NEWS
By Laura Smitherman | January 25, 2009
As many as one-third of Maryland lawmakers have not returned a portion of their legislative salaries - despite having been urged to show solidarity with state workers facing furloughs. Amid budget woes, General Assembly leaders had encouraged lawmakers - whose pay is constitutionally protected - to voluntarily take payroll deductions or write a check to the state for the equivalent of as many as five days' pay. That's $605 for most members, and $785 for presiding officers. The initiative could raise more than $100,000, a tiny sum that won't make much difference in a $14 billion operating budget suffering from huge revenue shortfalls.
NEWS
January 24, 2009
State still needs ultimate penalty Once again, our General Assembly will come together and some members will try to eliminate the death penalty ("O'Malley vows to work to end death penalty," Jan. 16). But I believe that the ultimate penalty of giving up one's life for the taking of another is needed in our society. It has been argued that the death penalty is not a deterrent to violence. But how can it be when it is not used in a timely manner and often is not used at all? And when someone is brutally and senselessly murdered, why shouldn't the person who committed this crime pay for it with his or her own life?
NEWS
By Laura Smitherman | January 3, 2009
More than two years after bitterly partisan accusations that Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. fired state workers for political reasons, the General Assembly might consider legislation to protect hundreds of midlevel employees who can still be terminated at any time. That was one recommendation contained in a report by legislative analysts, who were directed under a 2007 law to review the state's personnel system and explore the possibility of bringing some management positions under the merit system.
NEWS
By Laura Smitherman | March 2, 2009
Even a $3.7 billion federal lifesaver isn't enough to solve all of Maryland's budget quandaries. While the state is now flush with federal dollars for education, Medicaid and infrastructure projects, other state functions, among them the prison system, mental health programs and juvenile justice, are facing significant cutbacks. In some cases, lawmakers and advocates have questioned how agencies will be able to function within constrained budgets. Meanwhile, the economy continues to deteriorate and state officials are bracing for more bad news later this month when the latest estimates of tax revenues are due. Analysts have warned that annual collections have fallen as much as $500 million below expectations for the current budget year and next.
NEWS
April 14, 2009
The $13.8 billion state operating budget enacted Tuesday by the General Assembly is not a pretty thing. Shortchanged local governments can't be happy with it. Same with state employees who are going without steps or merit pay and agency heads who must do more with less. But it could have been far worse, and given the economic realities of the times, it's probably about right. Let that stand as no more than a qualified endorsement. Had President Barack Obama and Congress not provided $2.5 billion in stimulus money this year, the outcome would have been disastrous.
NEWS
By Julie Bykowicz | March 30, 2009
Applicants for new Maryland driver's licenses would have to prove they are in the U.S. legally under a pair of competing and contentious plans up for votes Monday in the General Assembly. Both measures would take Maryland off a short list of states that allow illegal immigrants to become licensed drivers and would bring the state into at least partial compliance with "Real ID," a federal security act passed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Lawmakers and other officials hope that revising the state's licensing policy would reduce the pervasive problem of fraud and end the state's status as a magnet for undocumented immigrants looking for government-validated credentials.
NEWS
By Laura Smitherman | February 5, 2009
FROSTBURG - Cheryl Haberkam became despondent after losing her job as a dispatcher for a moving company late last year. The Baltimore resident had no income and no savings, and unemployment benefits had not kicked in. She didn't know where to turn. So she e-mailed Gov. Martin O'Malley. "I know you probably can't help me," she wrote, "but I think just saying this might help. Thank you for your time." As the economy slid into recession, an increasing number of residents have apparently wanted to share their troubles - and their grievances - with the governor.
NEWS
By Gadi Dechter | April 8, 2009
Gov. Martin O'Malley plans to introduce emergency legislation Wednesday that would give the state authority to acquire Maryland's bankrupt horse racing tracks and the Preakness through eminent domain, officials confirmed. However, legal experts say the bankruptcy filing by the tracks' owner could prevent the state from exercising that power. Debate on the bill, which has the backing of the General Assembly's presiding officers, could begin as soon as Thursday afternoon in a joint hearing of Senate and House of Delegates lawmakers.
NEWS
April 14, 2009
Readers of The Baltimore Sun's Maryland Politics blog weighed in Monday on the final actions of the General Assembly, which adjourned at midnight. Blog commenter Mark Newgent said utility ratepayers were big losers in this year's session. "Forget the red herring of re-regulation. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act will significantly increase our electric and energy rates. Despite its failure in Europe, cap and trade is on its way to Maryland. Expect higher rates and energy rationing all for no impact on the climate."
NEWS
By Kalman R. Hettleman | October 28, 2007
No one would disagree that all children should receive a quality education, and that our state and nation depend on it for a competitive work force and cohesive citizenry. Yet that isn't happening, despite the fact that such an education in Maryland is a constitutional right - as well as a matter of self-interest and moral principle. Worse, at the special session of the General Assembly that starts today - called by Gov. Martin O'Malley to deal with the state's fiscal problems - the state may be on the path to backtrack on this right and the progress achieved over the past decade.