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 MD Gen Assembly 2015. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MD Gen Assembly 2015. Show all posts

Friday, March 20, 2015

My copy of the pamphlet on the 1979 Maryland Public Ethics Law and some thoughts on the current Maryland Ethics disclosure law.

My copy of the pamphlet on the 1979 Maryland Public Ethics Law and some thoughts on the current Maryland Ethics disclosure law.


For your files, please find from my old papers a copy of a pamphlet that the State Dept. of Legislative References published in early 1979 about the newly enacted Maryland Public Ethics Law which went into effect on July 1, 1979.

I have long-since forgotten the context of the law or what particular incident may have precipitated the law.

I do remember that at the time fulfilling the requirements of the law were relatively effortless and unremarkable.

According to some individuals close to the situation, “legislation enacted by the Maryland General Assembly in 2010 required local ethics ordinances to be at least as stringent as state law. At the time, many municipal government officials expressed alarm over the breadth of the new financial disclosure requirements. Municipal officials were concerned that the broad requirements would deter capable new candidates from seeking local office and influence current elected officials to decline to seek reelection.

“Bills introduced in the 2014 session of the General Assembly by Senator Raskin and Delegates Gilchrist and Haddaway-Riccio sought to exempt local municipal elected officials from disclosing certain items.

In 2015, the Maryland Municipal League is taking a different approach to this legislation. Rather than exempting elected municipal officials and candidates for municipal office from filing financial disclosure statements, or certain information therein, this legislation would shield certain confidential information from public inspection absent a finding by a local ethics commission of a violation of any part of the municipalities’ financial disclosure or conflict of interest requirements.

“Specifically, the law would shield information regarding a spouse or dependent child, and, unless related to a business entity with which the municipality has conducted business within the last 10 years, the candidate or elected official’s interests in real property located outside the municipal corporation, interests in corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies, employment information, and indebtedness.

“All of the above information would still be reported and submitted to the local ethics commission, be available to the local board of elections, and to the courts; however, it would not be releasable to the public absent a finding by the ethics commission of a violation.”

I was elected to the Common Council of the City of Westminster in 1999 and served as Mayor from 2001 until 2005.  In these capacities, and particularly as Mayor, I expended numerous hours engaged in activities in furtherance of the interests of the City and its residents and businesses.

At all times during my elected service, I worked in non-City-related employment, as a businessman, farmer, artist, and free-lance journalist.

I currently find the requirements of the Model Ordinance to be unreasonably burdensome. Although, in my capacity as an elected official, I thoroughly understand that I have no reasonable expectation of privacy as to information that is relevant to my service as a municipal employee, the Model Ordinance presents an opportunity for an excessive arbitrary invasion of my personal privacy, unrelated to the purpose and intent of the State Public Ethics Law, because the required disclosures would include information neither relevant, material, nor reasonably calculated to lead to the disclosure of pertinent information related in any way to my public service.

I take pride and satisfaction in my past service for our citizens as an elected official in Westminster, notwithstanding the fact that my expenses as an elected official exceeded the compensation provided by the Charter of the City of Westminster

I am unaware of any conduct by a City elected official or by a candidate for City elective office during my tenure that presented either a conflict of interest or the appearance of conflict of interest that would have been identified and corrected by the Model Ordinance but that would have been missed by the City’s Proposed Ordinance.

In my view, the provisions of the Model Ordinance, if not modified and revised as set forth in the City’s Proposed Ordinance, impose a substantial hardship and an undue intrusion upon the personal privacy of persons who choose to run for and serve in public office in the City of Westminster, without accomplishing any significant benefit in terms of protecting the public that would justify the hardship or invasion of privacy.

Although I, along with current and former municipal officials throughout the state, understand that in order for municipal government, the government that is closest to the people, to be effective, it must be transparent and open, approachable and accessible.

Strong ethics ordinances are critical for local government to effective, vibrant and meaningful.

My family has been involved in municipal government for many-generations dating back to before the 1890s. It is my insight that adoption of the Model Ordinance is over-kill and as such would significantly reduce the availability of qualified individuals for public service and encourages currently- elected officials to decline to seek reelection.

I do not know the status of the current legislation in the Maryland General Assembly. I do know that the current law is so severe, punishing and draconian that many good folks who would make great local municipal officials have quietly opted-out of participating in local government as a result of the new law.

Many current officials have determined that it is punitive in nature but find themselves unwilling to publicly challenge it for fear of being subjected to political and media ridicule – so they have simply decided to quietly opt-out from serving.

It should be further noted that no one can serve in public office without the support of their family. Family members across the state have objected to disclosing aspects of their personal life that have nothing to do with the material conduct of municipal government.

The nature and breadth of issues that municipal government officials deal with are far narrower than those that state and even county officials address. It stands to reason that the nature and breadth of financial disclosure of municipal officials versus state officials should parallel those differences.

Just saying

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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 



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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Memo to Md Gov. Larry Hogan: Always understand the context in which you serve.


The newly-elected Md. Gov. Larry Hogan, is a likeable-enough guy; but now is the time to stop campaigning and start governing.


Kevin E. Dayhoff, February 9, 2015

Apparently, the Baltimore Sun sees it as many do; now is the time for Gov. Hogan to govern. Gov. Larry Hogan’s State of the State address February 4, 2015 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/02/maryland-gov-larry-hogans-state-of.html was a page from the playbook of President Barrack Obama that has failed so miserably.

That is, know when it is the time to be a statesperson and govern and when to stop campaigning.

Now President Obama cannot help himself. He suffers from a destructive narcissistic personality disorder.

But the newly elected Republican governor of Maryland ought to have known better.

As much as many in his base agreed with every comment uttered in the state of the state address, it was mistake to say it. We get it. And it was an unnecessary exposure to say it.

To say much of what he said in the hallowed halls of Md. State Senate President Mike Miller and Md Speaker of the House Mike Busch is tantamount to the old adage, don’t tug on superman’s cape, and don’t spit in the wind….

Now is the time to move-on to the business of governance in the Maryland General Assembly, a government whose feudal middle-ages roots were laid before the birth of the modern Westphalian State in 1648 - a medieval byzantine environment that is ruled by feudal lords of the manor that are inherently hostile to dissent and have no concept of accountability or being held responsible for their behavior.

The governor should take a memo; now is the time to stop preaching to the choir and reach out into the Maryland General Assembly audience and start winning folks over. In this business one accumulates enemies, do not go out of your way to make any.

All the state of the state did was feed red meat to the liberal lions of the Maryland General Assembly and they reacted predictably. It was the mistake of someone who had never held elected office before. It was the sophomoric mistake of a rookie and candidly, the governor is surrounded by enough veterans that the mistake ought to have been avoided.

That said, it is often been stated that the reaction to a problem is often as critical as to the problem itself. Fortunately the governor is a likable-enough guy who roots in real estate transactions have taught him that it is better to be loved than feared.

The Senate President on the other hand, is so powerful – arguably one of the most powerful elected officials in the entire nation - - that he does not care whether or not you like him. He is simply to be feared.

In this case the reaction by the Senate President Mike Miller was the mistake of someone so arrogant as to believe that he so powerful that the rules do not apply - that he would not be held responsible for his actions or behavior. President Miller’s behavior was a manifestation of how dare this conservative Republican upstart tread into my pond and row around spewing such blasphemy.

It brings to mind another rule: Always understand the context in which you serve.

Candidly, if the shoe were on the other foot, and a liberal had rowed into a conservative stronghold and thumbed their nose at the powers-that-be; conservatives probably would not have reacted any better. We hope they would have, but maybe not.

In this case, the case of the Senate President; the reaction was so over-the-top and cringe worthy that even the Baltimore Sun cringed.

Read the first two paragraphs of the Sunpapers’ response here and be sure to go to http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-hogan-miller-20150209-story.html and read the rest. It is well worth the time.

Baltimore Sun Editorial: Miller overreacts, Hogan benefits February 9, 2015


We doubt Gov. Larry Hogan intended to make Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller's head explode with his State of the State speech last week, but it might wind up working out for him politically, if not for the people of the state substantively. The governor's address was heavy on recycled bromides from his stump speech and not equal to the occasion, but it looks downright statesmanlike in comparison to the ensuing petulant overreaction from the Senate president and his loyal lieutenants. Nonetheless, it may have given Democrats an excuse to kill legislation they didn't like anyway.

On Friday, the Senate delayed confirmation votes for the first five of Mr. Hogan's cabinet secretary nominees to come before it, and senators were not at all subtle about the connection between that decision and the State of the State speech. The contrast with Mr. Miller's attitude on the opening day of the legislative session, when he predicted before even holding any hearings that all of Mr. Hogan's nominees would be confirmed, is not flattering. It suggests that the Senate's role to advise and consent is a function of the Senate president's mood and not the quality of the nominees… http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-hogan-miller-20150209-story.html

Also be sure to read: Miller’s joke with one appointee could prove prophetic By: Bryan P. Sears Daily Record Business Writer  February 9, 2015 http://thedailyrecord.com/2015/02/09/millers-joke-with-one-appointee-could-prove-prophetic/
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Friday, January 30, 2015

Carroll County Md Commissioners vote for legislative initiative to fill vacancies with special election

Carroll County Md Commissioners vote for legislative initiative to fill vacancies with special election



Carroll County Times article by Wiley Hayes: Late legislative initiative to limit central committee's responsibilities


The Carroll County Board of Commissioners will be submitting a late addition to their legislative package to take away the power of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee to select the replacement of a county commissioner in the event of an opening.

This legislation is in part due to the controversial decision by the committee to only recommend former Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier to replace Sen. Joe Getty. The Republican Central Committee has since reversed course and recommended three names to Gov. Larry Hogan for the seat.

The commissioners voted 3-2 on Thursday to send this legislation to the Carroll County delegation. Commissioners Stephen Wantz, R-District 1, and Richard Rothschild R-District 4, were the opposing votes.

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/ph-cc-commissioner-meeting-0129-20150129,0,5511869.story

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Be sure to also read:

Len Lazarick MarylandReporter.com: Delegates want voters to fill vacancies in legislature, but GOP wants to keep party role

Labels: MD Gen Assembly 2015, Politics, Politics Carroll Co Republicans

MarylandReporter.com | The news site for government and politics in the Free State: http://marylandreporter.com/2015/01/30/delegates-want-voters-to-fill-vacancies-in-legislature-but-gop-wants-to-keep-party-role/

Len Lazarick MarylandReporter.com: Delegates want voters to fill vacancies in legislature, but GOP wants to keep party role


By Len Lazarick Len@MarylandReporter.com
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Len Lazarick MarylandReporter.com: Delegates want voters to fill vacancies in legislature, but GOP wants to keep party role

MarylandReporter.com | The news site for government and politics in the Free Statehttp://marylandreporter.com/2015/01/30/delegates-want-voters-to-fill-vacancies-in-legislature-but-gop-wants-to-keep-party-role/

Len Lazarick MarylandReporter.com: Delegates want voters to
fill vacancies in legislature, but GOP wants to keep party role


By Len Lazarick Len@MarylandReporter.com

Two freshman delegates from each party are working on
legislation to give voters a greater role in filling legislative seats that
become vacant.

At the same time, Republican Party officials are working on
ways to establish statewide party rules that will maintain the strong role of
party central committees in the process and avoid the special elections the
delegates are proposing.

The issue is a hot one in Annapolis as three counties must
fill seats held by senators and a delegate who have now become part of the
Hogan administration.

The Maryland Constitution gives the local party committees a
key role in selecting a replacement for senators and delegates from their own
party. But it does not specify a process for how they select a name to send to
the governor, who makes the final appointment.

The Republican Central Committees in Carroll, Frederick and
Washington counties all used different methods to select replacements for Sen.
Joe Getty, Del. Kelly Schulz and Sen. Chris Shank. Carroll had the most
secretive process, voting in closed meetings on names of applicants the
committee would not reveal.

[...]

http://marylandreporter.com/2015/01/30/delegates-want-voters-to-fill-vacancies-in-legislature-but-gop-wants-to-keep-party-role/

Be sure to also read:

'via Blog this'
Carroll County Md Commissioners vote for legislative initiative to fill vacancies with special election



Carroll County Times article by Wiley Hayes: Late legislative initiative to limit central committee's responsibilities


The Carroll County Board of Commissioners will be submitting a late addition to their legislative package to take away the power of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee to select the replacement of a county commissioner in the event of an opening.

This legislation is in part due to the controversial decision by the committee to only recommend former Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier to replace Sen. Joe Getty. The Republican Central Committee has since reversed course and recommended three names to Gov. Larry Hogan for the seat.

The commissioners voted 3-2 on Thursday to send this legislation to the Carroll County delegation. Commissioners Stephen Wantz, R-District 1, and Richard Rothschild R-District 4, were the opposing votes.



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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Barry Rascovar January 21, 2015 Future looks bright for short-term delegate Cavey

Barry Rascovar January 21, 2015 Future looks bright for short-term delegate Cavey


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Columnist Barry Rascovar discusses Chris Cavey who recently “Cavey served as a Baltimore County delegate for just 16 days. Clearly, some explanation is in order…”

I have worked with Del. Cavey for many years and I have appreciated every moment of it. Del. Cavey is thoughtful, very bright, insightful, a strategic thinker and always seems to easily understand the context in we serve and see the bigger picture. 

In an era when it is not good enough to be the best, Del. Cavey is nice.

And yes, many of us are looking forward to Cavey now “participating in the administrative side of things in Annapolis during Hogan's term as governor…”

At a time when reaching across the aisle and playing nice in order to move the ball forward; Del. Cavey is perfect for leadership in the Hogan administration in Annapolis.

Del. Cavey knows Maryland government and remembers when members of Maryland General Assembly may have disagreed upon various issues; but they always worked together harmoniously for the greater good of Maryland. Remember the name Cavey – it rhymes with civility.

WE are looking forward to many great things from Del. Cavey.

Please enjoy Mr. Rascovar’s column…

Kevin E. Dayhoff - January 27, 2015

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When the Maryland General Assembly kicked off its 90-day session a week ago, two members of the House of Delegates from Baltimore County were missing.

One of them is a familiar name to people living in rural parts of the county — Del. Wade Kach, a fixture in the Maryland State House for four decades. The retired teacher just kept getting reelected.

The other missing delegate is not nearly as familiar — Chris Cavey.

Cavey served as a Baltimore County delegate for just 16 days. Clearly, some explanation is in order.


[…]

Kach did the smart thing and ran for Baltimore County Council instead.

His name recognition and reputation as a diligent, moderate conservative helped him defeat one-term incumbent GOP Councilman Todd Huff of Lutherville.

Kach then won easily in November with 68 percent of the vote.

He was sworn in as a councilman in early December, leaving a void in the county's legislative delegation. By law, the Republican Central Committee for the county gets to appoint a replacement, with the governor's consent.
Enter, Chris Cavey.

The former insurance agent has been a longtime field worker for Republican candidates. He served as chair of the Baltimore County Republican Party for seven years and as first vice-chair of the state Republican Party for 7 1/2 years.


[…]

Hogan and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford attended Cavey's swearing-in ceremony in the House chambers. The interim delegate's grandchildren held the Bible as he took the oath of office.


Now that Chris Cavey's name has been entered in the legislative record book, he can turn to his next assignment — participating in the administrative side of things in Annapolis during Hogan's term as governor…

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Monday, January 26, 2015

Maryland Delegate Susan Krebs R - Carroll County:he Hogan/Rutherford Era Begins!

Md Delegate Susan Krebs R - Carroll County:he Hogan/Rutherford Era Begins! 




The Hogan/Rutherford Era Begins!

 
Dear Friend,

After a week filled with briefings concerning the rise in Medicaid costs and the status of health insurance in Maryland, the activity in the General Assembly will now ramp up into high gear following the historic inauguration of Maryland's 62nd Governor, Larry Hogan and Lt. Governor, Boyd K. Rutherford.

 

My husband, Mark, joined me for the snowy Inauguration ceremonies on Wednesday and for the Gala that evening.

  

The Inauguration had a special significance for Carroll Countians. I was proud to help arrange for Carroll instructor, Lt. Col. Lee Mitchell, and his three daughters, to perform at the Pre-Inauguration Ceremony.

Read the great write up in the Carroll County Times.

   
  
Lt. Col. Mitchell, a former member of the Baltimore Opera, is a world-renown singer and is currently the senior Army Instructor of the JRROTC at Century High School. 
  
He sang a heartwarming rendition of the "God Bless America" and "Impossible Dream," the signature song from the musical "Man of La Mancha." Three of Lt. Col. Mitchell's four daughters, Cierra, 29, Christen, 24, and Chelsea, 14, performed "America the Beautiful."

Having the Mitchell's perform at the Inauguration was one of the true highlights of the day. 

 
Gov. Hogan Presents Budget

In one of his first actions in office, Governor Hogan proposed a common-sense budget that does not raise any taxes or fees. Maryland finally has a Governor who will actually stop spending more than he is taking in in revenue. Our focus will continue to be towards lowering taxes on Maryland's families and ensuring that our business climate is one that will allow our families to get back to work. Our Delegation will be working with Governor Hogan to assure that Carroll County receives its fair share of monies for our schools and infrastructure. You can listen to the budget presentation by clicking on the arrow.

Governor Hogan Announces FY 2016 Budget
Governor Hogan Announces FY 2016 Budget

 
The growth in Medicaid is the single largest pressure on the state budget and there is no end in sight. As a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee, in addition to briefings on the budget and Medicaid, we also heard reports from the Maryland Healthcare Commission on TeleHealth, the Patient Centered Medical Home Pilot Program, a report on MRI study of self-referrals, and a report on Health Insurance Assignment of Benefits & Re-imbursement of Non-Preferred Providers.

  
Delegate Susan Krebs with Governor Larry Hogan 
at Joint Caucus luncheon, January 13, 2015. 


Hogan Administration Seeks Green Bag Appointment

Governor Hogan is seeking candidates for Green Bag Appointments. These positions are civil officers that serve in a variety of capacities across the state, many are Boards and Commissions that may be of interest to you. But it is not enough to be qualified for the position, you must have a passion and want to serve your community. Most of the Boards and Commissions have slots for "Consumer Members" who have no direct relation to the profession it oversees. Give it a try, it may prove to be very interesting.

 
A full listing is available at www.hogantransition.com. Click on "Apply for a Job" and click on the drop-down menu for a full listing.


I am honored to still be serving Carroll County and the state of Maryland as the Delegate from District 5. I am particularly thrilled to have Larry Hogan as our new Governor.

Please feel free to contact me by replying to this e-mail or calling my Annapolis office at 410-841-3200.
Best Regards, 

 


Carroll County | Maryland House of Delegates  

Phone: 410-841-3200 | Fax: 410-841-3349  
6 Bladen Street, Room 405 Lowe House Office Building | Annapolis, MD  21401 
susan.krebs@house.state.md.us | Alicia Luckhardt, Legislative Aide
By Authority:  Friends of Susan Krebs, Kimberly Madeja, Treasurer  
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Thursday, January 15, 2015

Maryland Reporter: Maryland General Assembly Opening Day State Roundup, January 14, 2015 by Cynthia Prairie

Maryland Reporter: Maryland General Assembly Opening Day State Roundup, January 14, 2015

Published on January 14th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie


OPENING DAY: Maryland lawmakers are planning to hear from the state’s incoming Republican governor today and its outgoing Democratic governor on Thursday as the annual 90-day legislative session gets underway in Annapolis. The 435th session of the General Assembly is set to convene at noon today, writes John Wagner for the Post.

Opening day at the State House will be mostly pomp and receptions, with all 141 members of the House of Delegates and 47 members of the Senate being sworn in to new four-year terms, many of them with family members by their side, writes John Wagner in the Post.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: When the Maryland General Assembly reconvenes today, there will be a sea of new lawmakers taking the oath of office, reports Jenna Johnson for the Post. This crop of freshmen includes a former drug dealer, a liberal blogger and a saloon owner. There are three medical doctors, several military veterans and a guy who has worked for 25 years at a plant that produces construction materials. She reports one interesting fact about each.

Prognosticator Barry Rascovar, in a column at politicalmaryland.com, offers some sage advice for the newcomers to the Maryland General Assembly. “You’ve been through an orientation and culture shock is starting to set in. But don’t get too comfortable. Things are about to change in a BIG way,” he begins.


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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

MarylandReporter.com | The news site for government and politics in the Free State

MarylandReporter.com | The news site for government and politics in the Free State:

http://marylandreporter.com/2014/12/17/senate-president-announces-committee-assignments/

Senate president announces committee assignments

Published on December 17th, 2014 | by Len Lazarick

Senate President Mike Miller announced the full slate of committee assignments Tuesday, finding places for the 11 new senators and shifting several of the incumbents.

 The Democratic presiding officer determines the committee assignments for both Democrats and Republicans in the 47-member Senate. Miller had already announced any new chairs and vice chairs for the Senate’s standing committees to replace senators who are not returning.

 House Speaker Michael Busch has promised to announce committee assignments before Christmas. He faces a more complicated task since he has 58 new members of the House of Delegates to assign, more than 40% of the 141-member House.

 The committees must not only be balanced by party — in the Senate, 33 Democrats and 14 Republicans — but geography, gender and race are also considerations that come into play...

http://marylandreporter.com/2014/12/17/senate-president-announces-committee-assignments/

'via Blog this'
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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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