Day: March 14, 2013

Senate budgeters cut pension contribution by $100 million

The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee voted Thursday to cut $100 million in contributions to the State Retirement and Pension System for fiscal 2014. The committee tied the unexpected move to passage of legislation that will eventually ensure the state puts aside enough money for employee and teachers pensions. But the cut also adds a year to achieving long-term funding goals for those pensions.

Democratic committee chair surprised when Republicans oppose pro-business bill

A Democratic committee chairman in House debate Thursday said that he felt like he was in the “twilight zone” because he was arguing on behalf of business, and his Republican opponent was voicing concern for state consumers.

Del. Dereck Davis, D-Prince George’s County, was stunned by the resistance he faced from Anne Arundel County Republican Herbert McMillan during the debate over a bill which halves the number of free 411 calls that Verizon’s customers can make from their residential land-line phones.

State Roundup, March 14, 2013

Some House lawmakers hope to reshape death penalty repeal bill to include exceptions for “worst of the worst,” but 18 amendments were turned back as vote likely to occur Friday; Republicans reiterate that referendum to repeal death penalty repeal is unlikely; House passes Gov. O’Malley’s $37 billion budget with only minor changes and rejecting an attempt to restore $1.1 billion in highway user revenues; bill would require elected officials to pay back legal fees incurred in defense of their wrongdoing; the Montgomery County Council is chafing over two Annapolis bills that its says will harm the county’s budget; spay-neuter plan could help reduce homeless animal population; Carl Snowden gets 10 days in jail; and former Arundel Exec Leopold to be sentenced today.

Poll: Slight majority still supports death penalty; overwhelming support for gun control measures

A new Goucher College poll finds a slight majority of Marylanders (51%) oppose ending executions — even though many overestimate how often it is used and a majority says it does not deter murder and would prefer life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. An overwhelming majority of Marylanders — more than four out of five — support the major provisions of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s gun control proposal, despite the fierce opposition of a gun-owning minority that has flooded Annapolis hearing rooms.

House of Delegates rejects proposal to return $1 billion taken from highway funds

During floor debate over the state budget, the Maryland House of Delegates rejected an amendment that would restore $1.1 billion in funds that had been taken from highway user revenues to pay the state’s bills during budget shortfalls since 2003. Del. Susan Krebs, R- Carroll, who introduced the amendment, argued Wednesday that the state had an obligation to restore these highway revenues before asking motorists to pay additional tolls and gas taxes.

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