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Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Board Legislation Update - Action Now

(Posted 1 Feb 2006)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: electedboard@aol.com <electedboard@aol.com >
Date: Feb 1, 2006 1:11 PM
Subject: Board Legislation Update - Action Now

February 1, 2006

The Prince George's County House Delegation's County Affairs Committee met this morning to consider further amendments to PG 401-06. At last week's meeting, Committee members approved several amendments, but retained the bill's essence (elected board, nine single-member districts aligned with the County Council districts).

Delegates present today: Frush, Griffith, Howard, Parker, Patterson, Proctor.
Delegate(s) Absent: Hubbard.

Today, other amendments were considered:

Delegate Howard: Establish nine, single-member districts. The new district configuration resembles the nine school board districts that existed prior to 2002. Delegates worked with Karl Aro of Legislative Services to assure that the "new" districts met legal requirements. AMENDMENT PASSED.
Voting in Favor: Frush, Howard, Parker, Patterson, Proctor
Voting Against: Griffith

Delegate Davis: Extend the current appointed board for two years. AMENDMENT DEFEATED.
Voting in Favor: Frush, Griffith
Voting Against: Howard, Parker, Patterson, Proctor

Delegate Healey: "Hybrid" Board (5 members elected by district, 4 at large)
AMENDMENT DEFEATED.
Voting in Favor: Frush, Griffith
Voting Against: Howard, Parker, Patterson, Proctor

Delegate Frush: Amendments were not in writing as rules require. Delegate Frush expressed concern about the expense of holding special election(s) for board vacancies. She initially expressed support for appoint to the Board by the Governor and County Executive to fill vacancy(ies). Frush would also support appointment by the County Executive with confirmation by the County Council.

[NOTE: Summary of the current language in the bill: If a vacancy on the Board occurs more than 240 days before the expiration of the term, and within 150 days of the next election, then vacancy is filled at the next general election. If a vacancy occurs more than 240 days before the expiration of the term, then it is filled by special election for the remainder of the term. ]

Delegate Frush also expressed concern about permitting a Board member to take an unpaid leave of absence to run in the primary election for another office. She expressed support for a requirement that the Board member set down.
Delegate Frush requested to "special order" the bill - to postpone a vote on the bill [as amended] until she could submit written amendments. MOTION DEFEATED.
Voting in Favor: Frush, Griffith
Voting Against: Howard, Parker, Proctor
Not Voting: Patterson

The amended bill will appear on the Prince George's County House Delegation's meeting agenda for Friday, February 3, 9:00 a.m., Lowe House Office Building, Room 150.

Other News:

Appointed board expected to seek an extension AND will recommend that a combined appointed/elected board be put in place for a period of time " to provide continuity." Watch for action on a Board resolution at Thursday's meeting, February 2.

Senator Green has announced that he is seeking "technical" amendments to the 5-district map. There are no further details.

ACTION: Call, e-mail, write to Delegates and Senators today. Tell them to vote
  • YES on PG 401-06 as amended. This bill establishes nine single-member districts.
  • NO on at large elections. NO on the "hybrid board" idea.
  • NO on extension of the appointed board. KEEP YOUR PROMISE. Elected Board in 2006.
Questions? Contact Citizens for an Elected Board (CEB) at electedboard@aol.com or 301/464-5168.
PermaLink: 2/01/2006
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