News from Annapolis                                                         February 5, 2010 Governor Calls for New Laws, More Programs Breast Cancer Awareness Prepare for Snow! Dear Friends,      The Governor's State of the State speech this week was filled with new laws he wants to pass and more programs he wants to create. This, he proclaimed, is what it takes to move Maryland "forward out of recession and into better times."      Many of us in the General Assembly disagree with his plan to get us out of the recession. We believe a better approach is to re-evaluate the taxes and burdensome regulations on our small businesses.      The Governor's annual speech did not address our greatest challenge: The $2 billion budget deficit that will almost certainly lead to another round of tax hikes by the majority party after the November election.      His plan to fill the budget hole contains $600 million in fund transfers, basically moving money from one pile to another without really solving the problem. Even with the mounting federal deficit, the Governor continues to hope that President Obama will ride to the rescue with more stimulus money to backfill Maryland's budget. Those federal dollars come from the wallets of all working families, including Maryland's.             The Governor pushed several new programs during his speech on Tuesday: Using federal bailout money to lower businesses' unemployment tax rates, but costing businesses millions more in the long term. Requiring mandatory mediation for housing foreclosures. Passing more laws against child predators.        Maryland's unemployment insurance fund is going bankrupt because Maryland's jobless rate is at a 26-year high of 7.5 percent, and, last year, the Governor pushed through expansion of unemployment benefits. Because of this expansion, employers face a tripling of their unemployment insurance premium.      Regarding sexual predators, the Governor has failed to implement laws put on the books in the last year of the Ehrlich Administration.  The laws created a Sex Offender Advisory Board. But the Board never had a meeting. More legislation will not solve the problem if current laws are ignored.      We Republicans have worked the last four years to offer alternatives to the budget, opposing costly new programs and regulations and offering budget reductions. Throughout that time, we have not been offered a seat at the table. Finally, this week, the Republican caucuses were invited to offer budget alternatives at the end of the month. We look forward to that opportunity.      For more information on this week's legislative issues, you may want to read the Legislative Wrap-Up, prepared by the state Department of Legislative Services every Friday. Breast Cancer Awareness Susan and her legislative colleagues, all dressed in pink, join Speaker Michael Busch at the podium to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. Prepare for Snow!      Local meteorologists have projected a major snow/ice storm today and tomorrow. The storm has already dumped heavy rain in southern Texas and New Mexico and is expected to increase its energy as it moves up the coast.      As of yesterday, the National Weather Service has upgraded the storm to near blizzard conditions with potentially heavy snow and strong winds, which could reduce visibility to less than one-quarter mile. A storm of this magnitude could cause electrical outages and prevent safe travel. Please plan accordingly.      Emergency supplies should include: Water-- a gallon per person per day. Have more on hand if you have pets. Households with wells should also store additional water in case power is lost to their pumps. Flashlights with batteries. High winds increase the likelihood of power outages. Battery-operated radio. Monitor local media for updated weather conditions and emergency announcements. Food. Keep enough non-perishable food on hand to last three days. Make sure you have a manual can opener. Medications. Fill any prescriptions now that you may need through Monday. A complete list of emergency supplies can be found at www.ReadySetGood.org.      The Town of Sykesville, Police Department and Public Works are planning for this event. In addition, the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated at 3 p.m. today, and multiple agencies will have representatives present throughout the storm. The EOC will remain open as long as necessary to coordinate storm response and recovery.      If you have any concerns or complaints, call the Sykesville Police Department at (410) 795-0757. For non-emergency information assistance, call the EOC at 1 (888) 543-8362.

 

Note from Susan:    I am dedicated to being your voice in Annapolis as we work toward better roads, schools and jobs, and also a reduced tax burden.    Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or ideas you may have. My legislative aide, Linda Schmuck, and I are always happy to help.