Vehicle Emissions

House votes to keep vehicle emissions test on voluntary basisThe House of Delegates voted yesterday to keep the state's treadmill-like vehicle emissions test voluntary in defiance of a federal mandate.The controversial test is scheduled to become mandatory June 1. Maryland stands to lose up to $98 million in transportation money if it fails to comply with the federal clean air requirement.The bill to keep the test voluntary was approved by delegates, 76-56. The Senate has passed a similar measure, and final General Assembly approval is expected.

The county will cut Sunday hours at the Millersville Landfill and Glen Burnie and Millersville convenience centers, in an effort to save money in overtime expenses and fuel. The county expects to save more than $425,000, County Executive John R. Leopold announced last week. "Tough fiscal times dictate that we take every action possible to trim expenses without eliminating essential services," Leopold said in a statement. "While this may cause some inconvenience, it saves money and also decreases harmful vehicle emissions."

CONFESSION: I was four months late for my vehicle emissions test. I was bad. I had no excuse, other than the rush of life, the leak in my roof and the holidays, but, hey, we're all busy, right? I have no defense. I procrastinated. I was derelict in my duties as a citizen of the Patapsco Drainage Basin. The air in Baltimore and Central Maryland is unhealthy, and it will only get healthier if we, the motorized public, all do our part - and do it on time. But I blew it, OK? I was a loathsome sluggard.

Quote of the day"If we have a fee, we've raised it."-- Schaefer administration officialreferring to proposed gas tax and motor vehicle fee increasesTodayA510 a.m.: House and Senate convene, State House.1 p.m.: Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee considers Schaefer administration bill to charge parolees a fee for their ownsupervision, Room 300, Senate Office Building.1 p.m.: House Environmental Matters Committee considers revisions to the state's vehicle emissions inspection program, Room 160, House Office Building.

Democrats have controlled the state of Maryland for over 40 years. If the average citizen cannot see the danger of one party control we are in serious trouble. Consider the following burdens for us Marylanders: A 15 percent increase in the gas tax; a doubling of the cost of a vehicle emissions test; a ridiculous congressional redistricting map; higher vehicle registration fees; using transportation taxes and fees to balance the general fund budget; increasing tolls; and raising tobacco taxes by $1 per pack.

ANNAPOLIS -- Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon, who charged the Glendening administration with favoritism last month when they held up a $122 million contract extension for the operator of the state's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program, quietly dropped their objections yesterday and approved the deal. Schaefer and Dixon, sitting as members of the Board of Public Works, joined Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in voting in favor of the five-year contract award to Environmental Systems Products Inc. of East Granby, Conn.

John T. Brown, former owner of a Rodgers Forge service station and vehicle emissions inspector, died of a stroke March 7 at St. Joseph Medical Center. The Towson resident was 75. Mr. Brown was born and raised in Baltimore and graduated from Loyola High School in 1948. After serving in the Army for two years, he worked as a stevedore until 1963, when he purchased an Esso station at York Road and Stevenson Lane. The business, which later became the Dumbarton Exxon Service Station, occupied the site of the 19th-century blacksmith shop that had been owned and operated by George and William Rodgers.

Tuesday, 1 p.m. Senate Finance, Presidential Wing, James Senate Office Building176 Health Insurance -- Summary Explanation of Benefits; SB 562 Health Care Cost Containment -- Uniform Claims FormsHouse Economic Matters, Room 150 Lowe House Office BuildingHB 858 Construction Contracts -- Payment by Contractor to Subcontractor; HB 1000 Real Property Sale -- Disclosure of Proximity to a LandfillWednesday, 1 p.m. Senate Finance, Presidential Wing, James SOB593...

A federal appeals panel has rejected a citizen group's claim that the Environmental Protection Agency approved an air-quality improvement plan for Baltimore without sufficient data about motor vehicle emissions in the city. The case before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., focused on fundamental questions about how environmental regulators measure emission levels - an important issue to regional planners because federal road funding could be cut if air pollution remains too high.

Carroll Del. Donald B. Elliott wants to lower the price of prescription drugs and make all state residents share the cost of clean air.Last week the Republican, who also represents Howard County, introduced two bills in the General Assembly designed to accomplish these goals.Committee hearings on the bills had not been scheduled yesterday, he said. The bills are:* Drug pricing -- House Bill 554.Mr. Elliott, who operates Union Bridge Pharmacy with his wife, Jeanne, expects opposition to the legislation, which would require pharmaceutical companies to stop what he calls "price discrimination."