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News & Events from the District
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Summer is over and fall is upon us. Other than visiting my son, in boot camp a couple of times I had the wonderful opportunity to spend the summer right here in Frederick County and I had an amazing time!
A very special Thank You goes out to, Woodsboro, Thurmont, Libertytown, Rocky Ridge, Middletown, and Emmitsburg, for hosting the community parades this year and offering a warm welcome. I look forward to the Brunswick Veteran's Day Parade next month.
Thank you to the Volunteer Fire Halls for their long standing commitment to the community at their carnivals, the great food served by their tireless volunteers and the unending musical talent that they were able to offer to the Frederick County.
Thank you to The Great Frederick Fair who, once again, provided agricultural education, community support, dynamic musical performances and an environment to reconnect with the entire County. I was blessed to have been able to attend most of the week even if only to grab a great meal!
I want to also thank YOU! We were able to have real conversations about issues that directly affect you, your family and your businesses. It was a wonderful learning experience that I will be able to utilize over the course of the next several months while in Annapolis.
As we head back to Annapolis for Special Session in a few weeks, I wanted to give you an update on a few major issues facing Frederick and the State of Maryland.
Kelly
District Office
P.O. Box 563
New Market, Maryland 21774
Kelly.schulz@house.state.md.us |
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Workplace Fraud Act of 2009
This bill passed in 2009 under the assumption that there is fraud occurring in many business industries across the state. The objective was to locate those fraudulent businesses that were hiring independent contractors as opposed to full time employees, thus not adhering to laws requiring the payment of benefits to the employee or the state (workers compensation insurance, social security, unemployment insurance, etc.).
The actual IMPACT of that legislation is that some industries are being unnecessarily targeted by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). Audits have been conducted statewide and many businesses are seeing astronomical fines - so high that they may have to close up their businesses in our state.
The issue seems to be that industries (especially the home remodeling industry) have historically hired independent contractors (ICs) based on the work that they needed to have performed at the time of the sale. The laws, as written, are ambiguous as to the definition of the IC at the federal and state level - thus leaving the final determination at the hands of an agency auditor.
A group of colleagues from my committee, House Economic Matters, met on October 5th with the Secretary of DLLR to discuss possible mitigation to this very hot topic. It looks as if we were able to get our point across that businesses are having a very difficult time in this economy and, if we are really going to get serious about creating jobs, then we need to take a very hard look at the current standards. You can be assured that your Frederick County Delegation will be notifying you of any updates as they arise.
Please reach out to me if this regulation is affecting you and your business. |
Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP)
This plan was mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a result of a law suit filed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation claiming that the states within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed needed to all work to develop plans to reduce the nutrient (aka pollution) levels in the Bay. The EPA set a date of 2025 for all states within the area to be in full compliance of their approved plans.
The State of Maryland has upheld this mandate and key stakeholders are working diligently to provide a plan that they will be able to adhere to. However the costs associated with the plans on behalf of all stakeholders, (local governments, agriculture/farming, builders, and homeowners) has proven to be out of touch with their budgets. Additionally, the State has moved up the dates for compliance for Maryland stakeholders to 2020.
There are many concerns with this WIP, but most importantly at this point is to work with the State to move the dates back to the original federal guidelines of 2025. Many legislators across the state are working together to send a message that all counties, rural and urban, will have a difficult time coming up with funds (upwards of $500 million) by 2020. The options need to be fully researched and factored into the future planning of local government activities. Good governance calls for a more in-depth look into the financial capabilities of each stakeholder. I believe that the last thing that we would want to promote is raising funds through additional, or increased, taxes, but that is what the options have included at many of the workshops. |
October Special Session: Congressional Redistricting
It is very important that anyone interested in commenting on the map do so by October 11.
The legislature has been told to be prepared for a special session to occur the week of October 17th. The main purpose of the session is to present, discuss and pass a new Maryland Congressional Map. The most recent map that was offered by the state's redistricting committee can be found here: http://mlis.state.md.us/Other/Redistricting/redistricting.htm.
Congressional District 6 (CD6) will still incorporate the western and central parts of the county (to include the City of Frederick), but the northern and eastern parts of the county are moving to a district mainly comprised of Montgomery County. Needless to say, I am not happy with this solution.
In a press release from the Governor's office yesterday, he has indicated that this map, or a version very similar, will be presented to the legislature on October 17. It is very important that anyone interested in commenting on the map do so by October 11. The link above will bring you to a public comment page. I believe it is very important that those of us in Frederick County that do not want to be divided from our Western Maryland neighbors have our voices heard!
There will be plenty of opportunities for our delegation to speak on this topic in the coming weeks. I would love to hear from you about your thoughts. Remember....our federal representation depends on it! |
Recent Maryland Board of Public Works Approvals
On October 5, 2011, the Maryland Board of Public Works met to vote on funds that will be provided through Program Open Space (Community Parks and Playgrounds Program). The following parks in Frederick County have been awarded funds for improvement of their facilities:
- Wetherburne Park - $35,000
Frederick, Frederick County
These funds will be used to replace deteriorated wood playground equipment with handicapped-accessible equipment that meets current national playground safety standards.
- Middletown Children's Garden - $6,000
Middletown, Frederick County
These funds will be used to develop a children's garden including an arbor entrance and box wood maze.
The gardens will consist of sections of humming bird/butterfly bush, herb, sensory, rock, and shade.
If you have any further questions about the Board of Public Works and their activities, please visit their website at http://www.bpw.state.md.us/ or the Program Open Space at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/land/landconservation.asp.
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Coming Soon.....
I will have some exciting new updates made to my website that will make communication easier in the future. I am excited about the possibility of simplifying my efforts to keep you informed in a timely manner! More to come soon!!
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