Len Lazarick

Blog: Bill to allow discrimination lawsuits faces strong opposition

by | Apr 5, 2011 | ,

A bill to grant the right for people discriminated against in places of public accommodation — like restaurants, theatres and hotels — is being smothered by Senate amendments seeking to water down the bill.

On Tuesday, Democratic Senate leaders and committee chairmen joined Republicans in passing an amendment by Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-Howard-Carroll, to study the measure. The amendment will be reconsidered Wednesday, but Senate President Mike Miller told proponents they might want to find some alternative to passing the bill, which has had prolonged debate on five different days.

Blog: Parole for those with life sentences would be harder

by | Apr 5, 2011 |

An amendment that passed by a single vote in the House of Delegates Tuesday morning takes the teeth out of a bill that gives the governor a deadline to act on a recommendation to parole an inmate serving a life sentence. The bill, already passed by both House and Senate in slightly different form, would give the governor a time limit to take action on a recommendation from the Parole Commission to parole an inmate serving a life sentence.

Blog: Teachers have bigger stake in pension cuts

by | Apr 5, 2011 | ,

The teachers’ union has taken the lead role in the fight against cuts in state pension benefits, an understandable position, since teachers have more at stake.

The Maryland State Education Association has more members than any other union in the fight. Its members make more money on average than other government workers. And because of higher pay, they get higher pension benefits, according to figures from the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.

Analysis: Sticking points on pensions and retiree benefits affect budget for decades

by | Apr 4, 2011 | ,

It is not unusual each year for the House of Delegates and Senate to disagree over parts of next year’s budget that will take them several meetings of a conference committee to resolve. What is unusual this year is that some of the key disputes involve the long-term sustainability of the state’s pension system and benefits for retirees, and what they will cost in decades to come.

State Roundup, April 1, 2011

by | Apr 1, 2011 |

With the conference committee’s first meeting on Thursday, the last great budget battle starts; General Assembly scrambles to create incentives to purchase Rocky Gap; farm bill stays stalled; anti-discrimination bill gets discriminatory treatment; school bus camera bill gets preliminary Senate approval.

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