20070604 News Clips

News Clip

June 4^th, 2007

State News

Former appointees: Firings “political”

http://www.examiner.com/a-761942~Former_appointees__Firings__political_.html

Firings of mid-level state employees for political reasons apparently have been brought back in some parts of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration, at least according to some of those getting fired and their friends.

A yearlong probe by a special legislative committee with subpoena powers was highly critical of the practice under former Gov. Robert Ehrlich and sought to ban the firings with legislation that went into effect Friday.

Ex State Official: Political Firings Not Limited To Ehrlich

http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=58683

Republicans in Annapolis are accusing Democrats of being guilty of the same political games that led to a special legislative committee investigation of the hiring and firing practices of former Gov. Ehrlich.

Former Department of Aging official Anne Sunderland told the Examiner her recent firing was political.

Sunderland questioned what she sees as a double standard that Democrats complained when Gov. Ehrlich did it.

O'Malley firings criticized as political

http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070601-103635-8585r.htm

An unofficial list of state employees dismissed from their jobs or demoted has some lawmakers wondering whether Gov. Martin O'Malley is repeating the same hiring -- and firing -- practices that led Democrats to a 13-month probe of the Ehrlich administration.

More than two dozen state employees were let go or demoted by the state's transportation agencies, including members of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee, the father of a former Ehrlich press secretary and a former Republican fundraiser, according to an unofficial list obtained by The Washington Times.

As Fill-In, O'Malley Expands Exposure

Governor's Speech Sparks Speculation Of Higher Pursuits

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/02/AR2007060201141.html

Standing before hundreds of Democrats, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley called for universal health care, accused President Bush of "foreign policy malpractice" and decried the country's loss of international credibility.

Officially, he was filling in for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y) during the Democratic convention Saturday in what traditionally has been the nation's first presidential primary state. But he was also making the latest in a string of appearances that have served to broaden his exposure among the party elite and activists should he decide to pursue higher office.

"It's the worst-kept secret in Maryland that the governor has national ambitions," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert), who, like some others, questions O'Malley's extracurricular activities, given a looming $1.5 billion budget shortfall and other challenges facing Maryland.

O'Malley hits road to sub for Clinton

Governor makes N.H. appearance

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.omalley03jun03,1,6497448.story

Gov. Martin O'Malley got to live a politician's dream yesterday when his sport utility vehicle rolled to a stop in this presidential primary-obsessed state amid a throng of cheering supporters.

The only hitch was that they were chanting somebody else's name.

O'Malley was in Concord for the day on behalf of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the presidential candidate he endorsed last month, representing her at the New Hampshire Democratic Party state convention while she was busy campaigning in Iowa.

Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell, the minority leader from Southern Maryland, said O'Malley should be home working on a solution to the state's projected $1.5 billion budget shortfall.

"With a trip to Ireland, a trip to Las Vegas and a trip now to New Hampshire, it seems like there's a lot of high-profile travel going on and not a lot of heavy lifting on the state's financial problems," O'Donnell said.

O'Malley Stumps For Clinton In NH

http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=58662

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley called for universal health care and accused President Bush of foreign policy malpractice during a speech yesterday at the New Hampshire Democratic convention.

O'Malley was filling in for New York Senator Hillary Clinton, whose presidential bid he has endorsed.

BGE customers fight rising costs of electricity

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/06/04/news/local_news/newsstory3.txt

Some Marylanders are pushing back against Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.’s 50 percent price increase for electricity.

Rubin Fullwood of Eldersburg switched to Washington Gas Energy Services of Herndon, Va.

He also sent out a mass e-mail and said about 100 of his friends have also made the change.

“That’s the American way,” he said. “That’s the capitalist way.”

Special Session on BGE Rate Hike?

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7517&Itemid=35

With the BGE rate hike now in effect, and areas such as western Maryland targeted for similar hikes in the next 18 months, there are growing calls in Annapolis for a special session to consider regulating electricity. It might be a case of too little, too late according to Baltimore County Republican State Senator Andy Harris. He told WBAL radio that there is little state lawmakers can do to lower electric rates. Harris says restoring regulation to electric prices will only work on the federal level. Several lawmakers want a special session to restore regulation to electric prices. Harris says restoring regulation is an idea worth considering, noting deregulation of electricity has not worked, because it's too costly for companies to build new power plants to generate electricity

Both Sides Gird for Forthcoming Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/02/AR2007060200985.html

Advocates for same-sex marriage are preparing for a decision by the Maryland Court of Appeals that could come any day, with big consequences.

The court is expected to rule on whether the state law banning such marriages, challenged by 19 same-sex couples, is constitutional. The judges could uphold the law, declare it dead and impose a remedy, or kick the issue back to the General Assembly to legislate protections for gay couples.

Opponents of gay marriage began to gather forces during the legislative session that ended in April, forming a loose coalition called the Marriage Caucus. Right now, the fledgling group of lawmakers is looking at legislation to "strengthen families," Del. Gail H. Bates (R-Howard) said. As for the court decision, "We're just kind of waiting to see what they have to say," Bates said. "Personally, that's a single issue for the other side. It's not for us."

Washington County Senator On Gay Marriage

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7518&Itemid=35

Its been six months since Maryland’s highest court heard arguments in the ongoing gay marriage debate, and though there is no indication of a ruling anytime soon, Washington County State Senator Alex Mooney has urged constituents to let their representatives know where they stand. Mooney, a three term republican who strong opposes the concept of gay marriage, tells WCBC News he doesn’t want to see Maryland follow the lead of Massachusetts. A quick recap of where Maryland stands: A 1973 law says marriage is only between a man and a woman, but the question isn't addressed in the state constitution. In January 2006, Baltimore Circuit Judge M. Brooke Murdock struck down the law, and the state immediately appealed. The state Court of Appeals heard the case in December; a decision is in the offing but nothing has been announced. Mooney says it appears to him some type of compromise is being looked at.

Administrator, yes; Administration, not so much by Laura Vozzella

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella03jun03,0,6012205.column?coll=bal-local-columnists

Attorney General Doug Gansler's office issued a news release the other day that referred to the "Gansler Administration." As in, "Protecting and improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries is a priority of the Gansler Administration."

Was there a Curran administration?

Gansler's predecessor doesn't think so.

Safety should be paramount in ICC by Michael Dresser

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/bal-md.dresser04jun04,0,3168882.column?coll=bal-local-headlines

There are compelling reasons to build the Intercounty Connector and compelling reasons not to build it. I'm staying neutral on that issue. But let's assume the courts uphold the decision to complete the 18.8-mile toll road through the Washington suburbs.

In that case, there is no excuse if Maryland officials fail to make it the safest, smartest, most speed-controlled road on this planet.

Council's only Republican described as 'very productive'

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.politics03jun03,1,6818382.story

As the five-member Howard County Council's only Republican, Greg Fox may have more success influencing legislation than if he had political company.

In the council's toughest test so far - County Executive Ken Ulman's first budget - Fox persuaded two Columbia Democrats whose political views are generally in tune with Ulman's to support his proposal on fire taxes instead. Together, the three - Fox, Chairman Calvin Ball, a former firefighter, and Mary Kay Sigaty - cut $1.6 million from a fire contingency fund to keep the fire property tax rate from rising by 2 additional cents on rural properties. The move was a boon to Fox's mainly western county constituents.

Trial to begin in campaign finance case

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/06/04/news/local_news/newsstory2.txt

Club president, treasurer charged with illegally gathering funds

The trial of two members of the Carroll County Republican Club accused of violating campaign finance laws is set to start today.

Club President Scott Hollenbeck of Westminster and Treasurer Suzanne Primoff of Woodbine were charged with illegally gathering and spending funds for a political campaign, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $25,000.

Lawmakers seek accord

Often at odds, County Council and state delegation to meet

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.accord03jun03,0,2246865.story?coll=bal-local-harford

They have sparred in the local press and traded jabs from their respective offices.

Now members of Harford's County Council and General Assembly delegation are looking to a series of joint work sessions to air their differences and perhaps find a better way to address issues facing the county.

Boniface and Del. Barry Glassman, also a Republican and chairman of the delegation, are lifelong friends who hope their amity will spill over into the discussions, they said.

"We want to sit down, talk with them and go over their concerns," Glassman said. "I think the work sessions will be productive. We can get draft proposals done ahead of time and the sessions may help the council understand the state budget process."

National News

Gilchrest on middle ground

Anti-war Shore Republican faces challenges from the left and right

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/NEWS01/706030305/1002

Yellow ribbons and American flags cover store windows and car bumpers in this Eastern Shore town, which recently said goodbye to its largest deployment of National Guard members since World War II.

But as 131 Cecil County soldiers head to Iraq as a part of a national surge in troop levels, Elkton represents a divide in what could prove a national gauge of support for the war among Republicans.

That's because the Eastern Shore faces a dilemma in the re-election campaign of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, a 16-year incumbent who was one of only two Republicans to vote earlier this year for a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq.

Strong opposition mounts to unseat nine-term Congressman

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/NEWS01/706030304/1002

Today marks the 151st day that Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Md.-1st, has spent in office this term.

It's just more than 20 percent of the two years he was elected to serve in November.

Kratovil to announce 1st District bid

http://www.wmdt.com/wires/displaystory.asp?id=62257164

Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank Kratovil plans to formally announce today that he will challenge Republican Wayne Gilchrest for his First District congressional seat.

Kratovil is a Democrat and plans to make his announcement at a seafood restaurant on Kent Island at noon.

Hoyer Poised to Set Record for Service

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/02/AR2007060200985.html

Tomorrow, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D) will become the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives in Maryland history.

Hoyer, who has served in Congress for 26 years, will surpass the record set by George Hyde Fallon, who represented Maryland's 4th Congressional District from 1945 to 1971. Hoyer was sworn in June 4, 1981, after winning a special election to replace Gladys Noon Spellman, who had a heart attack in office that left her comatose.

Runway money awarded

http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070602/NEWS01/706020313/1002

U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Wicomico County $4.6 million to complete runway work at the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport.

The funds -- announced Friday -- will be used to complete the final reconstruction phase of the main runway, which dates to World War II. Upgrades include new pavement, lighting and signage, bringing the airport up to Federal Aviation Administration standards.