Annapolis Update

Budget

After the good news of federal stimulus funds and the bad news of continued write–downs in State revenue, the House Appropriations Committee recommended a $13.9 billion FY2010 general fund budget, and the House approved the budget. The budget is smaller than the FY07 budget and does not raise any taxes or fees. The budget (HB 100) makes significant reductions to state government. It cuts more than 1,100 vacant State positions, in addition to the $30 million saved by furloughing state employees for 2–5 days this year. The budget includes $524 million in General Fund cuts to nearly every state agency including:

$30M	University System Fund Balance
$25M	Sellinger Funding to Private Colleges
$25M	Judiciary

Notwithstanding these cuts, the budget continues to fully fund K–12 education. It also continues to invest in higher education with a 3.1% increase in funding for community colleges and maintains the tuition freeze at four–year public universities. This is particularly important as rising unemployment in Maryland continues to drive workers to community colleges for training and adult education. It also continues to fund Chesapeake Bay cleanup and maintains 5% of the general fund in the Rainy Day Account.

Death Penalty

This past week, the House approved legislation (SB 279) that repeals the death penalty in all but limited respects. The bill prohibits state prosecutors from seeking the death penalty unless the State can present biological or DNA evidence, a videotaped confession, or a video recording that conclusively links the defendant to the murder.

I have supported Maryland’s current death penalty statute and I opposed the repeal. The bills’ sponsors sought to limit the penalty’s application to those situations in which the guilt of the defendant is beyond doubt, but the bill left out circumstances in which evidence can clearly link a defendant to a murder. I voted in favor of amendments that would have allowed the death penalty in cases in which fingerprint evidence, photographs and audio recordings established proof of guilt, but those amendments were not approved. For that reason, I voted against SB 279.

Climate Change

The House approved a bill (HB 315) that commits Maryland to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from 2006 levels by the year 2020. With its extensive coastline, Maryland is extremely vulnerable to the rising sea levels that climate change will cause. Maryland has already taken several steps that will advance the State toward the 25% reduction goal, including laws that require “clean cars,” energy efficiency, and greater use of renewable energy.

Early Voting

HB 1179 (sponsored by my colleague Del. Jon Cardin) follows last year’s approval by the voters of a constitutional amendment allowing early voting. The bill creates an early voting system in which 1–5 polls in each County will be open for voting from the second Friday before the election through the Thursday before the election. Under the bill, early voting will start with next year’s elections.

Safe Driving

One of the subcommittees I serve on is Motor Vehicles and Transportation. We have spent much time reviewing and strengthening the law on teen driving. Our bill (HB 303) increases the minimum age (to 16 years, 6 months) for obtaining a provisional license; increases the minimum age (to 18 years) for obtaining a driver’s license; further restricts when a teen driver can have non–family members as passengers; and strengthens the penalties for motor vehicle violations by teens. The House has approved our bill, which now must be reconciled with the Senate’s version.

Another important safe driving issue concerns sending text messages while driving. The Senate has approved a ban on texting while driving and the House is likely to approve a very similar ban. I strongly support such a ban—texting or e–mailing while driving is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do.

My Bills

HB 120 – extends the term of the Task Force on Financial Literacy (which I co–chair).

HB 547 – requires prices advertised in auto ads to be the “full delivered cash price.” This eliminates the deceptive practice—used in some auto ads—of advertising a price that incorporates an amount for customer cash or trade–in and/or rebates that some buyers may not qualify for.

HB 754 – requires disclosure, when property subject to an easement is sold, of the easement to the buyer and provides remedies in the event of non–disclosure.

HB 1564 – clarifies that Program Open Space grants can be used to help fund indoor recreational facilities (such as community centers, pools, nature centers, and tennis facilities).

I am proud to be representing you in Annapolis and to be a part of the District 11 legislative team, which includes Senator Bobby Zirkin, Delegate Jon Cardin, and Delegate Dan Morhaim. Please contact me at 410–841–3527 or if I can ever be of assistance.

Best,

Delegate Dana Stein

410-841-3527