20080418 News Clips

20080418 News Clips

NewsClips 04-18-2008

STATE NEWS

GOP fundraiser to help Democrat in 1st District

Gilchrest aide, Hoyer operative to aid Kratovil campaign

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.first18apr18,0,2135390.story

Still angry about this winter's bitter GOP primary, the chief fundraiser for Republican Congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest announced yesterday she will join the campaign of the Democratic challenger for Maryland's open 1st District. Lynn Caligiuri, who has been raising money for Gilchrest for the past decade, will now work against state Sen. Andy Harris, who unseated the nine-term incumbent by more than 10 points. She is also the wife of Gilchrest's chief of staff, who has appeared at an event for Republicans supporting Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil Jr. "Kratovil's going to have to wage a much more sophisticated campaign in the general election than he did in the fall to beat someone as strong as Harris," said Michael J.G. Cain, director of the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Democrats have "an uphill fight," he said, but because it's now a seat with no incumbent, "they have an opening." Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who broke from GOP tradition of endorsing party incumbents and instead came out early for Harris in the primary, said he didn't see any way a Democrat could win, although he's still encouraging Harris to "keep the pedal to the metal."

"We have the entire party united behind my candidacy and the message of fiscal discipline, lower taxes, lower spending and stimulating the economy," said Harris, 51. "I would welcome the support of Congressman Gilchrest. ... But with or without it, we're going to reach out to all voters in the 1st Congressional District with my message. It resonated with voters in the primary and it's going to resonate with voters in the general election."

Carroll votes on waste facility

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/carroll/bal-md.ca.waste18apr18,0,3011490.story

The Carroll County commissioners voted yesterday to take the next step toward participating in a regional waste-to-energy facility, responding to an invitation from their counterparts in Frederick. The 2-1 vote came after weeks of debate on the matter in public hearings and workshops, and is part of an ongoing discussion about how to manage solid waste in both counties. It will allow the boards to next determine the cost of such a facility, which -- if built -- would be in Frederick County. Carroll's public works director, J. Michael Evans, has told the board that entering a joint venture, rather than building the county's own plant, could save money. A shared 1,500 ton-a-day plant -- with 900 tons for Frederick and 600 for Carroll -- would cost the county about $140 million, compared with $200 million for a solo operation, Evans said in February. Several residents have urged the board to consider different avenues, such as increased recycling, and have questioned the long-term environmental impact of a waste-to-energy facility.

O'Malley sets June 17 election to fill seat of departing Wynn

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.signing18apr18,0,4856903.story

Gov. Martin O'Malley set a special election date yesterday to fill a vacancy left by the departure of Rep. Albert R. Wynn, who is leaving Congress to join a lobbying firm after eight terms. 'Malley signed emergency legislation that would allow the state to hold the special election and said that he will issue a proclamation setting the date on June 17. Wynn's resignation drew criticism from fellow Democrats, partly because of the anticipated cost to hold special elections. O'Malley said that by eliminating a special primary, the state would save about $1 million.

Md. lawmakers call for sludge study inquiry

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.sludge18apr18,0,6875844.story

Two Maryland lawmakers are asking the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate why a study it funded spread sewage sludge on the lawns of nine East Baltimore rowhouses as part of an effort to combat lead poisoning. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski and U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, both Democrats, have written a letter to outgoing HUD Secretary Alphonso R. Jackson seeking answers to safety questions raised by the study. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has said it will hold hearings on risks of using sludge as fertilizer. Mikulski and Cummings want to know whether families were "given adequate information about the potential harmful health effects from the sludge," their representatives said.

Regional groups join forces to oppose illegal immigration

Legislative session saw intense debate but little movement on issues

http://www.gazette.net/stories/041808/polinew205203_32355.shtml

Fledgling groups that sought to restrict government services for illegal immigrants found little success in the 2008 General Assembly, but they are uniting to give themselves a louder voice in the future. On Thursday, 10 groups from Maryland, Virginia and Washington held a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington to announce the formation of the Capital Area Alliance Against Illegal Immigration. The alliance is a sign of the growing network these groups are forming in the wake of several high-profile battles over immigration issues in the region. The organization of anti-illegal immigration groups is a sign of frustration, House Minority Leader Anthony J. O’Donnell said. ‘‘Failure to act and to rein this problem in will continue to generate a backlash in the public arena ...,” O’Donnell said. ‘‘Citizens are frustrated that those who break our laws are taking advantage of us.” None of the immigration issues were resolved in the General Assembly this year. On the final day of the 2008 session, Senate Minority Leader David R. Brinkley (R-Dist. 4) of New Market tried to resolve the issue with an amendment to a bill on commercial driver’s licenses that would have required legal present for all driver’s licenses. The amendment failed 24-23. Republicans claimed the narrow margin was a sign that Democrats — including the nine who voted for the amendment — are moving toward the Republican position on the issue. ‘‘You could argue that any of the 24 votes were the deciding vote ...,” said Senate Minority Whip Allan H. Kittleman (R-Dist. 9) of West Friendship. ‘‘That’s probably the first time we’ve ever had anything on the record.”

Social issues may have to wait

Controversies are likely to get less attention in statewide election year

http://www.gazette.net/stories/041808/polinew205212_32358.shtml

Social issues that many thought would color the 2008 General Assembly fell victim to a debate of the computer services tax that swallowed the session whole. Now, issues of whether to legalize same-sex marriage and whether to repeal the death penalty could have to wait a while before taking center stage in Annapolis, lawmakers and pundits said this week. Next year’s session will be the run-up to the 2010 statewide general election, said Waldstreicher (D-Dist. 18) of Kensington. ‘‘Controversial issues get a lot less attention.” Shelving the legislation until after the 2010 election — when lawmakers would be seeking re-election — would be ‘‘disingenuous,” House Minority Leader Anthony J. O’Donnell said. ‘‘If they’re going to wait until after the election to bring a same-sex marriage bill forward, that’s more evidence of trying to pull the wool over the citizens’ eyes,” said O’Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) of Lusby. ‘‘... If you’re going to effect a change to public policy, don’t wait until just after an election to do it. It’s manipulative, the whole concept.”

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Don't dismiss nuclear risks

Maryland must resist Constellation Energy's push to build a new plant at Calvert Cliffs

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.nukes18apr18001519,0,3757514.story

With the recent settlement between the state of Maryland and Constellation Energy Group, the power company is once again championing Calvert Cliffs as the site of a new nuclear power plant. This is not a cause for celebration. On July 13, Constellation submitted the first new application to build a nuclear power plant in the U.S. since Three Mile Island. But the company threatened to go elsewhere if Maryland lawmakers re-established state regulatory control on new power plants.
Fear of a growing energy shortage is leading to calls for more nuclear power plants. What many people are forgetting is that nuclear power is an expensive and risky investment, and there would be little interest in such projects without federal subsidies and incentives, including liability insurance, risk insurance for delays, production tax credits and loan guarantees totaling billions of dollars. As in medicine, when a treatment is associated with rare but serious complications, we choose safer alternatives. Increased energy efficiency, conservation, solar and wind power are the safer alternatives.

City takes correct, crucial step on sailing museum

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/04_17-55/OPN

By passing a nonbinding but crucial resolution on plans for a National Sailing Hall of Fame, the City Council took the only responsible action open to it. Understandably, the hall of fame, with an eye to attracting visitors, wants a central, highly visible, easy-to-reach location on the water. Also understandably, some city residents are suspicious of a project for which they haven't seen any drawings or plans. But it hardly made sense for the hall of fame organization to hire an architect until it had at least a tentative go-ahead from the city. Now that process will start. This is a classic Annapolis battle: On one side, historic preservation; on the other, the drive to enhance a crucial part of the economy, not just by adding a tourist attraction but by cementing the city's claim to be America's sailing capital.

Blowing with the wind on energy policy

http://www.gazette.net/stories/041808/poliras205039_32385.shtml

When it comes to creating a coherent energy policy for Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley isn’t taking chances. If a proposal requires either pain or sacrifice from citizens, O’Malley is against it. If a proposal draws a loud group of protesters, O’Malley sides with the shouters, especially if they are environmentalists. It’s all about placating folks and getting re-elected. That’s the best way to understand the governor’s puzzling move to ban electric-generating windmill farms in state forests in far Western Maryland. It was a strong signal O’Malley intends to continue his two-faced energy approach premised on the notion that somehow this state can slide through a long period of electrical brownouts without having to take unpopular steps. Given O’Malley’s rejection of mountaintop windmills, imagine how he’ll react when environmentalists put up a stink over huge windmills off the coast of Ocean City. New Jersey and Delaware already are encouraging bidders seeking offshore wind production facilities. We’ve got lots of unresolved questions and few answers from our governor. The problem won’t disappear, either. Whether we’re ready or not, Maryland’s energy crisis is coming. It’s only a matter of time.