A local manufacturer of plastic bags in Maryland explains why this legislation to impose a 5-cent tax on plastic shopping bags is poor policy that will serve only to harm consumers, jobs and the environment.
Month: March 2013
State Roundup, March 11, 2013
Del. Parrott says petitioning of death penalty repeal isn’t a done deal; after three years of wrangling, Gov. O’Malley’s wind plan is on track for passage; bill would study impact of starting school at a later hour – proponents say it’s healthier for students; DNR seeks more funds for bay policing efforts; pit bull compromise unravels; when it comes to prayer in the House, delegates are the preachers; former candidate Wendy Rosen pleads guilty to voting twice; and Tom Perez, former DLLR chief, may be tapped by Obama as labor secretary.
Minimum wage hike would boost economy or destroy jobs, friends and foes say
An initiative to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour in two years promises to be among the most controversial economic issues debated at the Maryland General Assembly this year. Sponsored by Sen. Rob Garagiola, D-Montgomery, and Del. Aisha Braveboy, D-Prince George’s, the initiative would reshape the state’s job market for low income workers.
Newspaper interests help block advertising cut
For the fifth year in a row, the comptroller has tried to save taxpayers more than $500,000 in advertising costs, and representatives of the newspaper industry have managed to block the cut.
Public-Private Partnership Bill passes after hot debate over relaxed procurement rules
The House of Delegates hotly debated the Public-Private Partnership Bill before passing it 119-19 on Friday.
The administration bill, HB560, establishes guidelines for how the state can partner with private businesses to deliver infrastructure projects without following the usual procurement process. The legislation also sets up the process that the Board of Public Works will be required to follow in relation to public-private partnership (P3) proposals.
State Roundup, March 8, 2013
Hearing on proposal to hike the minimum wage draws proponents, business opponents; family of Howard girl who killed self testifies for penalties for cyber-bullying; citing transparency, Del. McMillan seeks accountability for businesses that receive certain tax breaks; off-shore wind proposal gains momentum; Maryland could become first to impose statewide bag fee; Frederick commissioners rebel against state over stormwater mitigation plans with a penny proposal; and controversial Frederick Commission Pres Blaine Young profiled as he ponders higher office.
GOP delegates offer annual budget alternative
In an annual exercise in fiscal futility, House Republicans unveiled their alternative to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s 2014 budget Thursday, this time calling for zero growth that would require the governor to cut 2% from his request.
Minimum wage hike draws opponents, supporters
A bill to raise Maryland’s minimum wage to $10 an hour drew 46 witnesses Thursday to a Senate hearing on the divisive issue.
Use of old voting machines angers state senators
Sen. Richard Madaleno said Thursday on the floor of the Senate he was shocked by the news that Maryland will not be replacing old touchscreen voting machines with more advanced technology before the 2014 election. “I was under the impression that we were going to have new voting machines in place by then,” Madaleno said during debate on a bill to make voting easier.
State Roundup, March 7, 2013
The Maryland Senate passes the death penalty repeal, sends it to the House where passage is expected. But some are predicting it will be petitioned to referendum; two lawmakers seek to ban abortions after 20 weeks; Ravens’ Ray Rice gets behind cyber-bullying bill; legislation would prevent colleges from requiring access to a student’s Facebook, Twitter information; and despite dire snow predictions, Prince George’s County government stays open, save big bucks.
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