20071112 Frederick County seeks Carroll participation in trash incinerator

Frederick County seeks Carroll participation in trash incinerator

Hat Tip: Mrs. Owl

See also the Carroll County Times editorial from November 14, 2007:

“Talk some trash with the county” [And please report dead links…]

Related: Environmentalism Solid Waste Management or Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Recycling or Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Waste to Energy

And:

20070721 Frederick News-Post Letter to the Editor: “Trash talk no longer funny” by Gregor Becker

19880900 To Burn or Not to Burn an interview with Neil Seldman

19960900 The Five Most Dangerous Myths About Recycling

20070912 Carroll County EAC votes to promote recycling by Carrie Ann Knauer

Nov 12, 2007 AP

WESTMINSTER, Md. (Map, News) - The Frederick County commissioners are awaiting a response from Carroll County about the latter's possible participation in a waste-to-energy incinerator to serve both counties.

The incinerator could be discussed at a Nov. 19 workshop on Carroll County solid waste alternatives, said Cindy Parr, Carroll County's director of administrative services.

Carroll County public works director Mike Evans said the workshop will explore options for handling trash, including recycling, composting, burning and landfills.

The Frederick County Commissioners are considering a 1,500-ton-per-day incinerator.

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http://www.examiner.com/a-1043996~Frederick_County_seeks_Carroll_participation_in_trash_incinerator.html

Information from: Carroll County (Md.) Times, http://www.carrollcounty.com/

20071113 Forest Conservation variance request for Carroll County Regional Airport denied

News Release: Forest Conservation variance request for Carroll County Regional Airport denied

For more information, contact: Vivian D. Laxton, Public Information Administrator, 410-386-2973

For Immediate Release

Forest Conservation variance request denied

Related:

20070921 Request for variance from the Forest Conservation Code for the Carroll County Regional Airport and Carroll County Regional Airport

Other options would eliminate need for variance

November 13, 2007 – Hearing Officer Steven D. Powell today denied a request from Carroll County Government for a variance to the Carroll County Forest Conservation Ordinance that would have allowed for the harvest of timber at Carroll County Regional Airport. In his decision, Mr. Powell writes that staff should have considered other options:

“The Board of County Commissioners as a matter of policy prefers that all County projects comply with the strict terms of federal, State and County law and that variances be sought in only the most extraordinary of situations. In this case, I believe staff may comply with County law through release of easement and afforestation elsewhere which would obviate the need for a variance.”

The County’s Chief of Administrative Services, Cynthia Parr, requested the variance on September 12, 2007, for the timbering of 3.75 acres of trees in a Forest Conservation Plan easement. Those trees were part of approximately 6 acres that need to be harvested before the Federal Aviation Administration will allow operation of a light system designed to increase safety during landing of aircraft.

Mr. Powell, the County’s Chief of Staff, suggested that the Forest Conservation Easement be released, an alternate site for reforestation be designated so that the harvest can take place. “I believe that the County will actually achieve an overall enhanced environmental benefit in greater harmony with the purposes and intent” of the County’s Code.

Staff has 30 days to appeal the decision, if it should choose to do so, to the Commissioners or to an appeals board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.

# # #

20071113 Decision on Request for Variance from Forest Conservation

November 13, 2007

Ms. Cynthia Parr, Chief

Office of Administrative Services

225 N. Center Street

Westminster, Maryland 21157

Re: Decision ~ Request for Variance from Forest Conservation

Variance No. V-FC-07-001

Dear Ms. Parr:

On September 12, 2007, you submitted an application for a variance to the Carroll County Forest Conservation Ordinance (Variance No. V-FC-07-001). A copy is attached for reference. Specifically, the application requested a reduction in the final forest basal area from 70 square feet to 25 square feet per the submitted Forest Stewardship Plan in order to accommodate the safe operation of the airport PAPI light system. The Bureau of Resource Management staff summary dated September 21, 2007 additionally summarized that approximately 6 acres of forest were slated for a timber harvest and of that 6 acres approximately 3.75 acres are protected via a Forest Conservation Plan. The State Forestry Board approved the timber harvest with the condition that a variance be obtained to the Carroll County Forest Conservation Technical Manual to allow the post basal harvest area to be 25 square feet instead of the required 70 square feet.

On October 16, 2007, a hearing was held whereby you and pertinent County staff presented evidence and testimony regarding the requested variance. Additionally, members of the public in attendance were permitted to present questions or testimony and evidence regarding the variance as well. Following the public hearing, the public record was left open for a period of 5 business days for the receipt of additional written testimony or evidence from the public.

On October 19, 2007, I submitted a list of additional written questions to staff for consideration based on issues that were raised at the hearing. Staff provided answers to the supplemental questions within 10 days as requested. A copy of my questions and the staff answers are attached for reference.

The variance request in this matter is made under Chapter 115 of the County Code of Public Local Laws and Ordinances. Specifically, Section 115-14 states that a variance may be granted if exceptional circumstances exist such that:

(1) Strict adherence to the provisions of this chapter could result in unnecessary hardship or environmental degradation;

2) The project is wholly in response to the regulatory requirements of another federal, state or local law or consent order and is intended to result in impact mitigation or environmental enhancement;

(3) It can be proven that some action associated with the project will result in measurable environmental enhancement that can be equated to the estimated benefit which would have been achieved if the technical requirement that the applicant is requesting relief from would have been accomplished; or

(4) It can be proven that adherence to the technical requirement would not be necessary to fulfill the purpose of this chapter.

Additionally, an applicant for a variance must:

(1) Describe the special conditions or exceptional circumstances peculiar to the property which would cause the undue hardship or that prevent the applicant from complying with this chapter with on-site or off-site mitigation and any evidence that compliance would result in an environmentally degraded condition on or off site;

(2) Demonstrate in sufficient detail that the granting of the variance will not confer on the applicant a special privilege that would be denied to other applicants;

(3) Demonstrate in sufficient detail that the variance request is not based on conditions or circumstances which are the result of actions by the applicant;

(4) Demonstrate in sufficient detail that the request does not arise from a conditions relating to land or building use, permitted or nonconforming, on a neighboring property; and

(5) Demonstrate in sufficient detail that the granting of a variance will not adversely affect water quality or result in an environmentally degraded condition on or off site.

Having reviewed all of the testimony and evidence presented in light of the required variance factors, I hereby make the following findings and decision. Staff presented adequate justification for the need for a timber harvest in the area in question; however, the evidence presented failed to take into consideration the possibility of mitigating the tree harvest to minimize the environmental degradation to occur or to even enhance the environmental status in the area in question. Further, staff failed to consider other administrative processes such as releasing the easement and mitigation elsewhere.

The Board of County Commissioners as a matter of policy prefer that all County projects comply with the strict terms of federal, State and County law and that variances be sought in only the most extraordinary of situations. In this case, I believe staff may comply with County law through release of easement and afforestation elsewhere which would obviate the need for a variance.

Therefore, for the foregoing reasons, the request for variance is hereby denied. It is my understanding that in the instant matter the timber harvest may be accomplished without a variance by amending the existing Forest Conservation Plan to release the harvested area from protection and designating an alternate area for reforestation or afforestation. By conducting the timber harvest in this manner without a variance, I believe that the County will actually achieve an overall enhanced environmental benefit in greater harmony with the purposes and intent of Chapter 115.

Pursuant to Section 115-17, you may appeal the denial of this variance to the Board of County Commissioners or a Board of Appeals appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Any such appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of this decision and must clearly state the grounds upon which the appeal is based.

Sincerely,

Steven D. Powell

Hearing Officer

Encl.

20071112 “Schools, Union and Taxpayers” by Michael Barone in National Review On Line

"Schools, Unions & Taxpayers" - - - Michael Barone in National Review On Line

From Maryland Taxpayers Association:

MTA suggests that fellow taxpayer-advocates ask their state legislators to discuss - frequently and publicly - the perils to the taxpayer arising from the leadership of Maryland's teachers and public employee unions.

{See http://www.examiner.com/a-1024548~Time_for_Grasmick_to_go.html}

{See http://redmaryland.blogspot.com/2007/11/its-so-complicated-and-just-too-hard.html}

Related: Taxes Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) or Taxes Maryland or Taxes or Maryland General Assembly Oct. 29 2007 Special Session

Scroll down for chapter and verse from Michael Barone.

MICHAEL BARONE: "The AMT has no deduction for state and local taxes, and tends to hit high earners in high-tax states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and California heavily Democratic states, you’ll notice.

These states tend to have highly paid unionized public employees, and their union leaders surely understand that the AMT threatens to create political pressure to lower state and local taxes and therefore spending.

If voters can’t deduct their state and local taxes, their tax burden will go way up, and they may start a tax revolt. Better not let that happen! So eliminating the AMT is an imperative for Democrats.

Their [the union leaders] goals are to increase pay, which runs counter to taxpayers’ interests, and to minimize accountability, which runs counter to citizens. Republicans are not their reliable adversaries union leaders get cozy with Republican legislators when they can, by letting them know they wont oppose them." [Underscoring MTA's throughout.]

November 12, 2007

Leaving the Children Behind

In favor of the unions.

By Michael Barone

Education is not ordinarily thought to be in the purview of a Federal Reserve chairman. So it’s striking when Alan Greenspan in his memoir, The Age of Turbulence, raises the subject.

“Our primary and secondary education system,” he writes, “is deeply deficient in providing homegrown talent to operate our increasingly complex infrastructure.” The result: “Too many of our students languish at too low a level of skill upon graduation, adding to the supply of lesser-skilled labor in the face of an apparently declining demand.”

So if you’re concerned about widening disparities in income, Greenspan tells readers attracted to his book by its publicists’ promise of criticism of George W. Bush, then what you need to do is to “harness better the forces of competition” in educating kids.

As Greenspan concedes, we have done that to some extent. Governors Republican and Democratic have worked to make public schools more accountable, charter schools provide some needed competition, and the bipartisan No Child Left Behind Act has further prodded states and localities in those directions. But except for a few cities, notably Milwaukee and Cleveland, we have not had school-choice programs with vouchers allowing parents to choose private as well as public schools.

Vouchers are adamantly opposed by the teacher unions, which spent millions persuading Utah voters last week to repeal a voucher law passed by the legislature. No one can say for sure how much vouchers would improve education. But they are “forces of competition,” as Greenspan puts it, which we’re almost entirely prevented from harnessing because of the power of teacher unions — the power, more specifically, that they wield in the Democratic party.

[…]

The teacher unions are an incredibly important source of money and volunteers for the Democratic party — about one in ten delegates at recent Democratic national conventions have been teacher union members or their spouses. When they snap their fingers, the Democrats jump. Vouchers threaten to dry up dues money, and that is that.

Teacher unions are not the only public employee unions important to the Democrats — nearly half the union members in the country are public employees. And you can see their power exerted as well in House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel’s tax reform proposal.

Rangel, who deserves credit for raising the issue of broad tax changes, proposes vast tax increases in order to eliminate the Alternative Minimum Tax. The AMT, originally designed to make sure that a few millionaires could not avoid paying income tax, has never been indexed for inflation, and threatens to engulf 20 million taxpayers next year unless Congress passes another one-year “patch” or, as Rangel wants, abolishes it.

The AMT has no deduction for state and local taxes, and tends to hit high earners in high-tax states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and California — heavily Democratic states, you’ll notice. These states tend to have highly paid unionized public employees, and their union leaders surely understand that the AMT threatens to create political pressure to lower state and local taxes and therefore spending. If voters can’t deduct their state and local taxes, their tax burden will go way up, and they may start a tax revolt. Better not let that happen! So eliminating the AMT is an imperative for Democrats.

Looking ahead to future fiscal burdens, many people understand that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid threaten to consume an ever-larger share of the economy over the years. But so do state and local governments if public employee unions get their way. And to get it, they rely on taxpayer’s funds — all their dues income comes from the public fisc.

Read the entire column here: "Schools, Unions & Taxpayers" - - - Michael Barone in National Review On Line

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National Review Online - http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTU0NWM2M2Y5ZTgzNWFhODFjZWYxZTQyOWMzMDMwYTA=

Richard Falknor
Executive Vice-President
Maryland Taxpayers Association, Inc.

http://www.mdtaxes.org

20071114 Trooper likely won't face charges by Ryan Marshall Carroll County Times

Trooper likely won't face charges by Ryan Marshall Carroll County Times

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/11/14/news/local_news/newsstory2.txt

By Ryan Marshall, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

A Maryland State Police trooper who hit and killed a Finksburg man likely won’t face any charges, according to the Frederick County prosecutor who handled the case.

A decision was made in May not to charge trooper Dale Derr in the November 2006 death of Randy Rakes, 38, of Finksburg, said Kirsten Brown, chief of Frederick County’s district court division. Frederick County reviewed the case because the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office doesn’t handle cases involving Carroll law enforcement officers, Chief Deputy State’s Attorney David Daggett said last week.

Prosecutors decided there wasn’t enough information to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Derr’s speed was the cause of the Nov. 29 accident, Brown said.

Read the rest of the article here: Trooper likely won't face charges by Ryan Marshall Carroll County Times

And please report dead links…

20071113 News Clips

News Clips

Nov. 13, 2007

STATE NEWS

O'Malley promise on taxes erased
Lawmakers remove low earners' breaks
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.taxes13nov13,0,5019014.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout
Gov. Martin O'Malley aimed his pitch for raising some taxes at the same "working families" he wooed in last year's campaign. He promised that he had found a way to resolve Maryland's projected $1.7 billion budget shortfall that would place the burden on the wealthy and big corporations. The vast majority of Marylanders, he promised, would actually come out ahead.
But after a series of amendments the state Senate adopted last week, that appears to be in doubt. The House of Delegates voted to restore some of O'Malley's promised progressi vity, but even plan supporters acknowledge that working families are likely to end up paying the same amount or more in taxes.
He acknowledged that his plan to increase the sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent would hurt the finances of all Marylanders, but O'Malley said his plan to cut the property tax by 3 cents per $100 in assessed value and to shift the income tax burden from low- and middle-income families to top earners would result in a tax cut for most people.
O'Malley acknowledged last week that after the Senate amended his plan, that goal might not be realized.
Some key protections for low-income workers remain in the package, most notably an expansion of the state's earned income tax credit, which provides refunds to workers who earn too little to pay state income taxes.

$500 million in cuts seen
House panel IDs savings to help close budget shortfall
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.cuts13nov13,0,4603889.story
House budget writers identified yesterday nearly $500 million in potential savings in next year's budget, including recommendations to freeze inflation increases in the state's Thornton education funding plan, eliminate vacant state jobs and tap surplus funds in the state health insurance fund. The full House of Delegates takes up the proposed cuts today as part of the General Assembly's special session to close a $1.7 billion budget gap for the next fiscal year.
Republicans have criticized O'Malley for failing to significantly cut spending while proposing a range of tax increases. Lawmakers also are working on a package of $1.4 billion in tax increases. Del. Steve Schuh, an Anne Arundel County Republican, said that while he supported the final bill in committee, he would like to have see n spending curtailed even more. He also criticized the deficit-reduction plan being crafted by Democrats because it would raise a variety of taxes and relies on revenue from legalized slot-machine gambling that wouldn't kick in for several years. The slots proposal would be put to voters in a November 2008 referendum if the legislation passes. "If you blow it on spending restraint and if you blow it on slots, you're backed into a fiscal corner of having to raise taxes in a very big way to balance the budget," Schuh said.
Del. Susan L.M. Aumann, a Baltimore County Republican, opposed a measure to keep grants to private colleges at the current fiscal year amount, which would save the state $3.4 million. She expressed concern that more students will leave Maryland to attend private colleges.

Slots sites in Harford, Frederick, Baltimore counties suggested
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.slots13.nov13,0,2292898.story
Lawmakers should seriously consider adding Frederick County to the locations where slot machine gambling would be allowed under a proposal for a state referendum being weighed by the General Assembly, several delegates suggested yesterday in a brief hearing on the matter.
Others on the subcommittee appeared interested in moving the proposed Cecil County location to Harford County. A proposal for slot machines near Interstate 95 in eastern Baltimore County appears to have gained little traction.

Frederick County Floated As Possible Site for Slots
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/12/AR2007111201816.html
The Maryland House of Delegates b e gan weighing Frederick County as a possible site for slot machines yesterday, with some key lawmakers arguing that it could appeal to Montgomery County residents who now travel to West Virginia to gamble. Del. Frank S. Turner (D-Howard), chairman of a House subcommittee with jurisdiction over slots legislation, asked his colleagues whether it would make more sense to include Frederick in the bill, given the significant number of Montgomery residents who travel to Charles Town Races and Slots in West Virginia. "The whole concept here is to generate revenue and capture revenue," Turner said. "That should be the number one issue." Senate Minority Leader David R. Brinkley (R-Frederick) said yesterday that a Frederick location "doesn't make sense." "They are obviously ignoring the most lucrative location, which would be Rosecroft," Brinkley said, referring to Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George's County. Brinkley argued that the racetrack would attract gam b lers from the District, Virginia and Montgomery.

Proposal for slots near Rosedale faces slim odds
Plan floated last week lacks support of Baltimore County executive
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-slots1112,0,462592.story
When a businessman floated the idea last week of slot machines near Interstate 95 in eastern Baltimore County, delegates from the county were intrigued enough to meet with him. But the proposal appears to have gained little traction as the House of Delegates considers its version of a slots bill this week. The proposal by James T. Dresher Jr. calls for 2,500 slots on an entertainment complex he would build on an industrial site near the I-95-U.S. Route 40 interchange. One potential hurdle for Dresher's plan is the opposition of Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr.
Minnick said House Speaker Michael E. Busch has indicated he would be reluctant to pass a bill to put slots in any county where the executive would oppose them.

Delegate wants well water test results online
http://www.examiner.com/a-1044965~Delegate_wants_well_water_test_results_online.html
State Del. Warren Miller wants to see proof that the well water at Howard's schools is safe. "I think the parents have a right to know about the water quality," said Miller, R-District 9A.Miller is introducing a measure requiring the Howard Board of Education to test the water for volatile organic compounds - which are industrial or fuel-related chemicals - at each school that uses wells and post the res u lts on its Web site.
The school system follows water regulations set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of the Environment. Water at the eight schools that rely on wells is tested regularly for contamination, schools spokeswoman Patti Caplan said.
The legislation, being proposed in the upcoming General Assembly, might not be necessary if a deal can be worked out, Miller said.

House Votes Today On Spending Cuts, Health Care; Subcommittee Ponders Adding Slots Parlor To White Marsh
http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=65596
The special session of the Maryland General Assembly enters its 16th day today, with the House of Delegates scheduled to meet to debate and vote on a series of spending reductions, lawmakers say will help reduce the state's structural budget deficit, which is estimated as high as $1.7-bill i on.
While there are some actual spending cuts in this bill, there are also a number of state programs which will not see increases in funding as high as was first promised.
Senators left Annapolis for the weekend Friday afternoon, after approving their version of a tax and slots plan.
Republican Senate Minority Whip Allan Kittleman told WBAL's "C4" Monday that he believes Miller is waiting for the Senate to come back to session, until after the House enacts a slots proposal.
The House and Senate will have to work out compromise over taxes, slots and spending cuts, and lawmakers have to approve that compromise before the special session can end.

Maryland House delays meeting on slots
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/METRO/111130073/1004
House le a ders delayed a key meeting on legalizing slot machines yesterday while Democrats searched for support for the plan, lawmakers said. "I think there's going to be problems, and there should be," said Delegate Jill P. Carter, Baltimore Democrat and slots opponent.
House Republicans said they are joining with anti-slots Democrats to block a plan that would ask voters to approve the O'Malley plan.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. yesterday postponed a floor session and rescheduled it for Thursday, while he waited for the House to pass the slots proposal. "It is my hope that we will have substantive work that will lead us to resolution later this week," Mr. Miller, Southern Maryland Democrat, told senators. "Miller's making it clear to Busch that nothing's going to happen until we have slots," said Senate Minority Whip Allan H. Kittleman, Carroll and Howard counties Republican.
The House also has put off voting on a health care bill that appears to have strong support. The $600 million plan would expand Medicaid eligibility to reduce the number of uninsured people in Maryland - as many as 800,000 by some counts. The measure also includes about $20 million a year for subsidies for small businesses that are not offering insurance to their employees.

Gambling interests gave $1.25 million
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/METRO/111130068/1004
Gambling interests that want slot machines legalized in Maryland have given nearly $1.25 million to candidates and political parties since 2003, according to an analysis by the Baltimore Sun.Laurel Park and Ocean Downs, two tracks that would get slot machines under a plan proposed by Mr. O'Malley and approved last week by the Senate, led all Maryland tracks in lobbying from November 2005 and April 2007, according to records filed with the state Ethics Commission.
O'Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese said campaign contributions did not influence the governor's slots proposal.

Conway committee votes on budget cuts in deficit plan
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/NEWS01/71113002
Aiming to cut spending by roughly $500 million, a House committee voted on spending reductions Monday to help knock down Maryland's projected $1.7 billion budget deficit. The House Appropriations Committee voted to defer some cost-of-living adjustments for community providers in the departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources and Juvenile Services. That measure would reduce state spending by about $24 million.&nbs p ; Delegate Norman Conway, an Eastern Shore Democrat, told lawmakers on the committee that the special session to address the deficit is requiring them to make some tough and unpopular decisions, but he emphasized that the reductions were necessary.
Initially, House leadership had hoped to vote on the budget reconciliation measure Monday evening, but delays in moving through the cuts in various subcommittees slowed down the process. The House is now expected to begin voting Tuesday on the bill.

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

As mayor, he fought OC slots, but now ...
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.marbella13nov13,0,2383791.column
Jim Mathias has lived in Ocean City long enough to remember when the big issue was whether to let a McDonald's or a 7-Eleven or some other intruder into town. As mayor, Mathias opposed slots. As delegate, he is open to them, under certain conditions.
But perhaps nowhere has there been as much turmoil as Ocean City, what with proposals to raise the sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent, the hotel tax from 5 percent to 7.5 percent and, most of all, to put slots at Ocean Downs Race Track on U.S. 50 just before you get to OC. When Ocean Downs appeared on the list of possible sites for slots, "it caught everyone by surprise," Mathias agreed. "Our phones went into meltdown." While his city's elected officials and its business community remain as strongly opposed to the gaming devices as he was as OC's mayor - the fear is that slots would cannibalize the existing hotels, restaurants and attractions - Mathias has slowly moved toward seeing their possible benefits.
Mathias says he will ask that Ocean Downs be removed fr o m consideration as a slots location, but knows that a similar request made in the Senate, by Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus, was voted down. Now, as the House prepares to tackle the slots issue, he's bracing for the fallout, no matter what he does.

Gambling's payoff
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bal-ed.slots13nov13,0,7646249.story
If the Maryland General Assembly chooses to approve slot machines, lawmakers ought to at least take the precaution of setting parameters on the gambling industry's influence in Annapolis. Records show that individuals with ties to gambling contributed more than $1.25 million to state candidates and political parties over the past four years - on top of spending more than twice as much on lobbying during the last two.
There are too many opportunities for corruptio n , which is why legislation now before the House Ways and Means Committee to prohibit political contributions from individuals employed in the gambling industry makes a lot of sense.
O'Malley administration officials say they're offended by any suggestion of impropriety in their choice of five locations for slot machines. But the fact that the owner of Ocean Downs in Worcester County has given nearly $400,000 in political donations and now stands to own one of those slots licenses certainly suggests his contributions didn't go unnoticed.
If the governor's slots proposal were to pass, limiting political contributions from the gambling industry seems like a reasonable protection. Failing to do so would be a victory not for free speech but for the allure of deep-pocketed political donors who are guaranteed to come calling to Annapolis year after year.

Special session 'cuts' may trim local projects
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=178957&format=html
Barring any major problems in reconciling House and Senate versions of the bill, it now appears that the Maryland General Assembly will pass most of the budget balancing package sought by Gov. Martin O'Malley. What remained (as of Monday morning) was for the House of Delegates to agree on $500 million in budget cuts and to agree on a yea-or-nay referendum for slot machines. As proposed, the taxes would affect citizens and businesses statewide. But the cuts could target projects in areas where the delegations are mostly made up of members of the minority party. It will be a challenge for the Washington County delegation to see that such does not happen.

Slots on the Brink
Maryland lawmakers may vote for a referendum on legalization. But don't bet the house on the o utcome.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/12/AR2007111201557.html
MOTIVATED MORE by exhaustion than conviction, Maryland's House of Delegates this week may follow the Senate in shunting the question of legalizing slot machine gambling off to voters. If the House does vote to put slots on the ballot as a referendum next year, the delegates will be punting on the most basic task of representative democracy: to cast votes on pressing issues. They may also be consigning the slots proposal to the grave it so richly deserves.
That may seem counterintuitive, given recent polling, including by this newspaper, that suggests broad support for slots. But considering the reaction of slots' leading advocate, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert), who first balked at a referendum, there is cause to doubt the depth of popular s upport for legalizing slots. A referendum is not yet a done deal. Because it involves a constitutional amendment, it will need 85 votes to clear the 141-seat House. We hope the votes aren't there. Still, slots have tied the General Assembly in knots in recent years, and Mr. Miller has given every indication that he is willing to paralyze the current effort to close a budget deficit of at least $1.5 billion if he does not get at least a referendum. Battle-weary lawmakers may simply throw up their hands. If they do, it should be to fight another day and defeat at the polls a slots proposal that will foster corruption and gambling addiction while primarily hurting the poor.

Governor's scary budget story
http://www.gazette.net/stories/110907/policol00609_32359.shtml
Give Gov. Martin O'Malley credit. He knows how to te l l a scary story. Last week, O'Malley announced that the failure to pass his $1.3 billion tax package would result in deep cuts to education, public safety and health care. Those opposed to a special session, slots and higher taxes would bear responsibility for this tragedy.
O'Malley is hardly the first politician to use misdirection, fear and a manufactured sense of urgency to push his agenda. But before we run screaming into the arms of some frightening tax increases and slots, let's unmask some of O'Malley's special session goblins. Misdirection is the most reliable trick in the tax increase playbook. Faced with a deficit, liberal politicians claim the most important, worthy and politically leverageable programs are up for deep cuts. No one wants to irresponsibly cut these items. O'Malley's ''Cost of Delay" budget utilizes this tactic expertly.
Even the most liberal Democrats know O'Malley's creating a false sense of urgency to push his tax and slots plan.
B e fore we're scared into giving government more of our money, let's remember that the private sector provides far more jobs and health care for working families than government ever has.
Herbert H. McMillan of Annapolis represented District 30 in the House of Delegates from 2003-07.

20071113 Howard County Republican Central Committee: Party Press Release on the House of Delegates Tax Increase Vote

Howard County Republican Central Committee: Party Press Release on the House of Delegates Tax Increase Vote

From: Howard County Republican Central Committee

To: Howard County Concerned Citizens

Sent: 11/13/2007 16:21:53

Subject: Press Release on the House of Delegates Tax Increase Vote

Tuesday, November 13^th, 2007

Howard County Republican Party

Howard County Delegates Voted Party Line and Against the Voice of Their Constituents

Columbia, MD, November 13, 2007: In the dark of the night early Sunday morning Howard County Delegates Elizabeth Bobo, Guy Guzzone, James Malone, Shane Pendergrass, and Frank Turner voted for the largest tax increase in Maryland history.

Two tax bills were passed by the House of Delegates, including an increase in the sales tax and car titling tax by 20 percent. Unfortunately for Howard County families our liberal Democrat representatives care more about voting party line then doing what is the overwhelming will of their constituents.

Howard County residents have spent the past two weeks calling, emailing, and writing their representatives in Annapolis, urging them to show restraint and vote against increasing Maryland taxes. The state of Maryland does not have a revenue problem, but it is all too evident that our elected officials have a severe spending problem. Rather than trying to address the issue of how to best manage the hard earned money Marylanders have worked for, liberal Democrats decided that it was easier to just vote the way they were told without thinking about the consequences for Howard County families.

The Howard County Republican Party would like to congratulate Senator Allan Kittleman and Delegates Gail Bates and Warren Miller for standing up for Howard County families. Senator Kittleman and Delegates Bates and Miller understand that new taxes and increased taxes are not the answer to over spending. It is our hope that the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate will hear the voice of the people and will chose to listen to those they were elected to represent, not just their political party bosses.

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Contact: Loretta Shields Howard County Republican Party Phone: 888-542-1957 ext 2 lhshield AT yahoo DOT com P.O. Box 26 Ellicott City, MD 21041 Phone 410-997-VOTE Info AT HoCoGOP DOT org

20071112 News Clips

News Clips

From Monday Nov. 12, 2007

STATE NEWS

From behind closed doors to backroom
http://www.examiner.com/a-1043559~From_behind_closed_doors_to_backroom.html
The action of the General Assembly's special session shifts this week from behind closed doors to the backroom behind the backrooms, where a handful of lawmakers from House and Senate hash out their differences. To be sure, everything is finalized in public as required by the state constitution and rules of the chambers. But the details of a final agreement that will reconcile different tax rates, budget cuts and slots policy will almost certainly be reached in private conferences that may or may not include Gov. Martin O'Malley's aides.
In the Budget and Tax Committee last week, the new draft of the tax bill was shared only with the committee members and st aff. Republicans weren't even handed some amendments till they demanded them.

House passes tax increases, now to look at budget cuts
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.me.session12nov12,0,7894514.story
bill containing the individual and corporate income tax provisions and an attempt to make sure corporations pay taxes on their profits in Maryland passed the House of Delegates early yesterday, 82-55.
A separate measure increasing the sales tax and the car-titling tax rates from 5 percent to 6 percent, doubling the tobacco tax to $2 a pack, and raising the hotel tax passed 80-56. Similar measures passed the state Senate last week.Today, the House Appropriations Committee will meet to propose budget cuts expected to total $500 million. Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Committe e is scheduled to take up O'Malley's plan for a referendum on slot machine gambling. Both measures could go to the House floor and receive final votes as early as tonight.

Compromise near on taxes
After initial objection, modified plan is likely to pass House
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.session11nov11,0,4323436.story
The House of Delegates gave preliminary approval last night to a modified version of Gov. Martin O'Malley's tax plan after objections by Montgomery County Democrats nearly derailed his efforts to resolve Maryland's budget shortfall.
Under the new plan expected to pass the House early this morning, the sales tax would not be extended to any additional services. Proposals by O'Malley and the state Senate to tax computer services, real estate management and health clubs dr e w widespread protests, as did an earlier House proposal to tax repair services. House leaders also agreed to soften a proposed increase in the hotel tax, raising it from 5 percent to 7.5 percent. The original plan called for the tax to be 10 percent.
Despite the differences, the overall structures of the House and Senate plans are similar, and lawmakers said they were optimistic that the two chambers can come to agreement and send legislation to the governor to close a projected $1.7 billion budget shortfall.

Decisions taxing local delegation
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/11_11-35/TOP
Cuts will hurt local programs; tax hikes will hurt constituents
Since the start of the special session on Oct. 29, telephone calls and e-mails from Maryland voters have poured into the offices of senators and delegates ali k e.
County Executive John R. Leopold said a drop in state funding will make constructing the county budget difficult "because the needs are many and the resources are few." The full effects of cuts to school funding in Anne Arundel will be unknown until the county does budget projections early next year, he said, adding that "We'll have see how it all shakes out."
Republicans on both side of the aisle have banded against any tax increases, and county lawmakers are no different.
Raising corporate taxes, placing higher income taxes on people who make more money and increasing the sales tax will all make Maryland less competitive and anti-business, said Del. Ron George, R-Arnold. "(Democrats) don't understand what they are doing," he said. "(The taxes) are hitting the people who invest and create the jobs."

Pro-slot forces spent millions
Nearly $4 million steered toward candidate s , lobbying
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.slots11nov11,0,6194073.story
Powerful interests that stand to benefit the most from Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to legalize slot-machine gambling have contributed nearly $1.25 million to state candidates and political parties since 2003, and spent $2.6 million on State House lobbying fees during the past two years, according to a Sun analysis.
Gambling supporters have poured at least $135,000 into the campaign accounts of O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, records show. Former Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., an avid slots supporter, received about $131,000 during the same period.House Speaker Michael E. Busch, an Anne Arundel County Democrat and slots foe, said the money that pro-slots interests have spent to influence the political process is one o f the reasons he favors a voter referendum. "If the voters have an opportunity to look at it, and it looks like the process doesn't unjustly enrich anyone, then I think it has a decent chance," Busch said. "If it doesn't, it could look like a rigged game, if you will, [and] I think it has less chance in the voters' eyes."

House strikes repair tax plan
http://www.examiner.com/a-1041311~House_strikes_repair_tax_plan.html
The House Ways and Means Committee stripped a proposed sales tax on repair services for cars, home and hosts of other items out of tax proposal being brought to the House floor Saturday night. "We couldn't get the votes" to pass it in the full House, said Committee Chairman Sheila Hixson. The committee also cut a proposed doubling of the hotel tax in half. It will now go up from 5 p e rcent to 7.5 percent. Some counties and Baltimore City also add their own 7 percent local tax on hotel rooms. A meeting of the full House was delayed several times on Saturday as Democratic leaders tried to reach a compromise tax proposal that at least 71 delegates could support. Hixson, D-Montgomery, said they were coming up 30 votes short in winning the new tax on repairs and parking.
The full House began debate on the tax package Saturday night.

Senate Passes Health Legislation
Measure passes 30-17, would expand coverage to more of state's uninsured
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.health10nov10,0,1178799.story
The Maryland Senate approved legislation yesterday that would expand government-funded programs to provide medical coverage to more of the state's 800,000 uninsured, boosting the measure's chances just months after a similar proposal died in that chamber. When fully implemented, the health care expansion would cost more than $600 million, including federal matching funds and $250 million in added state revenue. Coverage could ramp up over time so that eventually more than 100,000 residents would get insurance. While the health care bill would be paid for through a variety of mechanisms, some of the expansion would ne ed to be curtailed if funding doesn't materialize. In particular, the extension of Medicaid benefits to tens of thousands of childless adults would not happen unless voters approve slot machines in November 2008, which could bring as much as $700 million a year to the state.

Competing tax plans
House, Senate divided on individual, corporate levies
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.taxes10nov10,0,3642752.story
The Maryland Senate and House of Delegates charted divergent courses yesterday for closing a $1.7 billion budget gap, with the Senate approving a plan that increases the sales, tobacco and corporate income tax rates while House leaders pushed an alternative that more heavily taxes the wealthy and corporations. The measures now go to the House, where a committee app r oved alternate versions of the legislation yesterday. Many of the elements of the plan being considered by the House are identical to what the Senate approved, but the two chambers remain divided over how progressive to make the individual income tax and how to ensure that corporations pay their fair share of taxes.
The Senate's close vote reflected the unease of many conservative Democrats, particularly those from the Baltimore suburbs, with the tax package championed by Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley.
Nine Democrats joined all 14 Senate Republicans in voting against the plan. "It's clear that every Marylander is going to pay more, significantly more," said Sen. David R. Brinkley, the minority leader from Frederick County.
"We seem to be so concerned about, as the governor calls them, the working poor, and it seems to me they're going to be the people who are going to own cars that are 10 or 12 years old and break down more often," said Del. D. Page Elmore , an Eastern Shore Republican. "This will be a tax on the working poor."

Maryland delegates fine-tune tax plan
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071111/METRO/111110041/1004
The House of Delegates early this morning passed a $1.4 billion tax plan after a day of closed meetings and hurried vote-counting to aimed at gathering support for the package.The House version of Gov. Martin O'Malley's tax plan includes an increase in the sales tax, corporate income tax and restructuring of the personal income tax, but it did not include a gas-tax hike or an expansion. But Republicans continued their criticism of the hurried process in Annapolis, which enters its third week today. "I think we need to consider the ramifications a little bit more before we push those buttons," said House Minori t y Whip Christopher B. Shank, after asking lawmakers to wait until tomorrow to vote on the tax plan.
But Democrats, after an afternoon caucus, returned the latest tax plan with the support of Montgomery County Democrats.
The move drew the ire of Republican leaders, who said Democrats excluded Republicans, reporters and the public from a Ways and Means Committee meeting where the plan was drafted, a potential violation of Maryland's open-meetings law.
"This is a bad way to do public policy," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell, Southern Maryland Republican. "There's no rush to get this done on a false deadline."
House and Senate leaders would then have to meet in a conference committee to iron out the differences in their slots and tax plans.

House OKs $1.4 billion tax-reform plan
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071112/METRO/111120053/1004
House lawmakers passed a $1.4 billion tax plan early yesterday morning after long weekend debates in which leaders of the Democrat-controlled General Assembly scrambled to find support for the plan.
The House version of Gov. Martin O'Malley's tax plan includes an increase in the sales tax, corporate income tax and restructuring of the personal income tax and a plan to spend more than $450 million on transportation projects.
The House plan does not include a gas-tax increase or an expansion of the sales tax to include services.
Republicans tried unsuccessfully to stall the plan through a series of amendments that would have stripped away specific tax increases and t hrough motions to delay the votes.
"This is a bad way to do public policy," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell, Southern Maryland Republican. "There's no rush to get this done on a false deadline."
House Republicans said considering increased spending is a mistake because Mr. O'Malley told lawmakers they were returning to Annapolis to close a budget shortfall, estimated at $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion. "We are setting ourselves on the same course that brought us here," said Delegate Richard K. Impallaria, Baltimore County Republican.

House Passes Income, Sales Tax Bills After Struggle
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/10/AR2007111001527.html
The Maryland House of Delegates passed two major tax bills early this morning that would togethe r raise $1.4 billion a year to close a yawning budget shortfall and pay for transportation and health-care priorities.
Together, the two bills would raise roughly the same revenue as a bill passed Friday by the Senate. But several differences between the two chambers' plans would need to be resolved for the special session initiated by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) two weeks ago to come to a successful close. Republicans blasted their Democratic colleagues for pushing "massive tax increases" through the chamber in a rushed process. "This bill will do untold damage to the economy of the state of Maryland," said House Minority Whip Christopher B. Shank (R-Washington) as debate entered its fifth hour at 11 p.m.
The start of a rancorous late-night debate was delayed for several hours as Democratic House leaders struggled to round up votes needed to pass the bills. Like the Senate, the House declined to include in its package an O'Malley proposal to roll th e state sales tax back by 3 cents per $100 in assessed value. House leaders said they did not think it was a responsible thing to do, with the state facing a large budget shortfall.
O'Malley told reporters that he might resurrect his plan in future years when the state has its "fiscal house in order."

Tax Bills Passed, Bargaining Begins
Md. House, Senate Faced With Reconciling Their Differences on Sales, Income Levies
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/11/AR2007111101516.html
Leaders of the Maryland House of Delegates offered one another congratulatory embraces early yesterday morning after passing two tax bills that would raise $1.4 billion a year to help close a budget shortfall and pay for transportation and health-care priorities. But lawmakers pr e dicted several more long days ahead as they try to bring a special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to a close this week. The House, which wrapped up a six-hour debate on its tax bills shortly after 1 a.m. yesterday, must reconcile its legislation with that of the Senate, which passed a comprehensive tax bill Friday. The Senate and House. Besides the slots legislation, the House plans to take up bills this week to expand access to health care and to direct O'Malley to cut at least $500 million from the budget next year.
Republican leaders blasted Democrats for both the magnitude of the tax increases and for a rushed process.
"We don't know what this bill is," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert). "We've got taxes in, taxes out. We don't know what the bill does."

'Every veteran is a patriot'
Worcester County honors those who served
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071112/NEWS01/711120304/1002
Remembering is a very important thing on Veterans Day, Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, R-1st-Md., said Sunday during the ceremony at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines.
"It is so important to remember those young Americans who came to find a place in history," he said. "They came form a democratic process where your dreams and ideals can become a reality."

Montgomery officials look to Congress for tax help
http://www.examiner.com/a-1043184~Montgomery_officials_look_to_Congress_for_tax_help.html
Montgomery elected leaders are asking members of Maryland's congressional delegation to fix a ta x glitch that could have some county residents facing increased federal taxes, in addition to potential state tax increases. Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, Council President Marilyn Praisner and Council Vice President Mike Knapp sent Sens. Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, and Reps. Roscoe Bartlett, Chris Van Hollen and Albert Wynn a letter requesting they work to modify the federal alternative minimum tax.
Knapp said the tax could be especially devastating this year because Gov. Martin O'Malley is proposing a 20 percent increase in the sales tax and increases in the income tax rate for residents earning more than $150,000.
"Everything would be piling up on the county at the same time," Knapp said. "It would be hitting our residents very hard all at once at a time when the economy itself is not very strong."

Shelter for homeless veterans breaks ground on expansion
Addition could be com p leted within a year and will add 42 beds
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-shelter1112,0,3238070.story
The South Baltimore Station, a shelter used by many homeless veterans battling substance abuse, broke ground on an expansion this morning. U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin told onlookers that there are 25 million veterans living in America, in addition to the 1.2 million activity duty members of the military, about 200,000 of whom are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans Day is being observed today with a federal holiday. "I can't think of a more appropriate place to be on this Veterans Day than here at Baltimore Station," Cardin said, and noted that he feels veterans have been shortchanged over the years. "We haven't even done what we said we could do, and now we're trying to the right thing." Shelter officials said that private foundations, government agencies and private citizens have contributed nearly $4 million for the expansion.


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

More time is needed to face budget woes
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/letters/bal-ed.le.11nnov11,0,2126136.story
I have many concerns about the process of the General Assembly special session. Foremost among them is the lack of time and information available for voters to review and reflect on the legislation being considered ("Panel reworks revenue package," Nov. 7). Increasing Maryland's state taxes must be given serious and thoughtful consideration so that we understand all the related concerns. Once the decision to increase taxes is made, i t will be difficult to go back and revisit these increases.
But just look at how many new taxes are being considered, even though their full impact is not clearly understood.
I love my state. I love my nation. I realize that government needs funding to function.
However, I expect no less from our government than I do from my family - and that is to spend within our budget and be accountable for how we spend our hard-earned dollars.
Please take this budget process more seriously.
Patt A. Parker
Dunkirk
The writer is president of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women.

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Dispatches from the front lines in the deficit war
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.fraser11nov11,0,3152895.column
The De m ocratic Party's Senate caucus was full of grumbling last week about Comptroller Peter Franchot, who called Gov. Martin O'Malley's tax reform package a "pounding" for the poor.
At the same time, Mr. Franchot was stepping away from the governor's proposal to require taxes of some mega-corporations that currently pay no taxes in Maryland. Mr. Franchot had absented himself from the Budget and Tax Committee's effort to craft an acceptable loophole-closing bill.
The no-higher-tax heat arises in many forms as the General Assembly wrestles with Mr. O'Malley's plan. Democratic Sen. James Brochin, for example, announced last week that he would join the Republicans in their opposition to the governor's revenue-raising and tax-reform plan.Mr. Brochin, who is consistently voting for Republican efforts to defeat the governor's plan, says he's willing to pay the bill if government economizes and stops supporting things such as state a id to independent colleges. He's from a legislative district in Baltimore County that marginally favored former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. over Mr. O'Malley.
Last week, I quoted an acquaintance who asked why no one stops to think of paying taxes as a privilege. What he meant is that taxes are, as a wise man once said, the price of living in a democracy.
You will no doubt be surprised to learn that not everyone agrees. I offer this proof in the form of an e-mail last week: "Fraser Smith, you are a pathetic fool, and a doddering socialist. 'Paying taxes is a privilege'? Moronic!"


Balto. Co. delegates consider slots
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-slots1110,0,331518.story
Baltimore County delegates are considering a plan for a slot machine gambling parlor in the M i ddle River area, an idea that could gain political traction amid opposition to proposed sites in Cecil and Worcester counties.
The county has long been a hotbed of slots supporters, but the long-standing opposition of County Executive James T. Smith Jr. to a site at the Timonium fairgrounds has kept them out of the slots proposals that have been floated in Annapolis in recent years, including the one Gov. Martin O'Malley offered as part of his budget-balancing package.
"For the last six years being down here, I've supported slots," said Del. J. B. Jennings, a Republican whose district includes the potential site. "What kind of person am I to say I'm for slots but don't put them in my backyard?"
The two other delegates from that district, Republicans Patrick L. McDonough and Richard K. Impallaria, opposed the plan.
"I can tell you, with me, it won't happen," McDonough said. "It's a non-starter. The communities will not accept it. You'll have a fight you do n 't want."

Budget cuts may affect farmland
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.farm11nov11,0,7371273.story
Farmers have a big stake in the current special session of the General Assembly called by Gov. Martin O'Malley to close a $1.7 billion state budget deficit. Money for agricultural land preservation would be cut drastically, and funding for cover crops would be slashed if lawmakers are unable to reach an agreement on new revenue sources to close the gap, said state Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson. His warnings were included in a letter to farmers alerting them to some of the proposed reductions and how agriculture would be affected.

2 senators support tax-plan changes
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.politics11nov11,0,265919.story
Two of Howard County's three state senators sit on the Budget and Tax Committee and participated in key votes for the first set of changes that are reshaping Gov. Martin O'Malley's tax plan. Democratic Sens. Edward J. Kasemeyer and James N. Robey supported the committee majority in lowering O'Malley's suggested top income tax rate for Maryland's highest-income residents, while rejecting his idea for relief for people earning less than $15,000. Kasemeyer and Robey said the changes make sense to them, despite angry calls and e-mails from anti-tax critics and pressure from liberals to make Maryland's rates higher for wealthy people.
Howard's third senator, Republican Allan H. Kittleman, the Senate's minority whip, serves on the Finance Committee. He, like other GOP members, had strong opini o ns on the sales-tax portion of what his county colleagues did. "It was the classic bait and switch," he said. "A shell game." Instead of sales taxes on health clubs, real estate services and tanning salons - all of which vigorously lobbied against the move - the committee substituted computer services, landscaping firms and arcades, without any notice or plans for a public hearing. "They put in three new [businesses] who had no idea they were even being considered," Kittleman said.