20070628 News Clips

News Clips

June 28, 2007

(Thanks for the feedback "Axistive.")

STATE NEWS

Maryland Election Official Endorses Diebold Machines in Marketing Literature

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/06/linda_lamone_th.html

By Kim Zetter, June 26, 2007

Maryland's Board of Elections Administrator, Linda Lamone, is featured in a sales brochure for Diebold Election Systems praising the company's new ExpressPoll-5000 electronic pollbook.

"Our election judges just love this product, and so do I. We in Maryland are extremely pleased with the performance of the system during the general election," reads Lamone's quote next to a photo of her smiling and sitting, presumably, in a state election office.

Aside from the fact that some voters (and the Maryland State Ethics Commission) might take issue with the idea of a state election official appearing in sales literature to promote a specific voting machine company's product, there's one other detail that stands out about Lamone's endorsement (at right) -- the e-pollbooks she's promoting in the brochure experienced large-scale failure during Maryland's inaugural use of them in the September primary last year. More specifically, the Diebold e-pollbooks used in precincts across the state crashed repeatedly during the election causing long delays in voting at some precincts.

Election official criticized over ad Diebold quotes praise by Lamone

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.lamone28jun28,0,3131131.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

In a glossy brochure for the voter check-in system that Diebold Election Systems debuted in Maryland last year, the state's elections chief offers glowing praise. What Lamone didn't mention, however, was that the check-in machines crashed during the September primary, leading to long delays at some precincts and prompting then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. to urge voters to cast absentee ballots in the general election.

Several state legislators criticized Lamone's decision to participate in the brochure. "We're not to use public office to endorse a product," said Del. Elizabeth Bobo, a Howard County Democrat and critic of Diebold. "At best, this is an example of extremely poor judgment. And that doesn't even address my concerns with the content of her statements." Sen. Andrew P. Harris, a Baltimore County Republican, agreed. "Our top election official shouldn't be appearing to endorse a vendor's product," he said. "We've always approached procurement decisions in an objective fashion, and a vendor's literature would not be a place necessarily associated with objectivity."

State to pay top dollar for land

Price exceeds appraisals for farm owned by member of O'Malley transition team

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.land28jun28,0,2918368.story?coll=bal-home-headlines
State and local officials have agreed to pay $5 million to buy an Eastern Shore farm from a member of Gov. Martin O'Malley's transition te am - a price nearly $1 million higher than appraisals suggest the land is worth.The three-member state Board of Public Works decided unanimously last week to buy the property, despite reservations expressed by Comptroller Peter Franchot. Franchot, who ultimately voted for the deal, questioned why the purchase price was more than the value listed on two state-approved appraisals - one for $3.6 million and one for $4.6 million. The state often settles on the average of two appraisals, which would be $4.1 million.

KIPP school to stay open

Decision by board of Edgewater facility a stunning reversal

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-md.ar.kipp28jun28,0,2595267.story?coll=bal-local-arundel

A week after announcing that an Edgewater cha rter school would be shuttered, its divided leadership last night formally voted for the school to remain open in a stunning turnaround. The decision to stay open, which came over the objections of Principal Jallon Brown, appears to keep the Harbor Academy from becoming the first among 52 KIPP schools to close because of lack of space.

Scaring up 'new revenue

Doomsday budget' shows need for taxes or slots, Md. leaders say

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.taxes28jun28,0,6591847.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines

In an exercise of political theater intended to set the stage for tax increases and possibly slot machines, legislators got a grim look yesterday at how the state could balance the budget with s pending cuts alone. Maryland's top political leaders agree that the doomsday budget will not come to pass, as each intends to push a variety of revenue-increasing options, ranging from a penny increase in the sales tax to an increase in the gas tax to allowing slot machines at race tracks. Some Republican legislators suggested that recent state spending increases have produced the current budget crisis, and they have previously proposed deep spending cuts instead of tax increases.

'Doomsday' budget scenario forecasts cuts

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=61873

Under Maryland's "doomsday" budget scenario, the state would cut funding to Frederick County by almost $21 million. "The purpose (of the doomsday budge) is to generate support for tax increases among core constituenci es and to strike fear among those dependent on state funding," said Sen. David Brinkley (R-Carroll and Frederick).

Ehrlich: 'Monopolies' do what they want

http://www.examiner.com/a-803153~Ehrlich___Monopolies__do_what_they_want.html

The "doomsday budget" unveiled to legislators Wednesday and talk of a "comprehensive solution" to a "structural deficit" are simply code words for a tax increase or "a fait accompli," former Gov. Robert Ehrlich told The Examiner in an exclusive interview. "They don't need to make the case" for tax hikes to their constituents; "they have the votes," Ehrlich said at his Linthicum law office Tuesday.

State to help in crime tracking

Local governments to get help implementing Comstat, O'Malley says

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.league28jun28,0,3275960.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines

Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday that he will help municipal and county governments to implement the computerized crime tracking system he used in Baltimore and will provide grant money to help law enforcement officials to fight gangs and share intelligence. The computerized crime tracking system, known as Comstat, was pioneered in New York and implemented in Baltimore shortly after O'Malley became mayor in 1999. The approach is credited with making New York the safest big city in the United States, but despite drops in violent crime under the O'Malley administration, Baltimore remains one of the country's deadliest cities.

White House Tee Ball
Frostburg youngsters launch South Law n tee ball, where everyone wins

http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_179090547.html
It was the night before Audrey Jones' big debut at the White House. But instead of practicing her tee ball skills, she was more interested in playing with the water guns and hopping on the trampoline. Audrey was to play in her last tee ball game of the season and it would be at no other place than the South Lawn of the White House with President Bush as one of the fans. She and 10 of her Allegany County Little League Bobcats took to the South Lawn that had been converted into a Little League field for the afternoon Wednesday. Knowing that the leader of the free world was cheering from the stands didn't bother her any.

NATIONAL NEWS

Illegals bill loses support in Senate

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070628/NATION/106280087/1001

The Senate immigration bill lost supporters yesterday and hangs on by a thread heading into this morning's showdown vote, after lawmakers voted down amendments making illegal aliens show roots to get legal status and cutting off their path to citizenship. This morning's vote is on a parliamentary question about limiting debate, but it boils down to a vote to block the bill. Just two days ago, 64 senators voted to revive the bill, with many saying they wanted to give the Senate a chance to improve the bill through amendments. But after a messy day in the chamber yesterday, with dozens of objections, arguments on the floor and five amendments defeated, at least a half-dozen senators said publicly or privately that their patience has run out.

House Grudgingly Accepts a Pay Raise, as Usual

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/27/AR2007062702790.html

Democrats have for weeks been privately wringing their hands over whether to accept an automatic 2.5 percent pay increase, fretting that the raise may appear inconsistent with their campaign promises.But last night, the House made its peace with it, rejecting a bid to block the automatic cost-of-living raise of about $4,400 on a 244 to 181 vote.Sources say Majority Leader Steny Hoyer supported accepting a bump in the $165,200-per-year salary since the Democrats kept their word by quickly pushing through the first federal minimum-wage increase in nearly a decade after taking power in January.

Hopewell Manor II employees honored

http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=168987&format=html

Site Manager Virginia "Ginny" Weir and Maintenance Manager Richard Loudin were recognized by U.S. Rep Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., and Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director, for their work at Hopewell Manor II Apartments on Pepperbush Circle in Hagerstown. The two are employed by Annapolis-based Case Edwards Management Co. to manage a federally financed property that is home to 53 residents. "It is important that we recognize the hard work and dedication of Ms. Weir and Mr. Loudin," Bartlett said. "These noteworthy individuals have worked tirelessly for the residents to make their apartments better places to live. I'm sure everyone who lives in an apartment wishes their managers were more like Ms. Weir and Mr. Loudin."

Taking on the NRA

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.guns28jun28,0,1246399.story?coll=bal-opinion-headlines

Through its influence and lobbying in Washington, the National Rifle Association in the past has been able to limit the use of federal data that trace the ownership of guns used in crimes. But this year, the NRA has run into a small problem: Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski is using her power and influence to block reauthorization of the gun-trace restrictions - and it's worth the fight.As the new chairwoman of the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Ms. Mikulski stripped the gun-trace restrictions from the U.S. Department of Justice spending bill this week. But gun-rights supporters are girding for a fight when the full committee meets today: An even tougher measure th at would penalize police who use gun-trace information to identify suspect gun sales beyond one case may be in the works.

Steny Hoyer: Senator Hoyer Announces $36.9 Million Federal Investment in Maryland Conservation & Environmental Priorities

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48725993_steny_h_hoyer_steny_hoyer_senator_hoyer_announces_36_9_million_federal_investment_maryland_

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) today announced the inclusion of $36.9 million for Maryland conservation and environmental priorities in the FY2008 Interior and the Environment Appropriations bill, which passed the House of Representatives." Maryland and the 5th Congressional District are blessed with a number of precious natural resources and historic treasures that I am committed to preserving for future generations of Marylanders," stated Rep. Hoyer. "I am proud to have helped secure this federal funding, which makes sound investments in critical Maryland conservation and environmental priorities."

Baltimore Chop

http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110010264

An anti-Republican tide turned out Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich last year after one term even though Maryland voters gave him high approval ratings. But Mr. Ehrlich is keeping his hand in public life with a foundation and a radio talk show that he hosts. This week he also took the unusual step of lending a hand to a conservative primary challenger to moderate GOP Congressman Wayne Gilchrest. Robert Hug, Mr. Ehrlich's chief fundraiser, is now openly working for State Senator Andy Harris, a former Navy doctor and anesthesiologist, and Mr. Ehrlich even put in an appearance at a reception for the state senator in Baltimore last week. Mr. Ehrlich has also recently interviewed Mr. Harris on his radio show at least twice.