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 Gambling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gambling. Show all posts

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Rushern Baker's broken promises: Gambling

2006 voters guide on Gazette.Net
http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/080106/prinele144717_31912.shtml

Prince George’s County Executive
Candidate name: Rushern L. Baker III

Do you support allowing slots in Prince George’s? If so, where?
I will never allow slots or any form of legalized gambling in Prince George’s County.
PermaLink: 9/06/2012 1 comments
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Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Recent Prince George's County News (6 & 7 Aug 2012)

August 7 gambling items highlighted. Very limited updates, 8 - 18 Aug 2012.  New format, irregular schedule  Most recent items first. Times are relative to 5:00 am, 8 Aug 2012.; See: Changes to PG-Politics Blog and Mailing List for more information   The email version shows all items. Click below to load the entire blog version.
Read more »
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Monday, August 06, 2012

Recent Prince George's County Gambling News (6 Aug 2012)

Times are relative to 5:10 am, 7 Aug 2012.
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Sunday, August 05, 2012

Recent Prince George's County Gambling News (5 Aug 2012)

Times are relative to 6:00 am, 6 Aug 2012.
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Saturday, August 04, 2012

Gambling: Where's the bill???

Maryland lawmakers waiting to see gambling bill
Post, 3 Aug 2012 (Wagner)
...This week, rank-and-file lawmakers have been relegated to a game of another sort: waiting.

For the past two weeks, O’Malley has advertised the upcoming release of a draft bill so that lawmakers can begin studying its provisions.

On Friday, spokeswoman Raquel Guillory said the legislation would likely be made available “early next week.” ...


“There’s no final bill yet, so there’s not much to talk about,” said Del. Eric G. Leudtke (D-Montgomery), who served on a gambling work group this spring.

“Check with the governor’s office, not us,” added Del. Sheila E. Hixson (D-Montgomery), chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over gambling legislation.

Few lawmakers seem to be relishing their return to Annapolis next week. Many have had to reschedule summer vacations or juggle plans to attend conferences.

Among those is Melony G. Griffith (D-Prince George’s), who chairs her county’s legislative delegation. She is among 17 legislators signed up to attend this year’s National Conference of State Legislatures conference in Chicago and would have to hurry back.

Members of the Prince George’s delegation, which remains divided about the prospect of hosting a casino, had tentatively planned to meet this weekend to review the details of the bill. Without a bill, that plan has been scrapped.

“It makes a complicated process even more complicated,” Griffith said.

“The time to deliberate and comb through the details of the bill just doesn’t exist before the session,” Griffith said. “There’s a question of how much opportunity we’ll have to shape the legislation.”

Senate Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin (R-Cecil) was a little more blunt in a press release he issued this week headlined: “Pipkin to O’Malley: Where’s the bill?”

“The special session starts in less than a week,” Pipkin wrote. “The governor has had all summer to craft the proposal. Where’s the bill?”
PermaLink: 8/04/2012 0 comments
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Gambling: How Prince George's legislators voted during the regular session

Voting information on Senate Bill 892, passed by the senate on March 23, 2012, and passed by a house committee on April 9, 2012, but not brought to the house floor for a final vote. 

SB892 was sponsored by Sen. Douglas J. J. Peters (D-23),(410) 841-3631, (301) 858-3631,e-mail: douglas.peters@senate.state.md.us. 

The companion house bill, HB 1265, was introduced by Del. Barbara A. Frush (D-21),(410) 841-3114, (301) 858-3114, e-mail: barbara.frush@house.state.md.us, but no action was taken on that bill.

Yea:
Nay:
PermaLink: 8/04/2012 0 comments
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Recent Prince George's County News (24 Mar 2010)

  • rt @ PGCrimeSolvers Become a FAN of Prince Geoge's County Crime Solvers Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/pgcrimesovlers 
Public Safety
2010 Election
  • Post: Political slates make campaign finance murky in Md. http://bit.ly/dxvb3P (mentions several PG politicians using the gimmick)
  • Examiner.com (JKitchen): Report on Mar 23 County Executive Debate http://bit.ly/c0Zal8 Kitchen impressed by Jackson, some discussion of TRIM 
  • Gazette: Candidates start wooing business community http://bit.ly/bkGra1 (Mentions R. Baker (ce), A, Turner (c6), T. Dernoga (sa))
  • rt @ ABC7News Ehrlich to Run for Governor : http://clkurl.com/i.cfm/tw719032 
  • PGPolice:UPDATE: Critical Missing Juvenile Located, Margennae Lashawn Dixon (2697) http://bit.ly/c0qMOI 
2010 General Assembly
  • Budget
    • rt @marylandmoment Emotions run deep in Senate budget debate http://bit.ly/cxlHOS 
    • MDPolWatch: MD senate vote on bill to make state budget look balanced by making counties pay for teacher pensions http://bit.ly/cZHrTv ...  For making counties pay for teacher pensions: Miller, Currie, Against: Exum, Harrington, Muse, Peters, Pinsky, Rosapepe 
    • MDReporter: Sen. gives tentative approval to gov. $32 billion budget http://bit.ly/ckf2P8 Quotes Sen Pinsky (D-22 & teachers union employee) 
    • Sun: House rejects Senate cut of transportation funds http://bit.ly/9jhwAA Quotes Del. Gaines, D-22, committee chair 
    • rt @marylandmoment Pr. Geo's officials praise potential $18 million addition to state aid: http://bit.ly/9GEMFu
  • Gambling at Rosecroft
    • rt @marylandmoment: MD Senate passes bill to put card games at Rosecroft track: Statewide vote... http://bit.ly/9BRmV8 
    • Sun: Sen passes bill that lets voters decide on card games at Rosecroft http://bit.ly/cHa7tv Spons by Muse, D-26, quotes Del. Griffith, D-25
    • Post: Md. Senate passes bill to put card games at Rosecroft http://bit.ly/9maExj Sen Muse, D-26: "desperation move" to keep the track afloat
    • Examiner: Md. Senate approves gambling at Rosecroft Raceway http://bit.ly/aSLcs0 
  • Sun: Senate panel rejects change in death-penalty criteria; Miller (D-27) bid to ease prosecution countered by Frosh http://bit.ly/ckVaHC 
  • rt @ ABC7News Md. OKs Auto Liability Insurance Hike : http://clkurl.com/i.cfm/tw718923 Will raise premium costs and taxes 
  • rt @bcbolin RT @anacostiaws: Speak out against clean water rollbacks in MD! http://ow.ly/1qtV7a 
  • rt @ MDReporter Pimlico auction cancelled, governor's unemployment insurance reform passes, & card games vote in Nov? http://bit.ly/9GBtJI 
  • rt @ CNSmd House passes bill making intimidation using a swastika or noose a hate crime. 7 del. vote against. (Majority hates free speech)
  • rt @ CNSmd House passes water-quality loan bill 114-26. Min. Leader O'Donnell apologizes to grandchildren for "mortgaging their futures." 
  • rt @MDReporter Child care workers would be able to unionize under a bill in the House. http://bit.ly/bnO66u 
  • rt @mdchamber Finance comm rejected bill to prohibit employers from using applicant's credit history when making hiring decisions. 6-5 vote 
Other Politics
  • TheAgitator: Obama’s promise not to tax middle class takes another tumble, he won’t tax you so long as you don’t smoke or use tanning salons 
PermaLink: 3/24/2010 0 comments
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Monday, March 22, 2010

Recent Prince George's County News (20-22 Mar 2010)

Public Safety
2010 Election
  • Examiner.com: Curry courts City constituents; Former PG County Exec. looks to Baltimore for possible Gubernatorial bid http://bit.ly/ackz6n
  • LaurelLeader: Obama campaigner launches his own run; Russett resident Devin Tucker seeks District 21 delegate seat http://bit.ly/bN2v7k 
  • SoMDOnline: Mikulski Opponent files for Senate (Eric Wargots, R, Queen Anne's County) http://bit.ly/d53REn
  • rt @NWilliams23 Tomorrow, Friends of Nicole Williams reception from 4-6 at Evolve DC on Colubmia Road. Make sure you... http://bit.ly/dx0k6M
  • rt @kidjk Executive candidates to face off in first countywide forum - http://tinyurl.com/ybg8pht Expected attendees include Rushern Baker, Aisha Braveboy, Michael Jackson, Tony Knotts, Gerron Levi, Sandy Prutt, Henry Turner. But not Sam Dean or Greg Holmes 
  • rt @Tamara4Dist9 Pls join me as I launch my campaign for Dist. 9 Council Apr. 6, noon at Andrews Manor Shopping Ctr. Tweet back, RSVP today! 
2010 General Assembly
Other Politics
Other
PermaLink: 3/22/2010 0 comments
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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Recent Prince George's County News (18 Mar 2010)

Public Safety
2010 Election
2010 General Assembly
Other Politics
  • Post: O'Malley says gay marriage opinion 'sound advice' http://bit.ly/9mDgJD
  • RedMaryland: Ten Questions for MDGOP Chair, Audrey Scott (of PG County & former cand. for county executive) http://bit.ly/bI8INO 
  • HotAir: Public Policy Polling: People disgusted with both parties favor the GOP by 20 points http://bit.ly/c4VyN0
Education
  • Gazette: School funding takes hit in budget; Johnson hopes state will help fill gap; furloughs will be reduced http://bit.ly/cMZlBA
Other
  • rt @WTOP Md. releases list of top 50 tax delinquents http://bit.ly/aCwRpE 
  • Gazette: Real action needed on foreclosure problem (Letter fr m Jason Papanikolas, Laurel) http://bit.ly/atUkzH 
  • Gazette: Taking a stand for a less stressful ride; Faith-based group advocates for cheaper Metro access http://bit.ly/atvz4F 
  • Gazette: Faster Internet connections sought for south county; PG officials announce plans to bring better connecti .... http://bit.ly/azXZQF 
  • Gazette: Month after Kettering roof collapse, store owners awaiting pricey repairs http://bit.ly/cwQsC2 
  • Gazette: Glenn Dale, Lanham and Seabrook sector plan targets mall and transit; Transpo., building improvements planned http://bit.ly/bKn4pM 
  • Gazette: ‘There is room enough for all of us' (Letter supporting illegal immigrants from Angela Reyes, Upper Marlboro) http://bit.ly/b3jgAv 
  • PG_Discussion Affluent AA Communities http://bit.ly/9HoJwB
PermaLink: 3/18/2010 0 comments
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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Recent Prince George's County News (13 Mar 2010)

Public Safety
2010 Election
2010 General Assembly
  • Post: Md. Senate approves son of its president (Miller, D-27) for judgeship http://bit.ly/bX5PRN (Nepotism! Sen. Exum, D-24, abstained)
Other Politics
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Recent Prince George's County News (23 Feb 2010)

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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Recent Prince George's County News (24 Nov 2009)

(Posted 24 Nov 2009)
dcrussell@gmail.com | Facebook | Twitter: dcrussell | pgpolitics
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Sun: Another stadium? Our view: Prince George's County soccer project faces some long odds (Editorial)

Sun, 25 Feb 2009 (Editorial).
Kudos to Prince George's County and efforts by officials there to lure the D.C. United professional soccer team to suburban Maryland. Several sites are reportedly under consideration, and if the new stadium is made more convenient to a Metro subway station than the parking profit center known as the Washington Redskins' FedEx Field, the project could be a real economic asset for the county and state.

But the idea that the Maryland Stadium Authority might borrow money to underwrite a significant portion of this project seems dubious. It's one thing to commit taxpayer money to building an attraction like Camden Yards and supporting Major League Baseball, a highly lucrative enterprise with a national following.

Professional soccer in the United States has been around for just over a decade and, while it appears to be on a recent upswing, it has suffered its share of financial setbacks.

It is possible that D.C. United games would generate enough profits from concessions and souvenirs to allow the project to pay for itself, as supporters claim. But that's no sure thing, and other major public works projects, such as the Intercounty Connector, have pushed Maryland close enough to debt limits to recommend caution.

Residents of Prince George's County often feel like Montgomery County's poorer cousins. A new stadium might help the county raise its profile and better compete for jobs with its richer neighbor. But that alone can't justify the project.

Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty wasn't willing to commit public funds to building a stadium and keeping the team in his city, and that ought to raise a red card to even the most die-hard soccer fan. The economic realities of such a project - as the stadium authority's market analysis last year pointed out - make it, at best, a long shot of a development opportunity.
PermaLink: 2/25/2009 0 comments
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Slot Machines and Question 2

(Posted 30 Sep 2008)
I was asked recently if I support or oppose Question 2, the slot machine amendment to Maryland's constitution. Here is my reply.
I guess I'm still on the fence.

On the one hand, I tend to oppose most government prohibitions of things like gambling, smoking, drinking, etc., so I'm for allowing people to gamble on slots, and allowing them to do so in Maryland instead of somewhere else.

On the other hand, I strongly oppose:

  • Government conduct of gambling or similar enterprises
  • Giving the government more money to waste
  • Subsidizing the racing industry
  • Polluting the state constitution

I probably won't decide how to vote until much closer to the election, It is possible that my vote will be decided by how dirty the slots campaign gets.
PermaLink: 9/30/2008 0 comments
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Friday, September 12, 2008

Officials predict long lines on Election Day

(Posted 12 Sep 2008)

Officials predict long lines on Election Day; Presidential race, slots referendum expected to draw voters.
Gazette, 12 Sep 2008 (Breitenbach).
Maryland voters should plan to wait in line when they head to polls for the Nov. 4 presidential election.

Local election officials say despite an increased number of election judges and efforts to familiarize voters with the ballot, record voter turnout will make waiting unavoidable.
* * *
In Prince George's County, election administrator Alisha Alexander, said the presidential race, coupled with a referendum to bring slot machine gambling to Maryland, could draw more voters to the polls.

Alexander predicts 85 to 90 percent of the county's registered 460,000 voters will show up on Election Day. In 2004, the turnout was 73 percent.

She also said 10 percent more or 46,000 voters could register before the election.

"The lines aren't going to go away on Election Day, but we don't want the lines to intimidate the voters," Alexander said.

To mitigate long lines, the Prince George's County Board of Elections has increased the number of election judges, who oversee polling places, by 5 to 10 percent at each precinct. Greeters will also hand out sample ballots and determine whether voters are at the correct precinct.

"As people are waiting in line they can go through the ballot with the hope that they can quickly know how they're going to vote," Alexander said. "… Because of the high turnout, we want people to be as prepared as possible."
* * *
Prince George's County faces a similar trend.

Alexander said it is unlikely the county will have enough Republican judges. The positions will be filled by unaffiliated judges.

"We have been actually inundated with requests from Democrats who want to serve as election judges and it's to the point now where we're placing Democrats in alternate status," she said.

"… We need about 1,500 to 1,700 Democrats and realistically we would like to have an equal amount of Republicans, but unfortunately, that does not happen in Prince George's County."
* * *
[Full story]
PermaLink: 9/12/2008 0 comments
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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

PG Democratic Central Committee: No position on slots

(Posted 10 Sep 2008)
Pr. Geo. Dems: No Advice on Slots.
Maryland Moment (Post blog), 10 Sep 2008 (Helderman)
A deeply divided Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee voted last night to offer county party members no guidance about how to vote on Maryland's slots referendum in November.

A sizable portion of the committee wanted to tell voters they should vote "no" on the question -- a proposal to do exactly that died on a 11 to 12 vote. But other committee members suggested taking a position on the issue could "cloud" support for Sen. Barack Obama (D), by highlighting a divisive issue. No committee members supported advising voters to approve the referendum.

Opposition to the slots referendum runs deep in Prince George's, where many influential church leaders are against the proposal. Some opponents argue that gambling targets residents living in low-income neighborhoods, like some of Prince George's inner-beltway communities.

Still, urging residents to vote "no" on the referendum would represent a repudiation by the local party of Democratic leaders Gov. Martin O'Malley and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert). Both support slots as a way to raise revenue, as the state faces economic hard times. Miller's district includes part of Prince George's.

Comptroller Peter Franchot, a prominent opponent of slots, was present last night to urge a "no" vote by the committee.

"We need you," Franchot told committee members. "We need you because all the powers that be say you gotta have this. Mike Miller says, you gotta have this. He's said it for years. He's wrong."

The local party's recommendations on referenda are included on sample ballots handed out at the polls on Election Day, considered an important way to sway voters in the overwhelmingly Democratic county.
Comment. I wonder what position the Republican Central Committee will take on slots.  There is nothing about slots on their web site.   In fact, I wonder if there still is a Republican Central Committee--the list of committee members seems to have been removed from the site.
PermaLink: 9/10/2008 0 comments
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

PG delegates, economic stimulus, slots

(Posted 19 Aug 2008)
Should states get an economic stimulus check? .
wtop.com, 19 Aug 2008 (Ryan).
WASHINGTON - Chances are you got an economic stimulus check from the federal government. Maybe it helped you out of a jam.

So should your state government get the same helping hand?
U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) thinks so.

Van Hollen is supporting a congressional plan to give money to states to help them cover the soaring costs of health care, among other items.
* * *
Maryland is facing a $200-million shortfall, has a record number of foreclosures and has seen an uptick in its unemployment figures.

But the state could seen an infusion of cash if gambling - in the form of slots - is expanded. In November, Maryland residents will vote on bringing slots to the state.

Even if Marylanders pass the slots referendum, it will be years before any money raised reaches state coffers, Del. James Proctor (D-Prince George's County) says.

"First of all, it has to pass and that hasn't taken place yet. And we don't want to spend that money before we get it," Proctor says.

But Proctor says there's another reason slots may not be the answer.

"If you look around the states that have it, including Las Vegas -- the number one site for slots and gambling -- their revenues are down because of the economy," Proctor says.

Maryland state delegates who support Van Hollen and the federal fiscal package include Gerron Levi (D-Prince George's County), Bill Bronrott (D-Montgomery County), James Proctor (D-Prince George's County) and Heather Mizeur (D-Montgomery County).

Levi, Bronrott, Proctor and Mizeur all say they will vote "no" on bringing slots to Maryland.
* * *
[Full story]
PermaLink: 8/19/2008 0 comments
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Friday, December 07, 2007

Del. Davis responds to Diane C. Russell

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dereck Davis <dereck_davis@hotmail.com>
Date: Dec 7, 2007 1:07 PM
Subject: RE: Del. Davis criticism of Diane C. Russell - was State Senator & Chairman of Maryland Budget and
To: "Diane C. Russell" <dcrussell@gmail.com>
Cc: "Turner, Art" <arthurturner@verizon.net>

Diane,

You have a rather lengthy post that I do not have time to respond to on a line by line basis. However, I do want to clarify/respond to a couple of things you mentioned. First of all, I do not believe I have the ability to post on the discussion group. Therefore, either you or Mr. Turner have been kind enough to relay my thoughts and opinions for me. You and I both know that it is my strong desire for you to receive my responses to your opinions.

I noticed that you responded to some of my comments and added quite a few of your own. One thing I did notice is that you chose NOT to address why you hide behind a pseudonym. Why is that?

Let us not downplay RedMaryland? It is a right wing, conservative blog and you are listed as a contributor. PG Politics is listed on their "blogroll." Again, there is nothing wrong with being a member of the Republican Party or having conservative views but this organization that you are a contributing member of is dedicated to defeating Democrats. As I stated previously, the members of the discussion group should be aware of this fact as they evaluate your commentary about elected officials in Prince George's County.

You complain about the lack of a two party government in the state. Is that somehow the fault of Democrats as well? Henry David Thoreau once said, "Let every man make known what type of government would command his respect and that shall be one step towards obtaining it." Whether we like it or not, the citizens of Prince George's County and Maryland have made known what type of government they want. That is not to say things do not need improving because they do. I believe that government should be efficient and streamlined as much as possible but I have no problem with it being large enough to meet the myriad of needs that exist in our society. I am my brother's keeper.

"And I am disappointed, but not surprised, by Del. Davis' ongoing support of pork. He seems to think it is good to extort money from me to give to non-governmental charitable and other organizations. I strongly disagree--it is nothing more than theft, only it is stealing he and his colleagues have made legal ." So you think it is "pork" to support worthwhile organizations like the Mission of Love, the Lake Arbor Foundation, and the Kettering Civic Federation? Asking you to be a contributing member of our county and state does not constitute extortion. Given that extortion is a serious felony, I am dismayed that you would be so callous and flippant in your use of the term. Why is it not possible to state a position without being inflammatory?

"Ms. Russell" you have the right to criticize Prince George's County and the State of Maryland as much as you desire. That is one of the many benefits of living in a democracy such as ours. The fact remains, however, that our beloved county is the second largest in the state and is steadily growing. While we have lacked upscale amenities (which I believe has less to do with the county and more to do with some other insidious plan), it is clear we are on the upswing. While our school system has not performed to the level we expect, those same tests you referenced clearly indicate we are on an upswing. While you criticize the overall state of the county and the state of the state, it is clear that we have one of the more desirable places to live and our economy is sound (judging by our status as the wealthiest state in the nation). While I recognize there is much work to be done, I am proud to live and represent Prince George's County.

Dereck E. Davis
Delegate
25th District

(p.s.-I know I said at the beginning I didn't have time but I decided to make time)



Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2007 18:01:19 -0600
From: dcrussell@gmail.com
To: arthuraturnerjr@verizon.net ; pg-politics@googlegroups.com; pg-politics@yahoogroups.com; dereck_davis@hotmail.com
Subject: Del. Davis criticism of Diane C. Russell - was State Senator & Chairman of Maryland Budget and Taxation Ulysses Currie Fundraiser - Tuesday, De]

Mr. Turner:

In the past, when Del. Davis has been unhappy with me he has written directly to me, just as I have sent him copies of things I write about him. This time he apparently wrote to you and others, but not to me.

With respect to his remarks about the Republican Party, I have several comments.

I believe strongly in two-party government, in diversity of political opinion, and in checks and balances. We do not have that in Prince George's County. More about the result later.

I'm not really a supporter of either party. What I have posted about the state and county Republican Parties over the past few years has almost always been critical. I have not criticized the state and county Republicans as much as the Democrats because there isn't much to criticize. They don't do much I disagree with because they don't have any officeholders and don't do much of anything at all.

Del. Davis mentions RedMaryland. While it is true that my last posting there was critical of our council leadership, my two previous postings, and half of all of my postings there, have been critical of Republicans--the state and county Republican Parties and Republican (non-Prince George's) delegate.

Looking at philosophical viewpoints, my opinions may well be a minority. But from the comments i see and private e-mails I receive, I suspect that viewpoints are not as great a minority opinion as voter registration might suggest.

For the record, let me say a bit about those viewpoints.

I believe in small government. Unlike Del. Davis, who apparently believes that large government bureaucracies are good, I think they are often bad, out of control, and tend to do more harm than good.

Fiscally, I am conservative and opposed to the socialist direction of the O'Malley wing of the Democratic Party. The government should not keep stealing more and more from the productive members of society and using the proceeds to reward foolish and criminal behavior. The people who receive government money, including bureaucrats, should be held accountable for getting results with that money. A bit more about that below.

Socially, I am liberal/libertarian. I am appalled by the authoritarian nanny legislators who increasingly want to control our lives, telling us what we must do and can't do. They seem to be doing quite well at making Maryland the UNFree State.

To me, the idea of government-sponsored gambling is an abomination--whether it be slots or a lottery. On the other hand, I think it is equally abominable for the state to prohibit gambling by consenting adults.

I am absolutely appalled that the Democrats are actually adding gambling to the state constitution. If they want to mess around with the constitution, they ought to have the guts to add a recall provision.

Abortion? Personally I don't think much of it, but I don't think the government should prohibit it, nor should they extort money from me to pay for it. And since it is none of the government's business, I am turned off by elected officials who make an issue of it--whether they are for or against, Republican or Democrat, they ought to butt out of people lives.

Returning to two-party government, and our lack of political diversity and checks and balances. Our one-party Democratic government has given us the highest murder rate and the worst schools in the Washington suburbs, and the second worst in the state.

I don't have the statistics at hand, but I suspect that research would show that our murder rate was lower and our schools ranked higher under our last Republican county executive.

One thing that distinguishes us from virtually all the surrounding areas with much better schools and much lower murder rates is that they all have at least some semblance of two-party government. Some are controlled by Democrats, some by Republicans, but they all seem to have a viable minority party that helps keep the majority party accountable. We don't. The same applies to the jurisdictions we seem to envy for the "upscale" shopping and restaurants they have and we lack.

And looking at accountability. Since we don't have a two-party system, it is all but impossible to hold our officials accountable for results, or to prevent them from stomping on various minority interests.

Del. Davis seems to be suggesting that school children will be among the beneficiaries of his recent tax increase. School spending has increased steadily over a number of years, but the major beneficiaries have not been children. The money has gone to educrats, consultants, and possibly unions, and of course has bought votes for the pols who keep pushing for more education spending.

But spending does not equal results!

As spending has gone up, results have not increased accordingly--students aren't learning and can't pass state tests, attendance and graduation rates remain poor. Yet Del. Davis and his ilk seem to think that taking more and more of our money to pour into a black hole of failing educrats producing children who don't learn somehow benefits the children. I don't see much effort by the legislature to hold anyone accountable for their ongoing failures to deliver results commensurate with the billions of dollars we are spending.

And I am disappointed, but not surprised, by Del. Davis' ongoing support of pork. He seems to think it is good to extort money from me to give to non-governmental charitable and other organizations. I strongly disagree--it is nothing more than theft, only it is stealing he and his colleagues have made legal.

Bur Del. Davis is right about one thing, the majority of people in Prince George's County seem quite happy with the elected officials who have brought them high taxes, high murder rates, unsafe streets, lousy schools, and downscale shopping. Those of us who think the county could do better must be a small minority.

And that's why, after over 42 years, I'm considering moving.


To: undisclosed-recipients:;
From: "ARTHUR A. TURNER, JR" <arthuraturnerjr@verizon.net>
Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:47:11 -0500
Subject: [PG-Politics] [Fwd: RE: State Senator & Chairman of Maryland Budget and Taxation
Ulysses Currie Fundraiser - Tuesday, De]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: State Senator & Chairman of Maryland Budget and Taxation Ulysses Currie Fundraiser - Tuesday, De
Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:16:47 -0500
From: Dereck Davis <dereck_davis@hotmail.com>
To: ArthurTurner <arthurturner@verizon.net>, Senator Ulysses Currie <ulysses_currie@senate.state.md.us> ,
CC: Del. Melony Griffith, AISHA BRAVEBOY, LINDSAY, NORMA , NORMA LINDSAY

Diane, or whatever your name really is, I find it hard to take you seriously since you hide behind a pseudonym. To the best of my knowledge, everyone in this discussion group uses their own name when making posts. Right or wrong, they have the courage to express their opinions and stand behind them. You, on the other hand, can lob all the verbal assaults and character assassinations you so desire without any accountability whatsoever. I find that highly ironic considering that most of your posts ( i.e. Gory Prince George's) are about accountability.

Diane, I have what I believe is an important question regarding a full disclosure issue. You are a frequent critic of the elected officials in Prince George's County and the Democratic controlled legislature. I've noticed that rarely has the Republican Party at the state level received any criticism. This hardly seems like unbiased commentary to me. My question to you is whether or not you have been upfront with the members of the discussion group regarding your strong Republican ties( http://redmaryland.blogspot.com/)? There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Republican or having a certain viewpoint but I do believe this should be brought to everyone's attention so they can evaluate your commentary in the proper context. That is not to say anything you say is wrong but, judging from party registration in the county, your general philosophical viewpoint is in the minority in Prince George's County as well as the State of Maryland.

As for all the special interest benefitting from increased spending continuing to reward their benefactor, I don't think school children will be attending the fundraiser. As we all know, they constitute the vast majority of state and local budgets. I'm not sure how many police, fire and rescue personnel will be attending but I know they are beneficiaries of the state budget. I'm fairly certain representatives of several charitable organizations who receive state funding to assist the less fortunate will be there. I also believe representatives Prince George's Hospital Center as well as world renowned Johns Hopkins will be there. I could go on and on about who might be there that receives state funding but I'd rather hear who you think isn't deserving of funding and should be cut.

As always, it is a pleasure.

Dereck E. Davis
Delegate
25th District


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Thursday, December 06, 2007

Del. Davis criticism of Diane C. Russell - was State Senator & Chairman of Maryland Budget and Taxation Ulysses Currie Fundraiser - Tues

(Posted 6 Dec 2007)
Diane C. Russell to Arthur Turner, 6 Dec 2007

Mr. Turner:

In the past, when Del. Davis has been unhappy with me he has written directly to me, just as I have sent him copies of things I write about him. This time he apparently wrote to you and others, but not to me.

With respect to his remarks about the Republican Party, I have several comments.

I believe strongly in two-party government, in diversity of political opinion, and in checks and balances. We do not have that in Prince George's County. More about the result later.

I'm not really a supporter of either party. What I have posted about the state and county Republican Parties over the past few years has almost always been critical. I have not criticized the state and county Republicans as much as the Democrats because there isn't much to criticize. They don't do much I disagree with because they don't have any officeholders and don't do much of anything at all.

Del. Davis mentions RedMaryland. While it is true that my last posting there was critical of our council leadership, my two previous postings, and half of all of my postings there, have been critical of Republicans--the state and county Republican Parties and Republican (non-Prince George's) delegate.

Looking at philosophical viewpoints, my opinions may well be a minority. But from the comments i see and private e-mails I receive, I suspect that viewpoints are not as great a minority opinion as voter registration might suggest.

For the record, let me say a bit about those viewpoints.

I believe in small government. Unlike Del. Davis, who apparently believes that large government bureaucracies are good, I think they are often bad, out of control, and tend to do more harm than good.

Fiscally, I am conservative and opposed to the socialist direction of the O'Malley wing of the Democratic Party. The government should not keep stealing more and more from the productive members of society and using the proceeds to reward foolish and criminal behavior. The people who receive government money, including bureaucrats, should be held accountable for getting results with that money. A bit more about that below.

Socially, I am liberal/libertarian. I am appalled by the authoritarian nanny legislators who increasingly want to control our lives, telling us what we must do and can't do. They seem to be doing quite well at making Maryland the UNFree State.

To me, the idea of government-sponsored gambling is an abomination--whether it be slots or a lottery. On the other hand, I think it is equally abominable for the state to prohibit gambling by consenting adults.

I am absolutely appalled that the Democrats are actually adding gambling to the state constitution. If they want to mess around with the constitution, they ought to have the guts to add a recall provision.

Abortion? Personally I don't think much of it, but I don't think the government should prohibit it, nor should they extort money from me to pay for it. And since it is none of the government's business, I am turned off by elected officials who make an issue of it--whether they are for or against, Republican or Democrat, they ought to butt out of people lives.

Returning to two-party government, and our lack of political diversity and checks and balances. Our one-party Democratic government has given us the highest murder rate and the worst schools in the Washington suburbs, and the second worst in the state.

I don't have the statistics at hand, but I suspect that research would show that our murder rate was lower and our schools ranked higher under our last Republican county executive.

One thing that distinguishes us from virtually all the surrounding areas with much better schools and much lower murder rates is that they all have at least some semblance of two-party government. Some are controlled by Democrats, some by Republicans, but they all seem to have a viable minority party that helps keep the majority party accountable. We don't. The same applies to the jurisdictions we seem to envy for the "upscale" shopping and restaurants they have and we lack.

And looking at accountability. Since we don't have a two-party system, it is all but impossible to hold our officials accountable for results, or to prevent them from stomping on various minority interests.

Del. Davis seems to be suggesting that school children will be among the beneficiaries of his recent tax increase. School spending has increased steadily over a number of years, but the major beneficiaries have not been children. The money has gone to educrats, consultants, and possibly unions, and of course has bought votes for the pols who keep pushing for more education spending.

But spending does not equal results!

As spending has gone up, results have not increased accordingly--students aren't learning and can't pass state tests, attendance and graduation rates remain poor. Yet Del. Davis and his ilk seem to think that taking more and more of our money to pour into a black hole of failing educrats producing children who don't learn somehow benefits the children. I don't see much effort by the legislature to hold anyone accountable for their ongoing failures to deliver results commensurate with the billions of dollars we are spending.

And I am disappointed, but not surprised, by Del. Davis' ongoing support of pork. He seems to think it is good to extort money from me to give to non-governmental charitable and other organizations. I strongly disagree--it is nothing more than theft, only it is stealing he and his colleagues have made legal.

Bur Del. Davis is right about one thing, the majority of people in Prince George's County seem quite happy with the elected officials who have brought them high taxes, high murder rates, unsafe streets, lousy schools, and downscale shopping. Those of us who think the county could do better must be a small minority.

And that's why, after over 42 years, I'm considering moving.

To: undisclosed-recipients:;
From: "ARTHUR A. TURNER, JR" <arthuraturnerjr@verizon.net>
Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:47:11 -0500
Subject: [PG-Politics] [Fwd: RE: State Senator & Chairman of Maryland Budget and Taxation
Ulysses Currie Fundraiser - Tuesday, De]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: State Senator & Chairman of Maryland Budget and Taxation Ulysses Currie Fundraiser - Tuesday, De
Date: Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:16:47 -0500
From: Dereck Davis <dereck_davis@hotmail.com>
To: ArthurTurner <arthurturner@verizon.net>, Senator Ulysses Currie <ulysses_currie@senate.state.md.us> ,
CC: Del. Melony Griffith, AISHA BRAVEBOY, LINDSAY, NORMA , NORMA LINDSAY

Diane, or whatever your name really is, I find it hard to take you seriously since you hide behind a pseudonym. To the best of my knowledge, everyone in this discussion group uses their own name when making posts. Right or wrong, they have the courage to express their opinions and stand behind them. You, on the other hand, can lob all the verbal assaults and character assassinations you so desire without any accountability whatsoever. I find that highly ironic considering that most of your posts ( i.e. Gory Prince George's) are about accountability.

Diane, I have what I believe is an important question regarding a full disclosure issue. You are a frequent critic of the elected officials in Prince George's County and the Democratic controlled legislature. I've noticed that rarely has the Republican Party at the state level received any criticism. This hardly seems like unbiased commentary to me. My question to you is whether or not you have been upfront with the members of the discussion group regarding your strong Republican ties( http://redmaryland.blogspot.com/)? There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Republican or having a certain viewpoint but I do believe this should be brought to everyone's attention so they can evaluate your commentary in the proper context. That is not to say anything you say is wrong but, judging from party registration in the county, your general philosophical viewpoint is in the minority in Prince George's County as well as the State of Maryland.

As for all the special interest benefitting from increased spending continuing to reward their benefactor, I don't think school children will be attending the fundraiser. As we all know, they constitute the vast majority of state and local budgets. I'm not sure how many police, fire and rescue personnel will be attending but I know they are beneficiaries of the state budget. I'm fairly certain representatives of several charitable organizations who receive state funding to assist the less fortunate will be there. I also believe representatives Prince George's Hospital Center as well as world renowned Johns Hopkins will be there. I could go on and on about who might be there that receives state funding but I'd rather hear who you think isn't deserving of funding and should be cut.

As always, it is a pleasure.

Dereck E. Davis
Delegate
25th District
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Thursday, November 08, 2007

Md. Senate Rejects Slots at Rosecroft

(Posted 8 Nov 2007)
Md. Senate Rejects Slots Bid for Pr. George's.
Post, 8 Nov 2007 (Wagner)
The Maryland Senate today rejected a bid to put a slot machine gambling parlor at Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George's County as the chamber weighed legislation to hold a public referendum on legalizing machines at five locations around the state.

A proposed amendment by Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard) would have moved a proposed site in Worcester County to Prince George's, a move he and other Republican lawmakers argued would generate more money for the state. The Senate voted 30-17 against the amendment, which was unanimously opposed by Prince George's lawmakers.
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