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.
Month: March 2013
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.
Another tax hike on cigarettes and cigars gets kicked around
Tobacco lobbyists and anti-smoking advocates went head to head in a high-stakes hearing Wednesday on the legislature’s latest proposal to raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes from $2 to $3.The tax rate on cigars would triple from 30% to 95%.
State Roundup, March 13, 2013
Gov. O’Malley scores his first win with passage of a jobs training bill; bill that caps out-of-state students at University System of Maryland draws school opposition; pit bull legislation compromise breaking down; bill would make dog baiting illegal; PSC balks at proposal by Sen. Zirkin to expand oversight of interstate pipelines; Maryland gets a cut of Google settlement; and, as former Arundel exec sentencing nears, defenders submit letters.
Voters’ Rights Protection Act passes despite Republican objections on First Amendment grounds
A bill intended to prevent voter suppression was passed by the House of Delegates 90-46 on Tuesday, after a heated argument between Democrats and Republicans about the impact of the legislation on Marylanders’ civil rights.
HB220, which passed along party lines, would enable the attorney general to go to court and seek injunctive relief in cases where the attorney general believes voter intimidation and ballot fraud has a high probability of influencing the results of an election.
Legislator wants to reduce risky investments in pension fund
A legislator who has spent his career as a financial advisor and investor is seeking to force the state pension system to limit what he sees as risky investments in private equity, hedge funds and other alternative assets.
The investment managers at the State Retirement Agency told the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday that Del. Steve Schuh’s legislation, HB819, will mean lower returns on investment and less diversification for the $38 billion fund that pays for pensions for teachers and state employees.
Updates: Septic bill killed in committee
Two bills that drew crowds to Annapolis have been killed in committee. The two bills, the Septic Bill and the Liberty Preservation Act of 2013, would have had wide implications in planning and law enforcement policy, respectively.
State Roundup, March 12, 2013
State Senate passes voting expansion; wind bill also passes Senate; meanwhile anti-abortion forces continue rallies, push for new legislation; Senate considers bill to impose maintenance of effort on some county services; measure would limit when new business regulations go into effect to four times a year; new U.S. Rep. John Delaney calls for diversification of Maryland business to protect from government cuts; and proscecutors won’t seek jail time for ex-Arundel Exec Leopold.
House committee reduces O’Malley $37 billion budget by $420 million
The House Appropriations Committee finished cutting Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal 2014 budget Friday, and the final tally released Monday night in its report to the House shows the budget is $420 million less than what the governor proposed, bringing it slightly under $37 billion.
The overall budget still increases by $1.26 billion, or 3.5%, but excluding federal funds and the money put in the Rainy Day fund, spending of state taxpayer dollars rises by just 2%.
Offshore wind: a valuable investment or a waste of money?
The Maryland Senate gave its approval to offshore wind energy on Friday, but not before a heated debate questioning whether it is a wise decision for the state to subsidize and invest in the developing technology. Proponents described it as a forward-looking law that would pave the way for energy independence and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by capitalizing on an environmentally friendly source of electricity. Opponents described the bill as “corporate welfare” and a boondoggle for taxpayers.
Recent Comments