April 8, 2008
Dear Friends:
The 2008 General Assembly Session ended only a few hours ago, but a new law is already on the books to ensure that the Liberty and Century High School bands will play on. My legislative colleagues and I watched the Governor sign this bill and 100 others from across the state this morning before we packed our cars and headed home after a long 90 days.
All of our Carroll County initiatives were passed this year, including the following:
· A bill creating County Commissioner districts and clearing the way for a five-member Board, each elected by district. Following the 2010 census, district lines will be redrawn. (Awaiting Governor’s signature.)
· Legislation setting a November voter referendum on whether the Carroll County Commissioners should create a county police department. Many of us like the service provided now by the State Police, but the State of Maryland is phasing out the Resident Trooper Program and we must transition to another type of law enforcement. (Awaiting Governor’s signature.)
· A $100,000 budget allocation to assist the Town of Sykesville with stabilizing and re-roofing three vacant, decaying buildings at South Branch Park near Baldwin’s Station. One of the buildings, a historic apple butter factory, is the site of the Sykesville Farmers Market, held each year between June and October.
· Prohibition of distribution of tobacco products, cigarette rolling papers, and tobacco-related coupons to minors in Carroll County. Violators would be subject to a civil penalty of $300 for the first violation and $500 for any subsequent violation within two years.
· Legislation exempting Carroll County public school outdoor band practices from a county noise ordinance between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
While my colleagues and I took major steps with Carroll County initiatives, our success on statewide issues was measured by how effectively we stopped bad legislation and out-of-control spending by the majority party.
My top statewide priority was to repeal the sales tax on computer services, which was rushed through the Special Session by the Democrats in November as part of the largest tax hike in Maryland history. Surrounding states sent recruiting letters to our tech companies last month, potentially leading to their mass exodus from the state, along with the jobs and revenues they generate for Maryland.
We got the anti-competitive tax repealed, but, unfortunately, the majority party replaced one bad tax with yet another ill-advised levy—the so-called “Millionaire’s Tax”-- which is sure to cost us in terms of jobs and revenues. I offered an amendment that would have repealed the computer tax and maintained funding in the Transportation Trust Fund by eliminating 900 vacant positions (out of the 4500 current vacant positions in the State). It would have reduced spending increases by $50 million and reduced two fund balances. Unfortunately, my amendment was rejected.
This is the second time in less than a year that the General Assembly has increased the income tax rate for top earners, in addition to reducing the personal exemption allowance and standard deduction. These citizens have watched their state income tax rate rise 32 percent in the past six months, from 4.75 percent to 6.25 percent on income over $1 million. California, another state that chose this path, watched its top earners move away and its revenues decline, leaving an even larger budget deficit.
Maryland should not impose punitive taxes on individuals and industries that help our economy grow. As a member of the Ways & Means Committee, which hears all tax bills, I am working to create a business-friendly environment that is free of burdensome mandates and regulations.
Our government continues to grow virtually unchecked, and the appetite for taxes has not been quenched. Nearly 70 percent of Maryland’s operating budget must be appropriated as mandated by law, and almost every new bill passed requires more mandated expenses. We in the Republican Caucus have a better plan: No new taxes. Slow the rate of spending growth. Build reserves to withstand an economic downturn.
Following is a summary of legislation passed during the 2008 General Assembly:
Energy. Governor O’Malley’s energy initiatives are aimed at reducing demand, increasing efficiency and encouraging renewable energy sources, such as solar. I agree in theory with his vision. Unfortunately, many of his legislative initiatives are too dramatic, and these mandates will make our energy bills escalate even more. That is on top of the state expenses to administer the new programs. BGE customers will get one-time rebates of $170 under a deal with Constellation Energy that was approved by the General Assembly. Unfortunately, the $170 doesn’t even cover the increase most of us pay in just one month’s electric bill. The deal codifies an 85 percent electric rate increase. I voted against this short-sighted plan.
Protecting our Youth. Legislators unanimously passed my bill to increase oversight of on-campus credit card vendors who offer students free gifts in exchange for completed credit card applications. Currently, college students are enticed with t-shirts, Frisbees and free meals, prompting some to damage their credit scores by filling out numerous applications. The goal is to educate our students about the adverse affect of the “Credit Card Trap” when they are trying to establish good credit as young adults.
Transportation. I introduced a two-pronged initiative to ensure that our gas taxes are spent only for roads and bridges and to make sure other transportation revenues are spent only for transportation purposes. Majority party leaders would not even allow a vote on my two bills. By the end of Session, they had engineered yet another raid on our Transportation Trust Fund and justified it by saying they needed the money to replace the repealed sales tax on computer services. I pledge to continue to secure our transportation dollars for projects like the long-overdue widening of Route 32.
I also opposed lowering required farebox returns for mass transit below 50 percent. Currently, Mass Transportation is supposed to be subsidized by gas and use taxes at the rate of 50 percent. But the majority party voted to loosen accountability over buses and light rail by mandating only a 35 percent farebox return. As a result, taxpayers will subsidize 65 percent.
Crime. I co-sponsored the Governor’s initiative to require collection of DNA samples from people charged with violent crimes and burglary. Currently, samples are only collected upon conviction.
I joined with other Republicans to force withdrawal of a bill that would have reduced sentences for repeat drug dealers.
Foreclosures. The General Assembly cracked down on unscrupulous lenders by making mortgage fraud a crime, extending the foreclosure timetable and prohibiting rescue transactions.
Education. Tuition for public state universities was frozen for the third consecutive year. We also brought home $157.9 million in state aid for Carroll County K-12 schools. As a result, our local schools funding will increase by $4.9 million, or 3.1 percent, next year when all funding sources are included.
Marriage. I stood up for traditional marriage by co-sponsoring the Marriage Protection Act. Once again, the majority party refused to allow a vote on it. I voted against every bill that erodes the institution of marriage as between a man and a woman. Despite “no” votes by me and by others, two bills passed that cement the term “domestic partnership” into state law. The bills give domestic partners medical decision-making rights (already available under existing law) and exemptions for transfer taxes.
Illegal Immigrants. Thankfully, another attempt to provide in-state tuition to illegal immigrants did not make it out of my committee. I co-sponsored legislation to make English the official state language and also continued my push to require proof of legal residency in order to vote or to get a driver’s license. Maryland is considered a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants because the O’Malley administration refuses to back ID requirements at the polls and the MVA.
Please know that I carefully consider all correspondence I receive from my constituents, no matter what side of the issue, because of my strong belief in open and accessible government. As always, I am at your service. It is a privilege to represent you.
Sincerely,
