20080407 News Clips

NewsClips 04-07-2008

STATE NEWS

Energy rebates hang in balance

Lawmakers have till midnight to save Constellation pact

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.session07apr07,0,6185976.story

By midnight tonight, Gov. Martin O'Malley must line up the necessary votes in the General Assembly to approve a $2 billion settlement he brokered with Constellation Energy Group or risk the deal's collapse. State officials and Constellation, BGE's parent company, reached a settlement two weeks ago to put an end to a dispute that's been simmering since the company sought a 72 percent electricity rate increase in 2006. But the Senate's decision to amend the legislation ratifying the agreement put the deal in jeopardy. The settlement legislation is one of a raft of bills that Assembly leaders hope to complete during marathon meetings on the last day of the three-month session. With so little time left before the legislature is expected to adjourn tonight, legislative leaders hope to quickly move the House's unamended version of the Constellation settlement bill through the Senate.

Today also is the last chance to pass a bill that would allow for a special general election in Maryland's 4th Congressional District. The seat will be vacated in June by Rep. Albert R. Wynn, who has announced plans to resign his seat in the House of Representatives to join a prominent Washington lobbying firm. The proposal, floated by O'Malley, was necessary to ensure the district does not go for months without representation. As the law now stands, O'Malley would have had to call a special primary and special general election, but the legislation would allow him to skip the special primary.

Senate passes bay bill

Effort to toughen Critical Area law amended to ease setback rules

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.critical05apr05,0,6447020.story

The Maryland Senate passed legislation yesterday that would further tighten shoreline development restrictions in an effort to save the Chesapeake Bay from decline, though legislators amended a key provision that the bill's supporters said would weaken the effort. By a 32-14 margin, the chamber voted to shrink the proposed 300-foot setback for some new construction on rural shoreline to 200 feet, a move that concerned the bill's sponsors and environmentalists, who worry that it might not provide enough protection to the bay from polluted runoff. The bill calls for greater coordination between the state and local governments on enforcing the 25-year-old Critical Area law, particularly when granting property owners variances from waterfront building curbs. Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus, another Eastern Shore Republican, said the only impact the amendment would have would be to make it so there is "a little less habitat for wildlife."

Delegates see vindication on 'tech tax'

House committee likely to vote on a repeal bill today

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.computer05apr05,0,5253605.story

The House Ways and Means Committee objected to Maryland's new tax on computer services during November's special legislative session, so when it was its turn yesterday to take up a bill to repeal the unpopular levy, some delegates saw it as an occasion for vindication. Under the bill, the $200 million sales tax on computer services, scheduled to take effect July 1, would be scrapped and replaced with about $110 million in annual revenue generated by a new income tax bracket of 6.25 percent on earnings above $1 million. The income tax increase would expire after three years. The Maryland Chamber of Commerce and Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce provided written testimony to the panel supporting a tech tax repeal but opposing the millionaires' tax and cuts to transportation projects.

Tighter lead-product limits advance

Bill that matches House measure faces a final Senate vote

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.lead05apr05,0,1078693.story

The Senate voted yesterday to strengthen pending restrictions on products that contain lead, matching a bill that has passed the House of Delegates. Julie Livingston, spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association, issued a statement after yesterday's vote warning that if it passes as it is now, the bill "could ban many educational and fun toys Maryland children have played with safely for years." Toys are generally manufactured a year before they reach retailers' shelves, said Joan Lawrence, vice president for standards and government affairs for the association. Toy makers contend that national regulations would ensure better safety for children's products, and they point out that Congress is nearing final approval of broad reform legislation.

Emergency fund bill milks dry cow

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-ha.farm06apr06,0,2192815.story

The General Assembly has taken a baby step toward bringing Maryland in line with a handful of other East Coast states that have passed legislation to subsidize their beleaguered dairy farmers. State lawmakers have given preliminary approval to the creation of the Maryland Dairy Farmer Emergency Trust Fund, but with one giant drawback -- the bill lacks funding. "There was just no money in Annapolis this year to fund the legislation," said Del. Paul S. Stull, a Republican from Frederick, who was the lead sponsor. "We want to get the bill approved and then in better economic times, we can come back and get the funding," said Stull. "We might be able to get the funding in a year, or two years or three years." Stull said the price farmers receive for their milk was up last year and so far this year, but that is not expected to last. "History shows that prices will fall again," he said. "It scares me and it scares farmers that they don't know from month to month what they will be paid for their milk. They don't know if they will be able to survive."

Mistakes are made — and sometimes corrected

http://www.examiner.com/a-1324515~Mistakes_are_made___and_sometimes_corrected.html

The Maryland General Assembly makes mistakes all the time, just as newspapers do.

So many mistakes get made that each year the legislature passes the “annual corrective Bill,” which remedies technical errors made in the previous year’s legislation. It took the legislature several months to realize the computer services sales tax was a boneheaded mistake that could permanently cost the state jobs and economic momentum. Few people outside the industry knew how embedded its services are in every company large and small. In Saturday’s debates, delegates wondered whether they were substituting the mistake of a millionaires tax for the error of the tech tax. Gov. Martin O’Malley points out that Washington has given these millionaires big tax cuts. But House Republican Whip Christopher Shank points out that 1 percent of the top earners now pay 28 percent of Maryland’s taxes; the top 20 percent of earners pay two-thirds of state revenues.

Some of O’Malley’s initiatives must be resolved on final day

http://www.examiner.com/a-1324516~Some_of_O_Malley_s_initiatives_must_be_resolved_on_final_day.html

As the Maryland legislature heads into its final hours today, some of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s key initiatives on energy, the environment and crime remain to be resolved by midnight. At the top of the list is enabling legislation to complete the settlement with Constellation Energy, putting to rest nine years of legal wrangling over electricity deregulation. “I’m confident that however the governor wants to do it, whether it’s in conference committee or reconsidering the vote, that it’s going to be accomplished on Monday and that it will be passed without the crippling amendment,” Miller said. “I think we’ve got a lot of the heavy lifting out of the way,” said House Speaker Michael Busch, citing resolution on the budget, mortgage lending reforms and a repeal of the computer services tax.

Assembly trims $500 million from O’Malley’s budget plans

http://www.examiner.com/a-1324518~Assembly_trims__500_million_from_O_Malley_s_budget_plans.html

After a week of negotiations, the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates have enacted a $31.2 billion state budget for fiscal 2009, trimming almost $500 million from Gov. Martin O’Malley’s spending plans but leaving at least partial funding for new initiatives on health care and the Chesapeake Bay. The total approved budget is about 4.5 percent higher than this year’s. “Our spending will have to be closely managed,” said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Ulysses Currie. The budget passed both chambers with only some Republicans opposing it. “Many of us believe the state is spending too much money, and this [budget] even includes more spending” while constituents are struggling with higher gasoline, energy and food costs, House GOP leader Tony O’Donnell said.

Sex offender bills fail to move forward; disappointing advocates

http://www.examiner.com/a-1322113~Sex_offender_bills_fail_to_move_forward__disappointing_advocates.html

Lawmakers rejected a series of sex crime measures this year ranging from eliminating good-behavior credits to requiring child pornographers to register with the state’s sex offender database. Advocates for sex abuse victims also lamented the death of bills that would eliminate paternity rights for rapists. A House committee earlier this week heard testimony on a bill sponsored by Sen. Bryan Simonaire, an Anne Arundel Republican, increasing the mandatory minimum sentence for repeat child rapists from 10 to 25 years. “This bill is about consistency,” Simonaire said. “Obviously it’s not the intent of the legislature to give repeat offenders the same or less penalty as a first time offender.” As Del. Donna Stifler — a Harford County Republican — scrambled to advance her bill requiring updated photos on Maryland’s sex offender registry every six months, Sen. Nancy Jacobs had all but given up on her proposal to make registration requirements retroactive to October 1995. “Outlook not good, outcome not good,” said Jacobs, a Harford County Republican.

O'Malley touts 'hard work' and successes

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080407/METRO/901591579/1004

Gov. Martin O'Malley acknowledges that the 2008 General Assembly session has been difficult, though mostly a success, as state lawmakers prepare to finish work today. Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, recently called his first 14 months as governor worthwhile but the "most unpleasant" of his political career. Members of the Democrat-controlled General Assembly on Saturday approved a $31.2 billion budget that funds most of Mr. O'Malley's initiatives. They also have approved or are expected to approve all of his legislative proposals. Lawmakers also have approved a deal Mr. O'Malley brokered with Prince George's lawmakers and local leaders to take over the county's hospital system. However, Mr. O'Malley has struggled against slumping public support, old political foes and a slowing economy in the first two years of his term, leading him to lament last week about his difficult situation. The Assembly's small but forceful band of Republican lawmakers — they hold 51 of the 188 seats — said they will continue to hold Mr. O'Malley accountable. "A lot of stuff he has pushed through a compliant legislature will not have its effects felt for many months, or in some cases years," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell, Southern Maryland Republican. "I believe he may have done great damage to Maryland's future."

House OKs reprieve for PG hospital

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080407/METRO/731125618/1004

The House has given final approval to legislation to keep the financially troubled Prince George's Hospital Center open until an owner can be found. The measure establishes a state-county authority to find an owner. The authority will consist of three people appointed by the county, three members appointed by Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, and one member chosen jointly by the state House and Senate. In addition to the main hospital, the deal would include the 96-bed Laurel Regional Hospital, the Bowie Health Center, an emergency care center, and the 107-bed Gladys Spellman Nursing Center.

Lawmakers Lob Bills in Bid to Beat Buzzer

Hundreds of Measures Await Action in General Assembly Session's Final Hours

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/06/AR2008040601855.html

An ambitious plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions believed to contribute to global warming was in limbo as the Maryland General Assembly headed toward adjournment today. Several issues were on track for final action today after lawmakers resolve differences, including a statewide bill authorizing speed cameras in work areas and neighborhoods, expanded DNA testing of criminal suspects, a commission to study the death penalty and a series of energy conservation measures. A bill allowing the governor to call a special general election this summer to fill the seat to be vacated by U.S. Rep. Albert R. Wynn is expected to pass. Several bills are still in the legislature's judiciary committees, including one that would add the display of nooses to Maryland's hate-crime laws and measures that would stiffen penalties for sex offenders.

Duties during session justify staying close to State House, they say

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-md.ar.expenses05apr05,0,7094326.story

Lawmakers representing the far reaches of Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore are expected to bill the state for lodging and meals during the session, but the practice is also popular among some legislators representing Anne Arundel County, home of the state capital. Despite living relatively nearby, they stay at hotels in Annapolis and bill taxpayers for thousands of dollars. Anne Arundel legislators, no matter how much or little they spent, defended having their expenses covered, especially lodging and meals. They said it comes down to what each lawmaker is comfortable with, based on legislative responsibilities that can extend to 14 hours a day, family situations, health considerations and how they believe they best serve their constituents. Nine of the 20 county lawmakers are freshmen, and a few said they lodged in the state capital frequently last year, their first in office, so that they could build relationships with their counterparts. Del. Nicholaus R. Kipke, a Pasadena Republican, said he learned quickly that if he wanted to get a bill through the House, he had to learn to lobby fellow lawmakers. Del. Steve Schuh, a Gibson Island Republican, said legislators should not be judged based on how much they charge the state for lodging and meals.

County budget holds line

'Conservative' plan is $34 million less than last fiscal year

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.executive06apr06,0,5355913.story

Harford County Executive David R. Craig has proposed an $895.8 million budget for fiscal 2009 that addresses declining revenues with no jump in taxes and the smallest increase in spending in the past 10 years. "There is no tax increase and no increases in fees of any kind," Craig said. Craig called for fiscal conservatism as all county departments prepared budget requests, stressing he would not raise taxes and insisting staff work within projected revenues. Still, the proposal makes room for a 9 percent pay increase for the county's nearly 1,300 employees and includes salary upgrades for police, teachers and emergency workers. "We have to put our employees first," Craig said. Employees of the county public schools also would get a 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment and a 3 percent merit raise.

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Shortchanging teachers has long-term consequences

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.say07apr07,0,573896.story

Baltimore County teachers recently completed a one-day "work to rule" response to the fact that the county is not increasing their salaries to keep pace with inflation. County officials are trying to control spending. They are confronted with a familiar balancing act: how to attract and retain quality teachers, maintain fiscal responsibility and avoid significantly raising taxes in a time of economic uncertainty. Their resistance to raising salaries is therefore understandable. But we have to keep in mind the long-term consequences of such decisions. The officials of Baltimore County should be commended for trying to rein in costs, but they must remain cognizant of the long-term effects of their financial decisions. After all, one of the primary selling points of Baltimore County as a place to live and raise a family is the quality of its schools. I believe the old expression is: "You get what you pay for."

Gas pain might be changing our ways

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.dresser07apr07,0,1065904.column

It had to happen sometime. With gasoline prices pushing $3.50 a gallon, Marylanders might actually be changing their driving habits. The next thing you know, we'll be stopping for red lights. Last week, AAA Mid-Atlantic released a survey in which more than half of its Maryland members surveyed - 54 percent - said they are driving less often because of the soaring cost of filling their tanks. AAA spokeswoman Ragina Averella said Maryland motorists had remained steadfast in their driving habits through recent gas price spikes - choosing to cut back in other parts of the family budget. But now - faced with a looming downturn, the mortgage debacle and resurgent inflation - driving habits are no longer sacrosanct. The survey found that households with more than $75,000 in income were almost three times as likely to drive a fuel-efficient vehicle than those that make less. You have to make money to save money.

Officials can’t find cuts? They can start with themselves

http://www.examiner.com/a-1324504~Officials_can_t_find_cuts__They_can_start_with_themselves.html

As usual, our employees — the governor and legislators — missed the constitutional budget deadline. So they still had time to make some real cuts. We demanded they reverse the tech tax, and instead of finding ways to save, their first impulse was to find other taxpayers to stick it to. Why, every time we ask them to cut, do they refuse? Never do our leaders cut their own plush perquisites, inside deals for cronies and contributors, contracts for pals, cushy high-pay no-show/low-show jobs for allies. Those deepest into the public trough are the big hogs who — even when they get caught — never have to return our bacon. Is there any precedent to suspect Maryland leaders might not always spend taxpayers’ dollars with the utmost honesty and efficiency? Inspiring government workers and citizens is what leadership is supposed to be all about. We’re not getting leadership in Maryland. All we’re getting is the ancient petulance of avaricious dictators. So the next time politicians ask where to cut government spending, tell them to start with themselves.

NATIONAL NEWS

Transparency would help end pork excesses

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/04_07-21/OPN

You can't always turn a sow's ear into a silk purse, but that doesn't stop members of Congress from trying when it comes to pet spending projects esoterically called "earmarks." At $149.1 million, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who represents part of south county, came in fifth under the group's criteria for pork-barrel spending, according to published reports. Of the state's eight House members, only moderate Republican Rep. Wayne Gilchrest of Kent County, who lost in February's primary, has been an advocate of earmark reform. He ranks in the bottom half of the list. Just last week a group of Republican senators unveiled a plan calling for all earmarks to be detailed in spending bills in which the public can more easily find them, instead being hidden in obscure committee reports. That's sounds like a good step in disinfecting a potentially piggish practice that hides campaign funding paybacks and invites special-interest abuse.