20070925 News Clips

News Clips

September 25, 2007

STATE NEWS

O'Malley is looking at gas tax
Governor would link rate to rising costs for roads
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.taxes25sep25,0,4363649.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout
Maryland's gasoline tax would go up in 18 months - and possibly sooner - if Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to add $400 million a year in transportation funding is approved by the General Assembly. Although an immediate increase in the gas tax is not part of the $2 billion revenue plan the Democratic governor has been rolling out over the past week, he said yesterday that he will push to tie future increases to the rising cost of road and bridge construction materials. As the proposal is structured, new rates woul d not take effect for about 18 months. But O'Malley also suggested he would be open to supporting an immediate increase in the gas tax, which was last raised in 1993, if the legislature approved it.
Sen. David R. Brinkley, the minority leader from Frederick County, said Republicans are generally opposed to a gas tax increase. The GOP caucus has opposed all of O'Malley's proposals to increase taxes to balance the budget, but their objections to the gas tax are different, he said. "We favor the investment in roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure," Brinkley said. "I am very much opposed to the motoring public paying for most of the mass transit in the current system."
He is scheduled to appear today at a horse farm in northern Baltimore County, in what is likely to be his first public step in a push to legalize slot machine gambling.

Plan Falls Short, Some Officials Say
Governor Rejects Calls for Higher Gas Tax Than Proposed
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401551.html
Local political and business leaders from Maryland's Washington suburbs said yesterday that Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposal to spend nearly $400 million a year more on transportation priorities was a good first step but that it would not be enough to address growing gridlock in the region. Under the plan, the state would start pegging its gasoline tax to rising construction costs, a move expected to add 0.7 to 0.8 cents a gallon a year at the pump. But O'Malley balked at calls from several business groups, and from Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), for a much larger immediate increase in the gas tax, the largest source of funding of transportation projects. A gas tax increase h as been endorsed by the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Greater Baltimore Committee, prominent regional business groups. Yesterday, the Washington-based group urged O'Malley and lawmakers to raise the plan to $600 million.
"We encourage Maryland leaders to address the state's transportation needs in a comprehensive and complete manner," said James C. Dinegar, the Washington board's president and chief executive officer.

Balto. Co. to try online learning
Pilot project to start with home-schooled students in county
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-te.md.co.homeschool25sep25,0,506191.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout
The Baltimore County school system plans to test a full-time online school, providing certified teachers and Web-based l esson plans for free, starting this week with home-schooled students.
The Baltimore County Virtual Instruction Program, believed to be the first of its kind in the state, would later be expanded to include students who are at home because of medical issues or otherwise need an alternative to a traditional school setting. While one expert says some home-schooling parents may balk at signing up because of philosophical qualms about using a public school curriculum, the pilot version of the program could significantly change the landscape of home schooling statewide if other districts follow Baltimore County's lead.

State road funds wither
Budget problems threaten plans for BRAC upgrades
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.roads23sep23,0,6279041.story
A week after Gov. Martin O'Malley came to Har ford County and promised residents they would not have to endure increased traffic without new roads and improvements to existing highways, state transportation officials brought sobering news on transportation projects during an annual visit to Bel Air.
John D. Porcari, state transportation secretary, said the state budget crisis is impeding new projects and a 10-year-old backlog of unfunded road improvements statewide has reached $40 billion.
"The money is just not there for road construction," said Del. Barry Glassman, a Republican who leads Harford's delegation. "We have a potential for 60,000 more people on our roads and no money to improve them. We will be in a holding pattern for a long time, even with BRAC." County Executive David R. Craig said the news came as no surprise - Porcari had delivered the same message to officials at the Maryland Association of Counties meeting in August. "State money will go to keep t he system going, and there probably won't be any new projects," Craig said. He said most of the roads that lead to APG are state roads, and the responsibility for securing funding for those lies with the delegation.

Judge halts O'Malley order
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20070925/METRO/109250084/1004/metro
A Maryland judge yesterday issued a temporary restraining order against Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, saying the governor acted unconstitutionally in signing an executive order to unionize child care workers. The order by Judge Dexter M. Thompson Jr. of the Circuit Court for Cecil County bars Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, from enforcing the executive order he signed last month. Delegate Michael D. Smigiel Sr., Eastern Shore Republican and an attorney , argued the case. Mr. Smigiel said he brought the case before the court because the executive branch has been "usurping" the powers of the General Assembly. "It is a victory for the legislative process and following the [Maryland] Constitution," he also said.
In the injunction, Mr. Smigiel, Senate Minority Whip Allan H. Kittleman and independent child care providers argue Mr. O'Malley issued the order "without compliance with the procedures prescribed by state law for the issuance of regulations."
"We're not confident that the governor did this properly through executive order," said Mr. Kittleman, Howard County Republican. "I think it was wrong."

Magna to take complete ownership of Md. tracks
Canadian company agrees to buy remaining 49% of Pimlico, Laurel
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/horseracing/bal-te.bz.magna25sep25,0,5115578.story
The Canadian company that controls Maryland's major thoroughbred tracks agreed yesterday to buy the remaining interest in Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park for $18.3 million, officially ending local stewardship of the state's storied jockey club. Magna said the De Francis family's leadership role in managing the tracks would end after more than 20 years. But the family still stands to benefit financially if slot machines are legalized at Laurel Park and Pimlico, where the Preakness is held. Magna executives have lobbied lawmakers for slot machines at Pimlico and Laurel, and that push is expected to grow now that Gov. Martin O'Malley has indicated that he might pursue slots as one step toward closing a budget shortfall.
Some lawmakers said the departure of Joseph De Francis could help win approval for slots because some legislators have criticized him, saying he was focusing on personal profit instead of the racetracks' health. Some lawmakers reacted to yesterday's deal by pointing to the possibility of a special session of the General Assembly to consider a slots proposal.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. said De Francis' exit should clear the way for a slots proposal. The House of Delegates has long been opposed to slots, with Speaker Michael E. Busch firmly against them. With De Francis gone, Miller said, Busch should be more flexible.


EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

O'Malley continues to expand his organization and his base
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-op.fraser23sep23,0,2707809.column
Weak political leaders, whose allies don't get elected, will have difficulty passing major legislation.
It was somewhat coincidental, but just as he unveiled a new tax structure for the state, Gov. Martin O'Malley's political strength - his machine - was on display in the recent primary election in Baltimore. The O'Malley base is expanding - something that will probably continue as long as his organization is successful. Important players in his organization are operating not just in Baltimore but in Baltimore County and Howard County. One of the organization's many stalwarts calls this three-jurisdiction combine the "potato posse," a reference to the many Irish-Americans who control it. Now the governor and his posse will turn to flushing out votes for the tax package. They'll be hoping their recent successes will help. It's best to look strong on the eve of such a chore.

Sheriff's office
http:/ /www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_editorial.htm?StoryID=65506
Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins announced his intention to check the immigration status of anyone his department arrests. The process will also involve assisting the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining and deporting undocumented residents who have run afoul of the law in Frederick County. However one feels about the illegal immigration issue in general, this initiative is difficult to argue against. There is, to be sure, a lot of controversy about the wisdom of local law enforcement getting involved in identifying illegal immigrants within its jurisdiction. Jenkins' plan will result in that, but only when a violation of law leads to it.
Local jurisdictions are being forced into programs such as this by the inaction of the Congress in addressing the major concerns of illegal immigration. As we have said in numerous other editorials on this subject, Congress must find the political will to compromise and create an overarching national immigration policy that is as fair and workable as possible, and that includes tough new border security and enforcement measures.

Incentives increase conserving
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/09/25/news/opinion/editorial/editorial874.txt.txt
Rewarding people who conserve water by lowering their rates and providing incentives for people to use water-saving appliances are good ways to reduce the overall water usage in the county. They are also good ways to get people thinking about conservation every day. Among the recommendations that the county's Environmental Advisory Council has forwarded to the county Water Resource Council are several initiatives to provide incentive for people to conserve. Water issues have been with us for years, and there is no reason to think that they are going to disappear any time soon. Because of that, and because of the growing need for water in our communities, it just makes sense to do what we can to conserve.
To help move people in that direction, the county and municipalities should take a serious look at providing incentives to those who use less water, or those who invest in water-saving technology.

Little loop distracts city from huge hole
http://www.examiner.com/a-953654~Editorial__Little_loop_distracts_city_from_huge_hole.html
Corporate tax "loopholes" cost Baltimore City $11.7 million last year, Mayor Sheila Dixon said Friday. That's why she supports a proposal by Gov. Martin O'Malley to tax a certain type of corporate real estate transaction t hat currently does not generate dollars for state and local governments. We agree with the governor that home sellers and buyers throughout the state should not subsidize corporations. But the main issue for Baltimore City is not that it can't capture the benefits of a few building sales, but that so many of its buildings do not generate any money for the city. That is the issue Dixon and the governor, who as mayor experienced this problem too, should focus on changing.
Unless the city wants to waste time patching more "loopholes," it should stop the cycle that got it into this position in the first place. The only way to do that is to cut property taxes in half or more to levels of surrounding counties.


NATIONAL NEWS

Fort Ritchie breaks ground on post anchor
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display .htm?storyID=65516
More than a decade after the Army closed Fort Ritchie, developers are finally celebrating what they say is an economic renaissance. A groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning for a community center on the Washington County property, now known as Fort Ritchie at Cascade, marked the real beginning of the post's expansion as a revitalized business and residential center, officials said. "The vision for Fort Ritchie is being realized," U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., said at Monday's groundbreaking ceremony. "This will become the home for our federal agencies," he said. "In today's world there isn't any reason you have to be outside the gate at Fort Meade."

Grant to fund generator
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=175478&format=html
Smithsburg Emergency Medical Services has been awarded a $35,530 Homeland Security grant to buy an emergency generator, Maryland's senators announced Monday. The federal money, awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, will allow the EMS company to purchase and install a generator that can provide up to 10 days of power in the event of a weather-related power outage or natural disaster, Deputy Chief Jon Snyder said. In a press release, the office of Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., said she would continue to fight each year for additional funding for grants to fire and rescue companies.
"The federal government has a responsibility to protect our protectors, providing them with the tools they need to do their job safer and smarter," Mikulski said.

Superintendent Defends New Rules
http://www.washingtonpost .com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401518.html
The superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy defended strict new policies reducing off-campus liberty and extracurricular activities for students, telling members of the school's board of visitors yesterday that the Annapolis school's midshipmen represent "the face of the Navy." Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler, who took over as superintendent in June and announced the changes at the start of the school year last month, said the tighter policies were needed to "eliminate the distractions" facing students. Board members offered general support for the stricter policies but expressed concern that ending extracurricular activities might not produce "well-rounded" officers. "I'm trying to figure out where you draw the line," said Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), a member of the board. "How do you get that balance?" Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a board member, observed that restricting liberty causes "a ripple effect" in a town such as Annapolis, where many businesses depend on the wallets of midshipmen. "What does this mean for everything from the ice cream shops to the Burger King?" Mikulski asked. The academy, she added, should do a better job of communicating with the community