Hixson

Harford Community College has made only slight progress this year in its efforts to offer students four-year baccalaureate degrees in limited fields of education, according to the school's president. In answer to a question from Del. Mary-Dulany James, a District 34A Democrat, Claudia E. Chiesi, president of HCC, said she has had limited conversations this year with three schools in the state regarding help with setting up four-year degree programs in the county. Chiesi was attending an all-day pre-session legislative conference at HCC on Wednesday.

Charles A. Frainie, a writer and World War II veteran, died of congestive heart failure Saturday at his home in Hixson, Tenn. He was 81. Born and raised in Baltimore County's Rodgers Forge neighborhood, Mr. Frainie graduated from Loyola High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces and served as a tail-gunner on a B-24 bomber. In 1944, his plane was shot down over Germany. He escaped to England with the help of French underground forces, said his son Mike Frainie of Reisterstown.

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Municipal bond issuers announced yesterday the early redemption of seven issues totaling more than $ 67.13 million.1! The issues being called are: * Selma, Ala., Industrial Development Board, Series 1982, industrial development revenue bonds, maturing Aug. 1, 2012. $3.8 million called at par on April 1, 1993.* Las Virgenes, Calif., Unified School District, Series 1986, certificate of participation, maturing May 1, 2003. $9.715 million called at 102 on May 1, 1993.* Lakeside, Ind., Housing Development Corp.

Two former Columbia Council members who were bounced from their posts in the 1992 election are attempting a return to community service, but this time at the village board level.James Loesch of Hickory Ridge and Michael Deets of Wilde Lake, who both served on the council from 1990 to 1992, are running for their respective village boards in the Saturday election.Former four-year Hickory Ridge village board member Miles Coffman also is attempting a comeback, vying among a field of seven for five spots on the village board.

The February 4 Maryland General Assembly hearings conducted by the Ways and Means Committee were an incredible performance of utter rudeness and arrogance. Although not surprised, at least 20 of us, both veterans of such hearings and unacquainted rookies, were unanimously dumbfounded by it. Needless to say, Chairwoman Sheila Hixson's leadership was embarrassingly lacking. We went to listen, learn and/or testify on House bills 92 and 204, a job creation and tax credit bill and a bill to create a propertyt ax assessment and appeals task force.

A new congressional map is the focus of next week's special session in Annapolis, but state lawmakers will take the opportunity to discuss proposals the General Assembly will take up in January. Chief among them are Gov. Martin O'Malley's ideas for stimulating Maryland's economy. The governor is expected to call for an increase in spending on capital projects next year to create construction jobs, while also removing some regulatory hurdles. The Assembly is expected to formally consider the proposal during its regular 90-day session that begins Jan. 11. "We've all come to the conclusion that the major issue in January will be job creation," said House Speaker Michael E. Busch, who has been pushing for an increase in state-funded public works spending.

Several bills pending before Maryland legislators could have a major impact on the Baltimore business community. This morning, the Greater Baltimore Committee wants to tell you about them at its "Legislative Forum: A Look at the 2004 General Assembly Session," to be held at Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St. "Our top issues include state support for strengthening the life-science industry in the Baltimore region, which includes support for...

A proposal to cut property taxes for lower-income homeowners -- two-thirds of whom are senior citizens -- is gaining momentum as the governor and legislative leaders hammer out the details of a broader tax reduction package.The initiative, which would expand the so-called circuit-breaker program, would give an election year tax break of up to $80 to at least 70,000 Marylanders.The circuit breaker, which limits the property tax to a percentage of income, is especially helpful to the elderly because many of them are homeowners living on a diminished incomes in retirement.

When a reporter gets an exclusive, it's called a scoop. But what do you call it when a lobbyist gets to a key  opportunity to influence legislators that all of his colleagues have missed? Whatever you call it, that's what W. Minor Carter got late Easter Sunday when he was the only lobbyist who managed to get into a locked House office building for the opportunity to talk with members of House leadership about the most heavily lobbied legislation of the year: casino gambling. Carter represents the National Harbor development in Prince George's County, where Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller wants to locate a new luxury casino.

An article in yesterday's editions incorrectly identified the House of Delegates committee chaired by Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr., D-Prince George's. He chairs the Judiciary Committee.The Sun regrets the error.Citing public opposition and fears that casinos would hurt existing businesses, a state task force urged the governor and General Assembly yesterday not to permit them in Maryland.By a vote of 7-0, with two abstentions, the task force recommendation appeared to all but assure that the legislature will oppose casinos during its annual 90-day session that begins January.