Economic Matters Committee

Today's highlights 1 p.m. House Economic Matters Committee, hearing on alcohol beverage licensing bills, Room 150, Lowe House Office Building. 8 p.m. Senate meets, Senate chamber. 8 p.m. House of Delegates meets, House chamber.

Gov. Martin O'Malley pledged yesterday to sign legislation banning smoking at Maryland restaurants and bars if it reaches his desk, setting the stage for debate in the General Assembly, where intense lobbying campaigns are under way. Legislators in Annapolis will take up a statewide smoking ban after the Baltimore City Council approved a ban Monday, joining several other jurisdictions around the state that have passed similar measures prohibiting smoking...

Two Carroll delegation bills passed out of committee last week, including legislation designed to preserve the county's small, private cemeteries that was killed in committee last year.The House Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee passed a bill allowing the County Commissioners to establish and operate public farmers' markets on county land. The House Economic Matters Committee passed the cemetery bill requiring owners of land containing a cemetery to record itslocation in court.

House of Delegates convenes at 10 a.m. Senate convenes at 10 a.m. Hearings of interest: The Senate Finance Committee receives a briefing at 8:45 a.m. on the Constellation Energy-FPL Group merger. The House Economic Matters committee receives the same briefing at 10:45 a.m. The Senate Judiciary Committee hears testimony on legislation (SB 136) that would add commercial photographic processors and forensic computer analysts to the list of people such as teachers and police officers who are required to report suspected child abuse to state officials.

The Broadneck Federation of Community Associations will hold a legislative reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Economic Matters Committee Room, Lowe Building, Rowe Boulevard and College Avenue in Annapolis.The reception is being held for District 30's members of the General Assembly and to give community association members a chance to meet and discuss concerns with legislators. Drinks and dinner will be served. For information, call 410-757-3715.Pub Date: 12/16/98

The Annapolis City Council's Economic Matters Committee has decided to negotiate leases with the existing tenants of the beloved Market House.The decision is in keeping with the requests of dozens of residents and the Market House merchants who pleaded with the committee to keep the historic market the way it is.Committee members had asked for suggestions on how to improve the 126-year-old Market House, and the residents and merchants showed up at a...

ANNAPOLIS -- Proponents of a bill intended to address the needs of some of the more than 500,000 uninsured Marylanders took up their case in a long-awaited hearing before a Senate committee yesterday.The bill would allow insurance companies to offer to some employers and individuals a health insurance plan that excludes many of the more than two dozen benefits that current state law requires insurers to offer.The goal is to allow for a policy attractive to small employers who cannot afford the standard policies with all the mandated benefits.

This could be the decisive week for the future of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and its proposed conversion to for-profit status. The company's proposed $1.3 billion acquisition by WellPoint Health Networks Inc. faces perils from both legislators and a key Maryland regulator. Without a few breaks, the deal could be in tatters by the end of the week. There is little doubt that the Maryland General Assembly is poised to drive a stake through the heart of the $1.3 billion deal. The only question is whether it will be the silver one that makes sure the notion of conversion stays dead.

Expressing outrage at rampant property flipping in Baltimore, Gov. Parris N. Glendening pledged yesterday to work with the General Assembly to try to end the practice. "Some very unscrupulous people are making money on the backs of the poor and people struggling to own a home," Glendening said after a half-hour meeting with two Baltimore delegates who are drafting legislation aimed at ending the practice. In the past four years, more than 2,000 sagging Baltimore houses have been bought and quickly resold for at least double the original price.

The Broadneck Federation of Community Associations will hold a legislative reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Economic Matters Committee Room, Lowe Building, Rowe Boulevard and College Avenue in Annapolis.The reception is being held for District 30's members of the General Assembly and to give community association members a chance to meet and discuss concerns with legislators. Drinks and dinner will be served. For information, call 410-757-3715.Pub Date: 12/16/98