A bill to raise pension contributions for new judges was amended in the House of Delegates Saturday to strike down a contentious provision in Maryland law that awards judges automatic pay hikes if the legislature fails to reject them.
Month: March 2012
Podcast: Democrats debate in 6th Congressional District
The candidates for the House of Representatives in the 6th Congressional District participated in two debates Sunday sponsored by AARP Maryland and MarylandReporter.com and held on the Germantown campus of Montgomery College.
Webcasts of the two debates will be available at MarylandReporter.com later today.
O’Malley administration waters down septic control bill in order to save it
A series of nine amendments to the O’Malley administration’s septic bill cleared the Senate Friday evening, preserving longstanding control of septic use by local planning authorities. The administration worked on the deal with the Maryland Association of Counties, farmers, developers and builders to salvage passage of the controversial measure. Liberal Democrats opposed the compromise.
House approves $35.8 billion budget and pension shift
The House of Delegates approved their version of the state’s $35.8 billion budget Friday, moving the process into its final stage to resolve differences with the Senate.
The budget bill was approved 95-43, but not before Republican lawmakers attempted one last time to derail its passage.
House approves local school funding requirements, tax hikes and stormwater fees
The House approved new requirements for counties to fund their local schools, raised the income tax rate for people making over $100,000 per year, and passed a new stormwater fee for nine counties, as well as a doubling of the flush tax to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. Republicans opposed all these measures, along with a smattering of Democrats.
State Roundup, March 23, 2012
Eleven hours, blaring horns and scores of failed amendments bring the House budget and other controversial bills ready for a final vote; Prince George’s Council puts together casino demands; state could stop owning slot machines; online ethics disclosure for state and county candidates closer to approval; assembly members examine priorities for last two weeks of session; Gingrich coming to Annapolis on Tuesday.
House moves $35B budget with few cuts and a tax hike to a final vote in marathon session
In a nearly 11-hour session, the House of Delegates fended off proposals to level fund the fiscal 2013 budget, block shifting teacher pension costs, and eliminate an income tax hike.
Scores of amendments were attempted on the controversial bills, but none passed. All of the bills will go for final votes Friday or Saturday exactly as they came from their committees.
Senate set to approve online financial disclosure for state officials
A bill to require state lawmakers and their cabinet level appointees to post financial disclosures statements online cleared the Senate for final passage Thursday, after spirited debate on Wednesday on amendments to apply the same requirement to county, municipal and school board officials.
Lawmakers hurt business more than regulators, Maryland Chamber of Commerce says
Gov. Martin O’Malley announced on March 9 that his administration was moving to make Maryland a more business-friendly state by repealing, revising and streamlining more than 131 regulations. But the Maryland Chamber of Commerce said the regulations had little impact on business, compared to legislation that has been proposed.
State Roundup, March 22, 2012
Lawmakers consider cutting penalties for pot possession; bill that would mandate collection of abortion data protested as unhelpful; O’Malley’s planned purchase of historic Annapolis post office called a bad investment; O’Malley’s redistricting efforts seen as a boost to presidential aspirations; Republican 8th Congressional District candidates discuss issues; lots of 6th District coverage: Delaney on WYPR, Pooran donates to campaign, Brinkley and Afzali release ads; Romney’s Arbutus visit draws lots of attention; Arundel police chief acknowledges “possible violation” in information gathering, seeks help in Leopold probe; and judge upholds Arundel council’s removal of councilman.
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