NEWS
by Annie Linskey | April 10, 2012
The youngest member of Maryland's state senate sent email to constituents Tuesday saying that he was "embarrassed" by the so-called "Doomsday" budget that passed in the General Assembly with his support. Sen. Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, said that he cast his green vote on "what we believed" was a compromise spending plan that included a "Doomsday" clause. The budget that passed closes a roughly $1 billion revenue shortfall mostly with cuts, firing hundreds of state workers and making deep cuts in education and other Democratic priorities.
NEWS
By Alison Knezevich, The Baltimore Sun | April 5, 2012
Legislation to add elected members to the all-appointed Baltimore County school board cleared the state Senate on Thursday. Under the amended House bill, which passed the Senate 34-9, the school board would have six elected members and five members appointed by the governor, said state Sen. Bobby Zirkin. The Pikesville Democrat had sponsored a Senate measure to create a partially elected school board. The County Council would draw election districts in consultation with the county school board, he said.
NEWS
March 30, 2012
Your recent editorial on state finances preferred the House of Delegates' version of next year's budget over the Senate's budget plan because of its smaller tax bite ("A better plan," March 27). The House version, though, provides less ongoing revenue and a smaller year-end balance. The result: A $200 million shortfall for the legislature to resolve this time next year. In order to bridge that gap, the state will either need to revisit its options for new taxes or make more cuts to local schools, college affordability, access to health care and other community services.
NEWS
March 24, 2012
I wanted to share a story with your readers regarding a recent interaction with State Senator J.B. Jennings and relay how he has renewed my faith in our elected officials and the political process. I am a resident of Senator Jennings' district, in Eastern Baltimore County. I'm not active in politics, I've never met Senator Jennings, I don't donate any money, and I'm not a "power broker" in any sense of the word. I'm simply a constituent. I'm also a member of a local law club that has monthly meetings.
NEWS
By Annie Linskey and Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun | February 18, 2012
A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage squeaked through the House of Delegates on Friday night with just one vote above the minimum needed for passage, putting Maryland on the cusp of becoming the eighth state to allow such unions. Cheers erupted when the gavel dropped on the final 72-67 tally. Within minutes, Gov.Martin O'Malley, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, walked from his second-floor office to the door of the House chamber, embraced House SpeakerMichael E. Buschand said, "Good job, man. " "We are a good people.
NEWS
By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun | February 17, 2012
The Maryland Senate voted unanimously Friday to censure Sen. Ulysses Currie for numerous violations of ethics laws stemming from his failure to disclose that he was being paid by a grocery chain when he sought help for the company from state agencies. Currie, once a powerful committee chairman, apologized to the Senate for his conduct — then voted along with his 46 colleagues for the resolution of censure. "I'm a person with flaws, and I do have weaknesses," he said. Choking up toward the end of his statement, the Prince George's Democrat thanked senators for their support over the past five years, during which he was the subject of a federal investigation, an indictment and a trial in which he was acquitted of bribery and extortion charges.