News Clips
July 12th, 2007
STATE NEWS
Keeler to step down after nearly two decades
O'Brien will be new leader of region's half-million Catholics,
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-keeler0712,0,6414341.story?coll=bal-home-headlines
The
The basilica, touted as a symbol of religious freedom and an American Catholic landmark, reopened in November after the two-year renovation. Keeler said in a May interview that he planned to remain in
Budget reduction proposal OK'd
Board of Public Works backs O'Malley plan to tackle deficit despite Franchot's concerns
The Board of Public Works unanimously approved Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposed budget cuts yesterday despite Comptroller Peter Franchot's concerns that reductions in Medicaid, foster care, higher education and other programs will hurt the state's most vulnerable citizens.
Sen. E.J. Pipkin, an Eastern Shore Republican, said yesterday that O'Malley appears to be using "strong-arm tactics" to get local leaders to support tax increases. He circulated an e-mail from David Bliden, the executive director of the Maryland Association of Counties, encouraging local leaders to provide the governor's office with examples of services that could be eliminated if the budget is balanced through cuts.
"The e-mail lays out an arrogant and shameless blueprint for getting locals to back tax increases," Pipkin said.
GOP lawmaker slams tax-hike game plan
http://www.examiner.com/a-824592~GOP_lawmaker_slams_tax_hike_game_plan.html
A Republican lawmaker took issue Wednesday with an e-mail detailing a public relations plan from Gov. Martin O'Malley's office to drum up support for a tax increase in order to avoid cuts at the local level.
State Sen. E. J. Pipkin, R-District 36, criticized David Bliden - executive director of the Maryland Association of Counties - for e-mailing local officials, asking them to create a "good product" demonstrating how potential budget cuts at the state level could affect county operations.
"It's the tone and the language and the organized effort," Pipkin said. "It's a group of officials getting together to work against
Budget cuts mean bigger classes
$12M from state university funds among approved $128M trim
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070712/NEWS01/707120421
Not deep enough
With all due respect to those upset with the $213 million in spending reductions approved yesterday by the state Board of Public Works, let's keep some perspective. As trims go, this is just a little off the top. On a percentage basis, the reductions amount to less than 1.5 percent of general fund spending. That's not hardship; it's a start.
Not that these budget decisions are without consequence, but the state's looming $1.5 billion deficit means difficult choices must be made. That's why it's more than a little disappointing that Gov. Martin O'Malley hasn't truly unleashed his inner bean counter.
Governor O'Malley wasn't elected because voters expected him to close a $1.5 billion structural deficit entirely through spending cuts. But he's going to have to do a better job of demonstrating that all possible alternatives to higher taxes have been exhausted. Holding the line on spending isn't enough. Nor was yesterday's piddling package of cuts.
Little relief if BGE splits
Parent could gain; users still would pay, analysts say
http://www.balt imoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.bge12jul12,0,164350.story?coll=bal-home-headlines
Breaking up Constellation Energy Group and its BGE subsidiary could benefit the parent firm by freeing it from state oversight, but consumers probably would see little relief, utility industry analysts say.
Gov. Martin O'Malley raised the prospect of a split last week when he called on state regulators to examine whether Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.'s relationship with Constellation contributed to last month's 50 percent rate increase for customers of the state's largest utility. Analysts said, however, that consumers still would have to pay market rates for electricity under
Kent Island land deal may be dead http://www.examiner.com/a-824585~_pauses_state_s_purchase_of_Kent_Island_lot.html
State purchase of a 71-acre waterfront property on
KIPP charter school closure is certain
Academy's principal resigns, sealing fate of Arundel facility in 16-state network
An Edgewater charter school that shut down and reopened over the past three weeks reversed course again yesterday, deciding to close after its principal resigned. This time, officials with the Knowledge Is Power Program, or KIPP,
NATIONAL NEWS
The Debate Debate Begins in MD's 4th
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2007/07/the_debate_debate_begins_in_md.html?nav=rss_blog
In a classic move by a challenger running against a powerful incumbent, Congressional candidate Donna F. Edwards has proposed that she and U.S. Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) take part in a series of five debates between now and the Feb. 12 Democratic primary. Edwards has said the debates would offer voters in Maryland's 4th district, which includes most of Prince George's and part of Montgomery, a chance to hear from the candidates' views on the Iraq war, the environment, health care and other issues.
NOAA, GSA Officially Open New Environmental
http://www.solanconews.com/Gov/Articles/2007/070712_noaa.htm
The new home for NOAA's around-the-clock, environmental satellite operations, which provides data critical for weather and climate prediction, was officially opened yesterday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Suitland, Md. Top leaders from NOAA, the U.S. General Services Administration and several U.S. Congressional representatives from Maryland, said the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) signifies America's solid commitment to providing the best possible environmental satellite services.
"This remarkable facility is the culmination of a successful partnership between NOAA, the GSA,
Cardin's focus on 'uber' teachers is off the mark
http://www.gazette.net/stories/071207/fredlet210823_32357.shtml
wonder if all you need to be a
Foreign investor scrutiny passes
House approves bill, 370-45, after furor over Dubai Ports deal
Nearly 18 months after a plan to sell port operations in
The legislation, which drew similarly broad support last month in the Senate, would formalize the process by which the Defense, Homeland Security and other departments screen proposed sales. It would expand the types of transactions that would trigger additional investigation and involve the director of national intelligence in the process. It also would require, for the first time, regular reports to Congress.
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger said the measure approved by the House, the latest in a series of attempts to overhaul the review process since the Dubai Ports controversy, struck the right balance between economic interests and public safety concerns. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, who chairs a House panel that oversees port security, emphasized the strengthening of oversight.
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