20071109 News Clips

News Clips

Nov 9, 2007

STATE NEWS

Senate OKs slots plan
Referendum proposal on gambling devices goes to House
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.slots09nov09,0,1274286.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout
The Maryland Senate approved last night a referendum on slot machine gambling, moving the legislature one step closer to asking voters in November 2008 whether to allow up to 15,000 of the devices across the state. Senators worked late into the night on a $1.4 billion package of tax increases, and a final vote on the tax plan was expected today.The Senate's 31-15 vote to approve a referendum on Gov. Martin O'Malley's slots proposal came hours after backers fended off efforts to change the planned locations of slot p arlors and to have an up-or-down vote on allowing them.
In the House, delegates planned to begin taking formal committee votes on the tax legislation today, but preliminary meetings held yesterday suggested that they might try to restore some of the measures that senators stripped out of O'Malley's income tax proposal and establish a mechanism that proponents say would prevent large corporations from hiding their profits out of state.
Several Republicans objected to using the state constitution as a vehicle for the slots debate, arguing that the General Assembly has the authority to legalize slots gambling and that the referendum is a political tool. "It's a sacred document, not a weather vane," said Sen. David R. Brinkley, the minority leader from Frederick County. "You don't need to go in and tinker with the constitution." Earlier yesterday, Republicans failed to amend the bill to take out the Worcester C ounty location at Ocean Downs and instead include Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George's County. Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus, an Eastern Shore Republican, said that many officials in Worcester County oppose slots, and that the gambling facility would draw tourists away from Ocean City. "That glitz is going to pull a lot of people," he said, "and existing businesses [will] die."

Slots bill goes to House
http://www.examiner.com/a-1038430~Slots_bill_goes_to_House.html
With votes to spare for a three-fifths supermajority, the Maryland Senate on Thursday night approved Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to allow voters to decide next year whether to put up to 15,000 slot machines at five locations. The measure could raise about $500 million for education by 2012. It's now up to the House of Delegates to approve a key component of the governor's revenue-raising package with a similar supermajority, despite the House's long reluctance to embrace the gambling scheme.
Sen. Lowell Stoltzfus, whose Lower Shore district includes the ocean resort, said businesses and elected officials in Worcester County all opposed slot machines at Ocean Downs racetrack.
"Rosecroft would generate another $200 million" over Ocean City, Stoltzfus said. Putting the slots operation in Prince George's "does not cannibalize existing businesses," as putting slots near a resort does. But he said, "I can understand why Prince George's does not want the site in their county."

Voters likely to have final say on slots
http://www.examiner.com/a-1038133~Voters_likely_to_have_final_say_on_slots.html
The Senate moved a step closer Thursday by su p porting Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to install 15,000 slot machines at five locations but also allow voters to give the final say to the gambling measure on the 2008 ballot. It could raise about $500 million for education by 2012.

Senate Removes Landscaping From Sales Tax; Tax Vote Today
http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=65445
Members of the Maryland Senate chose not to stay in session all night last night, and are returning this morning to take a final vote on a revised tax bill which Governor Martin O'Malley and other supporters say is needed to eliminate an up to $1.7-billion structural deficit. Senate President Mike Miller told senators before adjourning last night's session that he hoped today's session would be brief, so that the measure can get to the House of Representatives which has scheduled sessions for 2 pm and 5 pm today.
Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley says Republicans are still planning to filibuster the tax bill to prevent a vote from taking place. Republicans need five Democrats to prevent the vote. Brinkley says his party is close to getting that support. Both Brinkley and Senate Minority Whip Allan Kittleman tell WBAL News they have been approached by several Democrats, who have expressed an interest in joining the filibuster effort.
Brinkley says the vote to cut off debate will be "indicative" of the support the tax plan has in the Senate.

Governor looks to House after Senate alters plan
Anne Arundel would lose $20 million under proposal
http://www.capitalonline.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/11_08-42/TOP
A litany of Senate amendments pushed Gov. Martin O'Malley's deficit proposal into a more cons e rvative posture, and now Maryland's chief executive is looking to the House of Delegates to bring it closer to his original vision. The Senate plans to take full votes today on legislation to cut spending and raise taxes, and on bills to legalize slot machines if approved during a 2008 referendum.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers grilled the budget committee for hours when the amended bills were introduced yesterday.
Their comments included how the public didn't get a chance to testify against the new services placed under the sales tax, and how language about locations in the slots proposal appears to telegraph where the machines will be placed even though there's supposed to be an open bidding process.
"You got Democrats questioning (the plan) just like the Republicans," said Sen. John Astle, D-Annapolis, following the full Senate hearing. "There is a lot of dissension (among Democrats) about aspects of it."

O' M alley tax package faces Republican filibuster
http://www.examiner.com/a-1038134~O_Malley_tax_package_faces_Republican_filibuster.html
The Senate was close to giving tentative approval Thursday night to its reworked version of Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposal to increase sales, income and corporate taxes that would raise $1.5 billion.
But the plan faces a filibuster to talk it to death Thursday night or Friday morning by 14 Republicans and at least one Democrat.The Senate resisted many attempts to make changes to bill by both Republicans and Democrats.
In a letter to House Speaker Michael Busch, Comptroller Peter Franchot objected to the new computer taxes. "I am frustrated by the seemingly random and arbitrary manner in which these industries have been targeted for taxation," Franchot said.

Senate Votes to Put Slots On Ballot
Md. Tax Package Clears Hurdles
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/08/AR2007110801171.html
A bill to ask voters whether to place slots at five sites in Maryland passed 31 to 15, two votes more the supermajority required for approval. Putting the issue to a public vote was cast as a compromise to an issue that has paralyzed Annapolis for years. Other procedural votes forced by Republicans suggested that Democratic Senate leaders were likely to win the votes needed today to pass other parts of a revenue package that includes raising the sales, tobacco, corporate income and vehicle titling taxes, as well as overhauling the state's income tax brackets.
The Senate agreed late last night to invest up to $50 million over five years in the financially troubled Prince George's County h o spital system if a still-elusive agreement on a long-term solution for the system is reached by state and county leaders or by the General Assembly.
The breakneck pace drew protests from Republicans and even some Democrats, who said legislation was being muscled through the Senate without vetting by lawmakers and the public.
"What is so special that we have to stay here all night to pass this?" Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne's) asked his colleagues. "We've done a year's worth of work in a day." Although several more long days await them, some lawmakers said they can envision the session coming to a successful close.

All eyes are on the Senate Solutions begin to take shape
http://www.gazette.net/stories/110907/polinew14300_32371.shtml
A marathon Senate session on Thursday addressed slots and health care expansion a n d sought to answer the question of what's in a sales tax. The solution to the state's projected $1.5 billion budget deficit began to take on a clearer outline during the second week of the General Assembly's special session as the Senate moved forward with its ideas. Republicans spent Wednesday and Thursday making their point that new taxes are unwanted. Their discontent did not change as the debate over taxes dragged into Thursday evening. ''It went from a poison pill to a poison bowling ball, and they're asking the voters to swallow it," said Senate Minority Leader David R. Brinkley (R-Dist. 4) of New Market.On Wednesday, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. predicted the session could last another week.
''I think we'll be out of here by next Wednesday, I hope," said Miller (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach ''If we aren't able to get out of here by Wednesday, I'm ready to wave the white flag."

Heat from lawmakers' tax jockeying is burning leadership on all sides
http://www.gazette.net/stories/110907/polinew14246_32368.shtml
After a week of testimony and then the first week of bill mark-up, the General Assembly's leadership was taking hits from all sides over the process of the special session. Republicans on Thursday called for an end to the special session. Renegade Democrat Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons complained that the legislature's reputation had been ''stained."
On Tuesday the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee removed health clubs, tanning salons, property managers and massage therapists from Gov. Martin O'Malley's sales tax plan. The four services, like virtually all other services in Maryland, are untaxed. The panel substituted three others - landscaping, computer services and arcades.
Lawmakers had not signaled the services woul d be considered for taxation during the week of legislative hearings on O'Malley's tax plan. That's when the volume on the complaints went to 11.
''It was their unlucky day. They lost Tax Lotto," said Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Dist. 36) of Stevensville. ''It's not enough [Democrats have] got control of the House, the Senate and the governor's mansion. Now they're going against the democratic - lowercase d - process."''We call for an end to the special session because we believe it is out of control," House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) of Lusby said. ''The governor talks about cost of delay. Here's the cost of haste."
''The reputation of the Maryland General Assembly will be stained by the arbitrary and capricious way this process is being conducted," said Simmons (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville. ''There are people here for whom the ends justify any means."

Bump for slots operators a bad bet, some po l s say
http://www.gazette.net/stories/110907/polinew14244_32367.shtml
Lawmakers on both sides of the gambling debate are bristling over a maneuver this week to sweeten the pot for slots operators who will be competing with existing parlors in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia.The Senate Budget & Taxation Committee boosted the share of gross revenues that will be directed to slots owners from 30 percent to 33 percent, a $72.6 million bump in the first three years of the slots program. One Republican suggested voters will see the additional money as an unfair payday for the wealthy slots operators, haunting Democrats in the next election.
''That's pouring out a gallon of poison instead of a half-gallon," said Del. Richard B. Weldon (R-Dist. 3B) of Brunswick. ''Every policy position that gets rushed through ... strengthens the message that we carry back right now and in two years."
The Senate measure makes a bad bill even worse because it doesn't bring any immediate revenue into the state, said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) of Lusby.
''To give these licenses away and to propose to give them more of the keep is not a good deal for the citizens of Maryland," he said.

Senate overrides police gun veto
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.guns09nov09,0,6111225.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout
The Maryland Senate voted unanimously yesterday to override Gov. Martin O'Malley's veto of a bill that would let police departments dispose of their guns by selling them to a manufacturer.
The bill was approved unanimously this year in both the Senate a nd the House of Delegates. No one testified against it during a Senate committee hearing. State law requires police departments to either destroy the guns or sell them only to another police agency or an active or retired officer.
O'Malley stated that "police weapons should not be potentially made available outside of the law enforcement community." The House of Delegates would need to get a three-fifths' vote for the General Assembly to override the veto.

Smoking-ban talk: waivers, buffers
15 percent loss could get business off hook temporarily
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.smoking09nov09,0,1046638.story
Less than three months before the state's sweeping smoking ban will go into effect, supporters and opponents of the ban tackled the details of the p roposed regulations at a public hearing yesterday, focusing on a provision allowing for temporary waivers. The waivers would give bars and restaurants that prove financial hardship a three-year extension to comply with the smoking ban. State officials are proposing that, to obtain a waiver, businesses would have to show that the first two months of the smoking ban caused gross sales of food and beverages to decline at least 15 percent compared with the same period over the two previous years.Some parts of the state -- such as Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and Talbot counties -- have instituted their own bans. Baltimore passed a ban to make the city smoke-free early next year, helping prompt passage of the state leglslation.

Health plan costs questioned
2 council members raise concerns about the program's eventual bill
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.chamber09nov09,0,463627.story
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman's much ballyhooed health access plan has been widely praised, but two County Council members raised questions yesterday about the plan's eventual costs.
The eventual goal is to enroll up to 12,000 uninsured adults in the program, and Councilman Greg Fox, a western county Republican, and Councilwoman Courtney Watson, an Ellicott City Democrat, said they don't know what the eventual costs will be. "If we need $700,000 for 2,000 people, will we [eventually] need $5 million a year?" Fox asked. He wondered if that much in donations could be raised annually in the future.Dr. Peter L. Beilenson, the county's health officer, said later that he is working to reduce the costs for prescription medicines and specialty care, but "the whole point of the 2,000 in the first year is so we can answer [cost questions] befo r e expanding. The first year is a pilot."

Online versions
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella09nov09,0,2075462.column
The state GOP issued a "Tax Hike Alert" that urged citizens to raise hell with their delegates and senators. It included a link to a state Web site where tax protesters could look up their elected officials.
Then the messages started coming in to the GOP, saying the site was down. "Apparently, we overwhelmed the server with angry citizens looking up their legislators online," said the state GOP's executive director, John Flynn.
State archivist Edward Papenfuse confirmed the site was down for several hours Wednesday, but he said the problem was routine maintenance, not high traffic. "We figured the day after an election would be a good day to refresh the data, " he said.
Flynn wasn't buying it. "What did they have to update? The incumbents won."


EDITORIALS/OPEDS

Contact senators, scream NO!
http://www.examiner.com/a-1038105~Contact_senators__scream_NO_.html
Come on, senators, stand up for Maryland. You can save us from Gov. Martin O'Malley's $1.5 billion sneak-a-tax plan today (unless he slipped it to us in the dark of night). Now is the time for citizens to SCREAM at their senators about this bogus tax plan, the largest single tax increase in Maryland history.Why? Because we just found out Thursday that, guess what? Contrary to O'Malley's smooth lie when he called the special session and said that 83 percent of us would pay less, almost all of us will end up paying more.
This is the standard fast-sh u ffle politicians of all parties at all levels of government play. We can't let them get away with it. Now is the time to tell those who represent us that we are angry at being tricked and taxed.Our senators must stop the tax hikes now. Surely at least four of them have the courage to do the right thing.

Keeping score on taxes no easy task
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.marbella09nov09,0,4546489.column?coll=bal_tab01_layout
For those of you keeping score at home, health clubs and real estate property managers -- they're good. No new sales tax on them. But landscapers, computer service providers and video arcades -- not so good. The grass-cutters, the geeks, the guy, as one legislator imagined, who offers the coin-operated bouncy horsey outside the store -- they should start boning up on the times-six multiplication table.
Surely no one expected, or even necessarily wanted, O'Malley's tax package to come out unscathed. But what's on the table, now that the Senate has had a crack at it, is quite another beast. Some bits have ended up on the cutting room floor, other parts have been amended beyond recognition.
Nothing is final, of course. The House of Delegates still has to speak, for one thing.
Somehow, though, it seems as if there has to be a better way to decide who gets taxed than who happens not to have gotten enough warning and couldn't get someone to Annapolis fast enough to talk their way out of it.

Survey didn't touch on biggest question about slots
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/11_01-34/OPN
The governor must know that the majority support for slots shown in polls might evaporate once people visualize slots emporiums near at hand. So his current idea for a slots referendum is to tie three things voters presumably want - the property tax cuts, expansion of the Medicaid program for childless adults, and $300 million for school construction - to their approval of slots. A slots referendum shouldn't have that sort of blunt coercion. And it should be written so that slots cannot go into any jurisdiction where they are rejected by the voters. If there's really majority support for slots, what's so unfair about that?

A bum's rush for the taxpayer
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071109/EDITORIAL/111090005
Even as Gov. Martin O'Malley and other Democratic Party leaders do everything they can to attract illegal aliens to Maryland, they seem to be competing with one another to see who can do the most to ram through new taxes as rapidly as possible.
A broad-based package of tax increases is moving rapidly through the General Assembly during the current special session; in all likelihood, it is possible that a final tax-increase package could be on the governor's desk sometime this weekend or early next week, barring surprise developments like a successful Senate filibuster. The legislation is now before the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates, which appear to be racing to pass some version of the O'Malley tax-increase package before Marylanders realize the damage that tax increases will do to their livelihoods. Right now, the goal seems to be sending some bill - any bill - to the governor's desk so he can declare "victory." Once again, Marylanders are reaping the "benefit" of the one-party liberalism they voted for in November.