Thursday, August 9, 2012
A bill that would overturn the state's Court of Appeals decision declaring pit bulls "inherently dangerous" overcame its first hurdle Thursday by passing a Senate committee hearing 7-2.
Maryland's Senate Judicial Services Committee voted 7-2 in favor of a bill that would overturn the state's Court of Appeals decision declaring pit bulls "inherently dangerous." Senators Joseph Getty (R-District 5) and Nancy Jacobs (R- District 34) made up the minority. Despite more than two hours of testimony before the committee, Senate Bill 2 passed without amendment. The legislation would overturn the breed distinction created by April's Tracey v. Solesky ruling, which stated that "when an attack involves pit bulls, it is no longer necessary to prove that the particular pit bull or pit bulls are dangerous." Instead, the bill's language tightens down regulations on all dog owners by making them legally responsible for a first bite even…
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Governor says 56-page bill "will create predictability in the marketplace" while protecting local and city aid and giving Prince George's County the ability to decide if it wants a sixth slots venue in its county.
Gov. Martin O'Malley Monday night released the 56-page bill that will be the focus of a special session on expanded gambling in the state. Legislators will be asked to vote on legislation that could add a sixth casino, most likely at National Harbor in Prince George's County as well as legalize table games. “The legislation we are sending to the members of the General Assembly will create predictability in the marketplace, protect local and city aid being generated at existing sites, ensure authorized facilities are able to be built, and allow the people of Prince George’s County the opportunity to decide whether they want a sixth site for the benefit of their county and revenue base," O'Malley said in a statement released just before 9 p.…
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Comptroller Peter Franchot argues the state needs to find a way to build businesses not casinos.
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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
By Comptroller Peter Franchot For anyone who remains unconvinced that the Maryland economy has lost momentum and is now moving in the wrong direction, the latest unemployment figures released by the U.S. Labor Department should remove all doubt. The State of Maryland lost 11,000 jobs in June – the third highest total in the nation, trailing only Wisconsin and Tennessee. This was our fourth consecutive month of job losses, and it elevated our state’s unemployment rate to 6.9 percent. Disappointing as those numbers are, they don’t tell the full story. Maryland also ranked 48th in Fiscal Year 2012 in both average private hourly and weekly earnings growth, and has actually experienced year-over-year declines in both categories. This means …
Friday, July 27, 2012
O'Malley says session, which begins on August 9, will be about job creation and funding for schools.
UPDATED (2:57 p.m.)—Gov. Martin O'Malley Friday announced he will call the General Assembly back to Annapolis for a special session on the issues of gambling and the creation of a sixth casino. "This is an issue about jobs," O'Malley said. "This is an issue about maximizing revenues from gaming." A bill was not available at the time of the morning news conference. O'Malley said it needed tweaking and would likely be made public shortly before the beginning of the special session. O'Malley, House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller all said the bill would create about 2,500 jobs from the legalization of table games and generate $100 million for schools. Sen. E.J. Pipkin Friday afternoon blasted O'Malley for …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
Monday, October 17, 2011
Focus turns to job creation plan that is likely to couple tax increases with growth in capital budget spending.
State agencies will begin a 60-day review of business regulations with an eye toward creating and retaining jobs in the state, Gov. Martin O'Malley said Monday. O'Malley announced his executive order just prior to the opening of a special session in which legislators will take up the issue of redrawing the state's eight congressional districts. The legislature will not take up a jobs bill or other related efforts between now and Wednesday when the the House and Senate are expected to recess. "The intent is to bring a package of things to the General Assembly" in January, O'Malley said. Part of that package is likely to include increased spending on capital budget items with a focus on transportation and school construction projects. "We …
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Maryland legislators will meet beginning Oct. 17 for a special session to pass Congressional redistricting before the start of the 2012 legislative session, according to a press release from the governor's office.
Maryland legislators will return to Annapolis Oct. 17 for a special session ordered by Gov. Martin O'Malley in an effort to pass legislation for the state's Congressional redistricting plan. O'Malley issued an executive order Wednesday calling for the special session. Maryland must pass a Congressional redistricting plan before the 2012 legislative session begins in order to hold the presidential primary on April 3, 2012. “Every 10 years we create electoral districts from which our congressional representatives are to be elected based on census [data],” O’Malley said in a press release. “I look forward to working with Senate President Miller, House Speaker Busch and with the members of the General Assembly as we come together and work on…
Sheeple
9:34 pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2012
When an evil person uses a weapon to harm someone, does the legal system punish the weapon? Umm, yes see gun control in MD, an AR is regulated because it looks mean. more ›