Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Governance Gerrymandering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Governance Gerrymandering. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Maryland Senator Getty Proposes Congressional Redistricting Plan That Preserves 6th Congressional District

Maryland Senator Getty Proposes Congressional Redistricting Plan That Preserves 6th Congressional District

October 10, 2011


[For more information on the 2011 Maryland Redistricting, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3jfzjzr.]

Senator Joe Getty (R-Carroll & Baltimore) announced today that he will introduce a bill during the special session of the Maryland General Assembly that preserves the current configuration of the 6th Congressional District.

“The 6th Congressional District has a strong and rich tradition of leadership by talented representatives who, regardless of party affiliation, have understood the needs and priorities of their rural constituency,” said Senator Getty. “The purpose of the plan adopted by the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee (GRAC) is to end that tradition by diluting the rural population with urban Montgomery County residents in order to tilt the political character of the district in favor of a Democrat candidate.”

The redistricting plan proposed by Senator Getty would retain all of Frederick and Carroll counties and the northern sections of Baltimore and Harford counties similar to the 6th District’s current configuration. In addition to preserving the 6th Congressional District, the plan would remove the oddly distorted 3rd Congressional District from the Baltimore metropolitan region and shift it to become a minority majority district encompassing the central parts of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

“This redistricting proposal truly reflects the changing demographics of Maryland as revealed by the 2010 federal census,” Senator Getty added. “I did not begin with the premise that the purpose of redistricting was to protect the current incumbents’ stranglehold on power. Instead, I drew a map that represents the diverse communities of the state by insuring continuation of representation of rural citizens in Western Maryland as well as creating a new district for the burgeoning minority population in the Washington, D.C., suburbs.”

In analyzing the 2010 census data, Getty said, “The state of Maryland grew at 9% over the last decade and that entire growth cycle was due to statewide increases in minority population primarily within the Hispanic community. My proposed map follows the intent of the 1965 Voting Rights Act by creating a third minority district to reflect Maryland’s changing demographic trends and to protect minority voting rights.”

[…]

For more information on the 2011 Maryland Redistricting, go to: http://tinyurl.com/3jfzjzr

Maryland Redistricting, 6th Maryland Congressional District, Carroll and Frederick Counties, Maryland Senator Joe Getty (R-Carroll & Baltimore), Secretary Jeanne Hitchcock, Republican Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett, Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee (GRAC), Maryland Sen. David R. Brinkley, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley

[20111010 Getty Redist Plan - Press Release Complete]






Maryland Senator Getty Proposes Congressional Redistricting Plan That Preserves 6th Congressional District
*****

Maryland Redistricting


Maryland Redistricting: For more information on the 2011 Maryland Redistricting, click on the image above. http://tinyurl.com/3jfzjzr [2011 Maryland Decennial Redistricting - Gerrymandering]



2011 Maryland Decennial Redistricting [20111011 MD screwed]

*****

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Len Lazarick - MarylandReporter.com: Congressional redistricting map targets Bartlett and reshapes 6th District

Congressional redistricting map by the governor's redistricting advisory committee

Congressional redistricting map by the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee


http://marylandreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/GRAC-map.jpg


Len Lazarick - MarylandReporter.com:Congressional redistricting map targets Bartlett and reshapes 6th District


October 04, 2011

The congressional redistricting plan recommended to Gov. Martin O’Malley, as expected, targets Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett in the 6th Congressional District, taking Carroll County and much of Frederick County out of the district, according to a map given to MarylandReporter.com and others Monday night.

The Republican official who shared the map said, “It was presented tonight [Monday] by the governor to a small group of people.” The map and its accompanying commentary appear to be the official draft of the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee.

The Associated Press and The Washington Post are reporting that the plan was approved Monday morning by the committee in 4-1, with only Republican former Del. James King dissenting.

The plan would make it more likely that Democrats could pick up another of Maryland’s eight districts in addition to the six they already hold.

The shapes of the 6th and 8th Congressional Districts are much like a map MarylandReporter.com published two weeks ago, with the 6th taking on half of Montgomery County. A large part of northern Frederick County is attached to the 8th Congressional District now represented by Rep. Chris Van Hollen, ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee.

The presentation that explains the maps says: “Approximately 70% of Marylanders stay in their current Congressional District” and the “plan does not draw any incumbent member of Congress out of his district.”
The other six congressional districts look much like “option 1” leaked to the Post and Baltimore Sun on Friday.

As shown in those maps and the earlier one, the 1st Congressional District now represented by freshman Republican Andy Harris becomes an even more solidly Republican and rural district. It includes all of the Eastern Shore, most of Harford County, and runs across the top of Baltimore County to include half the land area of Carroll County...  http://marylandreporter.com/2011/10/04/congressional-redistricting-map-targets-bartlett-and-reshapes-6th-cd/

*****

Sarah Breitenbach: Proposed congressional map targets rural Maryland, lawmakers say

The move, which observers say would pave the way for a Democrat to take control of a long-held western Maryland Republican seat, follows a legislative session early this year in which lawmakers complained a proposed gas tax, potential ban on new septic systems and toll hikes unfairly target the state’s outer reaches.
Sen. David R. Brinkley, who leads the Frederick County delegation, said in attempting to give Maryland Democrats a 7-1 advantage in congressional seats, the map, proposed by the governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee, lumps dissimilar communities under one lawmaker.
The move, which observers say would pave the way for a Democrat to take control of a long-held western Maryland Republican seat, follows a legislative session early this year in which lawmakers complained a proposed gas tax, potential ban on new septic systems and toll hikes unfairly target the state’s outer reaches.
A proposed redistricting map that transfers part of the 6th Congressional District from Frederick County farther into more liberal Montgomery County is a continuation of what some lawmakers are calling a war on rural Maryland.
Sen. David R. Brinkley, who leads the Frederick County delegation, said in attempting to give Maryland Democrats a 7-1 advantage in congressional seats, the map, proposed by the governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee, lumps dissimilar communities under one lawmaker...  
More News





*****

Thursday, October 06, 2011

News from Friends of Kelly Schulz

Delegate Kelly Schulz banner
In This Issue
Bring In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigration bill to Referendum
Interim Duties - I want to hear from you!
Volunteering Decreases Government Spending!






News & Events from the District 
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
Office #:  301-304-0619
Fax #:  301-304-0671
Kelly.schulz@house.state.md.us   
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.
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!!
6773 Balmoral Ridge, New Market, MD 21774 
By authority: Steve Gottlieb, Treasurer

*****