20080328 News Clips

News Clips 03-28-2008

STATE NEWS

Volunteer calls closing of barrack 'a disgrace'

Annapolis state police unit more than just an office

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/03_24-21/TOP

The brown bricks of the Annapolis State Police barrack add up to more than just the modest, rectangular building that sits along Taylor Avenue. But budget times are tight, and Gov. Martin O'Malley agreed this year with the Department of State Police that the time has come to close it down, a proposal that has floated in the halls of the State House for the past four years. Mr. Sears, now 86, has been volunteering at the Annapolis state police barrack for the past 46 years. "If they are looking for something and can't find it, they call me," he said this week. But those days are now numbered. "We're faced with a budget problem," said Sen. John Astle, D-Annapolis, the day after a February meeting with Col. Terrence Sheridan, the secretary of state police, to discuss the idea of closing the barrack. "Sometimes you have to make tough decisions." But four years ago, under the administration of Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., the state studied consolidating the Annapolis and Glen Burnie police barracks and found the most cost-effective maneuver would be to close the Glen Burnie station and bring its operations to the capital. "Considering the communication requirements, from a fiscal aspect, it would be more cost effective to close the Glen Burnie barracks and move all operations to the Annapolis barracks," the study said.

Cell phone ban is killed

By a 12-9 vote, House committee blocks plan to outlaw use while driving

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.cellphone28mar28,0,4292349.story

After coming closer to becoming law than it has in a decade, a bill that would have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving died yesterday in a House of Delegates committee.
National momentum has been building for such bans, which traffic safety advocates say prevent accidents and save lives, and this month the legislation passed in the Maryland Senate for the first time. But it was defeated by a 12-9 vote in the House Environmental Matters Committee, which has killed similar bills in recent years. "A lot of people had concerns," said Del. James E. Malone Jr., a Baltimore County Democrat and chairman of the subcommittee that overwhelmingly urged a defeat of the measure. "Do you say you can't use a cell phone, but it's OK to eat, drink, read and put on makeup while driving?" The measure that passed in the Senate was less stringent than the one Lenett originally introduced. Police would have been able to cite drivers for using cell phones only if they were stopped for another reason, and first offenders would have had no points assessed on their driving records. The ban would have expired after two years unless the legislature renewed it.

State, Constellation reach truce on rates

Rebates, end of investigations let both sides claim victory

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.constellation28mar28,0,6218219.story

The years-long dispute over whether consumers were shortchanged in a 1999 deal to deregulate the power industry ended yesterday with Constellation Energy Group and Gov. Martin O'Malley concluding that neither side could afford to keep fighting. The two sides announced a settlement yesterday that allows both to claim a measure of victory, while avoiding a prolonged legal battle that could have distracted from efforts to resolve a looming statewide energy shortfall. Industry analysts say Constellation needed to make peace with lawmakers if it is to invest up to $5 billion in a new nuclear reactor and other generation projects in Maryland and elsewhere. The stakes were equally high for O'Malley, who could ill afford to be at war with the state's largest energy producer at a time when Maryland needs more electricity. Some lawmakers were skeptical of the settlement and whether state negotiators got the best deal for consumers. Sen. E.J. Pipkin, an Eastern Shore Republican, said he would examine any costs stemming from the 1999 deal for which ratepayers would still be on the hook. Del. Warren E. Miller, a Howard County Republican, called the $170 per-household refund "better than nothing," but he discounted the settlement as a political victory for O'Malley. "I think he still has to explain to ratepayers why there was a 72 percent increase" in utility rates, Miller said.

Bill to exempt some sites from smoking ban fails

Balto. County bars with enclosed 'outdoor' areas had sought change

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.smoking28mar28,0,4983382.story

A bill that would have created an "outdoor" exemption for Baltimore County bars and restaurants to the state ban on smoking in public places died in a House committee yesterday, effectively ending an effort that some health advocates feared could unravel statewide support for the newly imposed law. The bill drew opposition from Baltimore County's executive and health department. It also worried health advocates, who feared other jurisdictions would seek a similar exemption, opening the door to further weakening of the law.

Assembly wrapping up budget work

But members still divided on how to cut $300 million

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.cuts28mar28,0,2703338.story

House and Senate leaders began hashing out the finishing touches on the state's $31.2 billion budget yesterday, although they remain divided on how to cut more than $300 million from state spending. The two sides have not agreed on how much money should go to stem cell research grants and to raises for providers of care for the mentally and physically disabled; how deeply to cut funding for higher education; and when to implement the health care expansion passed in last year's special session.
"We're making good progress," said Sen. David R. Brinkley, the Senate minority leader from Carroll and Frederick counties, who is one of eight lawmakers on the budget conference committee. "It's a tough budget year, and there are a lot of hard decisions to make across the board." By law, legislators must pass a balanced budget before it adjourns next month. The plan they adopt will cover the fiscal year that begins July 1. Their efforts might be complicated by continuing attempts to repeal Maryland's new computer services tax. Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislative leaders are backing a plan to replace that $200 million-a-year levy with an income tax surcharge on those earning $1 million or more and cuts from transportation projects and state agency budgets. O'Malley and other state leaders have expressed optimism that a repeal will pass, despite opposition to their proposal.

Session’s work reflects weak economy, pols say

Democratic leaders say they have protected state’s priorities

http://www.gazette.net/stories/032808/polinew195537_32359.shtml

Now, in the waning days of the 2008 session, amid a sputtering national economy and revenue write-downs, lawmakers have scaled back expectations for new programs held up after the special session as examples that the state was moving ahead with its priorities even while addressing a $1.5 billion budget deficit. Legislative leaders said this week that they have protected the hard-fought gains of the special session, including health care expansion, the Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund and money for K-12 education. ‘‘The budget you pass is morally what you’re about,” Miller said. ‘‘You need a good balance. You need modest revenue increases. At the same time you need to make sure the public is not unduly burdened at these challenging times.” Republicans continue to say state spending is out of control. ‘‘It was irresponsible to vote those new spending programs in the first place at a time when we couldn’t afford them,” House Minority Leader Anthony J. O’Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) of Lusby said. ‘‘They may be wonderful ideas if we had unlimited resources.” Meeting the funding needs of programs passed during the special session was an unrealistic expectation, O’Donnell said. ‘‘It was irresponsible, we couldn’t afford it at the time, and nobody should be surprised that we still can’t afford it,” he said. ‘‘The legislature has not cured its spending addiction.” Republicans are not the only ones with spending concerns. Some fiscally conservative Democrats said the state needs to be wary of the national economy. ‘‘We need to stop spending,” Del. Pamela G. Beidle said. ‘‘We don’t know what this economy’s bringing in the next six month or year.”

State OKs Ocean City property tax breaks

Amusement parks have sought relief

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.ocean28mar28,0,7195430.story

The General Assembly has passed legislation that would let local governments give tax breaks to two Ocean City amusement parks, both of which have been grappling with skyrocketing property tax bills. The bills, which were sponsored by Del. James N. Mathias Jr., could help keep Trimper Rides and Amusements and the Jolly Roger Amusement Park in business. Both resort mainstays have struggled with escalating property taxes because of the real estate boom. “They're both very vital to the continued success of Ocean City," said Mayor Richard W. Meehan. Meehan said the town initially wanted the state to pass a tax credit for amusement parks, but that wasn't feasible. So the two bills were the next best choice, he said.

Craig offers reduced budget for Harford

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-md.ha.budget28mar28,0,3431159.story

Harford County Executive David R. Craig unveiled a $895.8 million proposed budget yesterday for fiscal year 2009 that includes money for renovating schools, expanding the detention center, hiring more deputies and raising salaries for county employees. His 2009 budget plan is $84 million less than the $980 million budget that he proposed last March. Citing a tough economy, Craig said he told heads of various county agencies last fall to make modest requests. "We can see the economy was weak, particularly the housing market," he said. "We told everyone to come in with a conservative budget." Craig wrote in his budget message that the county "places a priority on recruiting and retaining the best employees." The budget, which goes next to the county council, takes effect July 1.

Physical-ed study bill advances in state Senate

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.senate28mar28,0,2615999.story

The Maryland Senate advanced a measure yesterday that would create a task force to study mandating a minimum amount of physical activity or education for students in public schools.
The bill would have required schools to provide students in kindergarten through eighth grade with at least 2 1/2 hours of physical activity a week, but lawmakers changed the bill to study the issue, noting concerns that it would be too expensive and require the hiring of more teachers. The bill also would have required high school students to complete two years of physical education to graduate. The task-force bill still needs a final vote in the Senate; the House of Delegates has not acted on a companion measure.

GOP: Dems blocking expansion of board

http://www.examiner.com/a-1306577~GOP__Dems_blocking_expansion_of_board.html

Democrats are again blocking a bill that would expand the Carroll board of commissioners from three to five, GOP lawmakers say. In a 2004 referendum, voters supported expanding the board to five commissioners, elected by district. But Republicans and Democrats have squabbled in Annapolis for years over how to divide the districts. Carroll’s General Assembly delegation has introduced a bill for the second time in four years calling for a map known as option 1, which would create district lines splitting the towns of Manchester and Hampstead. Sen. David Brinkley, R-District 4, the bill’s co-sponsor, blamed Martin Radinsky, Carroll Democratic Central Committee chairman. Brinkley labeled as false Radinsky’s assertion that option 2 gives Democrats a better chance to win an election. “Marty Radinsky’s working behind the scenes trying to sabotage things,” Brinkley said. “It’s pretty pathetic, actually.” With about two weeks remaining in the General Assembly’s session, both sides agreed plenty of time remains for passage of a bill that would expand the number of commissioners. “We should be able to get something through,” Brinkley said. “I’m still optimistic.”

Senators advance Leopold's agenda

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/03_27-6/GOV

The majority of County Executive John R. Leopold's legislative agenda has been cleared for passage after Anne Arundel's Senate delegation signed off on multiple bills yesterday. Senators unanimously supported lifting the caps on food license and well-drilling fees and mandating the Maryland Department of the Environment to pay the county back for environmental testing it did for fly ash contamination. "Fortunately, (Mr. Leopold's) agenda is very modest," said Sen. Janet Greenip, R-Crofton. In terms of the bills to lift the caps on fees for food establishment licenses and well permits, the Senate delegation's two Republicans - Mrs. Greenip and Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R-Pasadena - begrudgingly voted in favor so the county can cover its operation costs.

Wynn to quit seat in June

http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080328/METRO/569946917/1004

Maryland Rep. Albert R. Wynn said yesterday he will resign before his term ends to take over a D.C. law firm job — a move that comes after the eight-term congressman's sound defeat in last month's primary. Under state law, Mr. O'Malley can choose to leave the seat vacant for the rest of the term. Mr. Wynn said he hoped his early departure will allow Mrs. Edwards to gain seniority among the incoming freshmen members of Congress and to smooth her transition. However, the winner of the Republican primary, Peter James, said the move seemed more like a transfer of power between Democrats. “I see this as a ploy, since Donna Edwards has name recognition, to get her in there quickly,” he said.

Wynn's Resignation Leaves Maryland Scrambling

http://dcist.com/2008/03/28/wynns_resignati.php

Rep. Albert Wynn may have served 16 years in the House of Representatives, but his announcement yesterday that he was retiring eight months before his final term ends may be the cheapest move in his political career. Wynn, who lost a hotly contested primary to Donna Edwards earlier this year, announced that he was leaving his seat for a job at a local law firm starting in June. His transition to a better-paying job comes at the expense of his constituents in Prince George's and Montgomery counties, who will either have to go six months without a representative in the House, or have to cough up the money for a special election to fill the seat until the November general election. Wynn played up his resignation as something of a gift for Edwards. "My leaving early will also allow our Democratic nominee, Donna Edwards, the opportunity to successfully navigate a special election and be sworn in this summer. This will not only give her seniority in the incoming Congressional Class of ’09 but, more importantly, will allow her to get off to a fast start in serving the citizens of our community. I offer her my best wishes and stand ready to assist in any way possible."

More post-deployment aid urged

O'Malley, Mikulski seek more funds to help returning troops

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.guard28mar28,0,3727825.story

Gov. Martin O'Malley and Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski told a group of soldiers yesterday that the government must do more to help returning troops by increasing mental health funding and cutting bureaucracy in existing programs. During a meeting at the 5th Regiment Armory in Baltimore, both officials heard accounts from about a dozen members of the Maryland National Guard who had emotional and financial problems after returning from deployment overseas. "When they come back home, just like they stood by America, America has to stand by them," said Mikulski, who vowed to seek an additional $45 million for integration programs nationwide. "We've got to help these guardsmen." Maryland's proposed budget includes $3.5 million for behavioral health programs that would include troops who live in areas where there are now no programs and $800,000 for an integration program that would help veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder and other combat-related illnesses. O'Malley said Maryland must increase its efforts but offered few specifics about what could be done.

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Time to put government on a diet Rascovar on Politics | Barry Rascovar

http://www.gazette.net/stories/032808/poliras193236_32364.shtml

This is austerity? Maryland’s next budget shows nearly a 4 percent growth in general fund spending — over $550 million more to run state government. Higher education funds are increasing by 9 percent. Aid to public schools is rising by $180 million. Bay restoration funds are growing by $83 million. And yet on Wall Street, there is fear we may be entering a dangerously uncertain period marked by recession and inflation. The collapse of the housing and mortgage markets could spill over into other parts of the economy. It could be a very rough ride — but you’d never know it from the still-growing budgets of local and state leaders. Given the weak national economy, this would be a good time for Annapolis officials to start identifying programs and services to prune or even eliminate. But Maryland’s leaders fear the repercussions of any drastic belt-tightening. Today’s politicians don’t tand up well under pressure. It is easier for them to find ways to increase funding every year for every program. Still, if state revenues continue to plummet, officials may have no choice but to agree on some limited priorities and identify non-essential areas that can be reduced in size.

Look at Maryland’s new budget. When the state comptroller lowered revenue projections by $333 million, did legislators or the governor slash actual spending by an equivalent amount? Of course not. Legislators made less than $150 million worth of on-going program cuts. The rest of the budget balancing was done through fiscal sleights of hand — fund transfers and one-time reductions that don’t provide a long-term answer. It means the state will enter the next budget cycle in worse shape. That $333 million revenue hole is only being plugged temporarily.

A critical victory

Our view: Shorefront land-use reforms are only a start

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bal-ed.critical28mar28,0,2267636.story

Environmentalists may soon have something big to rejoice: Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposal to upgrade Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Critical Area program appears to be headed for passage. The House has approved the bill - thanks to some reasonable compromises with local government and others who had opposed it. The Senate should soon follow suit. But as important a victory for the Chesapeake Bay as this might prove to be, there also ought to be a reality check. The General Assembly can toughen the restrictions on shoreline development all it wants, but unless the necessary financial resources for enforcement are provided (along with a real willingness on the part of local government), the state's ambition to maintain a 1,000-foot buffer along the tidal waterfront will never be fully realized. To put it more bluntly, the law is an unfunded mandate that local government can choose to aggressively enforce or largely disregard. That the state has no plans to help pay for any of this enforcement - aside from whatever local governments receive from higher fines - is not surprising under the state's budgetary circumstances, but it's not helpful. It's clear that even with this reform, the Critical Area law will not be perfect. Nor would a "perfect" Critical Area law be the bay's salvation. But a beefed-up Critical Area program is a crucial component in what must be a concerted and continuing effort to protect Maryland's most valuable natural resource. Achieving even that much is a notable accomplishment.