20071024 News Clips

News Clips

Oct. 24, 2007

STATE NEWS

O'Malley warns of high 'cost of delay'
Outlines budget cuts before special session
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bal-md.governor24oct24,0,3530907.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout
Gov. Martin O'Malley described yesterday a scary scenario if the General Assembly fails to take action during a special session starting Monday to eliminate a projected $1.7 billion shortfall in the state budget next year. "If for some reason a consensus on the revenue package should elude us, I would be left to put forward this budget of cuts when we come back in the regular session," O'Malley said.
House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell said, "Governance through fear is abhorre nt to the American psyche." "These are not the types of things that anybody is seriously contemplating," said O'Donnell, a Southern Maryland Republican. "The governor does not seem serious about making spending reductions. He wants to pick things that will cause fear in people."
An hour before the news conference, Comptroller Peter Franchot released a letter cautioning Maryland legislative leaders "against acting in haste" to approve O'Malley's sweeping plan, saying the lack of an "immediate fiscal crisis" and the governor's failure to release details of his proposals could lead to "unintended consequences."Franchot, a Democrat, repeated his call for the General Assembly to wait until the regular session starting in January to consider O'Malley's proposal.
As for voter opinions on legalizing slot machine gambling, 59 percent said they favor the idea - the highest margin i n five years. Asked about putting the slots question to voters on the November 2008 ballot, 84 percent backed the idea. O'Malley has not yet indicated whether he would ask state lawmakers to approve slot machines at selected locations or put the matter to voters through a ballot referendum."In my view, the volatility of the U.S. and Maryland economies, the absence of an immediate fiscal crisis and the lack of detail about the plan could all combine to create a perfect storm of unintended consequences. Rather than act in haste, the fiscally prudent and practically wise thing to do would be to move cautiously and deliberatively throughout this process," Franchot wrote in the letter to legislative leaders.

Insuring 100,000, plugging shortfall
$2 billion O'Malley initiative readied for Assembly
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.health24oct24,0,1628383.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout
The Maryland General Assembly will consider a $500 million health care proposal to extend medical coverage to more than 100,000 uninsured residents during the special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley to tackle the state's fiscal problems.
But finances could jeopardize the plan. O'Malley hopes to raise $2 billion through a series of tax increases and, possibly, revenue from legalized slot machines. If any piece of that package failed in the General Assembly, more money for health care could evaporate.
O'Malley held a news conference with his Cabinet secretaries yesterday to urge passage of his budget solution and warned that deep budget cuts will be needed if legislators don't act.

O'Malley polls dip as budget flap intensifies
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071024/METRO/110240050/1004
Mr. O'Malley's approval rating dropped six points, to 46 percent, and his disapproval rating increased 10 points, to 31 percent, since the last statewide poll conducted in March by Gonzales Research and Marketing.
A spokesman for Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, said the governor was not worried about his six-point drop in the polls.
"Most of those numbers break along party lines," said spokesman Rick Abbruzzese, noting an increase in Republicans who disapprove of Mr. O'Malley's leadership but steady support from Democrats. "Leaders lead even when they have to make difficult decisions." The budget shortfall has long been predicted by nonpartisan budget analysts, but Democrats and Republicans are split over how to fix the problem. Republicans flatly oppose tax increases and support broad spending cuts.
Republican senators criticized Mr. O'Malley's budget proposal as a scare tactic.
"He's trying to scare people into having a consensus and that's not going to work," said Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, Howard Republican. "It's the new movie 'A Nightmare on State Circle,' and Governor O'Malley plays the lead character. If you go to sleep you're going to get your taxes raised. So people in Maryland have to be vigilant. They have to stay awake and they have to fight hard."

Poll: Support for slots is up, down for O'Malley
http://www.examiner.com/a-1006485~Poll__Support_for_slots_is_up__down_for_O_Malley.html
Support for slots among Maryland voters is up, but it's down for Gov. Martin O'Malley, according to a new statewide poll. The poll also found overwhelming backing for a referendum on slot machine gambling.<>The poll taken last week by Gonzales Marketing also found widespread support for the income tax hikes O'Malley has proposed for corporations and the wealthy and for the special session he has called, and opposition to the increase in the sales tax he's seeking.
Almost the entire change in the governor's approval rating was caused by a sharp drop in support among Republican voters, two-thirds of whom now disapprove of him, almost double the number in March. Among Democrats, 61 percent approve of the job he's doing.
Gonzales, who's been polling in Maryland for decades, said he was particularly surprised "at the shear overwhelming number of people that want slots to go to referendum."

Zimmer asks for legislation against illegal immigrants
http://www.examiner.com/a-1006597~Zimmer_asks_for_legislation_against_ i llegal_immigrants.html
Adult illegal immigrants should be banned from Carroll County by law, says Commissioner Michael Zimmer. He says the county's state delegation should pass a law against adult illegal immigrants in Carroll, and he is asking his fellow commissioners to encourage them to take action. In a commission form of government, the state lawmakers must pass the law.
"It's important to sort of send the message that if you're a legal resident, you're welcome here in Carroll County," Zimmer said. "If your not, it's not a good situation." He stressed that it would apply only to adults because children don't have a choice whether they are illegal. Zimmer requested a public hearing and more discussion with various county departments.

Governor outlines long list of cuts if his budget plan fails
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/10_24-03/OUD
Gov. Martin O'Malley painted a picture of fiscal agony on Tuesday if his budget plan fails to pass in a special session. It was an ugly Maryland landscape, the governor drew, with poor people unable to get health care, neglected foster children and closed police barracks. While O'Malley said he felt obligated to warn about what could happen if his plan fails, he expressed confidence that it was gaining ground. Republicans were dismissive of the Democratic governor's position, saying the state can handle the budget deficit with level funding and shifting some responsibilities to the counties. Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Queen Anne's, said O'Malley was manufacturing a fiscal crisis to scare up momentum for unneeded tax increases to support big government. "Halloween has come early to Annapolis," Pipkin said.
The slot machine piece of the pr o posal appears to be the most uncertain. A perennially contentious Annapolis issue, slots don't generate major revenue in the first years of O'Malley's plan. But slot machines eventually are expected to raise about $550 million a year. Busch said he didn't believe there was enough support in the House for a slots bill outright, and O'Malley has said he's inclined to move toward sending the matter to a referendum. Busch said a referendum would receive more support.

O'Malley backup proposal includes big cuts for Md.
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=177560&format=html
Washington County would face about $19 million in cuts under a $1.7 billion budget-deficit-erasing plan Gov. Martin O'Malley released Tuesday as a contrast to his previously proposed tax package. Some statewide cuts wo u ld have implications here, such as possibly merging the Potomac Center in Hagerstown with another state center for people with mental disabilities. O'Malley, a Democrat, presented the list to show what would happen if the Maryland General Assembly doesn't pass tax increases and changes during a special session that starts Monday. Del. Christopher B. Shank, R-Washington, dismissed O'Malley's proposal for cuts as a political ploy to justify raising taxes. "I think it's meant to inflame public opinion," said Shank, the second-highest ranking Republican in the House, where Democrats dominate.
Sen. Donald F. Munson, R-Washington, said "doomsday" budget proposals probably are meant to be a lesson about a legitimate deficit problem. He said O'Malley likely has the votes lined up for his tax proposals.

Pollitt urges support for O'Malley budget plan
County asks Shore legislato r s not to let state budget deficit pinch local governments
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071024/NEWS01/710240367
Wicomico County pleaded with Lower Shore legislators Tuesday night to agree to Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to eliminate the state's $1.7 billion budget deficit and not pass it on to local government.
County Executive Rick Pollitt and Finance Director Pat Petersen organized a short presentation reporting that the county may need to offset 10 percent of its general fund, eliminate raises, layoff workers or possibly reduce the work week if the state's so-called "Doomsday" budget were enacted. This plan essentially cuts $1.7 billion from state aid and adds nothing. Pollitt stressed that counties are often the victim when the state makes cuts.
"We're hoping the state won't follow the t raditional road of looking at local government as easy pickins', and try not to fix the state's structural deficit problems on the backs of local communities," Pollitt said after the meeting.
Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus, R-38-Somerset, asked county officials about their decision to fund the school system $1 million above the Maintenance of Effort Standard. He suggested that most Maryland counties are only funding at Maintenance of Effort, and in tough financial times, the county should consider less for schools. This is especially true when Wicomico ranks fifth in state support per pupil at more than $7,400, Stoltzfus said.
He and Delegate Page Elmore, R-38A-Somerset, also suggested the county is paying too much for salaries since it's had an average cost of living increase for the past five years at twice the rate of the state's 2 percent. Elmore suggested the county might see leaner times ahead. "You might have a slowdown, but you ' re not going to have a doomsday," Elmore said. "Some of the governor's proposals will pass."

New law may push illegal immigrants to Maryland
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.immigration24oct24,0,4232479.story
A resolution passed in Virginia's Prince William County last week to crack down on illegal immigrants might bring a mass relocation to welcoming states like Maryland, experts said. The law bars illegal immigrants from obtaining business licenses or using services for the homeless, elderly and drug-addicted. In addition, police must check suspects' status if there is reason to believe they are here illegally. Maryland is not the most permissive state when it comes to immigration, said immigration expert William Hanna, a professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. B u t it "is probably in the top half of states in the United States that have been more receptive."
Maryland has generally been more relaxed about illegal immigration than Virginia. For example, it is one of only nine states that doesn't check immigration status before issuing a driver's license.
"We have a growing immigrant community in Maryland that's made its economy No. 1," said Del. Victor R. Ramirez, a Prince George's Democrat. The economy could draw people to Maryland, he said.

Race is on for Christman's council seat
Special primary, general election in the works for this year
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.christman24oct24,0,5444437.story
With Republican Alderman Michael I. Christman's formal resignation letter barely a day old, the race is already on to find his replacement on the Annapolis city council. A prominent city Republican, Alderman David Cordle, said his party is trying to recruit a candidate. Cordle said Republicans intend to field a candidate, although no one has stepped forward. He said the party is looking at two possible candidates. One, whose name Cordle said he could not recall, is serving on the city's Republican Central Committee. The alderman said he is also waiting to hear back from someone he has recruited. Cliff Myers, chairman of the city's Republican Central Committee, could not be reached for comment yesterday.


EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Delegation can right a wrong
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/10/24/news/opin i on/editorial/editorial845.txt
Carroll's legislative delegation has an opportunity today to right a wrong when they meet to consider alternatives for the change to five commissioners which voters said they wanted in 2004. After the 2004 vote, a committee was established to set the districts. It included three Democrats and three Republicans, as well as a neutral seventh member, Janet Jump from the Board of Elections. Both political parties brought their ideas to the table. Ultimately, a map submitted by the Democrats received a 4-2 approval from the committee.
But when the time came for the delegation to vote on a map to take to Annapolis, five of them voted for the map submitted by their hand-picked Republican members. Having been rebuffed in the original process, and turned away in Annapolis after trying to assert their will, the time has come for our delegation members to do the right thing.
Take the map proposed by the commi t tee and make it law. Let the process work as intended.At the time, and to this day, no real reason has been given by any of the members for abandoning the public process.


NATIONAL NEWS

Bill would halt menhaden harvest
Gilchrest says moratorium would restore food supply for striped bass
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.gilcrest24oct24,0,6358262.story
Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest has introduced legislation that seeks to put a moratorium on harvesting menhaden in both state and federal waters, a move he hopes will revive the oily baitfish that are a main food source for striped bass."Most states have already banned menhaden fisheries," said Gilchrest, a Republican who represents Maryland's 1st Congressional District. "It seems to me that the evidence is clear. If you look at the Chesapeake Bay as a whole system, then you can recognize that you have a large striped bass population. But it's not even close to what it was."Gilchrest said he was also able to make the menhaden case to the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the commerce secretary and a key presidential environmental adviser.

Bartlett opposes heritage area legislation
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/735101/
Congress is expected to vote this week on legislation that would create a national heritage area encompassing all of Frederick County and stretching from Monticello, Va., to Gettysburg, Pa. Frederick's U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican, said this week he intends to vote against the legislation a n d opposes the Journey Through Hallowed Ground area in his district, one of six new national heritage areas proposed in the bill. Bartlett believes the bill should include stronger protection of property rights, broader local representation in the area's management and no federal funding, he said.
"All of our nation's founders knew of the intimate connection between personal liberty and property rights," Bartlett said in a statement. "The National Heritage Areas bill, H.R. 1483, and in particular, the bill's exclusive version of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, tramples over rather than honors these hallowed principles."