The chairman of the election law subcommittee handling controversial changes to the referendum and petition process said Tuesday that the bill isn’t dead, despite the fact that it awaits action by the subcommittee and would need numerous amendments to make it palatable to stakeholders. But with just 13 days left in the 90-day session, Election Law Subcommittee Chairman Jon Cardin, D-Baltimore County, conceded, “The chances of it moving have decreased.”
Month: March 2013
Maryland government gets lower grade for spending transparency
According to a report by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), Maryland received a C grade for transparency in government spending this year. The grade, which is based on the state’s transparency website, is a half step down from last year’s C+.
State Roundup, March 26, 2013
Medical marijuana bill passes House of Delegates; Senate panel defeats bill to change corporate income reporting for some businesses; measure to make hand-held cell phone use while driving a primary offense set to become law; drivers license for illegal immigrants advances; bottle deposit bill dies in committee; shark fin importing ban moves forward; and University of Maryland retains no copy of its contract with Big Ten.
Union service fees for all teachers would have to be negotiated
Service fees for representation by teachers unions in over half of Maryland’s counties would have to be negotiated under a bill that passed the House of Delegates last week and has a Senate hearing Tuesday. The fees would have to be paid by non-union members for bargaining and other services provided by the unions.
Report claims $60 million in annual state tax breaks to corporations
Progressive Maryland released a report highlighting gaps in Maryland’s tax policy that prevent the state from bringing in almost $60 million in annual tax revenue from corporate sectors.
The report identifies seven sectors of Maryland’s tax policy that allow big businesses to take advantage of the state tax code. Business groups dispute the findings.
State Roundup, March 25, 2013
It was a rough and tumble session in the House on Friday as delegates pass the gas tax hike on a 76 to 63 vote, and while some say it will add jobs, others contend it will kill them and hurt the middle class; Saturday was busy in the House with delegates moving more than 125 bills; a bill to make cyber-bullying illegal also advances; septic mandate clears the House and business owners express concern over fees tied to impervious surfaces; war veterans gain clout among the minority of those against gun control legislation; legislation would allow illegal immigrants to earn a driver’s license; Del. Dwyer says Operation DINO is no joke; systems fail to protect victims of domestic violence; FAA to close five airport towers; and Gov. O’Malley woos South Carolina Dems.
Granting drivers licenses to illegal immigrants would continue under Senate bill
A bill continuing Maryland’s practice of granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants received preliminary approval from state senators Friday, paving the way for a final vote on the legislation.
This Senate legislation was sponsored by Sen. Victor Ramirez, a longtime advocate for Maryland’s immigrant community who is once again facing resistance for his pro-immigrant policies from Republicans who argue that illegal immigrants should not receive the benefits of citizenship.
House approves gas tax hike of 10 cents per gallon or more
The intensely debated gas tax hike electrified the house floor on Friday moving many delegates to speak who “hadn’t planned on standing up.” The two hour debate, culminated in a hotly disputed vote, ultimately passing 76 votes to 63.
HB 1515 raises Maryland’s gas tax by at least 10 cents per gallon or more over the next two years, indexing it to inflation, with aims to fund mass transit projects and highway improvements.
Gas tax tally leaves Republicans shouting
The House of Delegates passed a $2 billion gas tax hike 78 to 56 Friday afternoon. Or did it pass 76 to 63, as we were told later, after delegates switched their votes?
It was all over but the shouting at 1:42 p.m. when the reading clerk hit the tally button on his touch screen monitor, but there was plenty of shouting by outraged Republicans.
State Roundup, March 22, 2013
Gas tax hike could mean 13 to 20 cents on the gallon by mid-2016; House committee weighs changes to assault-weapons provision of gun control bill while Gov. O’Malley and Lt. Gov. Brown urge voters to call delegates urging passage of bill; federal court upholds Maryland’s handgun permitting law; three bills would put curbs on abortion; legislation would expand maintenance of effort to county critical services statewide; minimum wage hike bill is dead; spay-neuter bill would create fund in an attempt to limit stray animal population; House OKs bill to stop handheld cellphone use while driving; will Del. Dwyer become a DINO?; and President Obama to designate Tubman Underground Railroad monument on Eastern Shore.
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