Mike McMullin shared a few thoughts at the Jan. 7, 2016 Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Kickoff Breakfast with Dels. Shoemaker, Krebs, Kittleman, and Sen. Ready

Mike McMullin shared a few thoughts at the Jan. 7, 2016 Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Kickoff Breakfast with Dels. Shoemaker, Krebs, Kittleman, and Sen. Ready
Jan. 7, 2016 Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Kickoff Breakfast with Dels. Shoemaker, Krebs, Kittleman, and Sen. Ready
Jan. 7, 2016 Thursday 8 am.
I scratched-out a few quick notes on my smartphone. …
Over 115 business and community leaders filled the Zigler Hospitality Center at the Brethren Center facility in New Windsor this morning for the annual Carroll County Chamber legislative breakfast.
Good turnout but it seemed that ag, the number one business in Carroll County and the state was under-represented.
The breakfast was sponsored by BGE and Comcast.
Always good to see Mike Fowler, the BGE representative, who spoke well and mentioned the 20th anniversary of BGE
Bill Gavin is the Chamber Legislative Committee chair… Has chaired the committee for 40 years.
Del. Haven Shoemaker. … discussed his committee assignment and shared a few examples of matters that have caught his attention. I continue to like his straightforward no nonsense style
Several brought-up the need to inject some funds into the state pension system to shore-up the fund. Not much mention of pension reform.
Last years efforts to scale back the taxes on military pensions was mentioned and continuing the efforts to stop taxing retirement incomes because all those folks are leaving the state...
Del. Susan Krebs... Also thanked the Chamber legislative committee…
Regulatory reform commission initiative… Revenues good but unfortunately it is from Capital gains taxes. Whole different posture with Gov. Hogan…
Sen. Justin Ready… also thanked the Chamber… discussed process a bit… real and significant tax relief… We do not have a budget surplus, we have a fund balance.
Del. Trent Kittleman represents a portion of Carroll Co. Regulatory reform. The importance of supporting business.  Has one bill that students pass the citizenship test.
×××××
A number of important issues were raised during the question and answer period. A number of folks asked some good questions and the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis was very forthcoming, transparent and articulate about many complex topics. Hats off to the elected officials who attended.
Several members of the Board of Ed were there. Bob Lord, Devon Rothschild, Jim Doolan, and Virginia Harrison as well as school superintendent Steve Guthrie.
Carroll County Commissioners Dennis Frazier and Richard Rothschild attended as well as Taneytown Councilwoman Diane Foster and Mayor McCarron.
New Windsor Mayor Neal Roop and Council member Ed Pals grove attended.
A question was asked about automatic voting registration
The problem of high filing fees for personal property taxes…
Mandatory paid sick leave and paid family leave and mandatory … Mandated benefits… have a negative impact… on business.
Need 7 more in the house and 5 in the senate… for veto-proof legislature
High speed internet access badly needed in rural areas. The last mile… necessary for expanding business in rural area. And necessary for supporting ag, the number 1 business in Carroll County.
A single consolidated time off benefit… combine sick leave, vacation …
Restoration of Highway User Revenues. …  New secretary for MDOT…
Dennis Frazier: Last mile will cost 200 million. Last mile will cost Westminster 24 million.
The idea of allowing large grocery stores to sell alcohol. Ready: alcohol is a controlled substance… Allowing the huge big boxes and grocery stores to sell alcohol will damage small businesses and allow alcohol to be too easily available. …
State law that requires 2 year residence registration for manufacturers… small breweries…
Definition of small business
Del. Krebs: Cost of healthcare is driving the budget. Medicaid is a huge cost…
Net out-migration of the wealthiest Marylanders.
Bill to overturn the estate tax relief and exemption.
Redistricting. Gerrymandering. …
The breakfast concluded at 9:29 am.