin, Department of Natural Resources secretary, did before his appointment to design a possible park on the site.

2007 city candidates set

Filing deadline passes with little fanfare

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.filing03jul03,0,4636137.story?coll=bal-local-baltimorecity

With a mere handful of candidates entering city races, Baltimore's primary election ballot took its final shape after last night's candidacy deadline came and went without surprises. Though no major names appeared for the top citywide offices - mayor, comptroller and City Council president - a steady stream of candidates jumped into the races for the 14 City Council seats that are also up for election this fall.

FSU Foundation receives $325,000 gift to support J. Glenn Beall Jr. institute

http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_183094912.html

The Frostburg State University Foundation has received a gift of $325,000 from the J. Glenn Beall Family Foundation, through his daughter Victoria Beall Muth, to support the J. Glenn Beall Jr. Institute for Public Affairs at FSU. The institute provides access to the Beall Archives, located in the Ort Library on campus.

The archives holds the personal papers of J. Glenn Beall, who represented Maryland in the U.S. Senate from 1953 to 1965, and his son Sen. J. Glenn Beall Jr., who represented Maryland from 1971 until 1977.

Council Wants Residents to Vote on Phone Tax Increase in 2008

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/02/AR2007070201290.html

The Prince George's County Council tentatively agreed yesterday to ask voters whether to increase the telephone tax to pay for education, rejecting a proposal by County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) to impose the increase without giving residents a say. Council members agreed that the phone tax is subject to a tough county charter provision in place since 1996 that requires voter approval for any local tax increase. By a vote of 6 to 2 with one abstention, a council committee approved a bill that would put the tax increase on the ballot in November 2008. The council must hold a public hearing before it takes a final vote.

NATIONAL NEWS

Delegation secures $4 million BRAC grant

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.digest03jul03,0,3909194.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

The Maryland congressional delegation has secured a $4 million federal grant to help prepare the state work force for the coming military base realignment, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski announced yesterday.

Veteran's work sparks benefits bill

http://www.examiner.com/a-810885~Veteran_s_work_sparks_benefits_bill.html

It took three years and the aid of a congressman for Gulf War veteran Richard Vandervlis to receive federal benefits.

"Trying to pay a house payment and feed a family on $285 a month was certain ly a challenge," said Vandervlis, 48, of Lansdowne, whose benefits were bound by red tape between the Social Security Administration and Veterans Administration. Vandervlis' efforts were the catalyst for legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, D-District 3, aimed at cutting through bureaucracy and speeding up benefit allotments to veterans who cannot work because of disabilities or injuries.

"Not only does this reduce the delay and frustration veterans experience in this process, but also reduce the stress caseworkers experience," said Sarbanes, who represents parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties as well as Baltimore City.