Tag: Jay Jacobs
Lawmakers, clean-water advocates team up to oppose Conowingo pact
The emergency legislation would prohibit Maryland from waiving a water-quality certification in a settlement agreement between the state and the energy company Exelon for a 50-year federal license to operate the dam.
Read MoreUPDATED: Four-way race to replace Sen. Pipkin: Hershey, Smigiel, Sossi, Wargotz
Three-term Del. Michael Smigiel of Cecil County will now have to compete against a close colleague in District 36 to fill the seat vacated by Senate Republican Leader E.J. Pipkin, who is moving to Texas. Freshman Del. Steve Hershey, R- Queen Anne’s, said he will enter his name for consideration with the Republican central committees of Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties — saying there is currently “no clear cut favorite.” Former Del. Richard Sossi, defeated by Hershey in a close 2010 race, said he will also file.
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Smigiel will seek Pipkin’s seat
Del. Mike Smigiel said he has put his name in for the nomination to replace Sen. E.J. Pipkin, who will resign effective August 12. Republican Central Committees from the four Upper Shore Counties will submit a name or names to the governor. Pipkin announced Monday he would resign to earn a master’s degree in sports management at Southern Methodist University in Texas.
Read MoreFlush tax increase makes up for raids of Bay Restoration Fund, some say
As the lid closes on the 2012 legislative session, lawmakers will likely double the flush tax from $30 to $60 to cover a projected $385 million shortfall in the Bay Restoration Fund, but some lawmakers say the tax hike aims to cover repeated raids on the fund that triggered a downgrade by Moody’s Investor Service 14 months ago.
Read MoreRural Marylanders support tighter regulations on septic systems and taxes for Bay clean-up, poll says
A new poll found that 62% of rural respondents favored tighter regulations on septic systems, and 57% favored “limiting the number of septic systems in rural areas. ”The poll of 801 registered voters by Opinion Works in mid-December found statewide support was 72% for tighter septic regulations, and 69% for limiting the number septic systems in the state.
Read MoreFlush tax to double, but delegates question use for other purposes
Doubling the flush tax to $60 a year is one of the revenue increases Gov. Martin O’Malley proposed Wednesday in his fiscal 2013 budget. Revenue from the tax goes into the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund to upgrade sewage treatment plants. Money from septic system users is also used to upgrade some of those systems and pay for cover crops. The new money is needed because the upgrades have cost more than originally estimated.
Read MoreAssembly celebrates opening with fanfare, pledges of unity and doses of reality
Maryland’s General Assembly opened its 2011 session Wednesday to much fanfare, a combination of first day of school, high school pep rally, and college graduation. But there were many reminders of the difficult road ahead.
Comments in the House Chamber referred to the new group of delegates as a “rowdy bunch,” as delegates rose to their feet and cheered on numerous occasions. There are 30 new delegates out of 141 members: 16 new Republicans and 14 new Democrats.
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