A bill changing the state’s petition process could make it harder for voters to bring controversial laws to referendum. The Referendum Integrity Act will be among numerous bills debated in Annapolis Thursday that could fundamentally change state election law.
Month: February 2013
Legislation seeks to lower projected returns for pension system investments
Republican lawmakers are pushing a bill to cut the expected rate of return on Maryland $38 billion pension investment portfolio — a move that would effectively add billions of dollars to the state’s pension liabilities. The move to reduce what the GOP considers an unrealistic 7.75% rate to something like the corporate rate several points below that drew strong opposition from the State Retirement Agency at a hearing Tuesday.
State Roundup, February 20, 2013
Senate President Miller calls GOP “Neanderthals” over opposition to gas tax, while they hit back with transportation fund lockbox and statistics as Gov. O’Malley continues push for transportation funding plan; mental health and mental illness take center stage with bill aimed at gun control, ease of access to hospital beds and educating police on the issues; loophole in 4th degree sex offense law targeted; bill aimed at helping horse industry; veterans’ jobs bill face some opposition from nurses; suburban DC jurisdictions air concerns over job loss to federal budget cuts; and U.S. Rep. Edwards among most liberal.
Frequent license renewals proposed for older drivers
While a December Motor Vehicle Administration report found older drivers have fewer crashes, a group of experts and witnesses told a House committee Tuesday that older drivers should be required to renew their licenses on a more frequent basis and in-person.
Miller calls GOP delegates ‘Neanderthals’ over gas tax opposition
Responding to Republican assertions at a Tuesday morning news conference that a gas tax hike he proposed is unnecessary, Senate President Mike Miller said, “These people are Neanderthals.”
Miller suggested that Republicans were towing the party line even though many of their districts would benefit from the passage of the tax bill.
State Roundup, February 19, 2013
A Senate committee vote on gun Gov. O’Malley’s gun control measures is expected to kick start efforts to loosen the bills. In the meantime, Prince George’s cancels all gun shows for now; a bill to lift the state’s septic system limits dies despite farmers’ protests; Maryland is among states most vulnerable to federal sequestration; and Howard’s economic development CEO in running for Arundel County exec.
Report reveals why Va. typically outranks Md. in business climate surveys
The Greater Baltimore Committee’s latest report reveals that Maryland’s tax structure and other corporate regulations are a driving force behind the state’s spotty performance on U.S. business climate rankings, which typically rate Virginia as a better place to do business than Maryland.
On average, Maryland placed 27th out of 50 states in national rankings published between 2012 and 2013. But each of the 10 rankings are based on different criteria, so Maryland receives better grades from some ranking groups than others.
Republican legislators say gas tax hike not needed
Democratic leaders at the State House have learned not to count on a single Republican vote for any tax increase, including proposals for a gas tax hike being floated again. But GOP legislators plan to explain at a Tuesday news conference why new transportation revenues aren’t needed at all.
The Republican delegates will argue that the transportation trust fund, raised largely through the motor fuel tax, the titling (sales) tax on vehicles, registration and drivers fees, “heavily subsidizes mass transit,” said Del. Susan Krebs, R-Carroll.
State Roundup, February 18, 2013
Bill aims to improve Maryland business climate; legislators find pushback over legislation to require helmets for female lacrosse players; offshore wind subsidy moves ahead; many turn out for 2nd Amendment town hall meeting hosted by U.S. Rep. Harris; UM murder-suicide could influence Gov. O’Malley’s gun control efforts; Maryland leans toward loosening voting restrictions, Virginia heads in the opposite direction; community activist nominated to replace late state Del. Harrison; 16 apply to replace A.A. Exec John Leopold; and convicted Prince George’s exec Johnson’s legacy continues to reverberate in the county, and not for the better.
Fully transparent State House still has a way to go
It was not a great week for openness and transparency at the State House. Perhaps it is more accurate to say it was business as usual in Annapolis, with a few events reminding us that while much of the public business has become remarkably accessible over the Internet, much of it still happens behind closed doors.
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