Month: March 2011

State Roundup, March 31, 2011

After 20 years at the helm of the state public school system, Nancy Grasmick announces her retirement and there is a lot of coverage; local roads to get a one-time cash infusion; utilities could face millions in fines under new reliability standards; bill to put cameras on school buses hits a speed bump; public transit fare hikes are likely; and mistrial declared in trial of man who allegedly threatened O’Malley.

Senate sends 3% alcohol tax to House

The Senate passed a new 3% sales tax surcharge on alcoholic beverages, bringing the total to 9% sales tax on beer, wine and spirits. The vote was 27 to 19, with eight Democrats joining 11 Republicans in opposing the measure. The bill now heads to the House of Delegates, which has not had a hearing on this version of the alcohol tax hike. However, two House leaders say the House is still likely to support it.

Some of savings from pension cuts going to fund other programs

The House of Delegates and Maryland Senate this past week have both voted to cut pension benefits for state teachers and employees as the legislators raised contribution rates and retirement ages, ostensibly to cure a massive $18 billion underfunding of the pension system.

But millions of the savings from the reduced benefits are not going to shore up the pension plans at all, but will instead funnel money into the operating budget. This prospect has drawn fire from liberal and conservative lawmakers and the teachers union, as well as strong objections from the head of the retirement system.

State Roundup, March 30, 2011

Senate passes $14.6 billion budget with fee increases; IWIF premium exemption extension killed; Miller says transgender discrimination bill won’t see light of day; families of victims testify for stiffer penalties against negligent drivers who kill; anti-poaching bills swim through legislature; farm protection bill faces setbacks: sponsor “sickened” by politicking; Bring Your Own Wine bill dead; and Leslie Johnson gets May court date.

State Roundup, March 29, 2011

UM officials worry about further cuts; Rocky Gap gets lower tax rate, racetracks closer to getting state subsidies, but with curbs; wind farm proposal still struggling; O’Malley helps form new group to push talented young Dem officials; restaurateurs join fight against State Center; and University of Maryland Eastern Shore flips the switch on its large solar farm.

Update on bills we’ve reported on: Some still alive, others die

Since the beginning of the General Assembly session, MarylandReporter.com has reported on dozens of bills before the House and Senate. Some are going on for further consideration. Others were quickly voted down. Still others never got a vote, though one is still possible.

Here is a rundown of the bills we’ve reported on this session and what has happened to them so far.

Compromise on health benefit exchange satisfies brokers

Hundreds of health insurance brokers who were afraid the O’Malley administration’s health benefits exchange would put them out of business are now reasonably happy with the bill that passed the House of Delegates Monday and was reported to the Senate by its Finance Committee Monday night.

“Common ground has been found,” said Steve Salamon of Landmark Insurance, who chaired a coalition of brokers and employers to fight the bill. He complimented Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and his team and Health Secretary Joshua Sharfstein for “reaching out to the broker community.”

State Roundup, March 28, 2011

With two weeks to go before the end of session, the General Assembly is scrambling to push through new taxes and fees as well as consumer protection laws; Gov. O’Malley is also working hard to shore up support for his wind farm proposal, but opponents are sharpening their knives; kosher wine amendment fails to make wine shipping bill; House passes family planning expansion; limits on credit checks passes; Senate votes to repeal minority contract quota; bill giving girls in juvenile system parity is gutted while House moves forward on loosening penalties for technical parole violations; Leslie Johnson charged in Prince George’s corruption probe, and guilty plea is expected; and insignificant traces of Japan’s nuclear fallout found in Maryland.

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