Members Making News March 31st-April 6th

A collection of media coverage of our Caucus members this week.

• During a two-hour debate, our members fought vigorously against overriding Governor Hogan’s veto of a bill that eliminates BPW oversight over school construction. Delegates Nic Kipke and Ric Metzgar, spoke out against the veto override. Delegate Mary Beth Carozza argued to sustain the Governor’s veto. Delegates Bob Flanagan and Susan McComas also spoke in opposition to the veto override.

 

• Delegate Joe Cluster spoke out against passing the Automatic Voter Registration.

 

• Delegate William Folden spoke about his bill to reduce bottlenecking and road rage on WCBC Radio.

 

• Delegate Bob Long says “It’s a no-brainer” to support incentives to bring Amazon’s HQ2 to Maryland.

 

• Delegates Rick Impallaria and Johnny Mautz debated weapon free college campus legislation. The debate on making college campuses gun-free zones spurs discussion on past shootings and the effects of gun-free zones.

 

• Delegate Susan Krebs sponsored legislation that would establish a state-wide reading policy. This would mandate students in third grade read at grade level before moving to fourth grade.

 

• Delegate Kathy Szeliga discusses Attorney General Brian Frosh’s latest lawsuit against the Trump Administration.

House Republicans Support Governor Hogan’s Veto

Vetoed Bill Will Strip BPW of Oversight of School Construction Program

Annapolis – House Republicans today supported Governor Hogan’s veto of a bill that eliminates Board of Public Works oversight of the school construction process. House Bill 1783 strips approval and real oversight from the Board of Public Works and instead replaces them with a body of unelected political appointees and lobbyists.

“Proponents of this bill will tell you that it takes politics out of the school construction process, but I contend that it does the opposite,” said House Minority Leader Nic Kipke. “This bill injects politics into the school construction process, and it does so at the expense of our children.”

“The Board of Public Works component of this bill is odious,” said Delegate Haven Shoemaker. “I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, I know against whom this bill is directed and you do too. But the press and the people have figured it out too.”

“You’re not taking politics out of anything,” said Delegate Bob Flanagan. “You’re just shifting the power to a nameless, faceless group of appointees and taking it away from the elected officials people know. What this bill says is that the Governor and the Comptroller have sinned by working in a bipartisan way to solve the problems of the people.”

“This has not been a fair process,” said Delegate Mary Beth Carozza. “This is a major government change that we’re moving forward with without public hearings and a public process. Because of that I cannot support this bill and I will be voting to sustain this veto.”

“As a member of the Knott Commission, I would have loved to support this bill,” said Delegate Jeff Ghrist. “But because of a last-minute amendment on an excellent bill, I cannot support this. This amendment is an insult to the members of the Knott Commission who took their time away from their jobs and their families to do this good work. I wanted to support this bill, but I can’t.  I will be supporting the Governor’s veto.”

The Governor’s veto was overridden by a vote of 90-48.

Members Making News March 24th-30th

A collection of media coverage of our Caucus members this week.

BUDGET

• Delegate Carl Anderton discusses the impact the state budget will have on roads across the Shore.

 

• Delegate Deb Rey offered an amendment that would have added another $1 million for school security. Delegates Joe Cluster and William Folden also gave comments about school safety.

• Frederick Delegates discuss aspects of the Operating and Capital Budgets, including the funding for the controversial  Hotel and Conference Center.

 

• Delegates Neil Parrott, Mike McKay, Paul Corderman, and Wendell Beitzel discuss the budget and their concerns about stalled tax reform.

 

• Delegate Nic Kipke offered a “friendly” amendment to restrict funding for the Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment Facility, pending a report on the facility’s dikes.

 

• The BayNet has coverage of Delegate Rey’s budget amendment to use the $1 million from the Maryland Defense Act to go towards school safety.

 

• While the budget does a lot of good, many members remain concerned.

 

OTHER LEGISLATION

• Delegate Wendell Beitzel’s legislation to restore highway user revenue is moving through the legislature.

 

• Delegate Mike McKay is pushing hard for approval of and funding for a pilot program to provide dental care for adult Medicaid recipients.

 

• During debate on the bill that cut the Board of Public Works from school construction oversight, Delegate Nic Kipke talked about the Board’s critical importance in getting things done for Maryland’s students.

• Delegate Sid Saab takes on the phone companies that charge NOT to list your number.

 

• Delegate David Vogt’s legislation to keep schools from collecting social security numbers has passed the House.

 

• Delegate William Wivell sponsored legislation that would expand county property tax credits for disabled veterans.

 

• Delegate Kathy Afzali testified before the Senate Budget and Finance Committee on her bill that will extend tax credits for police officers who live in high-crime neighborhoods to transit police.

 

• Delegate Joe Cluster talks about school safety.

 

• Delegate Glen Glass discusses a variety of issues in his commentary piece in the Aegis.

 

• In a piece for the East County Times, Delegate Robin Grammer discusses legislation that would have required additional audits for Baltimore County Public Schools.

 

• One of Delegate Kathy Szelgia’s bills to fight proposed power lines in Harford County passed the House 134-0.

 

• The House Environment and Transportation Committee had a hearing on Delegate Carozza’s bill to allow the State Highway Administration to create designated zones during special vehicle events similar to work zones.

 

• Delegate Sid Saab’s bill to allow family members to visit ailing relatives passed the House unanimously.

 

• Delegate Joe Cluster weighs in on the automatic voter registration bill.

 

• Delegate Seth Howard is sponsoring legislation that would notify Maryland customers  of data breaches in which personal information was stolen.

Delegate Szeliga Honors Ambassador Sauerbrey for Women’s History Month

To celebrate Women’s History Month, the House of Delegates honors Maryland women who have made historic gains. On Wednesday, Delegate Kathy Szeliga honored the achievements of Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey. The text of her speech is below.

Today I would like to tell you about a daughter of Maryland who has achieved so much, both for us as Maryland women in leadership, and for women worldwide. She exemplifies an outspoken and fearless leader—one who shows us that there is no seat we cannot fill, no disappointment we cannot overcome.

Ellen Sauerbrey was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Maryland College, who honored her in 1988 as Alumnus of the Year. After college, Ellen worked tirelessly as a biology teacher and eventually became chair of the science department for Baltimore County Public Schools. Yet Ellen, being the dedicated public servant that she is, felt she could still do more. In 1978, Ellen was elected to our own House of Delegates, where she served faithfully for the next 16 years. Her confident approach to fiscal policy dramatically curbed the growth of state spending, which allowed Maryland local business growth—who had formerly been strangled by excessive state taxes—to thrive once again.

During Ellen’s sixteen years in this very chamber, her hardline convictions and gutsy policies led her to be elected House Minority Leader in 1986—a position she held for eight years until she handed in her resignation in order to run for governor in 1994. Ellen almost became the first female Governor of Maryland—but, due to a late and polar vote count from a single district, was defeated. Yet like a phoenix, Ellen Sauerbrey rose from the ashes of the heartbreaking loss of the governorship in 1994. In the words of Ellen herself, God had different plans for her.

In 1996, she was elected Republican National Committeewoman for Maryland and as an expert in economic, budget, and fiscal issues, eager to discuss issues from tax reform to criminal justice—and it turned out someone was listening. In 2001, Ellen was nominated by none other than President George W. Bush to serve as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and was appointed Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration in 2006. There was some concern about her lack of international experience for the position, but Ellen proved it totally unfounded.

With the help of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Ellen managed a budget of approximately 2 billion dollars allotted to improving the positions of women worldwide. Using her position, Ellen Sauerbrey became a pioneer for the rights of women—single-handedly negotiating U.S-sponsored United Nations Resolution 1325. This resolution transformed the socioeconomic status of millions of women by mandating equal participation by integrating them into every step of the political process. She used the skills gained from her own leadership experiences as a guide—encouraging millions of women in emerging democracies to fight for their own personal and economic freedom. In her words, “The best way to learn is by doing; never ask others to do what you’re not willing to do yourself.”

Ellen Sauerbrey shows us that anything is possible through determination and hard work, even if God’s plan for us is different than our own. A true leader, she adapted and thrived—all while defending the rights of those she had been appointed to protect. We celebrate her legacy today by facing the future with bravery—and accepting that we can do good wherever we are planted.

Ellen just celebrated her 80^th birthday in September with her husband of 59 years, Wilmer Sauerbrey. Even today, she is still one of Maryland’s most influential female leaders and I am deeply honored to call her a friend.

House Republicans Demand Action on Redistricting Reform

On Eve of Supreme Court Hearing, Promise to Petition Legislation From Committee

Annapolis – House Republicans today demanded action on legislation that would truly reform Maryland’s redistricting process. This action comes on the eve of the United States Supreme Court hearing arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of Maryland’s congressional redistricting map.

House Bill 356 – General Assembly and Congressional Legislative Redistricting Apportionment Commission received a hearing in the House Rules Committee more than a month ago. With less than two weeks left in the 2018 session, time is running out to pass this bill.

In a letter to the Chair of the Committee, House Minority Leader Nic Kipke and House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga stated the Minority Caucus’ intentions to petition the bill from the possession of the Committee if action was not taken.

“Maryland has earned the shameful designation of being home to the most gerrymandered districts in the nation,” said House Minority Leader Nic Kipke. “We owe it to our citizens to restore their faith in the fairness of their congressional and legislative districts. There has been too much delay.”

The letter points out Maryland’s tarnished history that has included numerous lawsuits over redistricting. In 1994, redistricting maps were invalidated for failing to meet the requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In 2002, maps were overturned for improperly prioritizing political goals over the constitutional congruence standards.

“Over 78% of Marylanders want redistricting reform and they should not have to wait a moment longer,” said House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga.  “The time for free and fair elections is now.”

Members Making News March 17th-23rd

A collection of media coverage of our Caucus members this week.

• Delegates Deb Rey and Matt Morgan discuss this week’s tragic shooting at Great Mills High School in St. Mary’s County.

 

• Republicans offered an amendment to take the $1 million the Attorney General’s uses to sue the federal government and instead use it for school safety.

 

• Delegate Kathy Afzali’s  “spoofing” bill passes the House of Delegates.

 

• Delegates Chris Adams, Mary Beth Carozza, and Charles Otto will continue the fight to move the proposed windmills off the coast of Ocean City.

 

• Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Jason Buckel, and Mike McKay sponsored legislation that would allocate $3 M annually to help protect and restore Maryland’s 16 state owned/managed lakes.

 

• Delegate Corderman shares his experience in the House of Delegates.

 

• Delegate Bill Folden has a bill that would allow emergency medical responders to carry larger doses of opioid antidote.

 

• Delegate Nic Kipke supports his proposal to allow paramedics to dispense naloxone.

 

• Delegate Mike Malone got a visit from Early Head Start toddlers.

 

• Delegates Bob Long, Ric Metzgar, and Robin Grammer share the status of bills after the cross-over period.

 

• The News Post has a post-crossover update on the status of bills sponsored by Frederick County Legislators.

 

Members Making News March 10th-16th

A collection of media coverage of our Caucus members this week.

• On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Nic Kipke and House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga sent a letter to the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee promising to petition the Repeat Sexual Predator Prevention Act from Committee if the bill was not brought to a vote.

 

• Delegate Christian Miele went on WBAL 1090 to talk about his plans of getting rid of PARCC tests in schools, saying that they take away students “away from precious classroom time.”

 

• Delegate William Wivell has presented a bill the House that is a companion bill to a Senate bill that seeks to exempt Maryland prisons from participating in the state’s new medical marijuana program. The bill will expand the exemption that already exists for the Washington County Detention Center so that other jails in Maryland will be exempt from the program that allows inmates to use medical cannabis will incarcerated. For more information about this issue, please click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegate Carl Anderton spoke in praise of the House’s decision to pass a bill that would stiffen penalties for drivers found to be driving while using their cell phone. The bill, which now heads to the Senate, has Delegate Anderton hopeful that “[the bill] is going to make roads safer because there [are] many accidents we handle and talking on a cell phone or texting on a cell phone is a contributing factor.”

 

• The Herald Mail  updates the progress of bills introduced by Delegates Paul Corderman, Mike McKay, Neil Parrott, and William Wivell.

 

• Delegate Kathy Szeliga introduced the Keep Communities Safe Act and held a press conference on Tuesday. Many Delegates attended to show their support for the bill. Another bill, HB 1549, authored by Delegates Warren Miller, Christopher Adams, Steven Arentz, Mark Fisher, William Folden, Seth Howard, Richard Impallaria, and Patrick  McDonough, would require local governments to “fully comply” with federal immigration agents.

House Republicans Demand Action on Sexual Predator Prevention Act – Promise to Petition Legislation From Committee in Order to Pass it Before Deadline

House Republicans today demanded action on legislation that would protect our communities from repeat sexual predators. During prosecution for sexual offenses, House Bills 301 and 353 will allow a court to admit evidence of a defendant’s prior history of sexual crimes or abuse.

Similar legislation has been before the committee 14 times. While the Senate unanimously passed the bill in 2016, this legislation has never moved out of the House Judiciary Committee. These bills have received wide bipartisan support, with more than 120 members of the General Assembly co-sponsoring these bills and their crossfiles. The Women’s Caucus and the Legislative Black Caucus have also indicated their support for this type of legislations.

According to the House Rules, bills not acted on by a Committee may be petitioned from the Committee’s possession and brought before the full House for a vote. In a letter to the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, House Minority Leader Nic Kipke and House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga indicated the Caucus’ intention to petition the bill from the Committee’s possession if the bill was not voted on.

“As much as we respect the committee system within the legislature,” the letter reads, “the safety of our children and our communities is far more precious than parliamentary niceties.” The letter requests the bill be acted on no later than March 16^th. The crossover deadline in the General Assembly is March 19^th. Bills passed after that date have to cross additional legislative hurdles in order to pass.

The letter continues, “…we do not take this action lightly, but we feel this move underscores our commitment to seeing this legislations passed and our communities protected.”

Click here to read the letter in its entirety.

 

Members Making News March 3rd-9th

A collection of media coverage of our Caucus members this week.

Lawmakers from all over the state and from both sides of the aisle were shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of State Senator Wayne Norman this past Sunday. Delegate Teresa Reilly, who served alongside Senator Norman as both his former legislative aide when he was in the House as well as being a fellow Harford County lawmaker, said that his passing will have a profound effect on everyone since “Everyone respected him; he was a personable guy and just shared a lot of love and a lot of wisdom…It’s a huge loss, my heart is broken and I’m sure a lot of others are as well.” For more quotes from other lawmakers about the impact Senator Norman has had on them, please click here to be redirected.

• For additional quotes from Delegate Christian Miele, please click here to be redirected.
• To read a quote from Delegate Andrew Cassilly, click here to be redirected.
• For additional commentary from Delegate Deb Rey, please click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegate Steve Arentz is sponsoring a bill that would give Maryland public schools guidelines on computer usage, as well as other devices, in classrooms. To read more details about the bill, HB 1110, please click here to be redirected.

 

• In regards to a bill that would fine slow drivers in the left hand lane up to $500, Delegate William Folden spoke of his own experiences with drivers in the left hand lane who cause frustration among other drivers, saying that “There’s a lady in the left lane I ended up having to pass on the right, who was doing her makeup in the left lane. We are in the age of technology, we have texting, we have people on their cellphone.” 

 

• Delegate William Folden testified in support of his bill that would propose a training program with emergency responders and law enforcement that would focus on how to interact with veterans who have been affected by trauma.

 

• Delegate Glen Glass has introduced a bill that keep an individual who uses medical cannabis from being denied buying a firearm.

 

• As the conversation of how to address school shootings continues, Delegate Rick Impallaria spoke about his bill that would give certain teachers the right to conceal carry on school property. To read more about this issue, click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegate Herb McMillan has spoken out against a law that allows convicted violent criminals to leave their prison sentence early for drug treatment programs, which has led to a series of problems.

 

• Delegate Mike McKay, who is sponsoring House Joint Resolution 4, recently discussed why Maryland and other states need to regain balance between the state and federal levels. With the current environment seen in Congress, Delegate McKay said, “It seems to me that Congress has, unfortunately, gotten too big and can’t control itself…The states need to sit down and take control of the reins. What we’re hoping to do is to restore the balance of state and federal government, as the Founders intended.” To read more about this topic, click here.

 

• Delegate Herb McMillan recently testified on behalf of his bill this past Wednesday that seeks to address the ethical issue of an Anne Arundel assistant state’s attorney who works part-time as a state’s attorney as well as serving as a political consultant and lobbyist.

 

• Delegate Christian Miele and Councilman David Marks have announced a new project to install a sidewalk along Dunfiled Road in Baltimore County.

 

• Delegate Kathy Szeliga held a press conference on Tuesday that would allow churches to give parishioners who own guns the ability to conceal carry on church property in a bid to prevent mass shootings like the 2017 deadly shooting that took place at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas.
  • To watch a video clip of the press conference, please click here to be redirected.
  • To read about other bills that were heard before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, click here to be redirected.
  • To watch another video clip of the press conference, please click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegate Seth Howard has praised Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh’s announcement of the county’s plans to purchase a 140 acre property for habitat preservation.

 

• Delegate Haven Shoemaker has spoken out against a bill that seeks to prevent children from participating in tackle football games, saying that the “nanny bill” is a way for government to step in and tell “parents what they can or can’t do with respect with their children.” 

 

• During “Gun Bill Day” in Annapolis this past Tuesday, Delegate Deb Rey noted that a bill that would ban detachable magazines that would hold more than ten rounds of bullets has been withdrawn. To watch a video clip from “Gun Bill Day,” please click here to be redirected to the video.

 

• Delegate William Wivell testified before the House Economic Matters Committee on Tuesday on behalf of his bill that would exempt companies that provide on-site health clinics and spend more than $1 million on these on-site clinics for their employees from the state’s new mandatory leave law which was enacted earlier this year.

 

• On Tuesday, Delegate David Vogt introduced his bill before the House Judiciary Committee which would allow bow hunters to carry handguns, however they would not be allowed to use the handgun to kill wounded wildlife.

 

• Delegate Kevin Hornberger was on hand to give a citation to Cecil College commemorating their 50 years of service in delivering excellence in higher education.

 

• Delegates William Folden and David Vogt recently spoke of their concern about a bill that would seek funding for a proposed hotel and conference center project in downtown Frederick.

 

• This week ALEC picked Delegate Kathy Szeliga as their Legislator of the Week. In the article, Delegate Szeliga talked about how being a member of ALEC has helped her become an effective lawmaker, saying that “ALEC’s principles of limited government, free markets and federalism are true pillars of conservative legislators. Finding ways to integrate these principles into state government, including best practices that are working in other states, is essential to steering Maryland and the 49 other states in the right direction.” To read the entire interview, please click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegate Kathy Afzali explained why she did not sign a letter from the Woman’s Caucus that called attention to the General Assembly being compared to a “frat house” by the media.

 

• Delegates Charles Otto, Mary Beth Carozza, Carl Anderton are asking fellow law makers to consider extending a free tuition program at Wor-Wic Community College that would include Somerset County high school graduates.

 

Members Making News February 24th-March 2nd

A collection of media coverage of our Caucus members this week.

• Relatives of Kasey Kasam, Glen Campbell, and Mickey Rooney came out to testify in support of Delegate Sid Saab’s bill that would allow Maryland judges to order visitation rights for people who have been cut off from contact with loved ones because of conflicts with the patient’s primary caregivers. Hoping that his bill, HB 1483, will help to resolve these issues without the time-consuming and expensive process of challenging guardianships in court, Delegate Saab said that, “We wanted the court system to have something in place where there would be a mechanism for visitation rights.” To read what was said by those who testified as well as to watch a video clip of the hearing, please click here to be redirected.

 

• This past Friday a vote on Delegate Tony McConkey’s bill was delayed in the Anne Arundel delegation hearing as he wanted to review the amendments requested to the bill. Delegate McConkey’s bill, HB 1247, seeks to increase the salary of judges who serve on the Anne Arundel County Orphans’ Court from it’s current rate of $29,000 to $39,000 and would increase over the course of four years. For more information on what bills were heard at the delegation meeting, click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegate Mary Beth Carozza has introduced legislation that would add the dice game of bunco among the list of legalized home games Maryland allows with certain restrictions. To read more about this bill, HB 581, please click here to be redirected.

 

• On Tuesday Delegate William Folden testified on a bill he is sponsoring that would increase the dose of an opioid antidote emergency responders can carry while protecting them from civil liability for using that medication in an emergency situation. Speaking of his bill, HB 924, Delegate Folden pointed out that the emergency responders would be carrying the same dosage amount that police officers are allowed to carry. To read more about this hearing, please click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegates Teresa Reilly, Andrew Cassilly, Susan McComas, Glen Glass, Rick Impallaria, Kathy Szeliga, and Pat McDonough collaborated together to write a piece for The Baltimore Sun to discuss what they have been working hard to achieve this Session as it nears Cross-Over Week.

 

• Delegate Kathy Szeliga has spoken out against a report by the Women’s Caucus that detailing descriptions of sexual harassment by male colleagues that led to an anonymous staffer to call the Maryland General Assembly “a frat house.” Delegate Szeliga said that the 38 page report sent “a wrong message . . . that this is a frat house, and it’s not.”

 

• Delegate Chris Adams recently spoke out against HB 664 that would increase the minimum wage to $15, saying that the bill will “have businesses cut from benefits, cut hours, maybe not hire at the same rate that they would other wise.”

 

• Delegate Neil Parrott has introduced a bill that would require potential drivers to show that they can indeed parallel park during their driving exam in order to obtain their driver’s license in Maryland. To read more about this bill as well as some of the other bills sponsored by Delegate Parrott, please click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegate Rick Impallaira recently spoke about his bill that would arm certain school teachers after being properly vetted, saying that in regards to incidents like the 2012 school shooting that took place at Perry Hall High School and the recent mass shooting in Florida, “I hope that we don’t have an incident like this in Maryland and [it will] make people realize we need to do a better job of protecting our students in school.” To read more about this issue, click here to be redirected.
  • To read another article with more information about this topic as well as additional comments from Delegate Impallaria, click here.
  • For additional comments from Delegate Deb Rey, please click here to be redirected.

 

• Speaking of a bill that would allow parishioners to conceal carry on church property, Delegate Szeliga made the point that this is already happening in some churches throughout Maryland and added that “Current law enforcement—they’re able to carry their firearm anywhere…In my particular church, we have a couple of men in law enforcement that are part of our security team, but not every church, especially our smaller ones, have that ability.” To read more about this issue, please click here to be redirected.

 

• Delegate Mark Fisher has paused the Calvert County commissioner’s plans to construct a new county administration building that would raise the taxes of local residents.

 

• Delegates Joe Cluster, Kathy Szeliga, and Susan McComas have spoken out against the House’s decision to vote down an amendment that would lower the proposed $20,000 pay raise of judges.

 

• Delegate Shoemaker spoke of his opposition of a bill concerning speed cameras and third time offenders, saying that “in the interest of full disclosure, I hate cameras. I’m just gonna get that out of the way right now. Whether they be speed cameras, or red-light cameras or any of those darn cameras. I don’t like ’em.”

 

• Delegate William Folden is supporting a bill, HB 881, that would consolidate Maryland law to make it easier for police officers to stop aggressive drivers.

 

• Delegate Warren Miller spoke out against State Comptroller Peter Franchots’ “Reform on Tap” bill.

 

• Delegate William Wivell is sponsoring a bill that would seek tax relief for new development projects at Fort Ritchie.

 

• Delegate Mark Fisher was on hand to praise and remember fallen first responders at a banquet for the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department.

 

• In a column for the Capital Gazette, Delegate Michael Malone made his case for the need of redistricting reform in Maryland.