20070712 News Clips

News Clips

July 12^th, 2007

STATE NEWS

Keeler to step down after nearly two decades

O'Brien will be new leader of region's half-million Catholics, Vatican says

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-keeler0712,0,6414341.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

The Vatican announced today that Edwin Frederick O'Brien, the archbishop for U.S. military services, will take over for Cardinal William H. Keeler, who has headed Baltimore's archdiocese for nearly two decades and is internationally known for his interfaith outreach efforts. Today the Archdiocese of Baltimore is made up of 151 parishes and about half a million Catholics within nine Maryland counties as well as the city of Baltimore.

The basilica, touted as a symbol of religious freedom and an American Catholic landmark, reopened in November after the two-year renovation. Keeler said in a May interview that he planned to remain in Baltimore and continue his work with the Basilica Historic Trust whenever the pope named his replacement.

Budget reduction proposal OK'd
Board of Public Works backs O'Malley plan to tackle deficit despite Franchot's concerns

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.cuts12jul12,0,2441191.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines

The Board of Public Works unanimously approved Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposed budget cuts yesterday despite Comptroller Peter Franchot's concerns that reductions in Medicaid, foster care, higher education and other programs will hurt the state's most vulnerable citizens.

Sen. E.J. Pipkin, an Eastern Shore Republican, said yesterday that O'Malley appears to be using "strong-arm tactics" to get local leaders to support tax increases. He circulated an e-mail from David Bliden, the executive director of the Maryland Association of Counties, encouraging local leaders to provide the governor's office with examples of services that could be eliminated if the budget is balanced through cuts.

"The e-mail lays out an arrogant and shameless blueprint for getting locals to back tax increases," Pipkin said.

GOP lawmaker slams tax-hike game plan

http://www.examiner.com/a-824592~GOP_lawmaker_slams_tax_hike_game_plan.html

A Republican lawmaker took issue Wednesday with an e-mail detailing a public relations plan from Gov. Martin O'Malley's office to drum up support for a tax increase in order to avoid cuts at the local level.

State Sen. E. J. Pipkin, R-District 36, criticized David Bliden - executive director of the Maryland Association of Counties - for e-mailing local officials, asking them to create a "good product" demonstrating how potential budget cuts at the state level could affect county operations.

"It's the tone and the language and the organized effort," Pipkin said. "It's a group of officials getting together to work against Maryland taxpayers on government time."

Budget cuts mean bigger classes
$12M from state university funds among approved $128M trim
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070712/NEWS01/707120421

Maryland's public college students will see bigger class sizes and fewer professors because of budget cuts approved Wednesday, school officials said. The effect of $12 million in cuts for the University System of Maryland was discussed along with dozens more cuts Wednesday as the Board of Public Works unanimously approved $128 million in total cuts to this year's budget. Combined with unspent money, the elimination of vacant jobs and reduced federal spending, the state will decrease spending by $280 million this year.

Not deep enough

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.budget12jul12,0,6134054.story?coll=bal-opinion-headlines

With all due respect to those upset with the $213 million in spending reductions approved yesterday by the state Board of Public Works, let's keep some perspective. As trims go, this is just a little off the top. On a percentage basis, the reductions amount to less than 1.5 percent of general fund spending. That's not hardship; it's a start.

Not that these budget decisions are without consequence, but the state's looming $1.5 billion deficit means difficult choices must be made. That's why it's more than a little disappointing that Gov. Martin O'Malley hasn't truly unleashed his inner bean counter.

Governor O'Malley wasn't elected because voters expected him to close a $1.5 billion structural deficit entirely through spending cuts. But he's going to have to do a better job of demonstrating that all possible alternatives to higher taxes have been exhausted. Holding the line on spending isn't enough. Nor was yesterday's piddling package of cuts.

Little relief if BGE splits

Parent could gain; users still would pay, analysts say

http://www.balt imoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.bge12jul12,0,164350.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

Breaking up Constellation Energy Group and its BGE subsidiary could benefit the parent firm by freeing it from state oversight, but consumers probably would see little relief, utility industry analysts say.

Gov. Martin O'Malley raised the prospect of a split last week when he called on state regulators to examine whether Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.'s relationship with Constellation contributed to last month's 50 percent rate increase for customers of the state's largest utility. Analysts said, however, that consumers still would have to pay market rates for electricity under Maryland's deregulation laws.

Kent Island land deal may be dead http://www.examiner.com/a-824585~_pauses_state_s_purchase_of_Kent_Island_lot.html

State purchase of a 71-acre waterfront property on Kent Island was delayed Wednesday by the Board of Public Works, possibly killing the deal after Comptroller Peter Franchot objected to the sale. This is the second time in the past month that Franchot has tangled with Gov. Martin O'Malley's Cabinet secretaries over prices for proposed open-space transactions in Queen Anne's County. This is the second time in the past month that Franchot has tangled with Gov. Martin O'Malley's Cabinet secretaries over prices for proposed open-space transaction s in Queen Anne's County.

KIPP charter school closure is certain

Academy's principal resigns, sealing fate of Arundel facility in 16-state network

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-md.ar.kipp12jul12,0,6859692.story?coll=bal-local-arundel

An Edgewater charter school that shut down and reopened over the past three weeks reversed course again yesterday, deciding to close after its principal resigned. This time, officials with the Knowledge Is Power Program, or KIPP, Harbor Academy said, the closure is for certain. The yo-yo-ing fate of the school -- and the blame game among KIPP officials, the Anne Arundel County school district and parents -- is rare for an organization known for its blend of high expectations, strict codes of conduct and 1 1-month academic year.

NATIONAL NEWS

The Debate Debate Begins in MD's 4^th

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2007/07/the_debate_debate_begins_in_md.html?nav=rss_blog

In a classic move by a challenger running against a powerful incumbent, Congressional candidate Donna F. Edwards has proposed that she and U.S. Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) take part in a series of five debates between now and the Feb. 12 Democratic primary. Edwards has said the debates would offer voters in Maryland's 4th district, which includes most of Prince George's and part of Montgomery, a chance to hear from the candidates' views on the Iraq war, the environment, health care and other issues.

NOAA, GSA Officially Open New Environmental Satellite Center

http://www.solanconews.com/Gov/Articles/2007/070712_noaa.htm

The new home for NOAA's around-the-clock, environmental satellite operations, which provides data critical for weather and climate prediction, was officially opened yesterday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Suitland, Md. Top leaders from NOAA, the U.S. General Services Administration and several U.S. Congressional representatives from Maryland, said the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) signifies America's solid commitment to providing the best possible environmental satellite services.

"This remarkable facility is the culmination of a successful partnership between NOAA, the GSA, Prince George's County, and private-sector partners, giving us the opportunity to better monitor global climate change and its impact on Maryland," said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin.

Cardin's focus on 'uber' teachers is off the mark

http://www.gazette.net/stories/071207/fredlet210823_32357.shtml

wonder if all you need to be a Maryland senator is a "Balmer" accent and a "D" by your name. The "uber" teacher is Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin's solution to public education (''State's top teachers should go to the schools with the greatest need," July 5).That's a very elitist view. It takes care of the teacher monetarily, but what does it really do for the student?

Foreign investor scrutiny passes

House approves bill, 370-45, after furor over Dubai Ports deal

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/investing/bal-bz.ports12jul12,0,1 885923.story?coll=bal-business-headlines

Nearly 18 months after a plan to sell port operations in Baltimore and other cities to Dubai Ports World ignited a furor, the House voted overwhelmingly yesterday to strengthen federal government review when "critical infrastructure" is transferred to foreign investors.

The legislation, which drew similarly broad support last month in the Senate, would formalize the process by which the Defense, Homeland Security and other departments screen proposed sales. It would expand the types of transactions that would trigger additional investigation and involve the director of national intelligence in the process. It also would require, for the first time, regular reports to Congress.

Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger said the measure approved by the House, the latest in a series of attempts to overhaul the review process since the Dubai Ports controversy, struck the right balance between economic interests and public safety concerns. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, who chairs a House panel that oversees port security, emphasized the strengthening of oversight.

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