20071003 Legislation sponsored by Senator David R. Brinkley in 2007 Maryland General Assembly session

Legislation sponsored by Senator David R. Brinkley in 2007 Maryland General Assembly session

2007 Regular Session sponsor information current as of October 3, 2007 - 11:29 p.m.

Senator David R. Brinkley

District 4

Status of Legislation October 3, 2007

Total Number of Bills: 46

SB 37	Status as of February 28, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senator Brinkley
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Frederick County - Agriculture and Education Complex
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 94	Status as of February 28, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley and Mooney
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Frederick County - C&O Canal National Historic Catoctin Aqueduct
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 230	Status as of March 21, 2007: Bill is in the House - First Reading Ways and Means
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley, Astle, Colburn, Dyson, Garagiola, Haines, Hogan, Hooper, Jacobs, Kasemeyer, Kittleman, Kramer, Middleton, Miller, Mooney, Munson, Pugh, Robey, Simonaire, and Stoltzfus
Entitled	Admissions and Amusement Tax - Exemption for Activities Related to Agricultural Tourism
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means

SB 336	Status as of March 26, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley, DeGrange, Edwards, Munson, and Stoltzfus
Entitled	Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Membership - Correctional Laundry Officers
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 337	Status as of February 7, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings
Sponsored By	Senator Brinkley
Entitled	Registered Offenders Working at Fairs and Carnivals - Prohibition
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings

SB 498	Status as of March 7, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Sponsored By	Senator Brinkley
Entitled	Smart Growth - Priority Funding Areas - Rural Counties
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs

SB 499	Status as of March 7, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley, Haines, and Munson
Entitled	Environment - Water Appropriation Permits - Groundwater Recharge Area
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs

SB 565	Status as of April 24, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 162
Sponsored By	Senator Brinkley
Entitled	Frederick County - Collective Bargaining - Representatives for Correctional Officers
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Appropriations

SB 603	Status as of February 28, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senator Brinkley
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Frederick County - YMCA
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 906	Status as of March 2, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley and Mooney
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Frederick County - Harry Grove Stadium Renovation
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 957	Status as of May 17, 2007: Vetoed by the Governor - Duplicative
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley and Mooney
Entitled	Frederick County - Public Facilities Bonds
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 958	Status as of May 17, 2007: Vetoed by the Governor - Duplicative
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley and Mooney
Entitled	Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Tables and Chairs at Wineries
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Economic Matters

SB 959	Status as of May 8, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 363
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley and Mooney
Entitled	Frederick County Board of Elections - Salary Increase
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Ways and Means

SB 960	Status as of May 17, 2007: Vetoed by the Governor - Duplicative
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley and Mooney
Entitled	Frederick County - Procurement Contracts - Architectural and Engineering Services
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Health and Government Operations

SB 961	Status as of May 8, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 364
Sponsored By	Senators Brinkley and Mooney
Entitled	Frederick County - Employees' Pension System - Alternate Contributory Pension Selection
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 962	Status as of April 24, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 208
Sponsored By	Senator Brinkley
Entitled	Agricultural Ownership Entities - Homestead Tax Credit
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means

SB 979	Status as of May 17, 2007: Vetoed by the Governor - Duplicative
Sponsored By	Senator Brinkley
Entitled	Frederick County Commissioners - Zoning and Planning - Public Ethics
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Environmental Matters

Co-sponsored Bills

SB 95	Status as of February 28, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Mooney and Brinkley
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Frederick County - Way Station
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 96	Status as of April 24, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 127
Sponsored By	Senators Mooney and Brinkley
Entitled	Frederick County - Alcoholic Beverages - Special Licenses
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Economic Matters

SB 100	Status as of May 8, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 310
Sponsored By	Senators Miller, Astle, Brinkley, Britt, Currie, DeGrange, Dyson, Garagiola, Hogan, Jacobs, Jones, Kasemeyer, Klausmeier, Kramer, McFadden, Munson, Peters, Robey, Rosapepe, and Stone
Entitled	Motor Vehicle Excise Tax - Active Duty Military Personnel Who Become Maryland Residents
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means

SB 153	Status as of May 17, 2007: Vetoed by the Governor - Duplicative
Sponsored By	Senators Mooney and Brinkley
Entitled	Frederick County - Board of Education - Nonvoting Student Member
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Ways and Means

SB 182	Status as of March 12, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Greenip, Brinkley, Brochin, Colburn, Edwards, Garagiola, Haines, Harris, Hooper, Jacobs, Kittleman, Mooney, Peters, Pipkin, and Simonaire
Entitled	Maryland Estate Tax - Unified Credit Effective Exemption Amount and Deduction for State Death Taxes
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 226	Status as of February 23, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings
Sponsored By	Senators Mooney, Astle, Brinkley, Colburn, DeGrange, Della, Dyson, Edwards, Exum, Garagiola, Greenip, Haines, Hooper, Jacobs, Kittleman, Kramer, Munson, Pipkin, Stoltzfus, and Stone
Entitled	Vehicle Laws - Protective Headgear Requirement for Motorcycle Riders - Exceptions
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings

SB 261	Status as of May 17, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 540
Sponsored By	Senators Garagiola, Brinkley, Colburn, Conway, Forehand, Hogan, Hooper, Jacobs, Jones, Klausmeier, Kramer, Lenett, Madaleno, McFadden, Mooney, Pugh, and Raskin
Entitled	Task Force on Renewable Alternative Fuels
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance House: Economic Matters

SB 265	Status as of March 12, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators DeGrange, Astle, Brinkley, Currie, Della, Dyson, Hogan, Jones, Klausmeier, Kramer, McFadden, Middleton, Miller, Munson, Peters, Robey, Stoltzfus, and Stone
Entitled	Building Opportunities for All Students and Teachers (BOAST) in Maryland Tax Credit
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 294	Status as of February 7, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings
Sponsored By	Senators Kittleman, Brinkley, Edwards, Greenip, Haines, Harris, Hooper, Jacobs, Mooney, Munson, Pipkin, Simonaire, and Stoltzfus
Entitled	Property Protection Act of 2007
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings

SB 304	Status as of May 17, 2007: Vetoed by the Governor - Duplicative
Sponsored By	Senator Kramer (Chair, Joint Committee on Pensions) and Senators Brinkley, Currie, Hogan, Kasemeyer, McFadden, Munson, Garagiola, and Peters, Harris, Hooper, Jacobs, Edwards, Simonaire, Greenip, Mooney, Stoltzfus, Haines, Colburn, Kittleman, and Stone
Entitled	State Retirement and Pension System - Military Service that Interrupts State Service - Calculation
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 380	Status as of February 14, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Education Health and Environmental Affairs
Sponsored By	Senators DeGrange, Astle, Brinkley, Currie, Dyson, Edwards, Garagiola, Klausmeier, Raskin, and Robey
Entitled	Procurement - Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Participation
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs

SB 381	Status as of February 21, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators DeGrange, Astle, Brinkley, Currie, Della, Dyson, Edwards, Garagiola, Gladden, Greenip, Hogan, Hooper, Jacobs, Klausmeier, Madaleno, McFadden, Middleton, Munson, Peters, Robey, Stoltzfus, and Stone
Entitled	Military Service Credit - Eligibility
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 392	Status as of May 17, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 547
Sponsored By	Senators Kasemeyer, Astle, Brinkley, Brochin, Colburn, Conway, Currie, DeGrange, Della, Edwards, Exum, Forehand, Frosh, Garagiola, Gladden, Haines, Hogan, Hooper, Jones, Kelley, Kittleman, Klausmeier, Lenett, Madaleno, McFadden, Mooney, Munson, Muse, Peters, Pinsky, Pugh, Raskin, Robey, Rosapepe, Simonaire, Stoltzfus, Stone, Zirkin, Dyson, Britt, Harris, and Greenip
Entitled	Election Law - Voting Systems - Voter-Verifiable Paper Records
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Ways and Means

SB 404	Status as of March 19, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Hogan, Brinkley, Currie, McFadden, Munson, Robey, and Stoltzfus
Entitled	Tobacco Tax - Moist Snuff
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 413	Status as of May 17, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 494
Sponsored By	Senators Jacobs, Astle, Brinkley, Colburn, DeGrange, Dyson, Edwards, Greenip, Haines, Harris, Hogan, Hooper, Kasemeyer, Kittleman, Klausmeier, Mooney, Munson, Muse, Peters, Pipkin, Robey, Simonaire, Stoltzfus, Stone, Zirkin, and Brochin
Entitled	Jessica's Law - Sexual Offenses - Parole Eligibility and Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Judiciary

SB 419	Status as of May 17, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 552
Sponsored By	Senators Madaleno, Brinkley, Currie, DeGrange, Hogan, Jones, Kasemeyer, Kramer, McFadden, Munson, Peters, Robey, and Stoltzfus
Entitled	Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Military Retirement Income for Commissioned Officers
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Ways and Means

SB 430	Status as of March 21, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Unfavorable Finance
Sponsored By	Senators Kittleman, Brinkley, and Haines
Entitled	Carroll County - Prevailing Wage - Exemption
Committee Assignments	Senate: Finance

SB 497	Status as of May 16, 2007: Vetoed by the Governor - Policy
Sponsored By	Senators Haines, Brinkley, Hooper, Jacobs, and Mooney
Entitled	Public Safety - Disposal of Handguns Owned by a Law Enforcement Agency
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Judiciary

SB 564	Status as of February 7, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Judicial Proceedings
Sponsored By	Senators Haines, Brinkley, Colburn, DeGrange, Dyson, Edwards, Greenip, Hooper, Jacobs, Mooney, Simonaire, Stoltzfus, and Stone
Entitled	Valid Marriages
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings

SB 666	Status as of February 21, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators McFadden, Astle, Brinkley, Britt, DeGrange, Dyson, Hogan, Klausmeier, Middleton, Munson, Peters, Stoltzfus, and Stone
Entitled	Income Tax Credit for Graduate Level Education - Nonpublic School Teachers
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 731	Status as of March 22, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Withdrawn Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Hooper, Astle, Brinkley, Colburn, Dyson, Edwards, Garagiola, Greenip, Haines, Harris, Jacobs, Kittleman, Middleton, Munson, Pipkin, Robey, Simonaire, and Stoltzfus
Entitled	Maryland Estate Tax - Exclusions for Family Farms Subject to Agricultural Preservation Easements
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 739	Status as of April 2, 2007: Bill is in the House - Third Reading Passed with Amendments
Sponsored By	Senators Simonaire, Brinkley, Brochin, Colburn, Conway, Della, Edwards, Forehand, Frosh, Greenip, Haines, Harris, Hooper, Jacobs, Jones, Kittleman, Kramer, Lenett, Munson, Muse, Peters, Pinsky, Raskin, Robey, Rosapepe, Stone, and Zirkin
Entitled	Legislative Scholarships Integrity Act of 2007
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Ways and Means

SB 848	Status as of February 28, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Astle, Brinkley, Conway, DeGrange, Dyson, Edwards, Haines, Hooper, Jacobs, Klausmeier, Miller, Munson, Pipkin, Simonaire, and Stoltzfus
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 863	Status as of March 7, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Judicial Proceedings
Sponsored By	Senators Haines, Astle, Brinkley, Colburn, DeGrange, Della, Dyson, Edwards, Garagiola, Hooper, Jacobs, Kittleman, Kramer, Mooney, Munson, Pipkin, Stoltzfus, and Stone
Entitled	Vehicle Laws - Right-of-Way - Penalties for Failure to Yield
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings

SB 868	Status as of May 17, 2007: Vetoed by the Governor - Duplicative
Sponsored By	Senators Haines, Brinkley, and Kittleman
Entitled	Carroll County - Bingo and Gaming Events - Qualified Organizations
Committee Assignments	Senate: Judicial Proceedings House: Ways and Means

SB 909	Status as of March 2, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Garagiola, Astle, Brinkley, Conway, Currie, Forehand, Frosh, Hogan, Kittleman, McFadden, Middleton, Miller, and Peters
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Pentagon Memorial
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 948	Status as of March 2, 2007: Bill is in the Senate - Re-referred Budget and Taxation
Sponsored By	Senators Mooney and Brinkley
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Frederick County - Maryland Museum of Civil War History at Landon House
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation

SB 986	Status as of May 17, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 585
Sponsored By	Senators DeGrange, Brinkley, Currie, Hogan, Kasemeyer, Kramer, and Munson
Entitled	Creation of a State Debt - Aging School Program - Qualified Zone Academy Bonds
Committee Assignments	Senate: Budget and Taxation House: Appropriations

SB 1034	Status as of May 8, 2007: Became Law - Chapter 302
Sponsored By	Senators Hogan, Astle, Brinkley, Britt, Brochin, Colburn, Conway, Currie, DeGrange, Della, Dyson, Edwards, Exum, Forehand, Frosh, Garagiola, Gladden, Haines, Hooper, Jacobs, Jones, Kasemeyer, Kelley, Kittleman, Klausmeier, Kramer, Lenett, Madaleno, McFadden, Middleton, Miller, Munson, Muse, Peters, Pinsky, Pipkin, Pugh, Raskin, Robey, Rosapepe, Simonaire, Stoltzfus, Stone, and Zirkin
Entitled	Silver Spring District Courthouse - Renaming
Committee Assignments	Senate: Education Health and Environmental Affairs House: Health and Government Operations

20071006 Northrop Grumman to open facility in Millersville by Staci L. George

20071006 Northrop Grumman to open facility in Millersville by Staci L. George

Northrop Grumman to open facility in Millersville

By STACI L. GEORGE Staff Writer 10/06/07

Subscribe to the Maryland Gazette

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. will open a new information assurance center Monday in Millersville, the company announced yesterday.

The new 34,000 square-foot building at 8666 Veterans Highway could open the way for more technology companies to move into the area, one analyst said upon hearing the news.

"It is great they are moving in. It is win-win for us as a county," said Kevin Lancaster, a government consultant and managing partner of Network Federal, a government technology company in Washington. He cited benefits such as job growth, tax revenue and filling a void of high-tech services.

According to Mr. Lancaster, the area is challenged with finding, attracting, and retaining technology companies.

"This is huge," Mr. Lancaster said, noting how Northrop Grumman could have built its new facility in Howard County, Baltimore or closer to Fort George G. Meade, but chose Millersville instead. The new center will influence additional smaller companies to come to the area, bringing more jobs and services, he said.

Read the rest of her article here: Northrop Grumman to open facility in Millersville

20071005 County residents rally against SCHIP veto by Meg Bernhardt

20071005 County residents rally against SCHIP veto by Meg Bernhardt

County residents rally against SCHIP veto

By Meg Bernhardt , News-Post Staff Originally published October 05, 2007

[…]

… and roughly 30 others rallied Thursday night in downtown Frederick. They protested President Bush's decision to veto a bill that would reauthorize and expand SCHIP and urged U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-6, to support an override of the veto.

The largely Democratic-backed bill would increase spending by $35 billion, to roughly $60 billion, over the next five years. Maryland would receive $178 million in the first year alone.

Following House approval of the bill last week, the Senate voted 67-29 to increase spending from about $5 billion annually to $12 billion annually for the next five years -- double what the president wants. It relies on a 61-cent federal cigarette tax.

Bush vetoed it Wednesday, recommending a $5 billion increase for SCHIP over the next five years, bringing total spending to $30 billion.

Health care advocates have said Bartlett's vote is critical for a House override of the veto. Bartlett, a Republican, voted for the original SCHIP program, but voted against the expansion because it would be a step toward universal health care, he said.

"I support continuing SCHIP health insurance for all children of the working poor, but that is not what this debate is about," Bartlett said in a radio address Thursday. "Democrats are demanding that SCHIP be expanded because they want to force government-controlled, taxpayer-paid health coverage onto middle-class and upper-class families who already have private health care coverage that they themselves control."

[…]

(Tobi) Drabczyk brought her four children to the rally, which was sponsored by Operation Democracy Frederick, a local affiliate of MoveOn.org.

"Our family is on the SCHIP program and we really need this program," she said.

Her husband works a full-time job for less than $40,000 a year, and it would cost between $700 and $1,000 to insure their family through his employer.

Her son, Mitchell Drabczyk, is 13 and has Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder. The program is the only way they can get him treated, she said.

"SCHIP is for working families. We just need a little bit of help and SCHIP is that help," she said. "We just need to get all children covered and if an expansion is needed to do that, then we should do it."

Please see: 20070921 Five Key Myths About President Bush’s Support for SCHIP Reauthorization[1]

Bartlett's stance is becoming a campaign issue. He is up for re-election in 2008.

Republican challenger Joseph T. Krysztoforski was coming from another Frederick event when he saw the rally. He stopped to talk with the pickets and said he would have voted yes on the bipartisan effort.

"I think it's something Roscoe should look carefully at changing his vote," Krysztoforski said.

Democratic opponent Andrew Duck has also criticized Bartlett's vote.

"It was the wrong decision," he said by phone Thursday.

He released a statement on the vote last week.

"We need to make sure all Americans have access to quality health care. This bill is a great start. That we in the wealthiest country in history are even having a debate about whether children deserve health care is appalling. That Roscoe Bartlett says they don't makes him unfit to represent our district," Duck said in the statement.

Bartlett has thanked critics for drawing attention to his vote, saying it was the correct one.

"Only Democrat Congressional leaders could demand that a family earning $82,000 a year could qualify for their expanded SCHIP program and simultaneously call that same family rich enough to force them to pay the AMT, Alternative Minimum Tax," Bartlett said. "It just goes to show that what Democrats really want is to have the government control how to spend the money that American taxpayers earn."

Read the entire article here:
County residents rally against SCHIP veto

[1] Especially:

MYTH #5: President Bush will be responsible if SCHIP is not reauthorized by September 30.

FACT: Congress is irresponsibly waiting until just before SCHIP expires on September 30 to pass a final bill they know will be vetoed. Democrats have known for months that President Bush would veto a bill like the one they intend to send him.

FACT: One of the Democrats' leaders has even said such a veto would be a "political victory." Members of Congress are putting health coverage for poor children at risk just so they can score political points in Washington.

FACT: President Bush has called on Congress to pass a clean, temporary extension of the current SCHIP program that he can sign by September 30. The President does not believe health coverage for poor children should be held hostage while political ads are being made and new polls are being taken.

FACT: The President has instructed HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt to work with states to mitigate the resulting damage if Congress allows SCHIP to lapse.

20071008 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting

20070924 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting

City Council Members | Minutes of City Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of October 8, 2007

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

Halloween Trick-or-Treating

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2007

3. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

4. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

5. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution No. R07-12 – Community Legacy – Pennsylvania Avenue

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of October 4, 2007

7. NEW BUSINESS:

a. None as of October 4, 2007

8. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

9. CITIZEN COMMENTS

10. ADJOURN

20071001 Westminster Leaf Vacuum Schedule

20071001 Westminster Leaf Vacuum Schedule

Westminster Leaf Vacuum Schedule

Photo: The City's new leaf vacuum mounts on the back of a Street Department dump truck or garbage truck. Leaves are vacuumed through the large blue hose, which can be operated from inside the truck's cab, are chopped, and stored in the body of the unit. Once full, the truck is driven to the landfill, where the chopped leaves are combined with other yard waste, and offered as free mulch to county residents.

Leaf Vacuum Program to begin on October 1, 2007

Several folks have asked about Westminster’s leaf vacuuming program for this fall. On the City of Westminster’s Street Department page I found the following:

The City of Westminster Department of Public Works announces the beginning of the Leaf Vac Program effective OCTOBER 1, 2007.

RESIDENTS MUST CALL THE STREET DEPARTMENT AT 410-848-9077 OR 410-857-9286 TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL PICK-UP.

Click here to view a map of the Leaf Vacuum Schedule (164kb PDF)

Please be sure the leaves are near the curb, or in a location that will allow access from the street when you call to schedule your pick-up.

The following schedule for pick-up of leaves within the City limits will go into effect on Monday, October 1, 2007:

* MONDAY - East of MD Route 27

* TUESDAY - East of MD Route 31 and West of MD Route 27

* THURSDAY - South of Uniontown Road & West of MD Route 31

* FRIDAY - North of Uniontown Road and West of MD Route 31

Leaves may be raked into the gutter area and should NOT be placed in the gutter area more that 12 hours ahead of the scheduled pick-up.

Additionally, leaves should NOT be placed in the gutter during inclement weather, as this creates blockages in the City's storm drainage system. The public is requested to cooperate in placing leaves at locations giving the vacuum unit the best access. ** The leaf vacuum is only equipped to handle leaves-please check to make sure there is no other debris in your leaf pile, as it may damage the equipment**

Open burning is prohibited by law within the corporate limits of Westminster, since public collection of leaves and debris is provided. The City will utilize the leaf vacuum unit as it has in the past. The leaf unit will be on the street according to the above schedule in the autumn season except during inclement weather.

Green Tip- Instead of having your leaves removed, rake them into your garden or flowerbed, or compost them to provide important nutrients and organic matter for your soil. To learn more about composting your lawn waste, visit:

http://landscaping.about.com/cs/compostandmulch/a/leaf_mulch.htm

Visit the Street Department page for information on other services they provide.

Westminster City Hall

P.O. Box 710, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane,

Westminster, Maryland 21158-0710

410-848-9000

20071004 New Clips

News Clips

Oct. 4^th, 2007

STATE NEWS

GOP senators refuse support for slots plan

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071004/METRO/110040039/1004

Senate Republicans yesterday struck a crippling blow to Gov. Martin O'Malley's plan to legalize slot machines during a special session, announcing their unanimous opposition. Republicans, who comprise 14 of the 47 senators, said they are pulling their support because they feel Mr. O'Malley took them for granted.

"This is the one area they had counted on Republican support, but frankly, no one had talked to Republicans about getting their support," said Senate Minority Leader David R. Brinkley, Frederick Republican.

Without Republican support, Mr. O'Malley will need the votes of at least 24 of 33 Democrats on what has become one of the most divisive issues in Annapolis.

Mr. O'Malley frequently said he counted on support from Republicans for his plan to legalize slot machines, but House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell of Southern Maryland said last week that House Republicans would not broadly support his measure.

At a press event in Howard County, Mr. O'Malley said he talks frequently with Senate Minority Whip Allan H. Kittleman, Howard Republican. But Mr. Kittleman denied that claim yesterday.

"I've talked to the governor twice since he came into office, once was to congratulate me on becoming minority whip, which was in early in January, the second one was in January to let me know he was firing my mother," Mr. Kittleman said yesterday.

Mr. Kittleman's mother, Trent, was president of the Maryland Transportation Authority under Mr. Ehrlich.

GOP shuns slots proposal

Special session is expected despite decision of Senate leaders

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.republicans04oct04,0,1176537.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout

Senate Republican leaders said yesterday that they would not vote for the governor's slots proposal during a special session of the General Assembly, potentially jeopardizing the critical cross-party partnership that has been necessary in the past to get a divisive gambling bill through the chamber.

Sen. David Brinkley, the minority leader, chided Gov. Martin O'Malley for not releasing details of his proposal to legalize slot machine gambling in Maryland before his expected call for a special session. Brinkley, who met with O'Malley yesterday, said he and his Republican colleagues will withhold their votes for slots until the administration considers spending cuts.

Joined by Senate Minority Whip Allan H. Kittleman and Sen. E.J. Pipkin, Brinkley said that the Republicans would be open to a slots bill when the General Assembly convenes for its annual three-month session in January - when lawmakers review the budget for the next fiscal year.

Pipkin, an Eastern Shore Republican, said that rural Maryland needs to be represented in the budget debate - especially with so many tax increases in play.

"Each day the tax side goes up and the discussion of the budget goes down," he said. "As a Republican caucus with 14 votes, we don't want to come back to a special session and stamp a backroom deal. And that's what we feel is in the works right now. Where we have one caucus meeting, the other caucus shut out, and we're just not going to be party to that."

Senate republicans say they won't support special session, slots

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/10_04-01/OUD

Maryland Senate Republicans said Wednesday they will not support a slot-machines bill if it comes up in a special session, saying such a session aims to push through an "unnecessary" and "massive tax increase" on Marylanders.

Lawmakers need time to fully analyze the extent of Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposals, said Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley, something that is not provided in a special session.

"We want to get the package in front of us and deal with it in a regular session," said Brinkley, a Carroll County Republican, standing outside the State House. "There's enough time to wait."

The GOP holds only 37 of the 141 seats in the House and 14 of the 47 Senate seats, but Republicans said they were expecting support from conservative Democrats would strengthen their opposition to slots.

"We don't want to vote on huge figures without knowing what next year's budget will be," said Senate Minority Whip Allan Kittleman, R-Carroll. "We want to see it all in one comprehensive package."

"We're not just saying we aren't going to vote for it," O'Donnell said.

"We're also saying, 'We had a plan and you rejected it.'" Under the Republicans plan, slots would have generated revenue much sooner than under O'Malley's plans.

"His is a slots giveaway," O'Donnell said. "There would be no significant money in the state's coffer for two years."

Views Differ On Benefits Of Tax Plan In Maryland

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/03/AR2007100302324.html

The $1.7 billion deficit-reduction plan rolled out by Gov. Martin O'Malley has sparked a fierce debate over how well it treats the working-class families whose interests O'Malley promised to champion last year as a candidate. In some ways, the plan would clearly make Maryland's tax code more progressive. A relatively small number of high-end earners, many of them in Montgomery County, would pay thousands of dollars a year more in income taxes, and most others would pay slightly less than they do now, according to both O'Malley (D) and an independent analysis by the state comptroller's office.

O'Malley said his plan was crafted with the interests of working-class and middle-income families in mind, people "who have really been taking it on the chin.

''Republican leaders sharply questioned this week whether O'Malley's plan would benefit as many working-class families as he suggests, pointing to components of the plan not included in the analysis. The governor, for example, is also proposing to raise the titling tax, which would add $200 to the price of a $20,000 car. And the cost of an increase of 1 percentage point in the corporate tax probably would be passed along to consumers, GOP leaders said.

"This is at best confusing and at worst deceitful to Maryland residents and taxpayers," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert).

Mahlon R. Straszheim, an economics professor at the University of Maryland, said O'Malley's plan contains some progressive components, some regressive components and others that could be tweaked to make the overall plan more progressive.

Given the number of tax changes in play, an analysis of the plan's overall impact is relatively difficult, he said.

"You have to estimate what people spend on all the kinds of things being taxed," Straszheim said.

Smart Growth policy defended

'We did good,' says Glendening, who crafted Md. anti-sprawl law

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.growth04oct04,0,1885922.story

The architect of Maryland's decade-old Smart Growth policy spoke up for it yesterday, arguing that despite its shortcomings at curbing suburban sprawl it has helped revitalize dying downtowns across the state and kick-started a national movement to build more transit-oriented, walkable communities.

Speaking in Annapolis at a conference reviewing the growth-management law he crafted, former Gov. Parris N. Glendening acknowledged that a few metropolitan areas and states such as Oregon and Seattle have had more success than has Maryland at reining in low-density development. He pointed out that those states and regions imposed strict growth boundaries and development regulations - something he said was not politically viable in Maryland then or now.

Md. officials urged to back new tax for bay cleanup

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bay_environment/bal-md.green04oct04,0,1737618.story

A coalition of several environmental groups and the home builders association are urging Gov. Martin O'Malley and the General Assembly to support a new tax that would raise an estimated $85 million a year to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

"Maryland has been slipping behind in the race to save the bay," said William C. Baker, president of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. "Little has been done since the 'Flush Fee' was passed in 2004," he added, referring to the law that raises about $65 million a year to upgrade sewage treatment plants.

The latest "green fund" proposal would assess on commercial, industrial and institutional properties an annual fee of 1 cent per square foot of hardened surfaces --- areas impervious to rainwater such as roofs, roadways, and parking lots, said Kim Coble, the foundation's Maryland executive director.
Environmentalists said that despite a projected $1.7 billion shortfall in the state budget starting July 1, 2008, the time is right to set aside more funds for bay restoration.

Rick Abbruzzese, an O'Malley spokesman, said the governor has not taken a position on the proposal released yesterday.

County officials take wait-and-see approach on slots

Area churches voice opposition to governor's slot machine proposal

http://www.gazette.net/stories/100407/prinnew164533_32359.shtml

Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposal to legalize slot machines in Maryland, a plan pitched to lift the state's horseracing industry and balance the budget, has elicited a surprisingly tepid response from Prince George's County officials, historically some of the most vocal and vehement slots foes.

O'Malley has said the proposed state-owned slots would have little effect on the upcoming spending plan, since the bulk of the revenue wouldn't start to come in for another two to three years. But his proposal would seek to eventually recapture the $400 million Maryland residents reportedly spend on playing slots in neighboring states and send it to public education, school construction and higher education.

Both U.S. Albert Wynn (D-Dist. 4) of Mitchellville and Fort Washington attorney Donna Edwards, who is running against Wynn in the February primary, oppose the governor's plan.

''Bringing slots into Maryland will do much more harm in the long run than any good created by short term financial gains. Slots are low-end gaming that exploits the poor and harms local communities," Wynn said in a statement.

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Cut taxes to stimulate city growth

http://www.examiner.com/a-970739~Cut_taxes_to_stimulate_city_growth.html

Would you move to Baltimore for $4 million? That is about what the much-heralded population growth costs per person.

Sure, everybody is delighted revised Census figures show Baltimore gaining population, no matter how small an uptick.

New residents mean more money for essential city services and a more vibrant community. But 897 new people is hardly a "reversal of fortune," as Mayor Sheila Dixon said earlier this week or a harbinger of a flood of new residents. If anything, the mayor should ask: 'What took so long?' 'Why so few?' and most of all, 'Why did it cost so much?'

If Baltimore really wants new residents, it must slash property taxes in half. Doing so will be a lot less expensive than investing another $3.445 billion and has the potential to vastly surpass what the city collects right now. More than 26 percent of property in the city is not taxable because it is owned by government or nonprofits, so luring more homeowners and businesses is essential to expanding the tax base.

What's clear is that Mayor Dixon should use the Census information as evidence the city needs to radically overhaul its tax structure - not praise dubious accomplishments.

Cigarette tax increase plan is flawed

http://www.examiner.com/a-970741~Marc_Kilmer__Cigarette_tax_increase_plan_is_flawed.html

As part of his effort to close Maryland's structural deficit, Gov. Martin O'Malley has set his sights on a favored taxman target: Cigarette smokers. The governor has floated the idea of doubling Maryland's $1-a-pack tax on cigarettes, rekindling a proposal that died in the state Senate last spring. This raises a question: Why should cigarette smokers have to pay off so much of the state's budget deficit? Moreover, is increasing Maryland's fiscal dependence on the cigarette tax such a good idea?

It's highly questionable whether smokers, as a group, should be made to pay this subsidy. Smokers are disproportionately lower-income, and raising the cigarette tax takes more money out of the pockets of the poor than any other tax. It thus seems odd that Gov. O'Malley would want to increase this tax on the poor when he has repeatedly criticized Maryland's tax structure for not being sufficiently progressive.

If Gov. O'Malley and the majority of Marylanders agree that all state spending is so vital and efficient that the structural deficit should not be closed by budget cuts, then Marylanders should agree to pay the taxes necessary to close that deficit. They should not try to foist an unfair share of that tax burden on smokers. After all, given the increasing level of cigarette tax avoidance, it's likely that all state taxpayers will ultimately pay the cost, anyway.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Governor's tax plan to put bigger burden on families

http://www.gazette.net/stories/100407/prinlet121652_32363.shtml

The [Sept.] 20 edition of The Gazette noted that Maryland foreclosures are up. Expect worse - much worse! The governor's proposed increases in sales and cigarette taxes and his call for a heavier tax burden on corporations will only increase foreclosures in the future. Corporations considering Maryland as a home (with the jobs they might have brought) are likely to go to a more tax-friendly state. More immediate, however, is the specter of people who are already bordering on bankruptcy being squeezed even more by this disgusting money grab by Democrats. As a consequence, more will end up losing their homes (or go hungry trying to make up the money they lose in sales and tobacco taxes to pay the mortgage and electric bills). Is this the kind of tradeoff the Democrats want?

Wake up, Maryland! You voted these clowns into office and you can vote them out. Let them know how you feel and how their reckless actions can hurt you and your family today.

NATIONAL NEWS

Bartlett gets heat for stance on health insurance bill

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=65912

Democrats and health care advocates are targeting U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett as a potential swing vote to override President Bush's Wednesday morning veto of a children's health insurance bill.

Bartlett, a Republican who represents Frederick County and a large swath of other counties across Maryland, voted for the State Children's Health Insurance Program when it was enacted in 1997.

Last week, he voted against a reauthorization bill that would have expanded the program.

The political battle is focused on Bartlett because leaders believe if he switches his vote, others might follow suit.

Since Maryland has only one other Republican representative, it's not uncommon for Bartlett to be the only federal Maryland official voting a certain way on any given measure. Despite the calls for a vote switch, Bartlett defiantly reiterated his stance, saying it is consistent with the conservative principles of his district.

If popular program folds, children 'would have nothing'

http:/ /www.times-news.com/local/local_story_277093356.html

Originally created in 1997, the joint federal and state program offers low-cost health insurance to children in low-income families. It has provided coverage to about 6.6 million children while the expanded coverage would bring in another 4 million. In a bipartisan vote, the Senate and the House last week agreed to reauthorize the program and increase spending for it from about $5 billion to $12 billion each year for the next five years.

Saying the increase is too much, Bush vetoed the bill Wednesday.
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican representing Maryland's 6th District, was the only Maryland representative to side with the president.

"Only Democratic congressional leaders could demand that a family earning $82,000 a year should qualify for their expanded SCHIP program that Republicans created to help children of the working poor and simultaneously call that same family rich and force them to pay the AMT, Alternative Minimum Tax," Bartlett said via a release. "It just goes to show that what Democrats really want is to have the government control how to spend the money that American taxpayers earn."

In the Senate, Maryland's Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin, both Democrats, feel otherwise. Like Bartlett, Mikulski voted for the original program, but she supports its expansion.

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20071007 The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department Open House

The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department Open House

Sunday, October 7, 2007

According to The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department web site, the department:

“… will host (an) Annual Fire Prevention Open House, Sunday October 7, from 12:00 - 4:00 pm.

“Come and enjoy fire engine rides, a "Sesame Street" fire prevention puppet show, Auto extrication and fire demonstrations, and tours of the firehouse. Some of our newest equipment will be on display, including our new Engine 124 and all-terrain rescue ATV.

“Any questions, please call Fire Prevention Lieutenant Christine Flanagan at 410-795-9311.”

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20071006 Katie Couric praises Attila

Katie Couric praises Attila

October 6^th, 2007

“Happy Anniversary Attila! Luv ya man,” praised an effusive Ms. Couric as news of the Pillage Idiot’s third anniversary was received with accolades from all over the globe.

Attila over at the Pillage Idiot has been enlightening readers now since October 5^th, 2004. We have now delightfully enjoyed his work for three years.

Accolades have poured-in from all over the universe, but here at Soundtrack, we were especially touched by Katie Couric’s heartfelt best wishes…

Happy Birthday Attila.

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20071006 Scrappleface: CIA May Threaten Detainees with Senate Hearings

Scott Ott – Scrappleface: CIA May Threaten Detainees with Senate Hearings

by Scott Ott (2007-10-06)

According a newly-leaked top-secret document published in The New York Times ‘Classified’ section today, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has employed controversial methods to extract information from terror suspects, including threats to put the detainee in front of a Senate committee for further interrogation.

If true, it means that U.S. agents may be using a technique “tantamount to torture,” an unnamed source told the Times.

“I’ve seen those Senate hearings on TV,” the source said. “I’d rather be waterboarded, slapped about the head and assaulted with high-volume Britney Spears music while confined to a meat locker.

Read the entire post here and prepare to laugh: Scott Ott – Scrappleface: CIA May Threaten Detainees with Senate Hearings