Daily "Recent Prince George's County News" updates were suspended in early March 2016. They were compiled primarily from retweets of news headlines. Those retweets continue, but in unformatted and unarchived form at PG-Politics-Briefs. To follow such headlines on a current basis, follow @pgpolitics on Twitter.
Showing posts with label D21.Pena-Melnyk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label D21.Pena-Melnyk. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Recent Prince George's County News (11 May 2010)

Public Safety
2010 Election
  • rt @Tamara4Dist9 I need volunteers to knock on doors again May 15! Check out work last weekend on my YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/dDx9Hs
  • Examiner.com (JKitchen): State Student Board Member (David Murray) Announces Run for County Board of Education (Dist 1) http://bit.ly/cKa9wr 
Other Politics
Other
Recent Candidate Filings:
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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Recent Prince George's County News (25 Mar 2010)

Public Safety
  • Gory Prince George's:
    • GoryPG: Justin Ryan Cobb, 29 (0.015), 24 Mar 2010, 12:40 am, Gunther Street, 5000 block, Capitol Heights, 20743 Shot http://bit.ly/aMs0uO 
    • Post: Capitol Heights man, 29, shot dead Wednesday http://bit.ly/8Xh9ga (see http://bit.ly/aMs0uO)
    • Gazette: Police investigating fatal shooting, attempted armed robbery; Sep. incidents occurred in Capitol Heights area http://bit.ly/da9R6d
    • PGPolice: Police Investigate Homicide on Rena Road (2698) http://bit.ly/aZzBq3 J. Ladsen shot Apr 2009, died Dec 2009, ruled hom 23 Mar 2010
    • PGPolice: Detectives Charge Woman in Stabbing Death of Mother (2699) http://bit.ly/9NYHac l
    • Gazette: Trial nears in music producer Raymond Brown's slaying; Widow to face man accused of killing husb in Lake Arbor http://bit.ly/bk82VL 
  • Other Crimes:
    • rt @PGCrimeSolvers Bowie Police Department - Horse Cruelty Case http://bit.ly/coVO7F
    • Gazette: Upper Marlboro woman sentenced. for cocaine possession; Nrly two kg of cocaine, 69 gr of crack cocaine in home http://bit.ly/9byngb 
    • Gazette: Police continue to search for Oxon Hill office building robbers; Gunmen stormed evening classes, police said http://bit.ly/bVPHzR 
    • Gazette: Break-ins continue to mount in Cheverly; Police hoping LEWD acronym will help prevent crime http://bit.ly/cQMg4FGazette: Police union to fight furloughs, again; FOP says county should consider making cuts to advertising, new campus http://bit.ly/bWA486 
  • Fire & EMS:
    • Gazette: Volunteers boost ambulance service; New pilot program modifies training schedule to increase EMS service http://bit.ly/aiRKPB 
    • Gazette: Forestville gas leak explosion spurs retraining, new equipment purchases http://bit.ly/ct4Dbi 
  • Gazette: Laurel businesses concerned over police station relocation from Main St.; fear increase in drug use, vagrancy http://bit.ly/cYEhR2  
  • Gazette: Report: Committee needed to oversee area's anti-gang efforts http://bit.ly/9COMBN
2010 Election
2010 General Assembly
  • rt @ marylandBNN Salisbury News: Joe Vallario (D-27A) Steps Out Of Chambers As Sex Offender Victims Testify: ... http://bit.ly/cTqipY
  • rt @kidjk Bill to change method of counting prisoners advances in General Assembly http://tinyurl.com/yaua7wy Del. Pena-Melnyk (D-21) a spon 
Other Politics
  • MDPolWatch: How the Counties Spend Your Money. Part 3 http://bit.ly/bAeifn; Part 4 http://bit.ly/bq4uTA PG below average in library spending; PG 2nd highest (after Worcester) in per capita spending on executive, council, and staffs 
  • Gazette: Developer's lawsuit raises questions about political donations http://bit.ly/dqHPTo says pressured to make political contributions 
  • Gazette: Council was right to reject Johnson's nominee (Letter from Yvette Jardine) http://bit.ly/bhBZSJ 
  • Examiner.com (MNewgent) Cardin and Mikulski vote to keep federally funded Viagra for child molesters in healthcare bill http://bit.ly/96HADp
  • Gazette: Incumbents win in Forest Heights; Runoff election held Wednesday to determine final ward seat http://bit.ly/9B7mrg 
Education
  • Gazette: Parents discuss bullying, communication; School officials meet with District 3 residents http://bit.ly/bR78JJ 
  • Gazette: Enrollment error gives county schools $4 million boost; State and PG officials clash over source of miscal ... http://bit.ly/9SkcWb 
Other
  • Gazette: Volunteers sought to review Suitland development http://bit.ly/aqcuyV 
  • WSJ: ObamaCare Day One; Companies are already warning about higher health-care costs. http://bit.ly/apcqgW 
  • Gazette: Bowie considers annexing properties into city limits[ Some home owners prefer to stay outside municipality http://bit.ly/bv1ijo 
  • Gazette: County readies for infestation of pesky ash borer; State officials setting traps in Apr to help combat problem http://bit.ly/9ntcPh 
  • Gazette: County gets grant to address infant mortality rate; $250,000 expected to help counsel pregnant women http://bit.ly/dzMhhh 
  • Gazette: Officials credit tree removal program with fewer outages; Bowie residents have until May 31 to claim $100 v... http://bit.ly/awiipj 
  • Gazette: Yearlong Kenilworth Avenue bridge repairs set to begin; Project will widen, replace driving surface http://bit.ly/bIVLkL 
  • Gazette: County to clean up Laurel Lakes, Bear Branch Creek; Project will attempt to improve water quality http://bit.ly/b4SwAh 
  • Gazette: Hyattsville OKs bonds for bank building purchase; Former BB&T to house city services, nonprofits http://bit.ly/bVXG6K 
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Monday, March 16, 2009

PG sponsors of alcohol tax increase

Comment:  The tax and spend democrats in Annapolis never stop trying to raise taxes using any and every cause or excuse they can possibly dream up.

HB 791, SB 729

PG Sponsors:

  • Delegates Barnes, Braveboy, Gaines, Ivey, Levi, Pena-Melnyk, Ross, and V. Turner
  • Senator Exum


Entitled: Alcoholic Beverage Tax - Increase and Distribution of Funds


Synopsis:
Increasing the State tax rates for alcoholic beverages sold in Maryland from $1.50 to $6.00 per gallon for distilled spirits, from 40 cents to $1.60 per gallon for wine, and from 9 cents to 36 cents per gallon for beer; providing for the distribution of the additional revenue to special funds to be used only for the purpose of providing additional funding for specified services; etc.
House hearing, 19 March, 1:00 pm (Ways and Means)
Senate hearing, 18 March, 1:00 pm  (Budget and Taxation)


(Posted 16 Mar 2009)
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Thursday, February 19, 2009

HB 300, SB 274 - ... and Special Taxing Districts - Transit-Oriented Development

HB 300, SB 277
Sponsored By: 
  • The Speaker (By Request - Administration) and Delegates Hixson, Howard, Cardin, F. Turner, V. Clagett, Gaines, Olszewski, Pena-Melnyk, Ross, and Stein
  • The President (By Request - Administration)
Entitled:  Tax Increment Financing and Special Taxing Districts - Transit-Oriented Development 
Synopsis: 
Authorizing specified political subdivisions to finance the costs of public improvements in or supporting specified transit-oriented developments in specified manners; providing for the establishment and termination of specified special taxing districts; providing for the uses of specified special funds established for the improvement and maintenance of specified transit-oriented developments through tax increment financing and other specified mechanisms; etc.

House Text (Hearing March 3, 1:00 pm)
Senate Text (Hearing February 18, 1:00 pm)
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Wednesday, February 04, 2009

PG Porkers (Del. Pena-Melnyk, Barnes, & Frush)

Maryland has a fiscal crisis with a huge deficit looming despite the huge 2007 tax increase. But Tax and Spend Delegates Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-21), Ben Barnes (D-21), and Barbara Frush (D-21), who voted for the tax increase, want to spend even more of the money we don't have on non-essential, non-state government frills instead of maintaining essential state services like education and public safety. How many more state employees will be laid off or furloughed to help buy votes for these delegates?

HB 467, Creation of a State Debt - Prince George's County - LARS Facility Renovation ($500,000)
HB 515, Creation of a State Debt - Prince George's County - Laurel Boys and Girls Club ($300,000)
(Updated 5 Feb 2009)
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Friday, January 23, 2009

Prince George's Taxers: Fertilizer tax (Del.Pena-Melnyk)

(Posted 23 Jan 2009)
HB 136

Sponsored By: Delegate Pena-Melnyk

Entitled: Specialty Fertilizer - Surcharge

Synopsis:
Imposing a surcharge at a rate of $2 on each ton of specialty fertilizer distributed in the State; exempting commercial fertilizer used for research or experimental purposes from the surcharge; requiring specified distributors to pay the surcharge before distributing specialty fertilizer in the State; requiring the Department of Agriculture to distribute the revenue from the surcharge to the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund; etc.
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Prince George's Nannies: Legislators out to control our lives

(Posted 23 Jan  2009)
HB 129

Sponsored By: Delegates Pena-Melnyk, Griffith, Howard, Ivey, Ramirez, Ross, and Walker

Entitled: Vehicle Laws - Horse Riding - Helmet Requirement for Minors

Synopsis: 
Requiring minors to wear a helmet when riding a horse on a public roadway; establishing fines for violations of the helmet requirement; and requiring that educational materials be provided to minors who violate the helmet requirement.
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Legislators again seek to confiscate the value of old gift cards

HB 126, SB 418

PG Sponsors:
  • Delegates Pena-Melnyk, Barnes, Benson, Braveboy, Frush, Gaines, Griffith, Healey, Holmes, Howard, Hubbard  Ivey, Niemann, Ross, V. Turner, Valderrama, Vallario, Vaughn , and Walker
  • Senators Exum, Harrington, Peters, and Rosapepe
Entitled: Commercial Law - Gift Certificates - Balances - Presumption of Abandonment

Synopsis:
Providing that on a specified date the balance remaining on a gift certificate sold in the State shall be presumed to be abandoned; requiring each issuer of gift certificates sold in the State to report to the Comptroller specified information regarding gift certificate transactions in the State and to remit to the Comptroller 70% of the remaining balances on specified gift certificates on or before March 1 of each year; etc.
Earlier:
(Updated 3 Feb 2009)
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Thursday, January 10, 2008

Maryland Gang Act called ‘useless,’ changes proposed

(Posted 10 Jan 2008)
Maryland Gang Act called ‘useless,’ changes proposed.
Examiner, 10 Jan 2008 (Broadwater).
The Maryland Gang Act of 2007 was supposed to allow prosecutors to crack down on the state’s growing problem of criminal street gangs. So it’s logical to assume that more than three months after the law took effect on Oct. 1, prosecutors would be using the act to press charges against gang members.

Right? Wrong.

An Examiner survey of Maryland’s largest jurisdictions — including gang-plagued Baltimore City and Prince George’s County — produced zero cases in which prosecutors have filed charges using the new law.

“It's useless,” said Margaret Burns, a spokeswoman for prosecutors in Baltimore City, where authorities have documented 2,600 gang members. “I don’t know if anybody else is using it, but we haven’t. It's basically not helpful to prosecutors at all.”
[More]
So, who was responsible for this feel-good, but obviously ineffective waste of legislative effort? Why couldn't they do the job right? Prince George's County senators did not sponsor the bill, county delegate sponsors included:
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Friday, December 21, 2007

Del. Pena-Melnyk will reintroduce bill to confiscate the value of old gift cards

(Posted 21 Dec 2007)
The state of gift cards.
Annapolis Capital, 21 Dec 2007.
This Christmas that gift card you get for someone could later could be a sign of your civic duty.

Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk plans to introduce a bill in January that would allow the government to take unused balances on gift cards four years after a card is issued or one year after it is last used, whichever is later. The money would be placed into an education fund for public schools.

The bill would make retailers act like banks or electric companies that have to turn over unclaimed property to the state, Ms. Pena-Melnyk, D-College Park, said in a news release. Maryland leaves about $100 million every year on the table, she said.

So this year, don't ask what a gift card can do for you (or a relative you don't know very well); ask what a gift card can do for your state.
Earlier:
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Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Local [Democratic] delegates voted 'nay' on textbook tax exemption

(Posted 28 Nov 2007)
Local delegates voted 'nay' on textbook tax exemption.
Diamondback, 28 Nov 2007 (Cohen).
Among the casualties of the rushed and contentious special session of the state legislature that ended this month was a little-noticed measure that could have put more than a few dollars in students' pockets.

An amendment introduced in the House of Delegates would have exempted students from paying sales tax on textbooks.

But the measure was never introduced in the Senate and all of the delegates that represent the university's district voted against it in the house.

The delegates, however - all of whom are Democrats - called the amendment a stalling tactic on the part of the assembly's Republican minority. They said they will be waiting for a study expected in the coming weeks on the issue of skyrocketing textbook costs before they consider legislation to curb the problem.

"I don't think students, or anyone else, are going to be fooled," Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel) said. "They were trying to score political points."

Nevertheless, Republican delegate Michael Smigiel, who offered up the amendment in the House, said Democrats should have taken a more serious look at offering students the exemption.

After some debate, the amendment was voted down by 90 legislators to 40. The Democratic majority voted overwhelmingly against the bill. Smigiel saw the rejection as partisan.

"I guess politics trumps rationality," said Smigiel. "There were some good things that were rejected simply because they were submitted by another party member."
* * *
Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel) said the Democrats' rejection of the tax exemption was not partisan.
* * *
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Thursday, November 08, 2007

Slots & Taxes: What our legislators are saying (part 13)

(Posted 8 Nov 2007)

Budget Revisions Prompt Questions; Focus Is on Switch in Services to Be Taxed.
Post, 8 Nov 2007 (Rucker & Wiggins).
Budget writers in the Maryland Senate were peppered with questions yesterday about whether their deficit reduction plan protects the interests of working families and why they had decided, with no public debate, to propose taxing landscaping, video arcades and visits from the Geek Squad and other computer services.
* * *
If we fail, we will be simply sticking our heads in the sand," Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George's), chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee, told his colleagues.

Currie's panel voted Tuesday night to make several significant changes to proposals by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) in the special legislative session. Among the amendments that received the most attention yesterday was the panel's proposal to apply the state sales tax to landscaping, arcades and computer services.

Legislative analysts said taxing those services would yield about $250 million a year in revenue, far more than would be generated by taxing a handful of other services, including health clubs and tanning salons, that O'Malley had specified and that were the subject of public hearings. Those were taken out of the bill after an outcry by those affected.

Sen. Richard F. Colburn (R-Dorchester) asked Currie whether landscapers, arcade owners and computer service operators knew that levies would be placed on their services. "Or did they wake up this morning and look at the paper and find out we're in?" he said.

"I think you summed up the process," Currie replied.
* * *
O'Malley wants to revive tax cuts; Senate eliminates proposals aimed at reductions for most Marylanders.
Sun, 8 Nov 2007 (Green).
* * *
"Landscapers, people who have computer services businesses, people with video-game parlors -- were they able to come and testify, or did they just wake up this morning, read the newspaper and realize they were in?" Sen. Richard F. Colburn, an Eastern Shore Republican, asked Sen. Ulysses Currie, the committee chairman, during a floor debate.

"I think you summarized the process," Currie replied.
* * *
Md. Budget Crisis: Senate Could Finish Work Thursday, Amid Complaints About Pace of Debate.
Southern Maryland Online, 8 Nov 2007 (Becker).
* * *
Sen. Paul Pinsky, D-Prince George's, said he "didn't like the income tax rates being flattened" and objected that the language to close corporate loopholes was thrown out. Those changes might lead Pinsky to vote against the proposals.

"I might have to do more than just pinch my nose" this time, he said.

But Pinsky believes the proposals will be voted on soon and likely passed.

"Is it fast? Yes, it's fast," he said. "But I've learned when you have the votes, you can do almost anything" in Annapolis.
* * *
Senators try to undo higher ed casualties.
Diamondback, 8 Nov 2007 (Epstein).
Two state senators said yesterday they intend to put legislation dedicating funding aimed at holding down tuition at the state's colleges and universities back on firm ground.

Student leaders and officials from the board that governs Maryland's colleges and universities blasted Annapolis lawmakers yesterday for tying the future of higher education funding to a controversial proposal that would legalize slot machines.

But Sen. Jim Rosapepe, who represents Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties, and Sen. Robert Zirkin, of Baltimore County, said they will introduce an amendment today that would instead devote money from a corporate tax increase to higher education funding, which was part of Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley's original budget proposal.
* * *
Rosapepe said he didn't think senators intentionally put higher education funding at risk.

"I think the committee didn't quite understand what it was doing," he said, adding that the members had to consider a number of amendments in a short time and might not have fully considered the impact of their decision.

"There's a lot of interest in restoring that money," Rosapepe said.
Progress for budget deficit in special session described as 'slow'.
Bowie Blade-News, 8 Nov 2007 (Armes).
* * *
"Members of the House and Senate have been working together on aspects of all avenues of this legislation, and we're all trying to get a good perspective," Del. Jim Hubbard, D-Bowie 23A, said.

"We're trying to make what cuts we can make, looking to eliminate around $600 million of the existing budget before raising revenues while also trying to see if we can provide health care for more than 100,000 Maryland residents," he added.

Del. Gerron Levi, D-Bowie 23A, said there is a "broad consensus" among elected officials regarding four main business areas that could see tax increases: the sales tax, real estate taxes, the corporate loophole income tax and the tobacco tax.

"The slots proposal is truly up in the air right now," she said. "I think there will be two votes on it - a referendum and then the actual bill, and there's more support for the referendum right now."

Levi credited the various committees for making "tremendous progress" toward finding solutions but also indicated the pace has been measured because of the impact of their decisions.

"The issue of where the cuts are going to be made is still being addressed, and it must be addressed before we can talk about revenue generators for the state," local Del. Marvin Holmes, D-Bowie 23B, said. "Generally, it's a lot to get your hands on. You know the material because it's not intellectually complicated. But it's a lot to handle."
* * *
Holmes estimated the special session would likely conclude a few days after Thanksgiving to allow the conference committees to discuss the bills and for the delegates to vote on their decisions. But Hubbard and Levi were optimistic the session would end sooner, possibly by the end of next week.

"The bottom line is, we're trying to raise about $1 billion for tax cuts, and we're trying to do it without hurting any particular demographic or geographic group," Hubbard said. "It's our job to make sure Bowie doesn't get hurt in any of this and to do what we think is fair across the board."

"We need to keep in mind that we're in a crisis here," said State Sen Douglas J.J. Peters, D-Bowie. "Somehow we need to generate a certain amount of revenues by the end of the year. We've seen how complicated it is to tinker with the tax code. Once we leave, we'll either pass the bills or there will be dramatic cuts that will heavily influence the people of Prince George's County and Bowie."

Peters believes the session could finish by the end of next week.
Committee OKs bulk of state's health insurance expansion, sends bill to full Senate.
Annapolis Capital, 8 Nov 2007 (Zieminski).
A Senate committee gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a $200 million health care expansion, after striking a key provision that would have helped small-business owners pay for health insurance they currently offer.
* * *
Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Queen Anne's, a vocal opponent of the bill, questioned the administration's decision to expand health care in the midst of a budget shortfall.

"The idea we'd come back to fix the deficit by raising $1.5 billion in taxes and expand health care is outrageous," Pipkin said after voting against the bill in committee Wednesday evening.

Middleton said lawmakers can always come back and trim the bill if O'Malley's plan to balance the budget is not passed. The health insurance bill is scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor Thursday along with major parts of O'Malley's budget proposals.

Democratic Sens. John Astle, Catherine Pugh, Robert Garagiola, George Della, Nathaniel Exum, Delores Kelley, Katherine Klausmeier and Middleton voted in favor of the bill in committee. Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-Howard, voted against it and Sen. J. Robert Hooper, R-Harford, was absent.
* * *
If It's Not About Budget, Forget It.
Post, 8 Nov 2007 (Wiggins & Helderman).
Del. Doyle L. Niemann (D-Prince George's) wants to set up an authority and put an end to the financial woes that have plagued Prince George's Hospital Center.

Del. Barbara A. Frush (D-Prince George's) says the state should cut funding for the intercounty connector, the controversial highway that would link Prince George's and Montgomery counties.

And Del. Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince George's) wants to place the balance on unused gift certificates into a fund for education.
* * *
More than 50 bills have been introduced during the special session. Most offer alternative ways to close the projected shortfall, but many of the bills, such as those introduced by Niemann, Frush and Pena-Melnyk, have nothing to do with the state's budget problem.
* * *
Niemann said he expects his bill to be assigned to the committee, but he hopes the issue will be taken up in some form.

"There is sentiment in the delegation that the issue needs to be resolved," he said. "The governor wants us to go out on a limb to support him, and we want some support for one of our most serious problems."

Frush said she wanted to express the county's sentiments about the intercounty connector with the introduction of her bill.

"The county doesn't want it, the County Council doesn't want it, those delegates who are affected don't want it. It's just wrong," she said. "It's a bad way to spend money, especially at a time when our money is scarce."

Other budget-related bills will get a full airing.

Sen. James C. Rosapepe (D-Prince George's) introduced a bill that would raise the cigarette tax by $1.44 instead of the $1-a-pack suggested by the governor.

And Del. Justin D. Ross (D-Prince George's) proposed that a sales tax be imposed when people get tattoos or body piercings, when they get their swimming pool or hot tub cleaned and when they hire movers or get their homes decorated.

"They are good examples of luxury items," Ross said. "This is something people do with discretionary income. You can clean your own pool; you choose not to. You can decorate your own house; you choose not to."
Johnson to hospital: Survival issue will be 'off table'
Laurel Leader, 8 Nov 2007 (Pichaske).
* * *
State Del. Barbara Frush of Beltsville, whose district includes Laurel and who is chairwoman of the county's House delegation, said Nov. 6 that state lawmakers were studying the proposal and would come up with a counter-proposal within a day or two.

The main sticking points, she said, are where the money will come from (the bailout is estimated to cost about $350 million in county and state money) and the disposition of the land, now owned by the county, on which the hospitals sit.

United front sought

Frush said state and county lawmakers are laboring to come up with a plan they can all agree on. If they do, they will present it to Gov. Martin O'Malley during the ongoing special legislative session, called by the governor to address the state's budget shortfall.

Both Johnson and Frush said the Prince George's lawmakers plan to make their support for O'Malley's proposal to deal with the shortfall contingent on his support for bailing out the county hospitals.

"We're keeping our powder dry, so to speak, hoping we can negotiate a good outcome for our hospitals," Frush said, adding that the entire House delegation has agreed to the support-trading plan.

"This is extremely important to the health and welfare of our citizens," she said. "We've got to do whatever it takes."
* * *
SGA uses laptops to lobby.
Diamondback, 8 Nov 2007 (Austin).
* * *
Jim Rosapepe (D- Anne Arundel and Prince George's) said he and his colleagues are surprised with how few phone calls and e-mails they have received so far in regards to possible higher education cuts.

"I've heard several senators say that they haven't heard much from their constituents about university funding," Rosapepe said. "A lot of other interest groups are very active in lobbying," he continued, adding that Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson has been very persistent but that "you can't rely on just a handful of people. The average student and faculty and staff needs to be making phone calls and sending e-mails."
* * *
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Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Shortfall Generates Surplus of Md. Bills; At Special Session, Ideas Vary Widely

(Posted 31 Oct 2007)
Shortfall Generates Surplus of Md. Bills; At Special Session, Ideas Vary Widely.
Post, 31 Oct 2007 (Wiggins & Rucker).
Even though Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley called a special session of the legislature to address his plan to close a potential $1.7 billion budget shortfall, lawmakers came to Annapolis this week with more than 50 bills of their own -- some offering alternatives to the governor's proposal but others focusing on completely different issues.

A lawmaker from Prince George's has even revived an effort to save the financially troubled Prince George's Hospital Center.

In one revenue-raising proposal, Sen. Jennie M. Forehand (D-Montgomery) has proposed a bill that would increase the tax on alcoholic beverages from $1.50 to $3.50 a gallon for distilled spirits, from 40 cents to $1 a gallon for wine and from 9 to 25 cents a gallon for beer. [Note: HB 32, co-sponsored by Delegates Holmes (D-23B), Proctor (D-27A), and Niemann (D-47).]
* * *
A bill [HB 38] sponsored by Del. Doyle L. Niemann (D-Prince George's) falls into that category. It proposes a solution to the troubles of Dimensions Healthcare System, which operates Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly, Laurel Regional Hospital, Bowie Health Center and two nursing homes.

The measure would allow the governor to set up an authority to devise a long-term plan for the hospital system. The authority would be charged with negotiating with management companies interested in taking over the system. It also would acquire the system's property and assume its bond debt and pension liability.

Niemann floated a similar idea during this year's regular session, but the measure failed because the county did not support it. He has made adjustments to the bill, including eliminating a county tax to help fund the hospital system. Niemann's bill has been assigned to the rules committee.

Del. Barbara A. Frush (D-Prince George's) has introduced legislation [HB 37] to eliminate state funding for the intercounty connector highway that would link Montgomery and Prince George's counties. She called the road project "a big mistake." [Note: Co-sponsored by Delegates Barnes (D-21), Hubbard (D-23A), Ivey (D-47), Niemann (D-47), Pena-Melnyk (D-21), Ramirez (D-47), Ross (D-22), and Vaughn (D-24).]

"It's a bad way to spend money, especially at a time when our money is scarce," she said. But her bill has also been referred to the rules committee and is unlikely to be heard.
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Thursday, October 18, 2007

Slots & Taxes: What our legislators are saying

(Posted 18 Oct 2007)
Slots Plan Is Brought To Delegates
Post, 18 Oct 2007 (Helderman, Hernandez & Wiggins).
"To the governor's credit, he's been trying to keep us informed," said Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-Prince George's), who recently attended a breakfast hosted by the governor for freshman delegates to discuss the budget shortfall and his plans for a special session this month.
* * *
The Prince George's House delegation has been staunchly opposed to any plan that might bring slot machines to the county.
* * *
Braveboy, who was not in office in 2005, when the last slots bill was defeated, said she is against "slots as a tool for economic development" and against them in Prince George's, but she remained uncommitted on whether she would support a bill that includes slots.

"There are a number of questions that need to be answered to support a bill at this juncture," she said.
Meanwhile, Del. Barbara A. Frush (D-Prince George's), who acknowledged that she has always voted against legalizing slot machines in Maryland, said she might be open to the idea this time if "the right bill" came before her. She said the components of a "right bill" would keep the bulk of slots proceeds in the state and require each sector of the state to have a slots location. "The entire state will benefit, the entire state should take a hit from having them," she said.
State lawmakers called back to Annapolis; O’Malley says he will keep General Assembly in special session until a deal is reached
Gazette, 18 Oct 2007 (Brody & Tallman).
* * *
Economic Matters Committee Chairman Dereck E. Davis said most of the session’s work will be done with the General Assembly’s budget committees.

‘‘Our role is going to be more or less sidelined until a bill comes to the floor,” said Davis (D-Dist. 25) of Upper Marlboro. But lawmakers, possibly concerned about a tax measure or a proposed cut in services, will want to be ‘‘front and center” of any debate.
* * *
O'Malley to Offer Revenue Proposal In Special Session; Md. Tax Increases, Slot Gambling On Table in Risky Hurry-Up Play
Post, 13 Oct 2007 (Wagner).
* * *
Sen. Ulysses Currie, chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee, said O'Malley is taking a real gamble. "I think without consensus it's very risky, and we don't have full buy-in yet," Currie (D-Prince George's) said. "On the other hand, the governor feels strongly that if we don't do something in a special session, it's going to cost the taxpayers more."
* * *
Lawmakers back special session, tax hikes, wary of slots.
Laurel Leader, 18 Oct 2007 (Pichaske).
* * *
"We have such a financial crisis in the state and we need to get ahold of it," said state Del. Barbara Frush, a Beltsville Democrat whose 21st district includes Laurel. "If we wait until next year, the shortfall will be another half-billion dollars."
* * *
Frush, for example, said she opposed any increase in the gasoline tax as unfair to lower-income Marylanders. So did fellow District 21 Democrat, Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk of College Park -- who also admitted to "mixed feelings" about the special session, saying it could end up being "a waste of time."

Sen. Douglas Peters, the District 23 Democrat who represents part of South Laurel, said he does not favor expanding the sales tax. "We should be exploring an Internet sales tax," he argued.

Sen. James Rosapepe, a District 21 Democrat from College Park, said he would prefer closing more tax loopholes rather than increasing the sales tax.

All of the area lawmakers, however, praised O'Malley's package as balanced and substantive.

"It's a fair package, and it's already full of compromises," said Del. Ben Barnes, a College Park Democrat. "I think it's a great start."
* * *
"I don't think we should balance the state budget on slots," said Peña-Melnyk, a vocal slots critic. While she opposed legalizing slots, she said she might support a voter referendum on the issue, which O'Malley has suggested.
* * *
"If I were putting this package together, I wouldn't puts slots in there," said Rosapepe. "But I understand the governor's position."

Rosapepe said he could support a slots proposal with certain provisions: having the state, not a gambling company, run the system; including funds to help people with gambling addictions; and including money to aid those areas most affected by slots -- including Laurel, since the Laurel Park racetrack is sure to have slot machines.

Frush said that while opposed to slots, she might support a proposal that scattered the machines across the state and that guaranteed the money raised would stay in the country.
* * *
"I don't favor slots, but I don't want to be tilting at windmills," said Barnes. "We need to keep all options on the table because the situation is so dire."
Proposal would create hospital authority.
Sentinel, 4 Oct 2007 (Samuel).
* * *
However Del. Doyle Niemann (D-Dist. 47), is back with what he believes will be the final fix to the hospital system, the Prince George's Hospital Authority Act.
* * *
Niemann's current proposal again includes a 3-cent property tax.
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Saturday, October 06, 2007

Opinion Supports Student Member On Board Voting

(Updated 5 Nov 2007)
Opinion Supports Student Member On Board Voting.
Post, 6 Oct 2007 (Hernandez).
The Maryland attorney general's office issued a legal opinion this week saying the student school board member in Prince George's County has the right to vote in internal elections for the school board's leadership.

The opinion is not binding as a matter of law.

But it could block a proposal to stop the student member, Haywood L. Perry III, from voting in upcoming elections for the school board's chairman and vice chairman.

The proposal, awaiting a decision by the school board, would also place some restrictions on the student member's ability to travel.

Several student leaders in Prince George's, including the student member of the State Board of Education, have spoken out against it.

Supporters say that the votes for chairman and vice chairman are personnel matters. State law says personnel matters are among the subjects on which the student board member cannot vote.

But the opinion, requested by Del. Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince George's) after she was approached by students from her district, concluded that voting for officers was not a personnel matter.

"I believe a vote on the election of officers more appropriately concerns a matter of corporate governance rather than a personnel matter," the opinion said.

"It is my opinion that the student member cannot be denied the right to vote on this ground."

The opinion leaves the matter open to a vote by the Prince George's school board, but notes that "an erroneous decision" may be reviewed by the State Board of Education.

Perry had not yet received a copy of the opinion yesterday. But he said he knew its general outlines and seemed pleased.

"First and foremost, I am proud of the involvement and the commitment that was demonstrated by our county students in expressing their opinions on this issue," Perry said.

"This was truly a triumph of our entire county."
Note: Board member Ron Watson appears to be spearheading the effort to disenfranchise student members. Earlier: 27 Sep 2007.

Update:
Proposal would solve the wrong problem.
Sentinel, 10 Oct 2007 (Sarzo).
* * *
The measure has ties to the scandalous end of former at-large member Nathaniel Thomas's tenure, during which his relationships with a former student and with former student board member Leslie Hall came under scrutiny.

"It is my opinion that to some extent we failed the prior student board member," Watson told The Washington Post. "We have a responsibility to protect our students. They do not need to be lobbied by folks looking to do business."

It may be true that Thomas and Hall had an improper relationship. We don't know that for certain. However, Watson's proposal appears to be an insult to both Haywood Perry III, the current student board member, and to the students of the county. The suggestion that the nine adult members of the school board would emasculate the student board member's voice is unconscionable.
* * *
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007

PG Delegates sponsor vill to let more criminals vote

(Posted 31 Jan 2007)
House Bill 273, Voting Rights Restoration - Ex-Offenders, 31 Jan 2007

Sponsored By:

Delegates Braveboy (25), Barnes (21), Benson (24), Davis (25), Frush (21), Gaines (22), Griffith (25), Healey (22), Holmes (23B), Howard (24), Hubbard (23A), Ivey (47), Pena-Melnyk (21), Proctor (27A), Ramirez (47), Ross (22), Valderrama (26), and Vaughn (24)
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Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Gory Prince George's: Politicians seem to favor killers over victims

(Posted 30 Jan 2007)
Commentary:

Why do so many of our elected officials seem so much more concerned with preventing the execution of killers than with preventing the execution of innocent victims?

I have been closely following murders in Prince George's County for over three years now, and have posted online basic details and news links for over 450 Prince George's County homicides, including many never reported by the news media.

For over two years I have tried to relate both homicide locations and victim's residences to the districts of our elected County Council and General Assembly members, and have generally e-mailed information about the homicides to those members.

While reviewing news reports of homicides, I have made a special effort to search out the reactions of our elected officials.

During the years I have been doing this, I have learned that our elected officials almost never respond publicly to homicide reports, either in the press or in response to my e-mails (where the response rate is about 2%), and very rarely respond publicly to our homicide problem, which is one of the worst in the nation.

Over 450 victims executed, and almost no public response from our General Assembly members.

Yet many of those members are sponsoring and publicly supporting efforts to repeal the death penalty and protect the killers--people who have executed others--from execution.

I have mixed feeling about the death penalty, and the way it is carried out,

But I do feel strongly that it should be more important for our officials to spend time and energy trying to save the one hundred to two hundred innocents likely to be executed without trial this year than to save half-a-dozen convicted killers who had their trials.

Why are our elected officials devoting so much effort to saving so few killers and so little effort to saving so many victims? What are their priorities? Whose side are they on? Apparently the killers' side.

Prince George's sponsors of House Bill 225:

Joanne C. Benson (24), Tawanna P. Gaines (22), Anne Healey (22), Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. (23B), Carolyn J. B. Howard (24), James W. Hubbard (23A), Doyle L. Niemann (47), Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk (21), James E. Proctor, Jr. (27A), Michael L. Vaughn (24)

Prince George's sponsors of Senate Bill 211:

Gwendolyn T. Britt (47), Nathaniel Exum (24), C. Anthony Muse (26), Douglas J. J. Peters (23), Paul G. Pinsky (22).

Note that all members from District 24 are listed above. In 2006, District 24 accounted for far more homicides and victims than any other district in the county--almost a third of the county's total in this one gory district out of eight.
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